All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Not to sound snooty, but there is no bike I would describe as "good" at that price point.

State Bicycle Co has some good cheap bikes but they are still a fair bit more than that.

Maybe look on craigslist, etc? There's always deals to be had there from people who decided bikes aren't for them, etc.

 

You don't sound snooty at all, I'm just trying to get a couple bikes from maybe Wal-Mart or Academy Sports, everything seems sold out and reviews are scarce.

 

the problem with bikes in that price range is that they are not truly designed for mountain biking. You’re essentially trying to take a commuting bike, a cheap one, on trails designed for bikes with certain capabilities. You won’t get a real idea of what riding riding is without a bike designed for it. If you bump your range up to the roughly 1000 or so range, you will have again a cheap bike but it will serve you better, and be upgradable if you love it or flippable if you decide it isn’t for you. Places like craigslist or Pinkbike do have used bikes

 

I personally think that $1000 may be a bit high and that the range for starter mountain bikes can go as low as $400-$600 in the used markets, or $600-$800 in the new bike markets. You just need to be willing to accept some older geometry and components -- and then simply upgrade individual parts over time, as needed.

Here are a few examples of decent enough used starter bikes in the $400-$600 range:
1. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2787768/
2. 3. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2642342/
4. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2628710/
5. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2596345/
6. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2634122/

Here are a few examples of decent enough new starter bikes in the $600-$800 range:
GIANT Talon series: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes-talon-29
TREK Marlin series: https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/marlin/c/B321/
Specialized Pitch series: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/s...Cross$2520Country/filter:ss_price:500.01:1000
REI Co-op DRT and Tango series: https://www.rei.com/c/hardtail-mountain-bikes?ir=category:hardtail-mountain-bikes&r=c;price:$500.00 to $749.99

I definitely agree that one should probably never bring (or recommend bringing) something less than those above on genuine mountain bike trails. I wouldn't want to be responsible for someone getting really hurt because they tried to blast a rock garden or launch from a small jump on a Walmart special.

Short story: My neighbor recently told me he wanted to go riding with me, so I planned to take him along to my area's easiest trails. When he arrived at my house, I noticed that he had an extremely cheap walmart bike that was about two years old, so I offered to tune it up real quick before we go. Diagnosis: handlebars installed backwards (no shit, the stem was literally pointing backwards while all brakes, shifters, cables were aimed forwards), fork installed backwards, limit screws not set correctly, one pedal installed on crank arm crooked. He told me that he had just left it the way it was when he bought it, and he agreed it was strange that his feet hit his front tire all the time . Needless to say, I had to loan him a bike for the ride, and he's currently shopping for a much better starter bike himself.

Sadly, the bottom line is that access to real mountain biking just isn't cheap. There aren't many ways to solve this problem beyond charity, clubs, camps, etc. There have been countless charities and bike shops that have tried to attack the problem in a million different ways, but I'm not aware of many such programs that lasted very long, or that would help most adults.

I've recently become involved with The Dirt Therapy Project -- a charity that helps get veterans onto new mountain bikes, so this may be an option for veterans who are down on their luck or dealing with other issues: https://www.tdtp.org/

 

This "problem" is going on all over the place right now and you are very late to the COVID-19 bike buying game. My bike shop is out of everything under $3k. Honestly, I think it is a blessing in disguise for you. Buying a bike built for mountain biking will serve you and your gf better. I have always owned a mountain bike in my adult life but I didn't become a mountain biker until I rode a "real" bike on a camping trip. The following week I forked over some cash and got my first actual mountain bike.

 

Lucky kid that’s a real nice bike! What is that holding it up in your bed? I need a few of those!

 

That is a Pipeline Rack

 

Thanks! My wife is going to be pissed off she just bought me a new FOX tailgate pad for my birthday next month. Now if I do these she going to be all I thought you wanted the pad lol!

 

The bike rack is attached to the head rail which I purchased on Amazon. Not sure if your Tacoma comes with one

 

I’v got the rail on bed just would have to make attachments

 

I love my FOX bike pad. Strap and go!

 

Yeah you can’t beat that I had a Troy Lee pad but the back of bikes would slide and bikes would tip so as my grandson says Papa why you got half a latter in your tuck! And would say so my bike don’t slide and fall over!

 

@Inked Tacoma Really they would slide around? We drove down to LA last month and bought 3 bikes since we couldn't find any smalls here. Picked up the pad and all three of our bikes strapped in and handled 5 and the Grapevine. Just used a bungee through the back wheels.

 

I was in the market for mountain bike, but decided to get a hybrid bike (~$650) as we will be riding more as a family. Later I will buy a used mountain bike on Bicycle Blue Book till I see how serious I want to go with it or direction I want to go in. My local shop rent great mountain bikes out or has sample days. This damn Forum also made me throw a Redcat Racing Gen8 in my Amazon cart.

 

Can’t go wrong with the hybrid bike my wife rides one it’s her car since she don’t drive and we live a 10 minute ride from her work. When I got into this biking thing for real this time I got a 800.00 MTB and in the last 12 years I have spent 1000.00’s on my bikes it’s just a way of life now Cheers!

 

I wish I only spent 1000 on mtb stuff in the past 12 years

 

silently cries turquoise tears

 

Forgot the s on 1000.00s lol I wish as well I spend that on wheel sets ever time I buy a new bike lol

 

Super nice ride with the Wife today! She’s loving her new Salsa on 2.8’s.

 

10 minutes from work? What a treat!