Buying first MTB -- thoughts on Trail Ridge brand?
 

Hi all,
I'm looking to buy my first bike since I was a kid (I'm in my 30s now), and I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on this used bike. It's advertised as a "Trail Ridge MTB," with the model name being "Trail Head." Is anyone familiar with this bike and whether it's a quality brand? Here's a picture:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...b7348e2f13.jpg

I haven't been able to find any info by googling this name, although I did find a Claude Butler Trail Ridge brand. Not sure if it's the same thing. Anyway, this bike is available for $125 on craigslist, and the seller says it's in "excellent condition, 20 inches in frame size and has Rapid Fire Shifters for its 21 speeds. It also has Vee Brakes and high quality straight alloy rims This bike has just had a complete tune-up including new tires, pedals, brake pads and is need of NO REPAIRS, as it really looks like new." I'm planning to go look at it Tuesday afternoon.

I don't know much about bikes and don't want to buy a lemon or get ripped off. Basically, I'd like to buy something fairly inexpensive to ride around town, to save some gas money going to the store, library, post office, etc., mostly on sidewalks and neighborhood streets. Also, I might do some trail riding just for fun and exercise, but nothing too rugged or mountainous.

If anyone has any thoughts on whether this would be a good bike, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

Not familiar with the brand but it looks like it's probably one of those sporting-goods store brands from the 90s. They were a step above xmart bikes but a step below the big brands, bike shop bikes. I recall like skykomish and spaulding were a couple brands like that...

If it's indeed in good shape and tuned up and everything than $125, for what you want it for, might not be a bad price, those bikes tended to be built well enough to last if you took care of them, but it's nothing great. Depends on what else is out there used around where you live.

Thanks for the info, TimJ.