Hi everyone. I have been thinking about getting a mountain bike. I am 23 yeas old and a former street BMX rider. I really haven't rode a bike in a few years. The bike would be for trail riding and commuting, probably equal usage. The trails I would be riding are leaning me towards the mountain bike category. I have started looking at bikes and doing research. Everything seems so different from the BMX world. I was originally thinking about getting a dept store bike, but after thinking about it I deciding to get something more durable and comfortable. I am having a hard time deciding on features such as disc brakes and suspension. I have read the sticky here and found some good info. If anyone has any suggestions on anything I would like to hear it.

I would be riding at different times and was thinking about getting a decent headlight. One thing that really impressed me are the generator hubs, are there any bikes that come stock with the hub? As I am just starting out I really don't want to spend a lot. I am in a normal beginners price range and wouldn't mind spending more as long as the money isn't being wasted.

You should do as much research on Bike Forums as possible before you come to any conclusions. And then go test ride as many bikes as possible. I'm going to suggest that a cyclocross or even a touring bike might be a better choice especially if you are going to be hauling any cargo with you due to possibility of using racks.

I really don't plan on hauling any cargo, maybe some tools and etc. in a seat bag or something. Believe me I am doing as much research as I can.

Ex-street BMX'er eh?

I'm gonna make 2 recommendations to you.

1. Buy a Specialized hardrock and ride the livin piss out of it. Pay attention to what you like most about riding mountain bikes...be it the scenery, the aggressive jumping/downhill, or the gut-busting/vomitous climbs. Later on down the road if you get "upgrade'itis", you will be able to get a bike that suits your favorite style of riding. For now, you're still wet behind the ears and don't know what the crap you like, so the Specialized Hardrock will give you a small taste of everything. It won't really "shine" in any sort of snob-label type of riding like. (Downhill, Freeride, Cross Country, All Mountain, blah, bleh, blouh)

2. I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume you're still an "Urban BMX'er" at heart. Another good place to start would be the Gary Fisher Mullet, Jamis Komodo, and Specialized P-series bikes. They're more of a Freeride / Dirt Jump oriented "portly" genre that will increase the fun-factor of your Gnardtail riding. Given the "commuting" comment...I'd lean more toward recommendation #1.


Most importantly...ride some bikes. Go to the shop and see if they have a "loaner" or a "test bike" to let you take on some trail. At least bust out on something near the bike shop on a little test ride. (be respectful...if they let you test a brand new bike...don't go droppin it off a ledge)

specialized hardrocks are good. check out the mtb section bikesdirect.com. they have decent bikes at an excellent price.

Went and tested some bikes today. I decided on a Trek 6000. The Treks had a better feel for me, didn't have as much forward reach and put me in a more comfortable position.