Bike Forums - View Single Post - The "around" $500 MTB thread.

07-12-05 | 10:47 PM

#610

Raiyn

I drink your MILKSHAKE

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 15,061

Likes: 3

From: St. Petersburg, FL

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcleveqis

Hello,

I am looking for a new bike for my 15 yr old son. He is planning on using it mostly for jumping around the house, and we would also like it to be dual-purpose for family trips along a hike-bike trail.

I was thinking of getting a FS MTB, and both the Fuji Discovery 1, and Trek Y-26 has mostly good reviews on the review site. But the comments here are all in favor of hardtails. If he is mostly jumping, is the extra shock absorbtion (and reduced injury to wrists/knees) worth the lower grade of other components?

All advice will be appreciated.

With a FS bike there are more (expensive) things to go wrong especially on a low end model such as those suggested. Neither the Discovery 1 or the Y-26 will handle the kind of abuse inherent in jumping nor will they make a good "ride with the family" bike as the suspensions systems of both will eat large amounts of energy due to suspension bob. Have a look at the Specialized Hardrock as its one of the models that seem to best blend "family friendly" and "won't detonate on impact" at a lower price point.

A suspension bike isn't going to do ANYTHING to prevent knee / wrist injuries caused by jumping as most of them are caused by falling off the bike.

One last thing a GOOD full suspension bike starts at around $1000 this is due to the better shocks and all around better designs.

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