Bikes

[Majik]

My parents told me they will help me with a bike for my birthday. I went to bikes inc today and rode a few. My favorite was the Trek 4500 06 model. Any thoughts on this bike? http://bicyclesinc.com/itemdetails.c...gId=39&id=7037

I also rode a rockhopper of similar price, but I didnt like the shifter. Also the seat hurt. I tried a Gary Fisher aswell, and it didnt quite feel right.

[rx7gslse]

I looked at about teh same models a few years back... I ended up with a Gary Fisher Tassajara from Grapevine cycles... Got a great price and I beat the hell out of that bike for a few years of adventure races and moutain biking.

Dunno if that helps ya, but that's the direction I went

[tailchaser]

The Trek will definitely have better components than the other bikes at the same price - the biggest indicator of whether it feels right, as long your body fits the frame geometry right.

I'm not up on components, so you'll probably want to make sure that sammm or iain pipe up about the quality of those front forks. I will say that I spent a lot of time keeping my last set of Shimano Deore derailleurs happy - compared to essentially none on my current bike's XT/XTR set. If you can scrape together the cash, I'd recommend going to a bike with at least an XT rear, especially if you'll be off road. OTOH, you weigh at least 35 pounds less than I do, which may make life easier for the derailleur.

[sammm]

My first MTB was a Miyata, no suspension. Good starter. I sold it and bought a Gary Fisher front suspension, sold it and bought a GT full-suspension (very happy with it until the frame cracked). I now own a Jamis Dakar Sport. Fit is very important. Some things can be adjusted, but not everything. Ride as many different brands as you can.

If you hadn't found www.mtbr.com now you have. Go read.

Before you (or anyone else) drops a large amount of cash at Bikes Inc. or similiar, check out this website (where I bought the Jamis) -
www.bicycleblowout.com

Let me know if you have any questions.

[altiain]

My first mountain bike bike was a $150 Walmart special - I bought it to see if I'd enjoy riding or not. 6 months later I bought a rigid (no front suspension fork) Specialized Rockhopper, which I rode for a couple of years before upgrading to a hardtail (front suspension fork but no rear suspension) Stumpjumper M2. Unfortunately, I tended to taco rear wheels every four to six months with a really stiff hardtail, so after two years of the Stumpy I traded it in on my current full suspension Stumpjumper FSR-XC, which I've been very happy with.

I tried to like Trek's bikes, but at the time of my purchases Specialized tended to have better component specs at the same price level (of course, I bought my first Stumpy back when carbon composite Trek Y-bikes were all the rage, to put a date on it for the other long timers out there). You really can't go wrong with either Trek or Specialized for bang-for-the-buck, compared to some of the other boutique manufacturers out there.

A couple of points:

• Make sure you get a frame that fits you well. You can always upgrade componentry later, but it's hard to change a frame with bad geometry. Everybody is different, so find an experienced salesperson (I've always dealt with the Bedford Bikes, Inc., and been very happy with them), and take the time ot try a bunch of different frames in different sizes.
• While you can always upgrade components later, it doesn't hurt to start with good stuff. Shimano is the gold standard of MTB components, but they have many different levels of quality. XTR is the chi-chi race stuff, really expensive, really light, and really overkill for what you want. XT is good, solid stuff - well built, but a little heavier and cheaper than XTR gear. When I break OEM stuff, I tend to buy Shimano XT replacements, because they work. LX is one step below XT - a little cheaper, a little heavier, but still well made. Below LX is a whole range of stuff, but in your price point try to find a bike with at least some LX hardware like shifters or derauilleurs.
• Rock Shox makes pretty good forks. I've used Rock Shox and Manotou products, and I prefer Rock Shox. The Judy is an entry level fork, but it should suit your needs just fine. Besides, you can always upgrade/replace later - I've replaced both the front fork and the rear shock on my bike with better units than what they came with from the factory.

Don't forget that most good bike stores will also typically have a selection of used or consignment bikes. Hardcore bike geeks are like computer nerds - they always have to have the latest and greatest, and they cast off their old stuff and upgrade pretty regularly. This can be a good way to get a bike with better components for less money.

[SilverToy]

I'm strictly a road bike person, but it's been strictly Trek bikes for me, for years. (even before Lance!) I can't talk directly about the off road bikes but there road bike build quality is great. There are cheaper bikes, I don't know about better. Remember I'm biased, between my and I, we have three. I completely agree with altiain's points on components and consignment bikes. But be careful! Off road bikes are the classic example of something that's road hard and put away wet-and muddy-and banged around-you get the idea. Check a used bike very closely. EDIT: Oh yeah, my last two were bought at the Bedford Bike inc store, good folks.

[Titus]

While I have nothing of value to add to the discussion, I have to say I laughed pretty hard when I opened the link, saw 13" as the default in the size dropdown, and then pictured Majik cruising around on a 13" bike.

[Majik]

While I have nothing of value to add to the discussion, I have to say I laughed pretty hard when I opened the link, saw 13" as the default in the size dropdown, and then pictured Majik cruising around on a 13" bike.

Why dont we let those automated bots post again?

[POS Racing]

I bought the wife and kid a coupe of Trek's last year at Bicycles Inc. in Keller, the sales guy had Vivid ride a bunch of different bikes to make sure what she got fit her! First class operation!

We have been very pleased with the bikes!

[jolberry]

If you buy locally, I would suggest buying at Sun & Ski Sports. They offer a lifetime FREE service on all the bikes they sell. Of couse that only includes lite tune-ups, but it has been well worth it to me. I bought my first Bike there 7 years ago and another 2 years ago. Well worth it IMO.

[sammm]

lifetime FREE service on all the bikes they sell. Of couse that only includes lite tune-ups

I think Bikes Inc. and Debo's offer that same deal. Good point!

[altiain]

I think Bikes Inc. and Debo's offer that same deal. Good point!

Bikes, Inc. does. I had mine serviced earlier this year for free, six or seven years after I bought it.

[Shoefly]

Multiple gears are for cars. I've got a singlespeed mtb that HAULS and am building up a fixed gear road bike this weekend. Shifting just gets in the way most of the time. You really only need one gear. Try to go with a steel frame too. Steel is real.

And as a warning, bikes can be just as fun/addictive as cars.

[sammm]

Steel is real.

Yes it is. Real heavy.

[Shoefly]

Yes it is. Real heavy.

Maybe if you're comparing to a $2500-9k carbon road bike? Otherwise it's all pretty close.

Go check out the Redline Monocog at Richardson Bike Mart. There's a regular and 29 inch wheeled version. Probably the biggest bang for the buck out there today in mtb's. The basic redline costs around $420. The 29er is around $500. It has a rigid fork but you'd be a lot better off starting with that and then upgrading if you want something better later on.

Here's some reviews: http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/singlesp...t_123805.shtml

[mvalant]

Wow, even here in Miataland the classic singlespeed vs. 21-speed arguement flares up.

In college I had a 12-speed road bike that I converted to single-cog, and that was perfect for the way I rode at the time (banzai through campus, down the staircases and so-on). Well, it was perfect until I collapsed the front fork (it folded "politely" and I didn't wreck). Well, now I'm both talentless AND heavier, not to mention out of shape. The gears on my Trek 4600 (is that right? I bought it in 2004) are my friends.

[altiain]

Multiple gears are for cars. I've got a singlespeed mtb that HAULS and am building up a fixed gear road bike this weekend. Shifting just gets in the way most of the time. You really only need one gear. Try to go with a steel frame too. Steel is real.

And as a warning, bikes can be just as fun/addictive as cars.

Singlespeeds are for masochists... or guys who never ride up the hills.

I like my 27 speeds, and I've definitely never felt that they got in the way. I can see the appeal in a singlespeed bike, but there are climbs on most of the trails I ride that I'd never make on a singlespeed.

Besides, my current bike predates the "freeride" craze, so while it may only have 2-3 inches of travel at each end, it's also a lot closer to 20 pounds than 30.

[Shoefly]

Where do you guys ride? I was hoping to get out to RCP either Sunday or Monday. Let me know if you want to meet up. I'll show you how a singlespeed goes up hills. :)

[POS Racing]

So Sparky what did you end up doing???

[Majik]

I have an 04 Jamis Dakar on order. Ill take snazzy pics when it gets here.