Mountain bikes
- Thread starter CRunfola
- Start date
In that price range, the best bike is the one on which you are most comfortable. Go to a good bike shop (Richardson Bike Mart used to be a good one, if they're still around up there), get fitted, and test ride every bike in your price range. You aren't going to stress any of the components on a mountain bike riding it around White Rock Lake, so spec isn't really that important. Since you'll primarily be on the road, don't even look at full suspension models. I don't think you can get a fully rigid mountain bike anymore, but that's what I'd recommend for the type of riding you want to do. In short, get something you like to ride and ride the hell out of it.
I don't recommend a mountain bike for the MS150, but if that's what you want to ride, at least buy some slicks (tires designed for road riding). You'll expend a lot more effort on a mountain bike than you will on a road or touring bike or hybrid.
I don't recommend a mountain bike for the MS150, but if that's what you want to ride, at least buy some slicks (tires designed for road riding). You'll expend a lot more effort on a mountain bike than you will on a road or touring bike or hybrid.
longhorn_nation
25+ Posts
I know that you can get a pretty good Cannondale in that range. The question is:
Are you ever going to ride mountains/trails? If so, a full suspension bike is a very nice ride. Cannondale makes one called the Jeckyl that is $1099. It's a great ride. You can probably get a 10% discount if you need to buy some gear(helmet, gloves, etc.).
Just last year one friend of mine bought a $700 Cannondale front suspension bike. Another around the same time bought the aforementioned Jeckyl. The difference is amazing. Something to think about.
Are you ever going to ride mountains/trails? If so, a full suspension bike is a very nice ride. Cannondale makes one called the Jeckyl that is $1099. It's a great ride. You can probably get a 10% discount if you need to buy some gear(helmet, gloves, etc.).
Just last year one friend of mine bought a $700 Cannondale front suspension bike. Another around the same time bought the aforementioned Jeckyl. The difference is amazing. Something to think about.
MilkmanDan
1,000+ Posts
You are getting some good advice. I don't know how much riding you've been doing so far, but make sure you find something you'll be comfortable on for 70+ miles two days in a row.
Whenever you go to the bike shop, be sure and spend some time on multiple styles. The first bike I bought as an adult was a basic Gary Fisher MTB - no suspension at all. I've had it about 10 years and recently bought a used road bike. I find the road bike immensely more enjoyable to ride for any distance. I like having the option of the MTB in case I want to go on trails, but I've found I'm not cut out for rocky rides like Zilker, etc.
BTW, I noticed that the MS 150 is capping registration at 13,000 so be sure to get signed up before they're full. Have fun!
Whenever you go to the bike shop, be sure and spend some time on multiple styles. The first bike I bought as an adult was a basic Gary Fisher MTB - no suspension at all. I've had it about 10 years and recently bought a used road bike. I find the road bike immensely more enjoyable to ride for any distance. I like having the option of the MTB in case I want to go on trails, but I've found I'm not cut out for rocky rides like Zilker, etc.
BTW, I noticed that the MS 150 is capping registration at 13,000 so be sure to get signed up before they're full. Have fun!
MilkmanDan
1,000+ Posts
RosannaGroove
< 25 Posts
I actually just went to a couple bike shops in town (Tulsa) and compared a few bikes, as I'm wanting to get a decent mountain bike to replace my current Wal-Mart piece of crap. I'm wanting to spend about $500, which is a little below your price range, but Specialized bikes are starting to impress me.
I tried out a Trek 4500 and a Specialized Rock Hopper and the Specialized bike seems to give you more bang for your buck. Plus, I think it looks cooler, which is obviously important.
But yeah, the sales guys were telling me that once you get into the price range you're in, they're all pretty good bikes. Just get one that you're comfortable with, that fits you.
I tried out a Trek 4500 and a Specialized Rock Hopper and the Specialized bike seems to give you more bang for your buck. Plus, I think it looks cooler, which is obviously important.
But yeah, the sales guys were telling me that once you get into the price range you're in, they're all pretty good bikes. Just get one that you're comfortable with, that fits you.
happy fun ball
100+ Posts
As cool as cyclocross bikes are, they are a very different beast from a normal MTB, and I wouldn't think a novice bike handler would deal well with a cross bike on a normal MTB trail. No suspension, and your position on the bike is like a normal road bike - spread out with your back flat. On an MTB, you tend to be more upright, which for most people makes it a little easier to balance, clear obstacles, etc.
I know people ride MTBs on the MS150, but I think you're going to be really unhappy doing so, even if you do change out the tires. MTB's have big tires with more rolling resistance (lower air pressure too) that will suck out the energy as you cycle on the road. Not to mention that in your price range, if you get one with a suspension, this is going to be a heavy beast. Also, unless you can "lock out" that front suspension, you'll lose some energy there as well.
On the other hand, you're not going to be happy putting a road or a hybrid bike on anything other than the Town Lake hike and bike trail.
I'm with the previous poster - what do you think you'll do more of, city or trail riding? Buy a $1000 bike for that, and if it's a MTB bike, rent a road bike for the MS150. If you will only do things like White Rock, I wouldn't get a bike with a suspension - especially if you spend less than $750. It's weight and maintenance you don't want, and it'll do nothing for you on the MS150. Personally, I'd say buy a Trek 1500 or the like, as it's a light bike that will do well on the MS150, but your position on the bike is, again, laid out. A hybrid may be more comfortable, but the trade off is generally a heavier bike with squishy tires, with a less efficient riding position (though perhaps more comfortable). But a much better decision than a "true" MTB. Maybe look at Trek's "Comfort Road" models, which are a hybrid between a hybrid and a road bike.
link
I know people ride MTBs on the MS150, but I think you're going to be really unhappy doing so, even if you do change out the tires. MTB's have big tires with more rolling resistance (lower air pressure too) that will suck out the energy as you cycle on the road. Not to mention that in your price range, if you get one with a suspension, this is going to be a heavy beast. Also, unless you can "lock out" that front suspension, you'll lose some energy there as well.
On the other hand, you're not going to be happy putting a road or a hybrid bike on anything other than the Town Lake hike and bike trail.
I'm with the previous poster - what do you think you'll do more of, city or trail riding? Buy a $1000 bike for that, and if it's a MTB bike, rent a road bike for the MS150. If you will only do things like White Rock, I wouldn't get a bike with a suspension - especially if you spend less than $750. It's weight and maintenance you don't want, and it'll do nothing for you on the MS150. Personally, I'd say buy a Trek 1500 or the like, as it's a light bike that will do well on the MS150, but your position on the bike is, again, laid out. A hybrid may be more comfortable, but the trade off is generally a heavier bike with squishy tires, with a less efficient riding position (though perhaps more comfortable). But a much better decision than a "true" MTB. Maybe look at Trek's "Comfort Road" models, which are a hybrid between a hybrid and a road bike.
link
RosannaGroove
< 25 Posts
Thanks for all the replies. After talking with the guy at the bike store, I am probably going to get a road bike rather than a MTB. Since I see myself on the road the majority of the time it will make sense to get a road bike and once in a blue moon that I decide to go on the trail I can always rent a MTB.
I am looking at the Trek 1000. Does anyone know of a good site where I can buy a used bike?
I am looking at the Trek 1000. Does anyone know of a good site where I can buy a used bike?
RosannaGroove
< 25 Posts
Just remember that if you buy a bike on Ebay, the shipping costs are probably going to be at least $40. Plus, you're obviously not going to get a whole bike shipped to you, it's going to be completely taken apart. You'll have to take it to a bike shop and they might charge you another $40-$50 to assemble it. Just stuff to think about.
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