exSRAaron Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 (edited) Looking for an entry level Mountain Bike. Size 16/18. Trek, Rocky Mountain, Raleigh, Fisher, Cannondale, etc. Price range isnt really high tho. And if you have any advice on choosing a bike, I'm all ears! Thanks!!Aaron Edited December 23, 2009 by exSRAaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox_racing_guy Posted December 21, 2009 Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Try Craig's list, I'm sure you can find something that somebody wants to unload so they can upgrade. It's my opinion that SRAM (gripshift) Rockshox, and TruVativ are junk components. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted December 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2009 Thanks Fox, I've had my eye on craigslist the last few weeks, but I'm sure something will pop since its winter time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jblosser Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Try Once Ridden Bikes, a used bike shop on campus.310 E. Hudson614.447.9997My buddy Joe owns the shop and will treat you properly. His stock is always changing, so he may or may not have anything you'd be interested in.I've known him for about 32 years, and he was the best man at my wedding. Wow, I'm getting old... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireman_343 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 When you get a MT bike, we'll have to go ride when the trails open up! Its a great workout and gets ya ready for racing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Depends on your price. If it is say under $1000, stick with a good hardtail and look for good components. The problem is that many people say they will buy a cheaper component decked bike and change them out afterwards. Price the components and see that you'll spend more later than at the time of buying.SRAM which owns Truvativ and Avid are some of the best components out there. X9 and up are the best shifters and derailleurs available. Sure, they have junk, but so does Shimano...Essentially, look for X9 front and rear with X9 shifters as a minimum. Right now, you'll see X0 and XX and they are higher ranked than X9, but are for weight wienies...Avid Juicy 5 and higher (Now called Elixir family - Elixir 5, etc...) are solid brakes.Look for tubeless ready wheelsets - most are compatible and ready to be converted, but if not, easily done in a ghetto fashion...If you are looking at the bikes you listed, think Trek, Fisher or Specialized. Cannondale is cool, but they use a lot of proprietary components and makes it tough when needing to replace worn parts, etc. Rocky Mountain is no longer made in Canada so, they are made most likely in Taiwan like a majority of them are. If you are to buy a foreign made bike, make sure it is made in Taiwan - best welds and best building of frames right now outside hand built here...Try and stay with a complete family. It's tough at the lower priced bikes as they will mix SRAM, Shimano, etc. as they get better deals in bulk buying for certain items and mix them.If money is no issue, buy a boutique style bike where you choose a frame and a component family. That's the best. It allows you to choose everything and suit what you are wanting to ride...As far as trails go, you need to ride in the winter, too. Alum is open and is great when there is snow. No studs needed and is a great workout.Just my $.02 on it all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Try out some different models too.Trek/Fisher 'fit' differently than a specialized for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted December 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 Brian, thanks for the advice. I was planning on sticking with a hardtail, I think I'm gonna check out the Trek store this afternoon and see if they've got any leftovers and get a feel for a few different bikes. Right now I'm looking at the 3 and 4 series with the chance of a 6 series. I need have a ton to learn tho, so I'm in no rush to buy one. Thanks again guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireman_343 Posted December 22, 2009 Report Share Posted December 22, 2009 I thought Alum was closed until spring.. at least that is what the big STOP/Closed sign says when you try and enter the trails... says something about getting a fine if caught?? I rode on the trails last spring (if you remember we had a few warm/dry weeks in March) and there were a bunch of people on the trail when that STOP/Closed sign was posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 I thought Alum was closed until spring.. at least that is what the big STOP/Closed sign says when you try and enter the trails... says something about getting a fine if caught?? I rode on the trails last spring (if you remember we had a few warm/dry weeks in March) and there were a bunch of people on the trail when that STOP/Closed sign was posted.It's open. However, the best time to ride is when the ground is frozen. Otherwise, you rut the trail and damage it. Frozen with snow is AWESOME! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted December 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 Well, I check out the sawmill Trek store today, pretty much out of leftovers. Felt a lot better on the Fisher than the Trek too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted December 23, 2009 Report Share Posted December 23, 2009 Well, I check out the sawmill Trek store today, pretty much out of leftovers. Felt a lot better on the Fisher than the Trek too.Consider a 29er. If you are wanting a HT, they are great choices. I just got a Paragon (09) and I can't wait. It'll get it's first ride here when the ground freezes...You can grab a Cobis or Mamba for under $1k... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exSRAaron Posted January 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Well I pickd up a '07 Rockhopper with a few upgrades locally. Should be a solid bike for newbie And I ordered a set of BB7 brakes. Will be upgrading to X7 shifters soon as the stock ones really blow. Thanks again for the advice guys..Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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