ideal Patapsco bike?

Hey,

Seems like I do most of my riding at Patapsco these days. Certainly a 4-5" fully would be a good bet. Finding one that you'll really like for $1500 might be tough. You'll end up with lower end components that will need replacing. At that price range, I'd look used if I were you. Lots of good deals around. Another option is to go with a hardtail. You can buy a lot more bike for the buck. Most of the trails at Patapsco won't beat you up too bad. (Especially on the Howard Co. side.) Hardtails do take a little more skill though.

Number one most important thing to do before you buy is to ride as many bikes as you can find. That way you can get a sense of what feels good for you, etc. Since you are in Annapolis, I recommend Bike Doctor. The one in Arnold is my favorite. I'm not a fan of Capitol bikes, I find them to be a bit pushy, in a used car saleman kind of way. You might also check out Family Bikes in Crofton. The owner there is way cool and a real advocate for trails in the area. He'll probably spend a lot of time working with you to figure out what's best.

I'm not real up on my XC bikes, you might try asking over at www.more-mtb.org for more specific recommendations.

Good luck, Dave
(fellow naptowner)

Honestly, I don't think either store is that great. I just get a better feeling from the Bike Doc. Hard to explain... Do check out Family Bikes if you get a chance. Oh yeah, another store you might want to check out is Avalon Cycles right of US 1 near the main entrance to Patapsco.

Used bikes: Hmmm. I checked the classifieds here and they are mostly FR/DH bikes, very few XC bikes. You might try the DC and Baltimore craigslist ads. Stuff pops up there fairly frequently. Buyer beware obviously. Sometimes stuff pops up on http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Depending on your GF's size, finding a used bike might be tough. Smaller and Womans specific frames tend to be a bit rare. My wife happens to be 5-10 and fits most mens medium sized bikes so I don't have that problem when looking for her. (It's real nice because I can ride her bikes too)

Check out Pedal Pushers in Severna Park. They ride at Patapsco all the time and definately not pushy. Ask for Rod, he's the owner, tell him Scott seny ya.

Arnold is God's country

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and it's not an ideal first bike, but after yesterday's ride at Pat, I'd say a rigid SS is the way to go. What a freakin' hoot.

Good advice from Dave about riding a lot of different bikes. Everyone has a different riding style. One person's ideal bike for any park isn't necessarily going to work for another person. If she's interested in advice from other women on Patapso, I know that some of the Ride Like A Girl members ride there occasionally. Maybe they could help with suggestions.

BikeGeek said:

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and it's not an ideal first bike, but after yesterday's ride at Pat, I'd say a rigid SS is the way to go. What a freakin' hoot.

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You know, in some ways a single speed (maybe not rigid) is an ideal first bike. Kind of like how it's easier to teach a new driver to drive an automatic verses manual transmission.

A new rider can concentrate on learning to ride with out needing to think about shifting. Most new riders aren't going to have the tech skills or lungs to make most of the climbs anyway. A lot of times they get confused and shift to the wrong gear and end up grinding to a stop. Or shift under load, or cross chain, or any number of other ugly things...

Good advice from Dave about riding a lot of different bikes. Everyone has a different riding style. One person's ideal bike for any park isn't necessarily going to work for another person. If she's interested in advice from other women on Patapso, I know that some of the Ride Like A Girl members ride there occasionally. Maybe they could help with suggestions.

Im a girl who has ridden at Patapsco (its been a while). I rode there on a hardtail and found it to be the most enjoyable riding experience ever. Im 5'5'' and currently ride a small SC Bullit and a Med. Specialized hardrock. That might be useless information. sorry.

As for the different shops..Ive been to all of them, worked at Capital for a while years ago. Family in Crofton was SUPER nice and helped without being pushy or stalkerish. Bike Doctor in Annapolis gives me a poo vibe everytime I go in. Capital hasnt been the same in years...maybe they have some kind of Napoleon syndrome from their new (not really new) big shop. Who knows. Do not, DO NOT goto Hudson Trail Outfitters in the Mall...they are TERRIBLE. I feel like I am talking to a biochemist when I try to talk bikes there. Avalon is cool...they have a good selection on many types of bikes and brands.

Wow...again, all this you have already heard. Just wanted to give it to you from a female perspective, and fellow Naptown Resident.

Anywho...any questions dont hesitate to ask. And if your girl really likes it, we always need more females in the racing world =)

sunnerbeanmtb said:

Avalon is cool...they have a good selection on many types of bikes and brands.

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Last I heard, Avalon had closed up shop. It was a cool shop, though.

sunnerbeanmtb said:

Anywho...any questions dont hesitate to ask. And if your girl really likes it, we always need more females in the racing world =)

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Kristen you piece of pooh. I didn't know you had an RM account. When can we go riding at Patapsco? or the shed? or anywhere?

Daylight savings is in what? 3 weeks or so? We'll be starting up some Wednesday night Patapsco "freerides" soon. PM if interested and I'll let you in on the details.

Closed up shop!! Seems like I was just there?
I hope not, Donald was first class.

I could be down for a couple wednesday night rides. There are some great trails out there.

B.
- I need to get a rack and mount for my car before then.

I did a XC race and a trail ride at Patapsco about 10 years ago... Nice place... long climbs, fun descents... Personally, I wouldn't bother with a f/s bike... a hardtail... a 29er if one can fit her... would be perfect. I remember some of the climbs being rather long so I don't know if I'd want a single-speed... my knees hurt just thinking about that...

REally?!?! Avalon/Germantown cycles is closed?! what a shame. Shows how much I'm in the bike world now a days. Jeeezzz.

Yep, drove by last weekend.
Closed up.
This economy sucks.

Seriously. Im going to be interested to see the race turn out this year. It just seems so expensive with gas, hotel, camping, food, license, race fees, beer, food, beer, parts, maintance. UGH. Why cant the things we love just be free? Like air?

I love my wife but she sure isn't free

sunnerbeanmtb said:

REally?!?! Avalon/Germantown cycles is closed?! what a shame. Shows how much I'm in the bike world now a days. Jeeezzz.

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Donald and his group of investors are opening a new shop in Baltimore...Getting back to his roots.
The new shop is going by the name of Mob Town Velo and will offer the highest end products and top notch services.
There will be a link to thier website on RacersEdgeOnline.com as soon as it's available.
Keep the faith! Donald is still in the game!

SLOPE said:

Closed up shop!! Seems like I was just there?
I hope not, Donald was first class.

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Donald is still first class!
Check him out soon at Mob Town Velo!

Well, I'm glad to hear that!

Come to Hudson Trail in Gaithersburg MD. They have several FS for about half price, so a $2100 bike is running for $1200. The catch is that they are 2008. Thats it. I got to test ride a Felt FS with XT components, Hayes brakes. It was an amazing bike! Jumped a few large speed bumps and got some good air on it. They also have a Rocky Mountain, really fast on acceleration. Very rigid frame. Check them out.

want_to_jump said:

Come to Hudson Trail in Gaithersburg MD. They have several FS for about half price, so a $2100 bike is running for $1200. The catch is that they are 2008. Thats it. I got to test ride a Felt FS with XT components, Hayes brakes. It was an amazing bike! Jumped a few large speed bumps and got some good air on it. They also have a Rocky Mountain, really fast on acceleration. Very rigid frame. Check them out.

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The mid range felt fs bikes are garbage. Stay far away from them.

Hey man, I know this thread is old & you got a bike already, but I bumped into it by accident and had a really good laugh when you wrote about Bike Doctor telling you steel bikes don't exist. That's great. I work @ BD in Arnold, you'd never get an answer like that from us. Most of us are riding steel bikes & believe it or not most of us mountain bike primarily. Anyway I don't want to turn this into a sales pitch (i'm the mechanic anyway) so just stop in sometime and chat, and once the weather lets up we can hit some trails.