Hello, I am a newly registered member of the forums, and am looking for some advice. I'm a senior highschool student, soon getting out into the real world, and as for a birthday/graduation present I'm thinking about asking for a nice bike; I'm confused about what to get though. I would like a multipurpose bike, because I would like to ride around on flat trails, and to work on the bike, but would also like to head out to the "mountains", which are more like bluffs(from Wisconsin after all, not many mountains here), so I want a bike I can take out to those spots and have fun there aswell. I'm not brand new to the sport, I used to have a Dyno Compe as a younger kid, but never really got into what I want to do now, and when I did ocassionaly try those more off-trail events, it was damn hard on the low sitting bike with no real suspension; though flying down sets of stairs was fun to do.

Basically, I want to know what I need to get/do to get into this. Obviously a bike, I was thinking a Trek; which may or may not fit me, being kind of a beginner getting a one or two thousand dollar bike; but college is comming up next year so the money to upgrade bike or just components won't really be there. What bike I need though I don't know. Looking though Trek's website I found the mountain biking section, but it splits into Hardtail and Full suspension, with each two breaking off into more sub catergories. It's just kind of confusion, so really the only thing driving me to which bike to pick it which one LOOKS the coolest/nicest, and I don't want to make faulty assumptions which are going to have me end up with a nice bike, but not for the kind of activity I plan on doing.

After all my explaning I would just more experienced members opinions on what I should do and how I should set myself up for a hobbie that will hopefully continue to be of intrest for a lifetime. Also, feel free to ask more personal question; because I hope to become more involved in the "forum community."

Thanks, Ben.

A mountain bike with two sets of tires, one for the roads, the other for off roads, will be the most versital. However look long and hard at a Surly Long Haul Trucker (the link is correct but not working for me at the moment). It's a touring bike, that makes for a fantastic commuter.
There will be those who say to only keep a beater in college. It depends on where you go to college, not all are dens of bicycle thieves. Keep a good lock on it, (Sheldon Brown Lock Strategy, good info), and be aware of where you lock it up. I made it through my undergrad degree without a single problem with a nice Cannondale.

Mountain bikes (or rather POSs that look like mountain bikes) are the "default" bikes these days, so I can see why you're looking at those. But AllenG has a very good point: if the trails you're doing aren't going to be very technical, and if you will be riding a lot on pavement, you might want to look at cyclocross bikes. They are used for racing offroad. They're like road bikes (fast, aero) but are tougher and are able to take wider tires etc. if necessary. However, I'm not quite sure what you mean by "mountains". If you mean paved trails/roads in the mountains, the cyclocross recommendation holds. But if we're talking about rocky trails or just rocks with hardly any trails at all, then an MTB is definitely the thing to buy. Which one - I don't know (not an mtb expert here, and are not familiar with the terrain you'll be riding on and the type of riding you'll be doing).

There is no reason to be stuck on Trek. There are lots of good manufacturers around. In fact, you should probably shop for a bike shop as much as for a manufacturer. Find one with knowledgeable mechanics, friendly service and a good free tune-up package thrown in with the purchase of the bike. Bikes need maintenance, and a good relationship with your LBS (local bike shop) helps. Once you decided on the style of the bike and found some good shops, test-ride the bikes they carry in your price range and buy the one that feels and looks best.

I've bought nothing but Specialized my whole life. Why? My dad sells them and I never had a problem with them until last month when I broke a frame (wrecked hard). $2000 will get you a pretty badass cross-country bike. I have a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC Comp from 1999. Best bike EVER (IMO)! XTR/XT components, Avid V-brakes that have the best feel ever, suspension has come a long ways since then but still great for climbing.

My advice for you, put whatever you can into a bike..... and use it strictly for playing. Keep it in your house at all times and never lock it up outside around town. College towns or wherever you're thinking about going, will have cheap bikes floating around. Those are for commuting, searching craigslist for a few days will find you a good deal. And honestly, I've commuted on my Dual suspension and it sucks for street riding. Road bikes are key.... single speed road bikes are perfect IMO. Cheap, effective, and it rarely breaks down.

Have you considered 2 different used bikes?
Depending on your pavement riding, maybe a decent quality 10-12 speed from the 80's may fit the bill.
If you just commute a "few" miles, you don't need 20-30 speeds. 6-7 USEFUL ones would probably do the job just fine.
About all I know about suspension bikes is that good ones cost a lot.
Cheap ones aren't worth the trouble.

"senior highschool student"

Get a job in a bike shop. You will learn allot and get an employee discount.

Consider a folding bike, storage and transportation are much easier:
Downtube.com($300). Xooter.com Swift($700). Dahon Mu XL ($900).

Sounds what your looking for is 2 bikes. Like my old bike and my current one. My old one was a Gary Fisher Zebrano S Hybrid. Good for off road and you can take it on the streets. It is a little heavy though, with the suspension it was a 27speed. New goes for about $400. My current bike is a Trek pilot 2.1 spa this is a 30 speed and goes for around $1700. But whatever you decide to get, remember to get one in a size that fits you.

Before you decide on the Bike- or type of bike- Find an LBS (Local bike shop) that is going to suit you. It may not be the largest shop around but it will be one that offers advice- and can give you the info on the type of bike to get for your type of riding.

If it is just trail riding on smooth trails and nothing too aggressive- Then Cyclocross bikes may be the answer. If mainly tarmac then road or (Shudder here before you read it) A hybrid. Don't knock the hybrids. The good ones are a road bike with straight bars. OK not a true road bike but on smooth trails a lot more manoeverable and comfortable.

Now if you are talking full offroad up 15% hills on mud and gnarly rooted sections of Downhill- then a mountain bike is the way to go. Personally- I would not get a Full suspension within your budget. They may be full suspension but unless you double your budget- you could be buying a Pogo Stick.

A top rate Hardtail though is a different matter. The frame will be proven- the Front forks will work- instead of a budget pair that are Pogo sticks- and the components will be of a standard that will not let you down. Couple of manufacturers come to mind and top of my list for a proven quality bike is Kona. They make good bikes and all you have to do is decide the price and get the right size- You will have a good bike that is well sorted. Ask any Kona owner what bike to get and they will confirm my suggestion.

Just to show I am not biased- I Have a Giant road bike-A Bianchi MTB and a Cannondale Tandem. I also have a 12 year old Kona Explosif that is still the best bike I have ever had- but it is just like me and a little past it now, so has turned into the beater bike.

I was thinking a Remedy 6 or Ful EX 8. I already have a decent commuting bike, an older trek my dad had. It says that it's a mountain bike; has straight bars and everything, but has NO suspension, just a complete rigid? frame. It's fine for rididng, because I was riding it around my neighborhood yesterday. Needs a new seat though, my maximus hurts after riding around and attempting wheelies on it.

Hello Diggidy and Welcome!

I have published a web site that addresses this and other issues for the novice as well as the advanced rider. While I have wrote specifically about folding bikes, it is a no brainer to transfer the personal shopping list idea to select what you both want and need in a bike. You already have a good start there. See my web sites list below:

How far do you paln to commute? If it's not a large distance, just put on some "smoothie" street tires (something like 26x1.25" to 26x1.5") on the old MB. You might want to do a couple other upgrades like fenders, better gear ratio, lights etc.

I didn't really see anything in the original post about commuting too much (did he say "ride...to work on the bike" or just "to work on the bike"?). So, it sounds more like mountain bike or hybrid to me.

AllenG and Bill Kapaun above had a good idea too: one of my buddies has a couple bikes, both mountain bikes. But on the older, he put a pair of fatter slicks on and uses it to commute and for road riding.

As a beginner, I wouldn't obsess on a brand either. Natural instinct says by the cool brand. But what the bike can do is more important. Develop brand loyalty later.

PS, I'm pretty new here too, but Welcome from another new guy.

What a disappointment! I thought that the original post said something about "Getting into bikini! Help."