Mountain Biking

[silvercookie 5,000+ posts]

haha..I bought a decent Shwinn off their website for about half of what local dealers were asking. Nothing crazy but good for general trail riding. I've always been a bmx guy myself but not so comfortable to ride when you get a bit older.

pmed btw

 

[el_chupo_ 10+ year member]

Some info here sucks.

First off, Giant makes frames for almost every company out there with a bike under 1k, and a ton over 1k. Dont worry about brand. Most come out of the same 4 factories in China anyways.

The Yukon is not a bad bike, in fact it won Mountain Bike Action under 800 bike shoot out a couple months back.

Anywho, first: MTBR.com/forum

Second, decide what type of riding you will do, and eliminate everything else. If you arent free-riding or jumping then the Shred should be out.

For general trail riding get a trail/XC bike. Dont get a free-ride bike, or downhill bike, and especially not a jump bike. They have very short top tubes, and are uncomfortable for general riding.

Third, get fitted/get the right size. This isnt based on standover, or handlebar height (WTF). It has to do with top tube length, it is how stretched your torso is.

Im 5'10'' and ride a 23.25-23.5 for XC riding...

and lastly, unless you find a close out or sale, generally speaking most bikes in a given price range will have very similar specs. The things to worry about are derailleurs, forks, and cranks (if your a big guy).

At 500 bucks you wont be running into any FOX anything, so ignore that...

Frankly, your will be getting a medicore fork. It may have a good name, but its crap. Thankfully, most "crap" now is still pretty decent, and with average use will take you a year or so to outgrow. By then, you will know if you want to upgrade. My fork alone is twice that...

Lastly, one of my bikes:

Brodie Nemesis

Fox Talus 36 RC2

Sram/Truvativ/Avid/easton/TBC build, albeit without front brake in this pic. 8" rotor now.

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

thank you amazing information...im just trying to find something in the area...as i think based one the prices im reading from the bike shops around here that new might not be the way to go...

my riding will be trails at the state parks on the weekends, and about a mile round trip to class...

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

that person is willing to sell me the K2 Crush for $300 and its barely been ridden, and in my favorite colors red and black...i think im gonna take it

 

[95BlackGA 5,000+ posts]

that person is willing to sell me the K2 Crush for $300 and its barely been ridden, and in my favorite colors red and black...i think im gonna take it

I'd take it, if it's suitable for your riding. Then with the $200 saved, you could upgrade/change parts to your needs/wants.

 

[evildave101 10+ year member]

Some info here sucks.
First off, Giant makes frames for almost every company out there with a bike under 1k, and a ton over 1k. Dont worry about brand. Most come out of the same 4 factories in China anyways.

The Yukon is not a bad bike, in fact it won Mountain Bike Action under 800 bike shoot out a couple months back.

Anywho, first: MTBR.com/forum

Second, decide what type of riding you will do, and eliminate everything else. If you arent free-riding or jumping then the Shred should be out.

For general trail riding get a trail/XC bike. Dont get a free-ride bike, or downhill bike, and especially not a jump bike. They have very short top tubes, and are uncomfortable for general riding.

Third, get fitted/get the right size. This isnt based on standover, or handlebar height (WTF). It has to do with top tube length, it is how stretched your torso is.

Im 5'10'' and ride a 23.25-23.5 for XC riding...

and lastly, unless you find a close out or sale, generally speaking most bikes in a given price range will have very similar specs. The things to worry about are derailleurs, forks, and cranks (if your a big guy).

At 500 bucks you wont be running into any FOX anything, so ignore that...

Frankly, your will be getting a medicore fork. It may have a good name, but its crap. Thankfully, most "crap" now is still pretty decent, and with average use will take you a year or so to outgrow. By then, you will know if you want to upgrade. My fork alone is twice that...

Lastly, one of my bikes:

Brodie Nemesis

Fox Talus 36 RC2

Sram/Truvativ/Avid/easton/TBC build, albeit without front brake in this pic. 8" rotor now.

very good advice, i got excited about my bikes, but you need to decide whats best for you and get the right bike for you.

 

[el_chupo_ 10+ year member]

very good advice, i got excited about my bikes, but you need to decide whats best for you and get the right bike for you.

New bikes are fun for sure. Shred looks killer

OP, I wouldnt get that bike.

Its not like the Lithium, which was higher end, and still a flexy frame

In one of your first posts you say yourself, you have found that Full Sus bikes on the cheap are usually not good. This is the case here. This bike sold new for 650, and has parts that reflect that.

And most importantly, it does NOT fit you. At 6'3'' , unless you have freakishly long legs and a short torso, you will be cramped, too far over the front, and generally uncomfortable for trail riding.

Spend a bit more for one that fits you.

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

i feel like this is more than enough bike for me...my roomate is riding a CCM, and the other roomate rides what looks like something from k mart....we are all beginners.

i am not looking for a fine tuned machine, i am not even sure if i will enjoy this..i figure even if i dont like it, it will get me to class...now that im thinking about it i dont wanna spend 400+ on a bike that may end up just being used to get me to class

 

[el_chupo_ 10+ year member]

i feel like this is more than enough bike for me...my roomate is riding a CCM, and the other roomate rides what looks like something from k mart....we are all beginners.
i am not looking for a fine tuned machine, i am not even sure if i will enjoy this..i figure even if i dont like it, it will get me to class...now that im thinking about it i dont wanna spend 400+ on a bike that may end up just being used to get me to class

Im not going to sell you on price, frankly its not that important. Fit is.

Whatever you do, have fun.

http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

im gonna give it a try...

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

alright need more advice....juts got an email for a Jamis Exile for $450....its used lightly and also a 19" frame...

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

also got a reply about this Marin Bobcat....asking $400

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/802740767.html

 

[na_rsx 10+ year member]

i had a 2000 Cannondale F400, loved it, but was too small for me, so i picked up a 08' Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc model, and i love it. plan on changing the tires to some Specialized Armadillos since i do more city riding than mountain riding. i paid 570 with tax directly from a Specialized dealer. also i am 5'10" and i ride a 19" frame, plan on changing the handle bar and stem to some bontrager carbon fiber components.

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

also just found this $200

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/823378169.html

 

[dvrmstrng 5,000+ posts]

im just gonna keep posting em up and whichever one you guys think i should go for im gonna call them up and go get it