Mountain Bike Conversation

"Agrajag" (Agrajag) 06/30/2016 at 22:46 • Filed to: None

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I’ve been wanting to get a mountain bike. There are a bunch of mostly flat bike trails nearby so I don’t feel I need anything that great. Trying to keep under $200, but my brother(avid bicyclist) has been trying to convince me to buy something more expensive.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Agrajag 06/30/2016 at 22:55

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I’ve been riding a 20 year old Trek 6500 on DH trails lately. It’s helped improve my riding considerably because it doesn’t compensate for shit technique. Consider used hardtails or fully rigid rides. If you enjoy it, you can always upgrade later, and a bike like that won’t let you outride your skill level. Not without losing skin, at least.

Agrajag > The Lurktastic Opponaught 06/30/2016 at 22:59

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If you enjoy it, you can always upgrade later

That’s what I was figuring.

HammerheadFistpunch > The Lurktastic Opponaught 06/30/2016 at 23:02

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This always my advice. Start low and work up. you’ll get better faster and you’ll appreciate the upgrade that much more.

Xyl0c41n3 > Agrajag 06/30/2016 at 23:07

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I’ve got a 20 year old fully rigid Trek, too. It’s an awesome little bike. Heavy, but tough as hell. I got it from CL for $40 and it looked like its previous owner have never ridden it. Instead, they just left it outdoors (beneath a shed-type garage) for several years. Pulled the weeds out of the spokes, had a mech change all the lines and chain, clean up the gears and powder coat it neon pink. Best decision ever.

You can get a really decent bike for not a lot of money if you're willing to buy used, buy older, and give it a little TLC.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Agrajag 06/30/2016 at 23:07

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Also, if you buy something midrange in the used market have a bike mechanic check it over. Just like with cars, there are some issues that can crop up with used bikes that can be fairly costly to repair. Modern suspension fork bits and pieces, cartridge bottom brackets, cassettes, chains, derailleurs, shifters, and cables can all be considered wear items that will eventually get broken or wear out and need to be replaced. I don’t want to see you buy what’s essentially a frame and wheel set and have to replace a ton of components.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Agrajag 06/30/2016 at 23:08

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Hardtails are probably the best bikes ive owned. you can always stand up and hop curbs with em with ease. if you can get one with a lockout for the front shocks, you basically got best of both worlds.

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Xyl0c41n3 06/30/2016 at 23:12

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I’ve had my 1996 6500 since new. I ride the shit out of that bike 3-4 days a week on DH, trials courses and single track, and rather than replacing it, I’m starting to look into some upgrades for it. I was just checking out a few wheel sets and a lightweight rigid fork from Kona for 1" steerers.

Xyl0c41n3 > The Lurktastic Opponaught 06/30/2016 at 23:18

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I turned mine into a hybrid and use it mostly for road riding. But you’re right, those old Treks are very upgradable. There’s still a lot I could do to it: add different bars, new pedals, new gears, change up the cranks, upgrade the brakes, update the front fork, etc.

But I like it the way it is. The only things my mech changed for me were the chain, the pedals, bottom bracket, and the brake and shift lines. Oh and the seat post. The previous owner had hammered that damn thing into the seat tube. My mechanic had to dissolve the old seat post out using lye, so I got an all new one.

Here’s an old photo of it:

Agrajag > Xyl0c41n3 06/30/2016 at 23:24

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This makes me want to fix up my ancient bmx bike. (maybe I’ll do so for nephew)

Dad bought it new for my oldest brother in probaby 1980. Went to the next brother and finally to me by the mid 90's. I still have it but it is kind of a mess. But it has blue tires, so that is something!

This is what it would’ve used to look like.

Manny05x > Agrajag 07/01/2016 at 10:29

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For 200$ hit up Craigslist and get something decent.

4Starfish > Agrajag 07/01/2016 at 10:43

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I have no advice, but holy crap, I used to have that bike! My grandmother gave me money for a bike, picked this out and had enough left over so I got a speedometer-because obviously. Too weird. It was eventually given away.

Definitely get a speedometer, its like a calculator watch for your bike.

DynamicWeight > Agrajag 07/01/2016 at 12:58

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200 won’t get you much. I had a random $300 diamondback (brand new price) when I started getting into mountain biking. I went with friends who all had $1500+ bikes, on trails where everyone had $3k-$10k bikes. Frankly, it was the best, but most awful experience ever. It let me see how much fun could be had, but I was not having it really because my bike was so terrible.

Last year, I spent $2700 on my Giant Trance and it was SO worth it to me. Since you’re not trying to spend too much money, I won’t tell you about how amazing the full suspension since you’re trying to save money (but it is amazing) but I will say Hydraulic disc brakes make ALL the difference. Do not buy any bike without disc brakes . And really really really you should get hydraulic brakes. Hydraulic brakes let you use one or two fingers to break hard and keep your hands on the handlebars. This is invaluable.

Do not buy a walmart bike whatever you do. Get a used bike or spend more at a bike shop. Look up reviews for forks if you aren’t going rigid. I think about 7-800 for a used hard tail with disc brakes is going to be a great starter. If you really don’t want to spend that, well, get your $200 bike and get out there. See if you like it and try to borrow other people’s bike for short stretches to see the difference.

NYankee1927 > Agrajag 07/03/2016 at 00:41

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If you want to buy new for the love of God spend more than $200. I spent $600 on a 29'er with disk brake and cooked the shit outta them the first decent cross country ride I went on. I wouldn't even consider taking the bike on a DH run. Biking is a expensive sport, but it makes it completely unenjoyable when your bike is always breaking. Especially if it breaks 10 miles away from a trailhead.