I need help buying a mountain bike

C

clevername

25+ Posts
Can anyone help me out? I'd like to find a good all around bike, something I can use on the trails and roads. Don't want anything to fancy, maybe $500 - 800. I've heard good things about Trek bikes, but their site doesn't list prices. (and I'm not in a city that sells Treks)

Thanks
 
go to a full service big bike shop (cyclessports, bicyclesportshop, etc). choose based off what you want to do, where you really know you will ride and get a fframe that fits your size.

Trek is great, then again for what you want so if Specialized, Klien, GT, Giant, Marin in that order.

pick a different city on the Trek website, it does list MSRP, you will pay that or slighely higher as the local shop does the assembly for you. a Trek 4300 should do wonders for you.
 
If a bike shop near you sells Gary Fisher's, you should take a look. Gary makes his own frames, but the rest of the bike is straight Trek.
 
the "name" of the frame is the least important part, so dont feel the need to buy a "name" just 'cuz

for a better deal, I'd avoid bicycle sport shop, the owner is the president and founder of IMBA, but there's better service and deals at some of the smaller shops in austin, try cycleworks 360 or that place on 24th street near able's
 
Buy Used..... And then have the money leftover for a polar heartrate monitor, a couple pairs of shorts, and perhaps a bood pair of shoes.

At least that's what I did.
 
Second on buying used; the best person to find is someone who was given the bike as a gift or bought it a while ago and has rarely or never used it. I bought a GT suspension mountain bike worth $825 for $400 from a girl who doesn't ride but won it in a raffle. Three years later, and it's still going strong with only routine maintenance.
 
You should pay attention to the component "level" on the bike you're looking at. Better components last longer, operate better, are easier to tune/fix, and will make your riding more enjoyable. Pony up for the best bike you can afford.

You may be a little late to get a 2004 model as the 2005's are pretty much coming in now, but you may get lucky. In your price range, I would stay away from a double suspension bike.

Used is also a possibility - check ebay for a range of prices and bikes. You should go to a bike store and have someone who knows what they are doing "fit" you to a frame. Note that one size with one brand does not always translate to another. This is the advantage with buying from a store.

Trek are good, and sometimes a good value for the money. Specialized and Gary Fisher are also worth considering.

An Aluminum frame will be lighter, stiffer, but beat you up a bit, with all probablitiy. A steel bike is plush, but will undoubtedly be heavier. Try both to see what you like, but a simple ride around the parking lot is not the best way to test it.
 
Buying used is a great idea for someone new to moutain biking. I bought my first quality mountain bike used and found a great deal. I bought about $2500 worth of bike for $750. I still have that bike.

Like others have mentioned, try to find a decent frame (that fits your body) with higher end components. Try to figure out what type of frame is going to suit the type of riding you intend to do. (ie, don't be like a jackass friend of mine who went and bought a $3,000 extreme downhill full suspension bike and only rides cross country, then wonders why he can't hang on the climbs with those of us who are riding hardtails and XC specific duallys)

I will never have a problem patronizing BSS. Hill Abel has done way more than his share for cycling and mountain biking in Texas. I also don't havea problem with the IMBA. (I'm a member) I'm also a member of the Austin Ridge Riders mountain biking club. Dont' understand why some people hate IMBA and organized clubs. ARR has done some great things for mountain biking in the Austin area.
 
clever,

I bought a Trek 4500 this summer. Awesome bike for the money. You should be able to get one of these, with the disc brakes for between $475-$525.

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If you go up to the 6500 or the 6700, it should cost another $75-125 more.
 
Thanks for the help guys, but I think I'm gonna go with this

290303.jpg


Actually, Mac, that is the exact bike I was looking at. Thanks for the info.
 
Sure - you can search the yellowpages for BikeBarn, as they have multiple locations. A small chain, but usually good people and decent bikes.

The guys at BikesSport run a nice, but small, shop -The Link

I really like the guys at West End Bicycles, on Blossom. Die hards.

There's another one, near the Med Center in a converted old house - can't remember the name, but it's a "real" bike store. A fair amount of attitude, but they know their stuff and have (or had) nice lines of bikes. Anyone remember the name? It was kind of an odd one. . . I didn't see it listed as a dealer for any of the bikes (LeMond, Litespeed, Trek) that I think it would carry. Of course, it's been a few years since I've been there. . .

Since a Trek would be a good place to start your shopping, go to the Trek website and search for a dealer near you. Chances are, they'll carry a few lines worth trying. Ditto with Specialized.
 
I dont think that bike will be able to handle the jungle terrain. Although it does appear to have an undersized spare, which may be useful.
 
If you're north of Houston and driving south on I-45 stop at Bike Lane (FM1960 exit). Great small shop that's been there about 10 to 12 years. I've bought 4 bikes there (2 for me, 1 for my wife and 1 for my son) and will probably buy one there today (my daughter).
 
I went with the TREK 4500, which I got for $399 plus tax. I really wanted it before Thanksgiving, but the only color they had in stock was Sooner red.
mad.gif
They had to order the black one, but it should be here next week.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
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