Need Help on a Mountain Bike

I'm shopping around for a mountain bike. I'm looking for something good but not too expensive. Anyone know of a good brand I should look out for.

 

Need some more info bud, type of riding, your skill level, price range, etc.

 

That ^^^^

 

I'm a beginner. I need it for my camping trip. The trails are usually flat but bumpy, mostly loose gravel. Looking for something around 200-300 bucks.

 

Get one of these, they're cheap

Seriously though I would start with a basic hard tail if you are just getting into the sport. I started with a Specialized rockhopper and it was a great bike to begin on before I stepped up to a full squish bike.

Also buy used, check CL for the basic big names, Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc.

 

Hardtail for sure. 2-3 Benjies won't get ya far if you're looking for new, but, like above, check Craigslist lots of deals to be had there.

 

I've been wanting a new mtn bike also. I'm willing to spend around $600. Some street riding, some light/medium off road riding. I was looking at a Trek in the gary fisher line that was a hard tail with forks and disc brakes for around $600.

 

Have a cannondale, about 20 yrs, solid. Univega, about 12 years old, nice bike. Daughter has a specialized, on 2nd kid now. I suggest talking to bike shop and match one suitable to how you want to ride and what you want to pay.

Do some market research on reliability of brands and models, much like you probably did when buying your Tacoma.

 

I bought a Felt Q520 (advised over specialized and giant entry level) about 3 weeks ago. Its an entry level MTB paid about $550. Third time out on the trails I completely thrashed it. Rear Derailer came off and went through the back wheel and I crashed my ass off. Its now back at the bike shop and I am upgrading to a Specialized Camber Comp hopefully. So if you dont plan on going on serious trails entry level is fine. But if you plan on doing some more advanced stuff spend the money the first time. Bike might have been put together incorrectly?

 

I was looking at this bike http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/gary_fisher_collection/g2_hardtails/advance/

 

Man, I have bought cars for less than that.

 

You really cant go wrong with an entry level bike from a major mfg, most will have the same brand components, so you're basically buying the one that has the paint job and frame design you like the best.

That bike is basically the same specs that my Rockhopper had and it served me well for several years, before I started doing more DH oriented riding.

I would see if you can find a used one before dropping full retail, resale on bikes it typically poor so you might be able to pick one up for half of what the new one costs (just another option).

Like Range 44 said if you plan on doing any serious riding you may want to look into a bike with beefier components, but for basic XC trails and street riding it will do just fine.

Just be aware that the hobby is addicting and can snowball into a very expensive sport (but we're all trucks guys so this is nothing new).

I'm guessing that was an equipment malfunction, usually a rear derailer only comes off if smash it against something like a rock or a log. Sounds like you made a wise upgrade though, based on your riding style.