New Bike

[Ryken]

Do not buy that bike. Here is why:

Full suspension: Not needed in the slightest unless you are doing intense XC trails on a real mountain, or doing downhill. Full suspension (especially cheapo full suspension, like the iron horse) just makes it harder to pedal.

Steel Frame: While some people feel that "steel is real," you need aluminum. It's lighter.

Components: no name components will make you very unhappy as they will need more adjustment, will be more prone to failure, and will just not work as well to begin with.

Disc Brakes: Disc brakes offer better modulation and slightly better stopping power in extreme mud. You don't need them on your first bike. I know they have a cool factor, but you don't need them.


Another thing to consider is whether or not you really need a mountain bike. If you are riding in the dirt, then absolutely you need one. If you are riding on pavement, then I would suggest a commuter bike instead. Front suspension, big knobby tires, and mountain bike gearing make it a pain to pedal a mountain bike down the street. The Specialized Sirrus would be much faster, and more enjoyable.

If you NEED a mountain bike and want new, a Trek 3700, Specialized Rockhopper or Hardrock, or Giant Rincon would all be good choices.

Buying used would be a much better way to go. Something like this would work very well, and last longer than a new one that costs the same.

 

[Ryken]

I figured I post my baby. 08 Stumpjumper Frame with Duke XC fork, deore hub laced to Mavic 317's, BB5 brakes, evolve xc cranks, full XT drivetrain, and a WTB saddle because the fit my boney butt. Oooh, almost forgot, the best tires in the world: Maxxis Ignitor Exception Series. Who says you can't spend $80 on tires?

 

[BioHazardd]

I can't stand the thought of having one of those street bikes, I don't like them one bit..

I'm now looking at this one, due to money, and the fact that I need a bike asap.
http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/style?menuId=231&styleId=58901

I also like these two,
http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/style?menuId=231&styleId=54997 <-- Kinda plain
http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/style?menuId=231&styleId=47482 <-- Never heard of

 

[Rovert]

I've been biking now for many many years, mountain and road, and I'm still not a fan of full suspension on bikes for most applications. If you are doing hardcore downhilling or rough single track, it's not a bad idea (for downhill it is necessary), but for casual trail riding and on road type stuff it is awful. It adds weight and complexity to the bike, but worst of all it saps your pedaling power, as some of the energy of each pedal stroke is used up compressing the suspension. It's lost effort, and on longer rides really adds up. For almost all applications a similarly priced hard tail bike will be a better solution.
I also NEVER buy a new bike. Really. There are literally MILLIONS of bikes out there sitting unused and unloved. Check your local craigslist, talk to friends and relatives, and at some point you will get a screaming deal on a good used bike. Right now my current ride is a hacked together fixed gear that I build around a top of the line (from the 80s) steel fuji frame, hand built (by me) wheels, and a mish-mass of parts that I've acquired through craigslist, ebay, veloswap (the worlds largest bike swap meet) and friends. My overall $$$ put in is about $200, and it's a sub-16lbs screamer.

Fixed gear man sounds nice buying mine in a couple days once the pay check rolls in!

 

[drbob]

I've got a trek 4300, and I have to say its got a nice frame (albeit a bit wide which makes it a pain to fit on certain car carrying racks)

You will not regret getting an aluminum frame if you're doing very light riding. Keep in mind the aluminum frame will be a lot more susceptible to damage but at the same time you'll shave off tons of weight, your legs will thank you ^^,

If you can, go for something with front shocks.

I can't recommend Trek enough, my dad and I have owned plenty of their bikes and they've never really had issues.

My dad hasn't greased the chain on his bike since he bought it like 10 years ago and that thing can still shift under load going up hill! (It's got old Shimano Deore XL shifters I think... which is pretty close to their top tier, but old...)

 

[Ryken]

Right now my current ride is a hacked together fixed gear that I build around a top of the line (from the 80s) steel fuji frame, hand built (by me) wheels, and a mish-mass of parts that I've acquired through craigslist, ebay, veloswap (the worlds largest bike swap meet) and friends. My overall $$$ put in is about $200, and it's a sub-16lbs screamer.

Missed that before, I too ride a homemade 80's Fuji fixed gear as a commuter. Tons of fun, just gotta watch where you're going (no brakes on mine)!

I can't stand the thought of having one of those street bikes, I don't like them one bit..

I'm now looking at this one, due to money, and the fact that I need a bike asap.
http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do...&styleId=58901

I also like these two,
http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do...&styleId=54997 <-- Kinda plain
http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do...&styleId=47482 <-- Never heard of

It sounds like you are set on buying a sub-$300 bike from sportcheck. If that is the case, any of those will be fine. Truth be told, they are all the same bike. Paint jobs vary, and the frame will too, slightly, but they are all made in one of a handful of factories in China owned by one or two companies. Just get the one with the paint job you like the best.

I know it seems like you aren't getting more by going to a REAL bike shop and buying a Trek, Specialized, Giant, etc, but you are. It's analogous to comparing a Dell to a custom built PC. Yes they both have a XFX 4890 in them, but one has a cheapo motherboard and power supply that limits future expansion and will fail, and one is built with ASUS and Corsair. Also, the bike shop has real bike mechanics that build and service bikes all day, not some random kid in the back that doesn't know a limit screw from a barrel adjuster.

The money you spend will be worth it both in service and quality. Go to your local bike shop, tell them what you are going to be doing with the bike, how much you want to spend, and test ride a couple of bikes. Then go ride a couple of bikes at Sportcheck, you will see the difference. While you are at it, test ride a street bike side by side. I know you don't want one now, but just ride it so you can see the difference. It will be worth the 5-10 minutes of your time, even if it is just to know you 100% for sure don't want one.

I suggest two local bike shops, and Sportcheck. You will know enough then to be able to make an informed decision.

 

[Osok]

Support your local bike shop.

 

[BioHazardd]

Support your local bike shop.

Can you find good, 300$ ~ bikes at a local shop?

 

[Ryken]

It'll be close. Call around and see if anyone has closeouts on last year's models, those should be cheap, and there might be a few left as it is still Spring. Normally everything goes on sale in the fall, and then stays on sale until they get rid of last year's models. Just go to your local bike shop and check it out!

 

[Osok]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[BioHazardd]

Ho'kay, so I haven't posted in a while, I've been scrounging around on Kijiji.

I can get my hands on this one for between $300-$350.
Click !

 

[ZANtehMAN!]

Ho'kay, so I haven't posted in a while, I've been scrounging around on Kijiji.

I can get my hands on this one for between $300-$350.
Click !

idk man the info is all very vague better off with something secure

 

[BioHazardd]

idk man the info is all very vague better off with something secure

Other then that, cause he's local so I can very easily call / go see it.

 

[seal lovin]

sorry i cant help;(

 

[ZANtehMAN!]

Other then that, cause he's local so I can very easily call / go see it.

o thats good then