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Cheaper Bike...

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Matt*S.

Chimp
Jul 9, 2008
3
0
Hello All,

This is my first post on here, and my first venture into the world of more aggressive cycling. I have always had a bike, but it's been a $80 Huffy, and then a Wal-Mart Piece. I have never owned a nice bike, and still haven't finished with College, so a REALLY nice bike is outside of my reach yet. I have however saved around $300 and would like to get a bike that's worth it's cost. I have to believe like anything else, there is a point where you pay a lot for not a whole lot more quality.

I am looking for a Mountain Bike so that I can ride it on trails as well as road riding. I am a bigger guy ~250lbs. if that has any effect on the suggestions. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Right now, I don't know anything about bikes, so please no $1k suggestions. I need to make sure I'll enjoy the sport and be able to afford the bike. Thanks!!
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,616
7,276
Colorado
Matt, this is a lesser read forum, hence the slow reply. For $300, I would recommend looking at Giant Boulder SE or Rincon. If you can scratch up the extra $100, the Rincon is a far nicer bike for the price. These are beginner bikes, so with that you get bikes that are made for beginners.
Also look on www.performancebike.com, you can find lots of bikes in that range. I highly recommend trying to save up to get a bike in the $400 range, you get FAR more bike for that $100. The IronHorse Maverick 5.5 and the Mongoose Tyax are good bike in your price range.
Craigslist usually has good deals as well. If you are not sure on a bike from craigslist, post a link and ask if it's a good bike.
You won't get a Full Suspension for this price. Just keep that in mind.
 
M

Matt*S.

Chimp
Jul 9, 2008
3
0
Thank You for the Reply.

Now I see that as being a VERY helpful reply. Thanks for that!! You point out things that I can have for around my price range and explain what I can do for an extra $100 or so. Craigslist around by me hasn't turned up any real finds. I was looking for the Treks, Specialized, Giant etc. I can get another $100, and think it's probably well worth it. I pretty much wrote off Full Suspension...I had a cheap one and it left a bad taste. Once I am done with college I'll invest in one probably, but until then I had all plans on it being Hardtail for me. Thanks for Your Time!!

I was just on that site you mentioned and found an '06 Iron Horse Maverick Pro for $449...Full Suspension. Is this the point where you get a decent Hardtail and avoid a cheap full suspension? Just trying to pick your brains here. Thanks in advance.

Matt*S.
 
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stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,616
7,276
Colorado
decent full suspension starts at ~$1000. At that price point, you are going to get the same part spec as a $600-700 hardtail. Below that point, you are going to get a very heavy frame with a poor shock. It's just not worth it.
With a hardtail, you can easily build around the frame and end up with a nicer bike. My last bike was cobbled together with used parts on an Access XCL Hardtail frame. Probably $500 total, but it worked. As I broke things over three years, I upgraded and ended up with a full XT/XTR bike with Avid discs. It took me three years to build it up though. If you are crafty and mechanically inclined, it is pretty easy to spec a bike from used parts and end up with a nicer bike than buying new. It will take more time, buying parts as the deals arrive, and you will need to do most of the work yourself, but you also get the added bonus of knowing you built your bike.

How tall are you and where are you located? I can dig around a bit to see if anything decent is available in the $400 range.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
21,616
7,276
Colorado
I just took a quick look in the classifieds here and found a few bikes around $400 that are nicer than what you will get new. Just keep in mind shipping is the US is about $80 for a bike bike, and you will have to have it built. You can try to build it, but I would recommend having a shop look it over as well.
Does your school have a cycling team? You can often find people to help you build a bike for some beers.
 
M

Matt*S.

Chimp
Jul 9, 2008
3
0
I am about 6'2", and need around a 19" Bicycle. I hope that helps. We don't have a Cycling group at all, I go to Kettering University, Engineering School. I'm certain that I could piece something together though....I am quite mechanically inclined. Let me know what's around there.
 
SkaredShtles

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
65,739
12,760
In a van.... down by the river
Damn! Someone from near my ol' stomping grounds!

FWIW I agree with Joker - Giant makes nice bikes for the price... and as he pointed out, you can get a MUCH nicer used bike than you will be able to get new for $300.

Good luck!
 
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