I am looking to get into biking as a hobby and means to exercise. I will probably buy used but am looking for some direction. I will more than likely do most my riding on gravel roads around my house, with the option to haul it and trail ride as well. I do live appx half a mile from the gravel road so the bike would see some pavement riding. Can you guys point me in a good direction for a beginner bike? Willing to spend 400 +\- if that's feasible.
Good starter mtb???
- Thread starter eat wake
- Start date
- Location
- Bakersfield
just for gravel and little trails or do you plan to go for some pretty good off road runs
Any mainstream manufacturer's hardtail would work. Trek, Fisher (owned by Trek now), Cannondale, Specialized, Kona, Giant, etc etc. Just make sure it's the right size. Once you ride for a while, you'll figure out what you want in your next bike.
Wolf Child
Just Another Octard
- Location
- All over C. FL
probably a large frame look at 29'er if you can
- Location
- Bakersfield
im 5'11" and i ride a 26"
its all preference though
its all preference though
I'm 5'10" and ride a M/17", but it's your reach that determines frame size more so than height. I have longer legs than normal for 5'10" so my seat is way up which ends up stretching me out a bit too much on both my mtb and road bikes, so I need riser bars on the mtb and an angled stem on the road bike to keep my bars close to level to with the seat.
I can rip on my boy's 20", do you see all that air I'm about to get off that sweet jump?!?!
- Location
- Lakewood, CA
I just bought this bike was in the same boat as you. Didn't want to spend too much money and wanted something decent. So far no issues with it got it for a lil over 400. Check your local sporting good stores for it. http://www.mtbr.com/cat/bikes/29er-hardtail/diamondback/overdrive/prd_420881_1548crx.aspx
These are decent bikes. http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/haymaker2900.htm Here's all of their 29"ers http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/29er_bikes.htm
My wife has the Fantom 29 from bikesdirect, kind of a mid-level build that I swapped the brakes, seat, and saddle out on. Great bike, a little on the heavy side (mainly due to the rims and tires) but no problems and it rides very well.
My wife has the Fantom 29 from bikesdirect, kind of a mid-level build that I swapped the brakes, seat, and saddle out on. Great bike, a little on the heavy side (mainly due to the rims and tires) but no problems and it rides very well.
- Location
- Marietta, GA
^This is exactly right. I am partial to Trek, fisher and Specialized because I worked at a shop that sold them for 5 years. Go to your local shop and try out the Med (17.5) and Large (19.5) frames and see which one you like best. Then keep an eye on craigslist for an aluminum framed hardtail thats a couple years old with shimano xt components. A good deal will pop up in the $400 range... heck I bought a Fuel 100 (full suspension carbon XTR race bike) for $550 off craigslist last year. You really dont want to mess around with lower quality components even if you dont ride "hard" trails... you'll end up tuning, adjusting and upgrading more than you ride.
For starting out I would suggest something on the cheaper side, hardtail. I got this old Giant Rincon for $75 over a decade ago and just not getting into mountain biking. Have already broken a few things but its getting beat to death. Will most likely upgrade as my skills progress and this thing totally falls apart, like everything else.
Attachments
What about something like this? I was thinking of offering 375-400 for it...
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/bik/3260748653.html
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/bik/3260748653.html
- Location
- Marietta, GA
I don't know much about that bike in particular. But Cannondale makes a good aluminum frame and 29er's are pretty fun. It looks like its a pretty good value, but make sure you meet the seller at a bike shop and have the mechanic throw it on the stand, run through the gears and see what it needs. A new chain will cost you about $45 installed and if it's been ridden a lot and needs other drivetrain replacements or a fork rebuild you could be talking hundreds. A good bike shop will not charge you for a thorough run-through and estimate.