Hello,

I am looking for a bike, most likely hardtail with front suspension. Not really sure about which brands are the best so I need some help in making my decision, but I am thinking about Ironhorse (is Nakamura any good?). My price range is probably $300 and under, better yet around $250 or less. I just want to do a bit of cycling around the city (most likely on pavements, bike trails, and very little on the road) a couple hours a day so nothing too expensive. I also won't be riding too much in the winters - only in good weather conditions. I have been thinking of getting one of the bikes on this page: https://www.sportchek.ca/specific_pro...?id=cat1520016 if that is any help.

Thanks

I would stay away from anything in that hyperlink that you posted. It looks to be Wallyworld level rubbish.

Check out Ironhorse, it is in a totally different league from what' in that link. They tend to give you higher end bits for the money versus the competition.

Also, look into: Trek, Fuji, Marin, Gary Fisher, GT, Giant, Mongoose (not the X-mart kind, the LBS kind)......

Don't forget eBay as well since you can snag a nice used bike for 300 bucks there.

Those aren't bikes they're "bicycle shaped objects" and are better used as boat anchors or suppositories than as bicycles.

Go to a Local Bicycle Shop and look at what they have to offer sometimes they even have used bikes as well.

ok go to the bike store and get hosed. Marin Fisher Trek....Ironhorse is a sick bike!

Wally world crapola disguised as a bicycle, frames made from special colourful spaghetti, did you know you can eat those frames provided you boil them for 12 minutes?. Bike shops survive by selling bicycles, if their product was no good or poor value there wouldnt be any bike shops yet strangely they persist

And now IMHO (humble, schmumble) the best value, most nicely made and utterly reliable beginners bike there is or will ever be ..............
Ride me hard big boy

And all for 280 bones RRP

The bikes you picked are cheap and shouldent realy be called mountain bikes. But it is really up to you, my first mountainbike was a Pacific XL2 that I paid a grand total of $98.00us at my local department store. I rode this bike every where my friends did on there real mountain bikes and it worked almost as well. So if you are comfortable with those bikes and like to by a new bike every year then go ahead and buy, but go with the Iron horse. If you want something that will last you a long time and is good quallity go with a gary fisher or something.

Thanks for the warnings guys. I am going to go and check out a couple bike shops tommorow.

Actually, for most stores that sell bikes, the stores don't even deal with it. If you break your bike, or whatnot, and need work on it, what will happen is this: You give bike back to X-mart. You wait two weeks. Rep from JunkBikes will take bike, do something to it (not neccesarily a repair...just...something). Wait two more weeks. Get bike back, maybe. Or wait longer.

For your average X-mart, bikes are treated like other commodities. They get bikes, they sell bikes, but they don't touch them. How do I know this? The mother of a mechanic at our shop works at Target. And yes she tells customers to get their bikes taken care of at a real bike shop all the time.


As for bikes in that price range, you're probably better off with a rigid frame mtb. You're not going to do any serious off-roading, and rigid frames are simpler and cheaper.

Just think of the ass raping you'll get at X-mart. At least with a LBS you'll actually get a bike that's worth owning. This contrary to buying at X-mart where you'll get a pile of crap that's poorly engineered, constructed and assembled. This BSO will be sold to you by a guy who'd rather be talking guns over at the "Sporting Goods" counter than help you find a bike that fits what you actually want and need and has less of a clue about how to properly operate the "features" or what the bike.

I guess I'd rather get "hosed" by someone who actually know his product and sells quality merchandise.

I just came back from a bike shop and they introduced me to the Bonelli Trail XC 3.0. They let me test-ride it too and it seemed pretty decent. It is on sale now for around $350 CAN, but I am a newbie biker so I'd like to know from you guys if this bike is any good.


Thanks!

ROFL!!!

I have been looking around and the Specialized Hardrock Sport seems to be a pretty fine bike, although a bit too expensive ($479.00 CAN). Another bike I am interested in is the Norco Mountaineer which is a lot cheaper ($340 CAN I believe) and good enough for my needs. Do you guys have any suggestions with comparable bikes as to these but midway between their price range?

Click on the link luke.......... Works out about $340 Can or try this on for size should be around $400 Can

Thanks for the link guys, but I have decided to make a good investment on the Hardrock Sport!

Where I am you dont see much specialised product but from what the goss around here is you will very happy with your choice, now get out and ride it then post us some piccies