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

Guess I’m a legend

 

Stanley Gap. Blue Ridge, GA

 

Ha! I still love riding both.

 

Godspeed brother. I've had three collar bone breaks...

 

Oof that sounds terrible!

 

Bad to the bone.

 

Recently been looking at getting into this sport/hobby. Any recommendations? I’d likely frequent the Fullerton loop since I live nearby. It’s mostly flat and I use to hit it as a kid. I don’t want to spend much but I also don’t want to buy something I’d regret later. A little help?

 

What is your budget?

 

LOL! I hate this question. I’d say under $2k. My wife would say try and keep it under $1k. Honestly, I don’t even know where to start with these things.

 

Marin and Polygon bikes maybe the best bet for Full Suspension under $2k. Keeping closer to $1000 I’d say wait for new trek roscoe

 

I’d keep on eye on Pink Bike for something used that fits your budget. That’s what I did and I’m happy I went that route.

 

bare minimum would be a bike with hyrdraulic disc brakes, a 1x drive train, and a suspension fork. droppers are pretty nice, but can be added later if you enjoy riding.
marins are good, ive been eyeing a san quentin to add to my collection. polygons are good too, but i personally haven't looked too closely at them.

if you don't ride now, get a $1000ish hard tail and see if you like it if funds are a concern. anything less will probably piss you off if you ride actual trails. you can sell it, give it to someone, trash it, up to you.

if you got $2000, you can get an upper speced hard tail, or an entry full suspension.

idk what the fullerton loop is, maybe something in socal from previous posts? sounds like a full suspension would make things more comfortable. if you have back problems already, then it would be smarter to get a full suspension right off the back.

i bought a diamondback overdrive sport for $500 in college. same bike is around $900. trash bike honestly, 3x8 gears, non-serviceable fork, qr axels (didnt even know thru axles were a thing, they may have been new when i got into this, same with droppers, full rigid post on this bike). I did the colorado trail bikepacking it with no mechanicals. maybe i didnt ride hard enough, or just got lucky, but that bike got me into riding. i did parts of the CT last summer on a full suspension (transition patrol) and wow what a difference.

so get what you can, see if you like riding, then upgrade or find a different hobby in a year or two.

better yet, see if you can find some demos around. travel to a bike park and try that out. find a shop close to trails that rent bikes for a day. if you can make it to an outerbike festival (if they happen this year), even better and try a ton of different bikes, though that could probably be really overwhelming.

 

The sky is the limit for bikes these days or around $12k. Either are not in my future. I fully agree with @mrtonyd said.

 

This is excellent advice! Much appreciated and for the recommendations.

 

My brother rides the Fullerton loop all the time on his hardtail. He also lives very close by. I know this because I have to read and listen to him carp about how crowded with clowns the trails are, no proper yielding, bells, oblivious walkers, etc. But yeah, that is where I grew up and just a few hills (a little steep near Coyote Hills) as you say, but nothing technical at all.

Look around for something used and be patient. Buy a beater and fix it up, even if you have a shop do the tougher bits. If you like it, then take your time and get a $5K or more full suspension bike. You will then enjoy it more than you know. Enjoy!

 

Plan to check this one out tomorrow. Thoughts? Things to look for? I’m family with motorcycles…. Not sure how much of my knowledge I can use to inspect this bike but please advise all you can.

https://offerup.co/JY9CNHD8Aib

 

I’m going to say hell nah to that one. Do not waste your money on a relic. Mountain bike components, even at the entry level, have improved vastly beyond what is on that bike.

 

Well if it truly needs no work and under $500, it's worth a year ride while you learn, ride, shop wait.

True it's a relic. But does have hyd. disc brakes. A lot of modern good stuff won't fit and really don't want throw any more money at it. Your choice, I bet there isn't much around sub $500. Offer $400 maybe. Depends how beat it is. And no idea about servicing that fork, for example.

 

I'd say no as well. That is a crap spring fork, all budget components. Maybe worth $250 - $300.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I can be patient.