Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

I know their BMX bikes are good.

 

If u can find a nice quality steel bike go for it. Some of the nicest bikes ive ridden have been steel (reynolds, columbus) Imho dont buy a walmart special.
You should beable to find an old trek 8500 with xt components and rim brakes for that price. Dont give in and buy a crappy bike.

 

Trek 4300 is where i started and never had a complaint about it

 

I started on an old Cannondale Delta V and she served me well for over 6 years of hard riding...and I got her used on eBay for $300. Made her my dedicated single speed since I upgraded. Don't be afraid to buy used!

 

I currently ride a Diamondback Mission 3 that I built from a frame, and having ridden many bikes over the last 14 years, I can tell you that Diamondback is currently a good bike brand, comparable to the big 3.

 

Just moved to Austin back in July and have ridden Pace Bend and part of the Greenbelt. Coming from a former California ski resort rider both those places are pretty cool. Pace Bend though is no fun in the wet or rain on some of the trails. Good old slimestone as I've heard it called will get you every time. Small area with some BMX style plank riding as well with a few jumps. Bit far but worth it.

 

Whats the issue with full suspension?

 

It's the price point basically. At that price point, you'll get a shitty FS bike. But at that price point, you'd get a decent hard tail.

 

at that price full suspension isnt really worth it. it adds weight, the rear shock usually isnt very good and you will most likely lose pedaling efficiency from the rear since the shock isnt great

 

for a full suspension bike be prepared to spend at least a grand. anything under that is probably gonna be junk (unless you get lucky a find a good used one)

 

double that budget.

 

you still riding those flat trails with that Full suspension bike of yours?

 

As much as I'd like to, I am on limited funds. lol

 

craigslist, im also in the process of picking up a nw mb and i dont wanna spend alot on a back up bike.

 

My Turner 5 Spot. It is a great bike. And I also included one of my favorite crash pics of a buddy. The guy taking the picture caught it perfectly. After we made sure he was ok we all laughed for a good 10 minutes.

 

Your thoughts on these...


1) http://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/2939539296.html


2) http://mansfield.craigslist.org/bik/2941772751.html


3) http://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/2946433904.html


Also, I am about 5'6", should I only be looking at 16" frames?

 

The best bike out of that bunch is the Trek 3500. Trek frames come with a lifetime warranty which can be helpful. I can't tell if that Y26 Trek is in good shape from the picture but I would go with a hardtail at the price point you are at. An older or inexpensive full suspension bike could cause more headaches down the road with a poor functioning shock, issues with suspension pivots and the fact that many of the older designs really didn't work that well anyway.

You can't really judge what bike size you should go off just from how tall you are. Your inseam plays a large part as well as how your body is proportioned. I would say that the 18" 3500 might fit you well. The best thing you can do is actually ride around on the bike you are considering. See how it feels to you when you are on it.

Hope that helps!

Ben

 

Thanks, I appreciate the help and sorry for the newbness! Um, can anyone describe into detail for me the difference between a full suspension and a hard tail?

 

x2 on what ben said. the 3500 is newer and probably in better shape. idk how good those Trek's were but like he said older full suspension will probably need work and they werent the best design.

also like he said try and test ride the bike. make sure the reach is good and your not stretched out too much or else you could get pains in your back and you have a good seat height.

 

hard tail has a rigid rear end no rear shock. a full suspension bike has a rear shock, the problem with older full suspension bikes is that their designs werent the best, pedaling, braking, small bump response, weight were all problems that i have heard of/ seen. i feel like the full suspension technology has only gotten good in the past few years but dont take my word on that i dont have too much experience riding FS bikes