adelii

There are a lot of people right now that enjoy the idea of having a bike or riding one and go into walmart and see bikes that are 150 bucks and think that those bikes are really good. I was one of them. Never did i realize until right now how much parts and suspension mean. I think they should make a thread on 300 dollar bikes for those people. Just riding around in a trek for me felt good. I think there should be a 300 dollar sticky for those people who want to get into the sport and see if its for them. What you guys think?? I say 300 hundred because going from $150 to $579 is a lot of money for somebody that is thinking about getting into the sport.

phantomcow2

well there really isnt much new at that price you can get thats not a POS. Usually when people say i want something under x price (under 300) we tell them to go used.

-=(8)=-

People that get into the sport for a discount are more often than not dooming
themselves to leave. If you think about all the money we waste on worthless
crap like cable TV, Micky D'z or the new Limp Bizket Cd there is no excuse for not
being able to come up with another 300.00 bucks for something that *IS* worthwhile.
2¢ - 2¢ - 2¢ - 2¢ -

adelii

or people like you guys, Listen, that advice does not work. Im comparing huffy with 300 dollar bikes. your saying that its the same thing unless you get 600 dollar bikes?

Feltup

No what they are saying is that you can't get a good MTB for $300 unless its used; even than it ain't going to be great.

Original 6

I think this is a worth while topic but it shouldn't be a sticky. I think there should be one sticky that explains the "Search the Forums" feature. There are lots of good topics that can be resurfaced.

adelii

if its a worth while topic, lets start naming bikes!

MadMan2k

'04 Hardrock 'XC'. I almost bought one, glad I got the new 'sport' one with better crap on it though.

adelii

How about a trek 3900, goes for about $320

adelii

trek y26? trek bruiser 1? jamis bikes any good?

Conundrum

Having just done this I would have to say it's a worth while topic. I bought an 04 Giant Boulder SE because someone gave me a dept store bike for Christmas "just to see if I really wanted get into it" I bought the bike on 2/05/05 and as of today have just broken 100 miles on it (about 25 of that on actual single track). Granted I'm not bustin down the trail or pushing the bike to anything like its limits, but so far it has performed flawlessly. At this point I know I'm going to stay with this so I wish I had bought a little better bike, but I'm not sure why since this one has done everything I've asked of it without so much as a stutter.

Portis

You see, it starts with everyone saying that X-mart bikes are crap. Everyone tells you to buy at least an entry level LBS bike. THese are in the $300 price range. Then when you post that you are going to buy a $300 LBS bike they will tell you that they are crap. So you look at the $600 bikes. There is a strong chance that someone might tell you that they are crap.

Here's the deal. The LBS bikes are generally a big step up from the Xmart bikes. They usually cost about twice as much even on the entry level and they are waaaay better than twice as good. I have two Trek 4300's that retail for a little over $300. They fit in the "crap" category if you follow some of these guys' advice.

With that said, i think they are good bikes. I bet that I have gotten WAY more service out of my crap $300 bikes in the last 18 months than most anyone that has spent over $1000 on a bike. I have aprox. 4000 miles on each of them and ride them every day. I have never had a failure other than a few tube punctures and normal wear of consumables, and the bikes serve me very well.

You can make your own mind up. I think it is an OK idea to have a $300 sticky but i don't think you find enough difference between any of the bikes to talk about. THey are all pretty much the same. For that matter i think there is far too much "talk" about bikes and not enough riding. Go ride some bikes. If you like it, buy it! Then go ride it! A bunch!

jdoglike

I've been riding a Giant Boulder SE and have almost a thousand mile on it. I some deraliur problems but im hard on it. Good topic

adelii

Finally! some people like me. Im glad somebody spoke out on this subject. Its is certainly true about everything is crap until you get into the 1,000 dollar bikes. I will admit those bikes are nice but, 300 dollar bikes are nice. I bought a 2005 trek y26, I love it! Everyone hates it, dont know why. I have never had such a nice bike. A friend of mine bought a mongoose full suspension from walmart and man im telling you, night and day diffrence. every part is inferior.


do the brands Specialized or Haro or cannondale have 300 dollar bikes?

Maelstrom 

While I agree, I view the 500$ sticky as 500 and under. No need for another sticky.

Specialized does...

WildBill

I'm considering purchasing a $300 mountain bike "crap" ride (according to some I'm sure) this month as an intro into Mountain Biking. Yes I realize that the component set is cheaper and the fork is not as good as on a $1300 model, but I'm trying to stay within my budget of keeping the peace with the wife. I agree with most that the more expensive models ARE nicer and you may be happy with them more (ie not upgrading as much), but I still think the lower end models have their place in terms of function AND value. I do plan on upgrades though, but those are easier to justify to the wife nickel and dimeing than jumping into a $1000+ bike right off the bat.

I'm spent approx $3k on my two road bikes and even still that's 1/2 of what a "good" road bike will cost you according to some people. Still they both get the job done, and have better than avg components on them.

I'm looking at either a Trek 4300 or a Gary Fisher Advance. Both are pretty much evenly spec'd out and cost the same, $329. I'm also considering an "upgrade" to a Specialized Stumpjumper but then again that starts to expand the budget to the point where it's easy to talk yourself into another $1300 bike.

a2psyklnut

Here's my take on the subject:

1. I agree with Maelstrom the 500 bike thread should be edited to Under $500.

2. Bikes under $275 will usually be X-Mart bikes. Although they serve a purpose, it's usually not going to be a good bike for off-road use that'll hold up over time. Sure, it'll get you out there, but hitting some of the trails more than a couple of times and it'll start to show it's inferiority.

3. Bikes starting at $300 to $500 are entry level mountain bikes. These are bikes designed to handle some off-road use. They won't hold up to a lot of abuse, like DJing or Urban riding, but are great for about 99% of the trails a beginner will ride. If you are riding on a regular basis and quickly develope skills, you'll probably 'outgrow' this bike in a year's time. If you get out once or twice a month, it'll last you an eternity.

4. Bikes in the $500 to $700 range. Are entry level "Race" bikes. Meaning, the suspension is a little better, the components shift smoother, the bike is lighter. It's a bike that a person can start racing XC with and have no problems.

5. Bikes in the $750 to $1,000 range. These are bikes for people who are going to embrace the sport. They are going to ride most weekends and sometimes during the week. They are a bit more than an "enthusiast" they ride and ride often.

6. Bikes in the $1,000.00 +++ range. People who are really "INTO" the sport or like me, like their "toys or equipment". If it's a sport I participate in regularly, then I'm going to spend some money and buy some quality gear. Stuff that lasts. Heck, I can afford it, that's why I work hard to buy some of the things I like. For example, I kayak. I bought carbon fiber paddles. Do I "NEED" carbon fiber paddles. NO! But if it's an activity I can envision myself doing long term, I'll spend the extra money!

Feltup

I have a Trek 4300 and it wasn't under $300. The thread said under $300. I have yet to see a bike at the LBS that was under $300. They usually start around $320-340. Add tax and you are close to $400. My wife's Trek is perfect for her, I have no complants.

Raiyn

It was always intended as a $500 and under thread.

Maelstrom 

I know that raiyn. But the title is incorrect...

Raiyn

Then you have my blessing to change it to "The $500 (and under) MTB thread"