Pedals, Paddles and Poles
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vegas Valley, NV
Posts: 5,495
Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Ridley Noah, Scott Spark 20
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Since you are just getting into Mountain biking and have a limited budget you might even go with a rigid bike. A Hardtail would be the an OK starter bike. Most everyone here started with a rigid and graduated up the bike pyramid. I like that you want to learn to do your own work. Smart in many ways. Look for the Sheldon Brown bike thread here. It has tons of advice on repairing your bike.
As far as putting much money into your current bike, I would limit it to tires and tubes.
If you can get a 90's main name (Trek, Specialized, Giant, Norco, Bridgestone, etc.) bike with Deore components. Be patient and check Craigslist and look for local bike clubs and co-ops as mentioned above.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.