nowitsshowtime

I've finally decided to stop delaying and get into mountain biking. Its been all talk through the years but no one ever wanted to dish the money ($80 a day with rental). I'm trying to figure out the smartest way to go about the first season. I come from a snowboarding background, and while it may seem irrelevant, I see how cheap the season pass is at the local resort ($300), how ****ty the rentals are, and how you can find last years equipment for cheap. Ultimately I think if you're confident you'll like snowboarding your best bet is to get a season pass and buy last years gear and you'll have the best entry level setup with room to expand.

Is mtn biking the same way? I think most people logically would say to just rent, but I plan on going at LEAST 5 times, if I could do it every weekend or every other weekend, I would do that. Season pass by us is $300. Are there entry level bikes that make sense to purchase, or would a season long bike rental from a shop be a logical move. Renting a bike from the resort seems foolish if their rentals are anything like the quality of rentals in other sports.

To also make this easier, I'm selling my single speed as I never ride it, so I'll have some extra money for a mtn bike, and I can still let my friends use it when we go out in town.

Daspydyr 

I think you will see a connection between Snowboarding and MTBing. Both are more for the free spirited who like to hollar from time to time.

I hate renting, especially at $80.00 a day!

If you buy Craigslist or last years rental you have to give the equipment a good twice over for cracks, dents and other defects. The positive if you find a good bike is that you can usually sell it for what you put into it if you don't like the sport. So the money evens out. Be sure to get a good helmet.

Welcome to a great sport! Here is hoping that you get hooked and end up posting many good ride reports!

nowitsshowtime

Thanks. I am mechanically inclined so will definitely look over it, but any tips how to make sure the shocks are good, aside from the obvious cracks, leaks. I assume they should spring back firmly when pressure is applied?

Are any of the bikes on bikesdirect.com worthwile? I picked up my fixed gear from there and for the price, you can't really go wrong, but that is also a much much simpler bike.

Daspydyr 

I personally like buying used. I am mechanically inclined as you are and for the most part have not been burned. A half hour test ride on the bike where you can bounce the fork and frame for a while. I also prefer to get the manuals from the seller for a couple of reasons. I want to know they are the real owner. I also like to have paper manuals over internet manuals. Most every maker will have good online documentation for fork setting and repairs. I still like to have paper.

Because I like things I can touch I haven't bought a big ticket item from an online retailer. People buy from bikesdirect and other online retailers. The opinion is fairly positive. There are some real knowledgeable people who read these threads. Post what you are looking at and give it a couple days. Someone will know the product.

cryptid01

Is the OP talking about lift serviced DH at a resort? If so, a bd bike would not be appropriate.

ColinL

That's mostly true. I mean, before dedicated DH bikes people did the lifts and they survived. (Think about the 90s on fully rigid... )

But it's a lot more enjoyable and your bike will survive longer with a real downhill bike.

pablosnazzy

i'm unclear about the season pass thing. i ride my bike for free.

nowitsshowtime

Yes, talking about lift serviced DH resort, which also has other misc trails etc. BD does have full suspension bikes, which from what I understand is really what I should aim to get, but I know the geometry and quality of the suspension is important, not all shocks are the same.

Another option a friend said was to look into local shops that sell their older rentals.

Daspydyr 

I would go with a LBS and explain what you hope to do. They will set up with appropriate equipment. Sounds like a summer of fun. I know that Brain Head up in UT does the same thing. You can also rent a condo for $600 per month. If you get a group together that splits up the weeks, you can get good cheap housing if your resort town does the same.

nowitsshowtime

I found a 17.5 inch 2003 Trek Liquid 20 full suspension mountain bike locally, barely ridden, supposedly original tires still with the tire nipples still in tact. He is asking $600 but was going to offer less.

Any input on this bike and what its worth? From what I've read its heavy (35lbs) and that the front fork/shocks are mediocre and too soft, but this was for 235lb guys. I'm5'10 and 165.

https://www.mtbr.com/cat/older-catego...5_1509crx.aspx
https://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/b...d+20&Type=bike

ColinL

The fork and shock are mediocre by modern standards. A 17.5" could work for you at 5'10".. you're right on the edge of it being too small.

nowitsshowtime

Thanks for the input. From what I saw the shocks were mediocre and many upgraded the spring to something stiffer. I was hoping if its a good deal I could upgrade them down the road. Does $450-$500 seem like a good price for the bike?

ColinL

Assuming it is in good condition and everything works, yes. It had pretty good gear for its age, upper-mid tier stuff. That bike probably has pretty significant pedal bob because of the faux bar suspension, but the shock might have lockout and you're doing lift service DH anyway.

It's actually a pretty decent platform to start upgrading from because 26" 80-120mm forks are really cheap right now. Everyone is 29er crazy.

Oh. It should go without saying, but test the hell out of the brakes before your first lift.

junkyard

Really?

ColinL

YA RLY. I'm 6'0", two inches taller. I happen to have a 17.5" Trek in my shed. It doesn't come close to fitting me.

I ride a 19" most of the time, but depending on the geometry bigger can even work.

Daspydyr 

I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam and 240 pounds and rode a 20" bike for years. Make sure you like the fit. The sad thing is you need about 30 minutes bouncing around on the bike to really know if its comfortable or not. A spin around the block is like sniffing cheesecake, its not the same as a real bite.

junkyard

What does this prove?

ColinL

how am I supposed to know how to answer your one word and one sentence posts?

I will attempt it anyway.

I feel it is possible that the 17.5" could be too small for some 5'10" riders depending on leg, arm and torso specifics.

cryptid01

Yes its possible, but as junky points out, it doesn't really prove anything. Particularly not for a bike to be used for lift serviced riding.