lanfarm

Ok, so here is the story. I am looking for a good beginner bike going for $400 dollars and less. I could spend more but only if needed. I do have experience in biking but only going to places, not trails. I want to get a hardtail front suspension bike. I have found some Ironhorse bikes going for $400. Its part of the Maverick. I know Ironhorse is a known bicycle compnay, but is it trustable. So here i am looking for a bike. Please give me some suggestions for a HT bike for, at the most, $400 dollars.

globe9

Specialized Hardrock Sport, Trek 3700, Giant Rincon---all under $400 and great bikes.

ed 

my 2c

Halebopp

crrraaaiiiigggssslliiistttttt

born2bahick

The Iron Horse Is a solid build at that price. But it's probably at least a pound heavier than the Hardrock. If your sure of your sizing And you know how to put a bike together and true wheels and index your derailuers, The Iron horse is a great buy.

lanfarm

The Iron Horse is already put together and set up at the sportchek near my house. Its not a realy bike shop, but they seem to know their stuff because it takes a day or so to set up the bike completely o.O

Also, the link was to a warrior. Not a maverick. Or are they the same?

lanfarm

Do these bikes come in different sizes? Im between 5 foot 5 and 5 foot six. So its quite hard to find a good bike for my size. If so, ill write these down and go to the LBS.

Also, could u give a review of the three. Maybe a few good and bads of each. Right now im liking the hardrock but im not a pro so i need some giudance.

lanfarm

When I was at my friends house, i noticed his bike. It was a full suspension Raleigh MTB. I dont know if i can trust it. Here is the link:

https://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/pr...=1210479599906

Cyclist30907654

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

lanfarm

Ahaha, i read this before. I know itts toy store. But ok, whatever you say. Im still leaning towards the Hardrock from Specialized.

lanfarm

Could somone give me a retail price on a Specialized Hardrock in Canada? It would be great help.

born2bahick

The warrior is a slightly better build, 9 speed VS 8 speed and I personally like the deore brakes VS the hayes. But essentially the same. I really think you should check out the Hardrock at a Local bike shop.

deraltekluge

Actually, it shouldn't be hard to find a good bike for your size. What'd be tough to find is a lousy bike (toy/department store type) that fits you.

From the Trek Canadian website for the 3700...

MSRP CAD 389.99
Sizes 13, 16, 18, 19.5, 21, 22.5"

From the Specialized website for the Hardrock Sport...

Size 12 15 17 19 21 24

There should be a size to fit you there. Maybe around 16.

lanfarm

Yeah, i think ive found a LBS that stocks Specialized. but its quite far away. Im going to go to the closer place first then check out the farther place if the closer place has nothing i like.

lanfarm

I see. So a 16 is good for me? Im still a noob so could you tell me what these numbers actualy mean?

deraltekluge

You could start by reading what Sheldon Brown wrote about it

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-sizing.html

It's not totally straight-forward, and you really have to try the bike to see if it fits. I was guessing that 16 would be a good place to start trying for someone of your height.

robvas

A friend of mine got a last-year Warrior 3.0 for $399 at a local shop. Good deal!

lanfarm

Ahh, i see. Thanks for the link. A question about the clearance of your specials and the top tube. Your obviously standing staight up. But i also heard that your feet need to be able to touch the ground when you sit on the seat. Which one?

lanfarm

The one i see at sportchek is $500 for the 2008 one.

deraltekluge

You can always touch the ground with one foot or the other...just lean the bike a bit more. You don't need to put both feet on the ground while sitting on the seat. You probably won't be able to to do so with more than your tip-toes if you have the seat set right for pedaling, unless you get a "crank forward" bike like the Townie. But read what Sheldon had to say about it. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/starting.html "Do not try to sit on the saddle while the bike is stopped, this is not usually possible if your saddle is properly adjusted."

lanfarm

That is what i thought to. Another reason to dislike toy store bikes, they give you the wrong info.

robvas

I'm not sure on that particular bike, but some manufacturers are lowering the spec of some parts instead of (or as well as) raising the prices. With materials getting more expensive and the dollar getting weaker, corners are being cut.

lanfarm

Very True. I dont think im going to buy from Sportchek though because they are not a pro bicycle shop and i dont think they do maintience for you.