New to biking...just have a couple easy questions
 

Hi,
I'm considering buying a decent bike this summer because I need SOMETHING to do to get outside for the 6 months of the year that we don't have snow on the ground (decent bike meaning not from Walmart). I live in an area with a lot of woods roads and 4-wheeler type rough trails and random other trails cutting through the brush that I would love to explore, so I figured a bike would be a perfect choice since there's not much else to do here in the summer. I'm totally out of shape so I want a bike that will be as comfortable and forgiving as possible on my body but also be able to handle some semi-rough trails and stuff. About 10 years ago when I lived elsewhere and I was biking back and forth to work as my main mode of transportation I bought a $300 Gary Fisher mountain bike from a bike shop and I LOVED that bike. Riding it was, like, totally effortless. I want something like that again. Anyway, I guess my question is -what would be my best bet for around $350? Should I totally avoid suspension at that price range? Any brands/styles I should avoid or look for? Would used be a better bet?

There are good entry level hardtails at that price range from all the big manufacturers: Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher, etc. Going fully rigid at that price would be a very good idea IMO. Used is also a good option.

...but not so comfortable.

$350 will get you a decent bike with front suspension.

Check out the giant rincon, it's a great value for the money if you can't find anything used.

What about the Giant Boulder SE, I can get one for $279 at a local bike shop. Is that a good price? It looks like it's a little more of a hybrid bike, not sure if that's good or bad for my situation. I also see there a Trek 3900 for $319, would that be a better buy?

My experience would tell me to tell you that you should save a few more bucks and then buy. I bought a $400 Marin Redwood and it would not mountain bike. It would trail bike, but I was tearing it up quickly. It was a good bike, just not built for much more than a groomed trail. So, now I ride a Felt Nine Pro which costs me over a grand but has been totally worth it. Seems pretty bullet proof and I really like riding it. Hope this helps!

go to your lbs, ask them and take their advise

i just started back on this website since a long time, i just want to sell a few things, but it wont let me start a new thread? can someone help me or contact the admin please. also it said when i joined that it will send a conformation email and i never got it????!!!??

Carissa, excellent value here with Deore, Marzocchi, Shimano disc brakes....at $399. it's very well spec'd.
http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id....&category=4959

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately with $145 shipping, it puts it a little out of my price range. I'll be heading to a bike shop later this week, I'll see if they have any good deals on discontinued models from last year.

Are you trying to offer a bike to the OP? You can do that through PM.



If not, ( your request shouldn't be posted here) in order to post in the for sale section, your upgraded membership will allow you the benefit.

no, i cant even start a new thread! do i have to pay to do that?!?

Yes, BSS, it's $9.95 per post with a monthly membership of $29.95. Kidding you.

Carissa, what part of the country are you located...that shipping charge is way more than I have ever heard a bike company charge.

last i checked gf wahoo costs around 375 or so.

can someone please contact the admin about the problem i am having

this is the message im recieving whenever i try to create a thread

BSS07, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

1. Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
2. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

Dude, find an administrator and PM them, hit refresh at least. Jacking threads is annoying.

As for the Boulder SE, that is a good entry level bike and if you decided to buy new, it would not cause you any problems. Basically, anything in that price range from a "big name" company will be good. Go tp your LBS and test ride some bikes

I just passed this on to someone that may be able to help. Hang tight, okay? :)

kk thanks, sorry for interrupting your thread carissa111, i couldnt even start a thread about this because it doesnt even let me.

just go to your local bike shop! dont buy online unless you want to build a bike from scratch(part it out)

Yeah I'm going to be in an area with a bike shop on Friday, I'll probably go in and see what's there. I just didn't want to go in totally green with no clue. They have a couple of Trek 3900's from last year but they are 19" frames, too big for me I think. The Giant Rincon was already suggested...any other suggestions before I go in?

Well, I ended up with a Trek 3900 for myself and a 4300 for my husband. They were the best deals they had in the store - last year's models so I saved about $300 off the regular prices. I'll need a new saddle for sure....otherwise seems like a great bike so far.

Good stuff. Enjoy.