Mountain Biking
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- ronaldo
any big riders here?
I wanted to get back into it, used to ride a lot when I was younger. I was hoping to get a decent bike for under $500. Any suggestions? The low end Cannondale is still $579, but am I just paying for the name at that point? What's a good brand name for the price range? big thnx
- enfocusmedia0
Many people say that Giant give you the best bang for buck. I guess it comes with being one of the biggest (if not the biggest) players in the game.
(I could be wrong on both calls)
- Point50
there was a really great thread on this about 2 months ago, but now I can't find it. Some very good posts in there... kinda sad to see it go cuz I was hoping to refer to it when I got ready to get a bike this winter.
- ronaldo0
this online ebay shop is selling new Motobecanes for almost half price
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DUAL-SUS…
msrp $1095
- BuddhaHat0
$500 to spend?
I just checked out the lineup of new hardtails at bikes.com (Rocky Mountain Cycles) and you're not gonna get a strong light bike for anything less than a grand.
Mongoose has this for $720, and that's still a good ride...
http://www.mongoose.com/bikes/de…If u were to take the components and the forks down a grade you'd be looking at close to your price range...
- monNom0
http://wheelworld.com/itemdetail…
this looks pretty good for 5 bills.
- de4k0
you're probably not gonna get a great bike for $500. the specialized looks a good entry level machine though...
- splendid0
i would suggest the Specialized mid -range, (Hard Rock/Rockhopper)you get good frames as standard that wil handle XC singletrack, jumps and a bit of DH. they have pretty decent components to get you started which you can then upgrade as you wish.
- Timson0
Specialized is fairly good.
I started with a specialized hardrock XC wich I bought at ebay for about $400.
I did about 2500 (off-road) miles with it the past year and am quite happy with it overall.
The frame's geometry is very 'race-oriented' and it handles good on singletracks and technical trails. It isn't very comfortable tho.
But the type of bike you will buy is very dependable on what you'll be using it for. Is it for easy sunday-afternoon rides or more agressive (XC) or maybe take it up the hills and go for free-rides.
Every frame has it characteristics that will fit best with any of these circomstances.And most important when buying a bike is to get yourself measured. Never buy a frame that's either too large or too small. You'll get injuries in the long end.
So don't buy a brand but buy a frame wich fits your needs and. Brand come second.
Hope this helps.
- Timson0
I see you're from spain. They build very high end bikes there ;-). Have you checked Orbea? www.orbea.com
I'm currently riding this bike:
- milo0
- ronaldo0
lotsa good info here, thnx bruthas
what were your thoughts on this Motobecane for $447
- radar0
A dual suspension for under $500 is suspect
- k0na_an0k0
i was on a tight budget last year and bought a giant. great bike. no problems.
$350 or something and i have front sus and good shifters and brakes. great buy.
- lvl_130
i also bought a giant after considering both a specialized and a canondale.
love it. forget the model but i got it for just about $500. front suspension disc brakes nice deore components. rides really smooth.
- mitsu0
my first good bike was a rock hopper. i got it from a bike shop that leased it out as a demo. i believe they retail for about 850, but i paid 350 for mine. your lbs might be able to work a similar deal w/ you.
and on the subject of hardrocks, i rode a friends (chromoly frame) and thought it felt like a solid bike, but a bit heavy.
- davey_g0
Buy used! You get twice the bike, for half the price. This is the place:
Bought and sold 3 bikes, got killer deals on all transactions.
- mcween0
You may want to check out GT and Trek, I've riden both. A frame is key, so find one that you dig, and you can always upgrade the components, later. Good components will keep you riding... break downs suck.
- horton0
if you want a decent ride don't bother buying anything new for under $500.
if you were in North America I would suggest cruising this site for quality used gear.. in a previous thread we found a few decent hardtails in the $500 range.
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/…
but you're in spain i see so i dunno.. the only quality shop i know of over there is;
maybe inquire with them about the local used market, and use pinkbike as a price reference.. TONS of used gear passing through that site.
- horton0
btw keep this thread alive for another hour and you should get more replies...
the BC newstoday kids are only just getting online ;)
- enfocusmedia0
You may want to check out GT and Trek, I've riden both. A frame is key, so find one that you dig, and you can always upgrade the components, later. Good components will keep you riding... break downs suck.
mcween
(Oct 12 06, 08:58)--
If you're on a budget, I've been told that components are more important than the frame when considering a purchase. It's a lot more exy to upgrade components individually while their is less difference in frames when comparing dollar-for-dollar...