gatorchick

Hey gang - first post here! Finally getting back into MTBing after a 5 year stint with the tri geeks ... !

So I'm thinking about buying a new MTB. I got my first MTB (Specialized Hard Rock something or other) 8 years ago and rode the hell out of it for several years - that bike served me well, but I'm thinking that its time to upgrade. The thing is, I have NO idea how much I should spend. I am wanting to get back into MTBing for fun, but I would also really like to try my hand at racing. I'm a student (altho I have a pretty well paying gig for the summer), so money is pretty limited (but not TOO limited). I'd LIKE to stay under $1,000 ... but will consider up to $1,500-ish. Thoughts?? If it matters, I'm a 5'4" female.

Any advice would be appreciated!

WannaGetGood

Hardrocks are great, but I don't think they would be good for biking.

roccobike

Well first, given the amount you are willing to spend, are you thinking hardtail or dual suspension. Second, what type of riding are you going to use the bike for? Cross Country, technical trails, Multi Use Paths? One thing is for sure, with the type of bucks you're talking about you should see a big difference compared to an 8 year old HardRock.

Eatadonut

Ah, a student. Your budget is easy then. How much can you possibly spend without getting evicted, kicked out of school, or starving? Take $50 off of that, and spend that much.

That's what I did, and I'm happy as a clam.

gatorchick

I'm thinkin' hardtail ... riding mostly fairly technical singletrack (lots of rocks and roots) ....

lol donut ... I'd love to break the bank on a bike, but I DO have a dog to feed and all that nonsense ... but please note that I just got my first paycheck in two years and the FIRST thing I did was head to the bike shop .... can't wait to blow it!

WannaGetGood

If you are hitting alot of rocks, I would say fully. And are you hitting rooty rocky step sections, becuase a big fork really helps with that.

gatorchick

pretty rocky here - hadn't really considered full suspension because it seems to be out of my price range??? maybe not??? hmmmm .....

WannaGetGood

Lets see if I can find anything.

WannaGetGood

This isn't bad, something to consider.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...egory_ID=3050#
Not to sure about racing in this one though.
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...x+Bike+05.aspx
Could go with a Flow 1.0 Around here (In Canada) I can get one for $899, so pretty cheap, could upgrade to a 2.0?
https://www.bikes.com/bikes/2006/flow/flow-1.aspx

Pheard

I vote 2000!! 2000 for how much you should spend. That was your question right?

Siu Blue Wind

Nevermind telling others what to buy and let's go buy OUR bikes......are you ready??? (HR, Kona, HR, Kona....) I'm WAAAAITINGGG.............let's go, little brother!!

Pheard

All in good time

Siu Blue Wind

ooohh what's with the attitude?

Pheard

What attitude Just testing some smileys.

pinkrobe

As always, spend as much as you can possibly afford. 'Cause you're a stoodint, spend [as much as you can possibly afford] - [5 days of food]. Or use plastic. Regardless, given your budget, I'd suggest a hardtail, especially if you're thinking about racing. No rear suspension = one less thing to futz with. In your price range, a HT will be substantially lighter as well.

You're 5'4"? Specialized makes two Stumpjumpers, one for women, one for men, both in the 15.5" frame size. MSRP is $1400. Either one will likely fit, 'cause there's less than half an inch difference between the top tubes of the two frames. 10mm to be exact. The parts spec is identical except for the seat and the paint job. If you want to upgrade something, consider swapping out for a lighter handlebar, stem, seatpost and seat. If you decide to race, make sure you get a decent minitool, a pump and a spare tube for your hydration pack.

Tag1

I disagree about getting a full-suspension. Stick with your original idea of hardtail. Reason being that for 1k and under you will be getting a very entry-level fully, but a sweet hardtail with way nicer components. Not to mention I ride all kinds of trails on my hardtail (including lots of rocks and roots) and never have a problem. If anything it will give you refined bike-handling skills.

Moving on the the bike. My wife is 5'3 and has a Trek 6500 wsd which feels great for her:
https://www2.trekbikes.com/us/en/WSD/WSD_Bikes.php

Her mom just bought the Gary Fisher Marlin GS and really likes it too:
https://fisherbikes.com/bikes/series....es=genesisters

Specialized, Giant, Kona all make great bikes too. It really boils down to going out to the bikeshop(s) and seeing which one feels the best to you. Good luck!

Jason222

+1

Definately get a bike that is designed for a woman, you might find men's bikes to be very uncomfortable.

pinkrobe

On the other hand, it's unwise to limit yourself to only "Women's" bikes. There is very little that separates a woman-specific-design from a regular bike. A barely-shortened toptube is usually it, as the parts spec is almost identical. Going with a shorter stem can give you the same reach to the bars and potentially better handling on descents.

Test ride everything in your size and price range.

Portis

Start here. Then come back.

pinkrobe

That's no fun! It totally deprives us of our pointed opinions. Speaking of which, there's a couple of things that bug me in the FAQ:
Standard XC geometry is 71-degrees for the head tube and 73-degrees for the seat tube. Road bikes typically have 73/73 angles. A 71/73 road bike would ride like a shopping cart. A 73/73 mtn bike would be sketchy. Very.

There's also discussion of bikes becoming more "aggressive" as you go from recreational to XC, Trail, FR and DH. For the average joe walking into a bike shop and test-riding bikes, a rec bike will feel pretty stable, easy to turn at slow speeds and fine for sidewalk riding. The XC bike will actually feel a little squirrely at sidewalk speeds, but will be easier to ride when you get going a little faster. The Trail/FR bikes will feel pretty stable, easy to turn at slow speeds and fine for sidewalk riding. A DH bike will feel small, "gushy" and will handle like a pig at slow speeds on flat ground. That said, when you point the Trail/FR/DH bikes down a hill with some good terrain, hits and such, they're amazing. Not as much fun to climb on as XC, but pretty cool nonetheless.

Oh, and the grammar is pretty sketchy.

literocola

What kind of bike do you have?
Its a Sledgehammer.
You have shocks, pegs.... LUCKY!
Do you ever take it off any sweet jumps?

Pamestique 

If you have around $1,000 to spend and you are just getting into the sport, I would suggest getting a hardtail with as nice a fork and components as possible. I ride both a HT and a full suspension bike and have to say I like the HT better although the fully really takes the scare out of descents

Anyway look to Specialized. In particular the Stumpjumper M4 HT. Also come in WSD models if you need that.

catatonic

$1000 can get you a very nice hardtail. The will be a tradeoff in "fork vs components". I would go with the best fork you can find. The rest of it is easer to swap out as you go.

Oh, and if you opt for V-brakes for whatever reason, look around online...I saw some XTR v-brakes going for $80/pr the other day. Discs are the norm these days though, and I do reccomend at the least a front disc.

gatorchick

Thanks for the input all!

I checked out the Stumpjumpers online last night and am thinking I will definitely take one for a test ride (they're on the higher end of my price range - I'd LIKE to stay under $1,000 ... but I DO have a birthday coming up . And yeah, I dig the color scheme on the women's specific one!

Is there a time of year that bikes go on sale to make room for the newer models??? Is that time any time soon???

gatorchick

Any thoughts on the Gary Fisher Big Sur???? A little over what I said I'd spend but ... well, you know ...