Just a kid with small money and want a cheap mountain bike.
05-06-17, 03:56 PM
#1
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Just a kid with small money and want a cheap mountain bike.
Im just a kid saving with small amounts of money.
Which is better? And if they're all bad can you guys find me a good bike under $150? I will upgrade when I soon get more money
" Merax 26" Dual Disc Brakes 21 Speed Hardtail Mountain Bike "
" GTM 26" Mountain Bike 18 Speed Bicycle Shimano Hybrid "
" GTM 26" 7 Speed Folding Mountain Bike Bicycle Shimano Hybrid Suspension MTB "
Which is better? And if they're all bad can you guys find me a good bike under $150? I will upgrade when I soon get more money
" Merax 26" Dual Disc Brakes 21 Speed Hardtail Mountain Bike "
" GTM 26" Mountain Bike 18 Speed Bicycle Shimano Hybrid "
" GTM 26" 7 Speed Folding Mountain Bike Bicycle Shimano Hybrid Suspension MTB "
05-06-17, 08:55 PM
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The folding bike would be a mistake. Avoid that one for sure. The reason I say that is because it is also a full-suspension model. The $117 price tag that I see on Amazon is not enough to build a full-suspension bike to a decent level of quality, much less one that also folds.
05-06-17, 10:17 PM
#3
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Go used. You should be able to find a 5-10 year old legit mtn bike for $150. Get on facebook and join your local bike groups and post asking if anybody has an older entry level mtn bike they would sell. Craigslist is also a good place to look though prices tend to be nuts on there.
05-07-17, 12:10 AM
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You CAN'T buy a good bike new for that kind of money.
If you want true MTB capacity - handling jumps and bumps at speed - you're looking $500 at the very least.
If you just want MTB looks, you might get away with less, But the bike will only be rated for casual riding.
And never buy a bike with the immediate plan for a thorough upgrade.
Bike parts are a lot more expensive bought piecemeal than when bought as an assembled bike.
Unless you have a big stash of parts already, or is very skilled at bargain hunting, a thorough upgrade will cost more than a new bike.
If you are on a tight budget, go for the least number of features. The more features the more your money will have to cover, leaving less money for each feature.
Less money means less performance.
If you want true MTB capacity - handling jumps and bumps at speed - you're looking $500 at the very least.
If you just want MTB looks, you might get away with less, But the bike will only be rated for casual riding.
And never buy a bike with the immediate plan for a thorough upgrade.
Bike parts are a lot more expensive bought piecemeal than when bought as an assembled bike.
Unless you have a big stash of parts already, or is very skilled at bargain hunting, a thorough upgrade will cost more than a new bike.
If you are on a tight budget, go for the least number of features. The more features the more your money will have to cover, leaving less money for each feature.
Less money means less performance.
Last edited by dabac; 05-07-17 at 12:13 AM.
05-07-17, 08:48 AM
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If you guys had no choice and had to pick one of those bikes which would you choose?
Last edited by MTBStarter22; 05-07-17 at 12:39 PM.
05-08-17, 06:15 AM
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I went into a bike store 20 years ago with $300 in my pocket and the very same question you had.
I bought a 1995 Norco Bushpilot.
I went into the same bike store and asked what would be the equivalent of what I bought 20 years ago, both in quality price. He told me that I would have to spend about $600 to $700 to match what I bought 20 years earlier.
Recently I went the route of upgrading it and I will ditto what others have said. It can cost as much to upgrade as it would of if I bought a new bike.
But all that being said, I managed to get a good 20 years of riding with almost no upgrades or major maintenance because i bought a better than low end bike at the time.
I bought a 1995 Norco Bushpilot.
I went into the same bike store and asked what would be the equivalent of what I bought 20 years ago, both in quality price. He told me that I would have to spend about $600 to $700 to match what I bought 20 years earlier.
Recently I went the route of upgrading it and I will ditto what others have said. It can cost as much to upgrade as it would of if I bought a new bike.
But all that being said, I managed to get a good 20 years of riding with almost no upgrades or major maintenance because i bought a better than low end bike at the time.
05-08-17, 07:12 AM
#9
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I'll say first I agree with everyone that you shouldn't buy any of those bikes, ever, unless you're looking for a MTB style bike to ride around your neighborhood. Don't take them on MTB trails.
That said, IF I were going to buy a bottom-end, cheap bike off of Amazon, I would up my budget another $30(surely you can manage that without it taking That long. Mow a lawn or something?) and get something like this. https://www.amazon.com/Navi-Hardtail...=A95UMGPWPH63Z I'm not saying that one particularly. I'm not going to spend an hour looking through Amazon for you. You can research and do that yourself. But note that this bike has somewhat real parts on it, like Shimano disk brakes and a Suntour fork with a lockout. These things imply that it's at least getting into a quality level where the companies care about their image a little and aren't making the Cheapest Chinese garbage they can possible produce. Those parts, plus the fact that it's an AL frame also mean it's going to be lighter. Those ****ty Chinese steel frame things are going to weigh as much as you.
That said, IF I were going to buy a bottom-end, cheap bike off of Amazon, I would up my budget another $30(surely you can manage that without it taking That long. Mow a lawn or something?) and get something like this. https://www.amazon.com/Navi-Hardtail...=A95UMGPWPH63Z I'm not saying that one particularly. I'm not going to spend an hour looking through Amazon for you. You can research and do that yourself. But note that this bike has somewhat real parts on it, like Shimano disk brakes and a Suntour fork with a lockout. These things imply that it's at least getting into a quality level where the companies care about their image a little and aren't making the Cheapest Chinese garbage they can possible produce. Those parts, plus the fact that it's an AL frame also mean it's going to be lighter. Those ****ty Chinese steel frame things are going to weigh as much as you.
05-08-17, 09:43 AM
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The bikes posted are worse than junk but when a low quality bike is all that you can afford, then that is what someone will buy.
This is sort of in the cheap bike budget and not bad for a low quality bike.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/29-Genesi...-Bike/34116311
I have 2 for family and visitors to ride, and they are good once you grease "everything" and tighten the steering stem and other parts with blue loctite.
I'm not sure if you can use an Amazon card at Walmart though...
This is sort of in the cheap bike budget and not bad for a low quality bike.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/29-Genesi...-Bike/34116311
I have 2 for family and visitors to ride, and they are good once you grease "everything" and tighten the steering stem and other parts with blue loctite.
I'm not sure if you can use an Amazon card at Walmart though...
05-10-17, 08:11 PM
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Umm im really short and i think 29" Would be way to big for me atleast 26" and I've been borrowing my friends diamondback 24" bike for the last week which has been great! Also thanks for the replies
05-11-17, 07:00 PM
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When I was a kid I was always biking on a budget. Used is a good option. Craigslist and Facebook are good places to look. Also, hit up some local bike shops and see if they sell used or consignment bikes. If you want new, $500 for a new "good" bike is gonna be tough to do. Spring is great for bike swap meets too, also a good place to look.
05-11-17, 09:37 PM
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Most brands will have something at the $500 price-point, give or take. Here's a $529 option from Kona:
KONA BIKES | MTB | MTB HARDTAIL | Lana'i
All the major brands will have something similar at a similar price point. Differences in geometry and contact points (bars, seat, pedals) might cause you to favor one brand or model over another. Go with what feels right.
Take time while you are saving to visit a few bike shops and get a feel for what the options are. Test ride a few bikes. Keep it fun.
KONA BIKES | MTB | MTB HARDTAIL | Lana'i
All the major brands will have something similar at a similar price point. Differences in geometry and contact points (bars, seat, pedals) might cause you to favor one brand or model over another. Go with what feels right.
Take time while you are saving to visit a few bike shops and get a feel for what the options are. Test ride a few bikes. Keep it fun.
05-11-17, 10:08 PM
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Cycling is a very expensive sport. A reasonably durable hardtail with decent components will start at bare minimum at $800, and probably more like $1K. An entry level full sus will cost around $1500.
It might be possible to get a nicer, recent year hardtail at closer to $500. Might.
Work hard this summer and save your sheckels and get a nicer bike at $800 from a reputable shop that can fit you properly and offer at least a bare bones service policy: maybe one or two tuneups perhaps.
It might be possible to get a nicer, recent year hardtail at closer to $500. Might.
Work hard this summer and save your sheckels and get a nicer bike at $800 from a reputable shop that can fit you properly and offer at least a bare bones service policy: maybe one or two tuneups perhaps.
05-12-17, 02:54 AM
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I would save more money now rather than having to upgrade later. I am a road cyclist, so I don't know much about mountain biking, but I do know that cheap mountain bikes are bad and dangerous.
Trust me, save up and get something in the $500 range.
Trust me, save up and get something in the $500 range.
05-12-17, 03:11 AM
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I really don't think the op has a realistic idea of how much the sport costs. It's not just the bike. It's the helmet, gloves, shoes, socks, shorts jersey in multiple pair, bottles, cages, seat bag and/or backpack, toolkit, tire pump, glasses, maybe a set of lights, and so forth.
I don't think you can get a durable new bike for less than $800, either for road or off road riding. Add tax too, so you are closer to $900.
You also need a set of pedals and maybe a saddle swap.
I think the op will need to work a full time job for at least a month to save up sufficient funds maybe longer if he or she wants a nicer bike or nicer gear.
And plus he or she wants to buy the bike off amazon?
I'm starting to think the op is maybe 12 years old.
Also, how are you going to get to the trails you want to ride on? Do you have a car? Or are all trails within a few miles riding distance?
I don't think you can get a durable new bike for less than $800, either for road or off road riding. Add tax too, so you are closer to $900.
You also need a set of pedals and maybe a saddle swap.
I think the op will need to work a full time job for at least a month to save up sufficient funds maybe longer if he or she wants a nicer bike or nicer gear.
And plus he or she wants to buy the bike off amazon?
I'm starting to think the op is maybe 12 years old.
Also, how are you going to get to the trails you want to ride on? Do you have a car? Or are all trails within a few miles riding distance?
05-12-17, 03:41 AM
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Originally Posted by speshelite
I really don't think the op has a realistic idea of how much the sport costs. It's not just the bike. It's the helmet, gloves, shoes, socks, shorts jersey in multiple pair, bottles, cages, seat bag and/or backpack, toolkit, tire pump, glasses, maybe a set of lights, and so forth.
I don't think you can get a durable new bike for less than $800, either for road or off road riding. Add tax too, so you are closer to $900.
You also need a set of pedals and maybe a saddle swap.
I think the op will need to work a full time job for at least a month to save up sufficient funds maybe longer if he or she wants a nicer bike or nicer gear.
And plus he or she wants to buy the bike off amazon?
I'm starting to think the op is maybe 12 years old.
Also, how are you going to get to the trails you want to ride on? Do you have a car? Or are all trails within a few miles riding distance?
I don't think you can get a durable new bike for less than $800, either for road or off road riding. Add tax too, so you are closer to $900.
You also need a set of pedals and maybe a saddle swap.
I think the op will need to work a full time job for at least a month to save up sufficient funds maybe longer if he or she wants a nicer bike or nicer gear.
And plus he or she wants to buy the bike off amazon?
I'm starting to think the op is maybe 12 years old.
Also, how are you going to get to the trails you want to ride on? Do you have a car? Or are all trails within a few miles riding distance?
05-12-17, 05:53 AM
#24
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Take a look at the hardtails here which start at $649 and go up. It would be a good start for something better than a department store bike.
Mountain Bikes Hardtail | Jenson USA (Page 1 of 3)
If you have a Giant Dealer nearby these would be a good start also...
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-talon
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-fathom-29
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-stance
Mountain Bikes Hardtail | Jenson USA (Page 1 of 3)
If you have a Giant Dealer nearby these would be a good start also...
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-talon
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-fathom-29
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-stance
Last edited by prj71; 05-12-17 at 05:57 AM.
