New Guy, needs bike

[Learner]

I am new to moutain biking but have wanted to get into it for years. Now that I have some money I can. What would you guys recomend. I have heard of the new 29ers(29 inch wheels I guess) how does this make things any better?

[rooftest]

Others would recommend that you spend $1,500 for a decent beginners' bike. I always recommend that new riders buy an inexpensive hardtail. Ride this for 6 months or so, then you can trade up to a higher-dollar bike of your choice.

For example, you don't yet know what kind of riding you'll be into (jumping, cross-country, all-mountain, etc.) If you buy a Trek Fuel for your frist bike, that's a good one, but if you find you like taking drops and jumping, you'll end up breaking it.
When I came back to mountain biking a year ago, I thought I would be into jumping. Now, I realize I took all the big wipeouts I can handle when I was a kid, so I stick with XC now. After a dollar a mile with my chepie bike, I figure I got my money's worth.

Also, riding your cheapie will allow you to figure out what components you prefer. (V-brakes vs. mech. disc. vs. hydralic(sp) brakes)

Just my 2 cents.

[Learner]

Wow, never thought of it like that. Thanks. I think I will get a cheapie first. I think I will be more into cross country, taking drops doesn't so much appeal to me.

[Skookum]

A good start is to find a trustworthy LBS (local bike shop). Get on some bikes and ride around. Go to different bike shops and after a while narrow the choices down to what bike you want and where you want to buy it. As you learn about mt. bikes and maintenance you can wean yourself off of bike shops or keep going back if they keep earning your business. But getting sized right and getting good service early on can help keep you happy and on the trail.

[Reactor]

Others would recommend that you spend $1,500 for a decent beginners' bike. I always recommend that new riders buy an inexpensive hardtail. Ride this for 6 months or so, then you can trade up to a higher-dollar bike of your choice.

For example, you don't yet know what kind of riding you'll be into (jumping, cross-country, all-mountain, etc.) If you buy a Trek Fuel for your frist bike, that's a good one, but if you find you like taking drops and jumping, you'll end up breaking it.
When I came back to mountain biking a year ago, I thought I would be into jumping. Now, I realize I took all the big wipeouts I can handle when I was a kid, so I stick with XC now. After a dollar a mile with my chepie bike, I figure I got my money's worth.

Also, riding your cheapie will allow you to figure out what components you prefer. (V-brakes vs. mech. disc. vs. hydralic(sp) brakes)

Just my 2 cents.


I pretty much agree.
Almost every beginner I've seen has spend about $500 bucks on a decent hardtail or lowend FS bike. Then they start upgrading a piece at a time and pretty soon they've got a $2000 GT avalance.

The others buy a $2000 XC race bike and then decide they really wanted something like an Ellsworth moment freeride bike.

Buy a bike, a good used or decent new hardtail and ride it for six months. Don't upgrade anything (except tires), everytime you feel the urge, put the money in an account. At the end of six months sell the used bike for about half of what you paid for it, add it to the money you saved and you can probably buy the new bike you really wanted.

[MikeD]

I am new to moutain biking but have wanted to get into it for years. Now that I have some money I can. What would you guys recomend. I have heard of the new 29ers(29 inch wheels I guess) how does this make things any better?

I agree with the $500 hardtail idea unless you've got some experience doing this already. Do you know that you're committed to the sport? If so, you might actually want to spend more than $500.

My 1st bike at $500 seemed incredibly expensive...now I spend that much on a fork. My friends tried to get me to get a $1300 suspension bike instead...that might've done me well, but I think the HT taught me more about riding, and gave me $800 in unspent money that I used when I finally bought my first custom-built full suspension bike a year later.

Wouldn't get a 29er for a first bike, myself. That's something to try later on down the line.

[rainbow_smoke]

yeah something like a specilized hardrock would be great...but i don't like specilized that much just that sort of bike

[wood-dog]

Look into a Specialized bike, there will be several models to choose from including a couple of BAD ASS HT's that will fit into your budget

[gigapower]

I just bought a 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport for $300, just go to your LBS and deal with them. I go and pick up the bike tomorrow, can't wait!

[foesjunky]

I am new to moutain biking but have wanted to get into it for years. Now that I have some money I can. What would you guys recomend. I have heard of the new 29ers(29 inch wheels I guess) how does this make things any better?

I would look at the Gary Fisher Sugar 4+, About $999.00 and alot of bike for the money. Great for XC/Trail riding with adjustable rear travel @ 2.5-4". And you can upgrade it in time if you want it to be race light. Mine weighed in at 24 pounds after upgrades. Just have fun riding!!! :)

[jacksonpt]

I went the $500 first bike route and it worked out very well for me. I rode the bike for about 3 years until I got to be a pretty decent rider and figured out what type of rider I was. Then I bought my dream bike, and I'm loving every minute of it.

Another option is to buy a good but used bike. If you're patient, you can still spend your initial $500 (or whatever you decide on for a budget), but get a used bike that's twice as good as a new bike - slightly better frame, much better components.

I do advise getting something for a legitimate bike shop. You'll have a better change of ending up with a solid bike that will last you a few years (if you want it to last that long :wink: ), and you'll start to develop a relationship with them. Down the road this will pay off with better customer service, and possibly preferential treatment (discounts, faster service/maintenance, etc.).

As for the 29er... you have to think about it logically because it's kind of hard to explain. The bigger the wheel is, the more it's going to roll over bumps (especially holes/ruts/etc rather than bumps/roots/etc) rather than drop down into the bump. If you can keep the wheel out of the bump, it will smooth out the ride some. The downside is that a 29" wheel has more mass (read: weight) than does a comparible 26" wheel, so it takes more umph to get it rolling. Since it has more mass, it will hold momentum longer, but I'm not sure this is significant enough to notice while you're pedaling down the trail.

[Dirtbag85]

I have a '03 Trek Fuel 80, 19.5 in. frame. I'd like to sell it if I could. Good condition. I would like to get roughly $900 for it. If anyone is interested e-mail me at mspain2@utk.edu and I'll get you some pictures and more information. Thanks