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Agree, mostly Posted by Saabpilot [Email]  (#134) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Saabpilot) on Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:06:22
In Reply to: Bike fit, basic requirements, JMJ in NC, Tue, 1 Jul 2008 10:58:52 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
My first bike was a big box el-cheapo, just to see if I liked mountain biking. I did. That was 3 years ago. Then I upgraded to a used bike owned by someone local who bought good stuff and took very good care of it. At the ripe old age of 41, I've become totally addicted.
I agree with JMJ except in my opinion, you should look for disc brakes. The first time your V-brakes get wet or get the slightest bit of wet dirt (aka mud) on them, they will not stop you. When I upgraded to a disc brake bike it changed my riding. For your budget, cable operated disc brakes are fine. My non-mountain bike, which I use to pull my son's tag-along and for on-road riding is a Giant Yukon, bought from a local bike shop. I highly, highly, highly recommend a local bike shop that specializes in good bikes verus any big box retailer including the major sporting goods stores. At those you'll typically get a bike put together by someone making minimum wage who is often untrained. Many are put together improperly and not adjusted properly for your measurements. I realize I'm making a generalization and may be hurting some readers feelings, but this is often true.
My Yukon cost around $450 new. Slightly more than your budget, but if you find something like it from a reputable local shop, it's worth the extra cash to get something high quality from people who can set it up and service it later.
My ride...and as I type this I'm just returning from a night mountain bike ride (I use an HID headlight)...anyway, my ride is a Gary Fisher Fat Possum XT...a $2,900 bike which I happened to get for $1,000 off retail last year. It's pretty sad when your mountain bike costs more than your first Saab did (mine was a '74 99LE bought in '84 for $1,100). While this much money for a mountain bike might seem insane to you now, if you get bit by the bug and become an addict, it will make sense to you then!!
What area are you located in? Most areas have a good web site for local or regional riding, and many have classified ad sections. If you find something on one of those web sites, ask around about the current owner. It's much like buying a car...much depends on who owned it and how it was maintained.
Best of luck!!
, Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:06:22 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 1 Jul 2008 10:05:01
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