RdHrd138

Ehh....it's finally time for me to start back mountain biking. I haven't done it for a while do to some injuries that I aquired while......mountain biking.

Now though, I need some advice in what kind of mountain bike I should get. I want a full suspension bike that is less that 600$ It also must be able to take a beating. I don't know what to get really. I hope that someone could help me out and point me in a general direction.

Thanks

Buzzbomb

In that price range you're gonna have to ebay a used one.

a2psyklnut

Full Suspension under a $1,000 that can take a beating doesn't exist as a NEW bike.

I'd get a Hardtail for your budget or USED.

hooligan

Ditto, to the max.

madbiker555

I don't think its possible to get a new full suspension that can take a beating for $600. Most ones will cost you over $1000, so start saving now!

madbiker555

No wait I found some low quality full suspension but mongoose and diamondback are welfare brands. There's the mongoose wing elite and the diamondback coil EX '05 and both are under $600 but they sucks balls.

Maelstrom 

Ebay query - full suspension, full bike for 500 to 700 american.

Only way you will find something full suspension tough and in your range.

EBAY QUERY EXECUTED

RdHrd138

Okay, well what kind of price range for a decent full suspension bike am I looking at?

iamthetas

$1000 decent to $1500 better new. some bike shops will sell last years for a deal so you may get a $2k for about that range if there are any left. the shop I got mine at is selling the one like I got for $1400. it was $1999 at retail. even though its almost spring there are still deals at shops.the reason I preach a local shop is you can ride it and see if it fits vs. Ebay or web based deals. welcome to the forums by the way

Killer B

$600 is the price of a good DH fork nowadaze.... U musta been outta the sport for awhile Man.... It'll take awhile to get back what you once had, but you'll soon remember why it's all worth the pain!

RdHrd138

Yea, I've been out for a while. Had really bad knee problems. Well.......times have definitely changed. I think I'm going to go for a hardtail. Found a good Trek Hardtail (8500 or 8000). Decisions, Decisions.

iamthetas

what kind of riding you will be doing can make a difference in the needs as well as your weight. I dont ride free ride or hucks but kept breaking stuff by like frames,cranks, using racing type stuff. I went all mountain this time to have a little extra beef under my body

RdHrd138

Mainly a downhiller. But I do a lot of everything. I really thrash my bike around though. I'm a really light person though, weighin in at barely 120 LBS. I'm really looking at the Trek hardtail 8500....seems really well built and nice parts. Though full suspension would really be a huge plus..... like the Trek Fuel or something.

Maelstrom 

Fuel is not dh, doesn't ride or track like one. Maybe look at what ironhorse is offering

Dirtbike

Fuel is XC, Mr. "Downhiller". A downhill bike is usually going to cost you 1700+... start saving.


Killer B... what kind of DH fork is there for $600?!

RdHrd138

............I hate money.................

hooligan

Yeah. haha.

RdHrd138

Okay, well let me ask a stupid question right quick..

What is the difference between XC and downhill?

jallen

generally speaking: XC's are lighter and therefore more agile. Suspensions are tuned more for smaller bumps This could become a liability when you're barrelling full-holler down a hill. Bikes that are heavier, more beefy and have longer range suspension handle better on a downhill course.

Now there's an all new category in recent years, "All Mountain" these bikes attempt to combine the best of both worlds into one bike.

RdHrd138

Okay

Original 6

You may not be able to get the bike you want for $600 however you can find a nice bike in that price range. You can find a good deal if you search. I never pay retail. With this thinking you need to be patient and open to a few options. Find out what you can and can't have and then be ready to buy when the opportunity presents itself.

It took me over 3 months to find the bike I purchased(see link below). I purchased it new and saved over $400 from what I could buy it locally from a LBS. I figure if I apply myself I can save some money. More often than not it works. Good luck and most important have fun!!!

Maelstrom 

Off the top of my head, the number 1 used dh fork, the boxxer is that cheap.


Beyond that with some good deals and searching you can find other decent forks for that. SuperT would be acceptable to most, Slider maybe, 66 for the sc lovers. Just cause the first two SAY fr doesn't mean they won't take a skilled rider to expert level

iamthetas

perhaps you are an extereme XC rider that hates climbing hills like the rest of us extremists. a hard tail will either kill you OR make you a much better rider. on real technical sections you have to pick good lines and things such as that to avoid crashing. with FS you just plow through it. a buddy of mine is amazingly agile due to his learning of technique on a bike. we went on a real technical trail Thurs. and he was all over the place avoiding obstacles that would have thrown him off the bike like rocks and big roots etc. but it was like watching a bat. he was never out of control but just the opposite. I rode sweeper just to watch and learn . I was on my all mountain so I just plowed through. I think he had more fun than me and I had a blast. there were 4 of us and 3 had FS. he not only took the lead at points on climbs but on some serious technical downhill too. and it was his first time on the trail system. whatever you get have fun its all good and you will learn it

Killer B

Well, actually I only buy new "last year models", so with that said there's quite a few.

https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=8638

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...139041662&rd=1

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7139381395

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7139735159

Just a few to be found. Many others out there. I myself chose the Z150 SL merely for weight savings. Plus I'll use it for some DH too, once I gain confidence in it....

AllDownhill

Try a Kona Stinky