True, and there is this trail called the palmetto trail that goes all the way across SC. And I'm hoping to get a couple guys rounded up to ride it sometime this year.

Fubar:

Have you started looking at bikes yet? If so, what models have you been eyeing?

Carlos

Well, I've looked at a couple Hardrocks,Schwinn Mesa's,and some Giant's. I have ruled out gripshift in my looking though, rapidfire is way smoother.I found a Giant Iguana for 550. The dealer also hinted that he would cut a deal. The Iguana is pretty cool, it comes with deore in the rear, and a Manitou shock with lockout capabilities. I may go with the Rincon though, it only comes with an unadjustable Suntour shock and Acera drivetran but I can upgrade that later, and also the lower price would leave me with some spending money. .I want to put a Manitou Black shock on when they come out anyway so the shock is not a huge problem, but I don't want something that bobs around and bottoms out all the time.But I think the frame is my main concern overall.

The Iguana sounds like a great deal, especially if you can lock out the front shock. Mesa's are also very good bikes for the money.

Giant, Schwinn, and KHS make very good bikes for the money. They pack a lot of value into their bikes.

Of course, I dig the paint job on the Schwinn Mesa. Not that I'm into vanity...

[img]C:\personal\download\1mesagsx.jpg[/img]

Yeah the Mesa's has a cool paint job, but I kinda dig the iguana.

One reason I bought my Iguana in '92 (which I am still riding) is that I liked the name--and a friend at work had a four-legged iguana. Another reason is that the Iguana in 1992 was highest rated in its price range by Consumer Reports.

The bike shop had ordered ten Iguanas, and received one, and had already had phone inquiries about it. The one they received happened to be my exact size. So I snapped it up....

Not that it matters, but I stated elsewhere on the Forum that I got that bike in 1993. I just discovered while researching this, that it was in 1992.

The Iguana does seem to pack alot of bang for the buck. I would like to look at a Yukon, but the shop didn't have one in. But they did have the Trek USPS team road bike, that thing was the lightest sonofagun.My dad, who once was a cyclist, can't understand why people would pay 1000+ dollars for a bike.

I recently helped a friend research his recent bike purchase and I have to say the Iguana is one of the best deals in it's price range. You really can't go wrong with that.

It's still a lot cheaper than a fighter plane, though!

I almost bought a Yukon last year, I think it is the best value in that part of the Giant lineup, as far as components, frame etc. go. I've also had extemely good luck with my Giant Inova hybrid.

The only reason I didn't get it, was that the LBS just couldn't get one in, and had no idea when they would be available. I ended up with a Trek 4500, which I am pleased with.

Aerobat, do you remember what the shifters were like on the Yukon? I was just looking at shimano EZ-fire and I really don't like it, it is over/under instead of under/under.

I just thought i'd throw in my opinion here. i think you're on the right path with the MTB. Modern road bikes for the most part just aren't versatile enough for utilitarian needs. You can always turn the MTB into a pretty good roadbike, but it's hard to turn the roadbike into a off-road machine.

So here's my thoughts. first have you considered a rigid MTB. You know, one without any suspension. I know their getting hard to find, as manufacturers tend to put suspension forks on even low-priced bikes. However for what you have to spend you could probably get better components if you went without a suspension fork. I doesn't sound like you're going to do a lot of off-roading so the suspension fork is probably not needed and might even be a hinderence on the road.

Secondly, if you can wait until the end of summer you'll probably be able to get a better deal at the bike shop. Okay, and you can all hang me if you want, but there are some good deals on bikes on the internet. Places like supergo.com and jensonusa.com have excellent deals on complete bikes and are quite reputable. if you know what you're looking for and know the size you need you shouldn't have a problem buying over the web. you'll have to pay shipping but you won't have to pay sales tax if the company is out of your state. It's just an idea. Of course, if you have a good LBS it's your duty to support it. The shops near me are pathetic. So i have no remorse in buying off the web.

Good thoughts. I have looked at some rigid frames at manufacturer websites but none of the bike shops I have gone to carry them.
The bike shop in my town is ok, the guy has really wierd hours though so its hard to catch him sometimes. And he has limited stock, but as far as bike knowledge he's one of the best guys I've run across.

Fubar,

Get all the components you want right up front. If you change your mind and replace them later, you will pay a fortune.

Well that's kinda tricky. To get what I want I would have to spend around 800 dollars. That's is not going to be possible do to the short time I am going to have this job, and I have some other things I gotta do with my money. So I just have to go with the best bang for my buck. Which is going to be either a Giant Iguana, or Yukon, or a Specialized A1 FS. The cool thing about the Specialized is that it comes with a body geometry saddle worth 50 bucks.

Hi Fubar, I can't remember what type of shifting arrangement the Yukon had, but it was last years model so it might be different now anyway.

Whatever is on it, though, your LBS should be able to change it out for you, so you can get the type of shifting you want. Within reason, of course.

Sounds like you're getting closer!

Very interesting posts! All I can say is, "BIG WHEEL"!!!!

It's economical and a classic...might I also say, VERY inexpensive!

Actually, I ended up with a MTB on my quest for a bike the first time out. I've modified it quite a bit--added skinny tires and a rear rack. I agree with Mike...if you can get a inexpensive road bike to do some riding or running errands, that'll be cool too! I'm going to start looking for something like that in the fall...my MTB is sort of heavy...but not too heavy.

It all depends where and how you ride. I found a touring bike to be a good compromise for me. It has most of the efficiency of a road bike for the road (many gears, light, fast and efficient), yet it can also take a beating and supports almost any 700 tires from the skinny 23' to 38' so I works fine in muddy paths and in the snowy winter as well.

Then again I don't do really off-road riding

Mike, do you think making a round through some pawn shops would turn out a bike?

Pape, what bike is this? I'm looking for something like that!

Fubar, I'm on the same boat as you. I want a bike that can take some abuse from the city, but I like the speed of a road bike. I've looked into several bikes, but it's pretty hard to decide.

I don't want a mt. bike because the most off roading I'll be doing is in Central Park (which a hybrid can do quite easily).

Before you make up your mind, have you thought of flat bars vs. drops? Someone had brought this to my attention and says drops will be your choice if you do most of your riding on the street. It offers more hand positions and you will be more comfy.

But goodluck to you. It's good to see a responsible kid earning hard earned cash (I was in your shoes just a few years back...but it was for a car). Opps, sorry, you can't drink yet

Well... this thread is about a year old...

As I've said elsewhere, I think a cyclocross bike is an excellent choice for an all-around bike. The question comes down to how much you want to spend. Having said that, there are some models in the sub-$1000 price range, but you have to look for them.

I never go the pawn shop route. Pawn shop stuff is either stolen or it has been lost at great and often miserable expense to the owner.

Neither case has good feng shui.

Try a place like this (I don't work here)
https://www.recycledcycles.com/

Get a nice fast Mt bike and a fixed gear road bike ... and you will become strong as heck.

Get the lightest hardtail frame you can afford. Then get a pair of slicks. An addition option would be a very light set of 26 in wheels to use on the road with you slicks. This will give you a faster ride.