bob13bob

commuting 2-3 /week on a bike will net you quite a bit of riding. Definitely worth it to get something better than target bike which will cost your in the long run. Even the $300 price point. Think, if you get a lighter faster more comfortable setup, you may ride it 3-4 times more/month than a lesser bike. It wouldn't take long for the saved gas + health benefits to save you in the long run.

If you're serious about 2-3 times per week, If I were you , I would look around craigslist for a cyclocross/hybrid bike (no front suspension fork) that is 3-5 years old and boost the budget up to $300-$500. You can ask us on here what it's worth. Keep in mind that 90%+ of Craigslist stuff is overpriced, but you can offer a reasonable price. vast majority are not stolen. you can find most bikes here https://www.bikepedia.com/#&panel1-1

That torker bike looks heavy, but it's much better than no bike. Your concern for maintenance is right. maintenance will cost more than the initial cost of the bike. Depending on what your time is worth, you may want to get some tools and youtube to learn basic maintenance. gear changing (derailleur) adjustment only takes a philips screwdriver in most cases.

bob13bob

I would ask this question in the mtbr forums as their are more mtn bikers over there.

are you sure you want 29er? I personally think they are way overrated, especially for people under 5"9. Even adopters acknowledge they are not as agile, harder to wheelie, bunny hop, etc. They may be faster in certain conditions, but we're on the trails for fun, right? Also, keep in mind those 29ers are probably heavier than your current 26er. 29er have a real weight penalty in the low to midtier category.

I've read that the mid tier drivetrains (the ones you're looking at) are better/reliable from Shimano vs sram.

2012 vs 2013, 2012 will usually be better because you can get more discounts on the older year.

2x10 vs 3x10 is a personal decision depending on what you ride. Do you regularly use all 3 for front chainrings with your bike? It really doen't matter, you need to measure your gear ratio if you really want to to get into it. https://www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios . I know I could never give up my ultra granny gear on the riding I do. 2x10 is not easier, it's actually harder. The reason to do it is for weight savings (talking elitist

Also, to throw a wrench, have you consider upgrading components on your bike vs buying new. Unless you can put 2 bikes to good use, I would strongly consider upgrading your current bike. Reba forks can be had in the $350 range (check deal section at mtbr). lighter wheelset, then maybe lighter cranks. If you're going this route, make a post over there asking for the best ways to lighten and improve your current ride.

live_dont_exist

Thank you bob13bob. I saw this after I bought the torker bike . I rode 7 miles 1 day and did my usual 5.5 mile commute both ways once. It's fairly comfortable..17 inch frame..and it's lighter than the Trek Navigator 300 I was riding. The guy taught me a little bit on how to change tyre tubes, put the chain back on and fit the tires in. Also told me some good info about the chain slipping off usually on 1 side, the use and advantages of a bicycle stand (on which he mounted the bike), using a hand pump...and fitting on lights. All very nice info. All inclusive..it came up to around 318$. I need to buy a helmet though (45 - 50$ is what the shop had..i'm looking out for a cheaper one if its good enough) and maybe a front light. That'll take it up to around 400$.

Thanks for your help.

dminor 

Congrats, live_dont_exist! Sorry I missed your earlier question but it looks like you got things sorted out and are on your way.

Yes, that's the correct REI. I did some checking and it looks like their bike maintenance classes usually don't start around here until about April. Keep an eye on the 'Events' calendar at your Boston-area store.

live_dont_exist

Thanks dminor..I will. By events...do you mean specific to cycling in that store? .. or something like this - https://calendar.boston.com. I'm guessing it's the former.

dminor 

The specific store's calendar:

https://www.rei.com/stores/boston.html#classesAndEvents

Check the 'cycling' box and you'll see there are Bike Maintenance Basics classes March 12 & 21 with open slots that you can sign up for.


. . . and no, I'm not an REI employee. But a good friend, who happens to be the best wrench in Spokane, works at at our local REI and conducts some of their classes. They usually hire some pretty good employees and have a good retention rate on their staff, so the instruction should be pretty good anywhere.

live_dont_exist

Okay thank you very much . That's a really nice link for a lot of things. Are there other places (if I may ask on this forum) where one can find a list of sporting activities to do? I'm new in the USA hence I ask.

bennybenny

What kind of reputation does, generally, Giant mtb bikes have? I dont read much on them in the threads, thanks.

Benny

Ldosorio

Thanks for your advice, I am 6"3 and small wheels (26") don't look nice in a big frame (21"), so I still think the 29er would be a good option.
About 2x10 vs 3x10, I made the comparison using https://gear-calculator.com and found 2x10 will be enough; however the last bike I was looking: TREK X-Caliber comes with SRAM X7 3x10 drivetrain.

The bike I got at this moment was a gift from a friend that was not using it anymore -actually I already changed the RD, cassette, chain and pedals-, and it is too small for me, so to upgrade it I would need to start thinking to change Frame and Fork... that's why I am considering to buy a new one.

willowracer

Hi, I recently got hooked into trail riding. Last week I rode a trail for the first time with my 8 yrs. old mongoose. I find that enjoy climbing, sharp turns, and descending. After two hrs. on the trail, my back and knees took a beating. I did a lot of research and narrowed down to Jamis '13 Dakar 650 comp. before I pull the trigger, I would like to hear some opinions in regarding to my decision. Thanks.

dminor 

Can't answer for that specific model but the Jamis Dakar in one form or another has been a staple for a number of years.; and the 650b size seems to me to be the best of both worlds. I think it's a choice you can feel pretty good about.

treadtread

I mentioned earlier on this forum that I'm saving up for a mountain bike. Well, I'm still saving, but that doesn't stop me from window shopping

Work schedule at the moment doesn't allow me to go to the LBS, so I'm still looking online. The BD bikes look good, but - I'm not too sure about the mechanical disc brakes. If I buy BD, I have no LBS support - so I would prefer V-brakes. Does anyone know any other online sellers like BD who don't have disc brakes, but are still reasonably decent? Know a few folks who bought BD, and they are happy - but all the BD mountain bikes have disc brakes.

On a related note - does anyone do trail riding on the older, rigid fork mtbs like the steel hardrock/stumpjumpers of the 80s? I saw a really good condition frameset for $100, and it would be fun to build up slowly with parts off ebay - but I suspect it won't really be useful, will it? Point to remember - I'm going to be an awful novice!

dminor 

Mechanical disc brakes are almost as simple as hydros and much simpler and far better than vees - - don't be afraid of them.

$100 for an old frameset? Too much. I sold an old steel Hardrock frame not too long ago for $25...that's more like it.

cryptid01

Giant has a solid rep.

treadtread

A friend of mine is ordering from Bikesdirect next week (he's just waiting for the credit card to roll over ) - a hybrid with a suspension fork and disc brakes, so I'll get to see BD shipping and assembly personally. Makes me feel better about making the decision w.r.t BD - one way or the other.

Psynide

just bought a 2013 trek mamba a few weeks ago. its my first mountain bike. i havnt done any serious riding yet, being winter in wisconsin the trails are in full of snow, or they are all muddy from it melting on warm days.

i still have the stock plastic pedals. im looking to upgrade. On my road bike i ride clipless, and i love riding that way. but im hesitant on going clipless for my mountain bike. i want to be able to move my feet off the pedal and brace for sharp turns without having to unclip or fail to unclip and have an accident. Especially with being on a new terrain ive never ridden before.

What are good platform pedals? Would like to keep it on the cheap end as well.

Dannihilator

Define cheap, because on the cheap side, you get plastic pedals and two peice ones that will fall apart.

You will have to start at around the $35 area for a good platform, because a really good platform will go for well over $100.

I would look at these. https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0052_549650_-1

Psynide

probably 50 or less, preferred. i dont know anything about pedals, do pins like those ruin the bottom of shoes?

and would i make do with basic shoes, like vans?

samburger

I got a set of these per recommendation from another moderator (Zephyr) & they've been perfect for me. Not the prettiest, but they do the job & do it well.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=62319

Also, I wear an old worn out pair of Adidas & they still grip well enough that I practically have to lift my foot to turn it. The waffle soul Vans grip especially well, but any skate type shoe will do.

JKwock

Noob here. Looking for some advice to replace the chainrings on my 2011 29er Stumpjumper FSR Comp. The specs are as follows: Crankset Custom SRAM S-1250, 10 speed XC Trail double, GXP spindle, XC guard, 175 mm. Chainrings are 22A/33A XC shift guard, 4 bolt, 104/64mm. Looking not to upgrade but stay the same. My chain wear is about 1 so I was thinking about changing my chainrings and cassette. Any advice appreciated. Remember,,,,,Noob here.

Jason

bob13bob

wellgo mg1, cheap, relatively light, strong, sealed bearrings. $35-40 shipped on ebay and other sources. They good. there are lighter cooler looking pedals, but lighter often means more fragile.

bob13bob

I would definitely post in this tooltime subforum at mtbr. too specific to be addressed in this thread. A picture closed up for your chainrings might be hlepful.

bob13bob

mechanicals are way easier and consistent than hydros. Hydros can't be a real pita.

bob13bob

for buying new bikes. BD, airborne, sette, or other online brands are where the value is at. Hardtails basically perform similarly to all brands of any hardtail genre. Get the bike that gives you the best components/$ spent.

dminor 

Utter baloney.