Grundoko

I haven't ridden a bike in probably 4 or 5 years now. I'm not looking for a high performance bike, or anything fancy. I just want a mountain bike that's going to last. Something in the price range of $400-600. In the past I've had CCM and Supercycle bikes, and they've been terrible. The guy at my local bike shop recommended an Opus Sonar, which is $520 https://opusbike.com/en/bikes/mountain/aluminum-26/sonar

I'm wondering if Opus is known to be a reliable brand in bikes. The Sonar is the cheapest mountain bike they have at the shop. I've never heard of Opus, but I couldn't find any negative reviews about them. Would it be worth the extra money to get a Specialized bike instead?

I'm 5'9" and 150lb

jimc101

The Opus falls in the the cheap catagory, for reliable, what is your intended usage, if hitting the trails a couple of time a week, and actually riding off road, a bike like that will last a few months before thing start breaking / wearing out, and it's generally tired, if riding MUP's or fire roads, the toll on the bike won't be as hard, and it should last a lot longer.

From the spec listed, the forks are non serviceable Suntours, when they wear out, whcih they will, they will need replacement, as parts are generally not avaliable, and the cost of a service would be more than the replacement cost. The rear wheel is a freewheel hub, going by the TZ21 freewheel fitted, freewheels are bad for going off road, as the axle isn't supported as a freehub's is, so if going off road, budget for replacement axles / wheels.

For the brand, never heard of them mentioned on BF before, the advantage of say a Specalized or Trek, is better warranty, although maybe not quite as good value, you have to work out what you want for value for money to what you

Daspydyr 

For your budget you need to consider used to get any value at all. Do you have any experienced MTBing friends who could help you look at Craigslist type bikes. Entry level is entry level no matter what brand you buy. After three months you will be spending a lot of time trying to keep the shifters working smoothly. Its probably a "NICE" bike. But the entry level' bike's performance fades pretty quickly.

Wooden Tiger

Maybe get a used one or check bikesdirect.com?

Grundoko

I don't have any friends that are into mountain biking, or even biking in general. I'm looking for something that will work as a commuter bike, but also be able to go through light dirt trails. I'm very skeptic about buying used, as I've had bad luck with it in the past (In general, not with regards to bikes). The CCM and Supercycle bikes I've had when I was younger always had the brakes fail within a couple of months, and they were overall just not good bikes. How far outside my budget would I have to go to get a bike that's really going to be reliable? Out of the two bike shops I went to, one of them, Canary Cycles, had nothing under $600. The other, Freeride Mountain Sports, had only 2 bikes between $500 and $600, the Opus Sonar, and another, the name of which I forget.

I don't need something that's going to put up with a lot of abuse, just something that isn't going to give out within a years time from cheap manufacturing. I'm 19, and a student. So I really can't stretch my budget much.

Glynn Sluder

I've got this site on my "favorites" so I can post stuff here for you'all.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...ckdisc29#specs

Ought to last a year easy.

the Spec tool, Glynn

GeraldF

I recommend getting a GT Aggressor 3.0. I've owned one for nine years.

I've put something in the range of 5,000 to 8,000 miles on it. They sell for under $400. I even saw one bike shop selling them for $320 new. In college I did the same type of riding as you; commuting on pavement, along with some dirt trails. I didn't need anything to be adjusted or repaired for roughly two years. I was riding maybe 20 miles a week, on average. Now I ride 50 miles a week and the bike is still solid. I love the brakes; they allow me to stop on a dime. The shifting has gotten a bit finicky over the years, but it can be adjusted.

I don't know what type of accessories you'll be looking to purchase, but if you buy the Aggressor 3.0 with your budget you'll have plenty of money for things like:

quality U-Lock
Locking skewers for wheels and seat
Fenders (won't fit with the 2" mountain bike tires, but I replaced them with 1.6" quality tires, and now I can fit fenders)
Blinking lights

cyb204

Just picked up a Trek 3700. Basic and is great.

ablesv

i think so,Its probably a "NICE" bike. But the entry level' bike's performance fades pretty quickly.thanks

Elduderino2412

look on craigslist. It's your best bet
Do some research. on this site, but mtbr has more info

ericzamora

I was just in a shop yesterday killing time, thinking of mountain trail riding myself. i said i THINK i want a 29er, hardtail, lockout, mechanical or hydraulic discs, not sure, 100mm of fork travel, not planning to race and on a budget. and haven't been on a MTB since a first generation specialized stumpjumper which i rode around town (i'm mainly a former road racer from the 80s, trying to get back into biking in all its various forms and realizing i have nothing for off road and have been piqued by attending single track races lately).... so they showed me a low end scott. i THINK it was the aspect for about $580 in central california. $680 would get me hydraulics. again, i'm new to this MTB and do not know the value of this bike's specs. i'd also suggest used from CL since it's worked for me with other bikes.

eric
fresno, ca.

gunner65

https://www.airbornebicycles.com/prod...dian-29er.aspx

Nice spec

Grundoko

I still haven't bought anything, but I have had a chance to go around to the rest of the bike shops around, and now have a few more options. Again, I don't feel comfortable buying used, as I have no experience in inspecting bikes, and know nobody that could look at it for me. And I would like to avoid buying online, both because of expensive shipping costs here, since I live on an island, and because I want the additional service I get from a bike shop.

Still an option is the Opus Sonar for $520. The bike looked pretty nice, and fit me pretty well.
https://opusbike.com/en/bikes/mountain/aluminum-26/sonar

From the oldest and most well known bike shop here, the only thing in my budget is a Trek 3500 for $499.
https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes...es/3500_disc/#

My favorite bike I've seen so far though was Norco Storm 9.1 for $550 it fit me perfectly, and they have it in a very nice green paint job. It's the most attractive about the bikes, and the guys at the bike shop were very nice, and very helpful. By far the best experience I had going into a bike shop, so I really hope the bike is a good deal, because they're the people I'd like to deal with.
https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/...re-xc/storm-9/

Finally, there's a GT Agressor 3.0, which someone mentioned above. I can find it at Sportchek for $399. Making it by far the cheapest, but it has linear pull brakes as opposed to disc brakes. Also, I'd rather deal with a bike shop than Sportchek. But if it's a really good deal on the bike, I'll buy it. It would certainly save my wallet a little, and as a student, that's a big deal.
https://www.gtbicycles.com/can/2013/b.../aggressor-3-0

I'd like to thank you guys. You've been very helpful thus far. Had I not looked into it more, I probably would have just bought another Supercycle and had it fall apart in a few months time.

Zephyr11

Norco fits you the best and the bike shop was super helpful. Should be a no-brainer. Norco's a good company, go with that.

Elduderino2412

the norco looks the best out of those options too. Buy it and ride the hell out of it.

Grundoko

Thanks guys, I really wanted to get the Norco both for the bike, and for the shop. Just wanted to make sure it was the right deal before I did. I'm probably going to go back and buy it in about 3 weeks when I get paid. And hopefully by then the rainy weather will have subsided

I'll check back periodically to see if anyone else has any suggestions. And I'll give my thoughts once I get the bike. I appreciate your help.

Ldosorio

Trek 3700 is a good option or maybe, you can go with 29er Trek Wahoo.

ksisler

I agree; there are some Treks that are pretty decent and ones that often end up on Craigslist. Good for folks on the cheap.

Look for some thing with a retail original cost about 3 x current asking, then haggle a bit. Condition matters most.

Been my experience that spongy folks in the lower cost ranges aren't really very good or last long.

Grundoko

I bought the Norco Storm 9.1 this Monday. I've only had a chance to ride it twice so far, but I'm loving it. It seems it's true you never forget how to ride a bike, but you certainly get rusty. Having not ridden a bike for several years, I had a lot of trouble with turning at first, and going in a straight line. But once I got the hang of it, it was awesome.

I haven't had a chance to take a picture of the bike myself, but it's this design:


When I first took it out for a ride, I removed the front wheel to get it in my car, but when I tried to put the wheel back on, I couldn't get it so the front disc brake wouldn't make a scratching sound when spinning the wheel. So I took it to the bike shop, where I was told that it was normal for new disc brakes, because there is so much excess on the pads. I was slightly skeptical, but after my first ride, the scratching sound is completely gone.

The only concern I have with the bike, and I'll bring it up with my LBS when I take it in for the free one month tuneup, is that there is a rattling sound when riding, which I think is coming from chain. And also, when switching gears, usually the gear switches quicky and quietly, with little feedback on the pedals, but sometimes, especially when switching between gears 4, 5, and 6 on the rear wheel gears, the shift is a lot louder, and gives a hard snap on the pedals. I don't know if it's a big deal, but if it could be fixed with a small adjustment, I'd hope they'll be able to when I take it in.

But on the whole, I love the bike and it's very very attractive, which may have been more of a factor in buying it than I'd like to admit, since I'm usually a function over form person.

Also, I've learned I'm not nearly as fit as I'd like to be. I tired to complete exhaustion after 25 minutes on my first ride, and 35 minutes on my second ride. (Both times to the point where I could barely stand up afterward). Hopefully after some well needed practice, my legs will be more up to the task.