Entry level mountain bike?
05-05-2006, 12:35 PM
#1
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Entry level mountain bike?
So... my oldest wants to get herself a mountain bike, and I haven't shopped the market since I bought a Specialized Rockhopper 13+ years ago. 
I know the general concepts to tell her to look for, but I'm WAY out of the loop on specific technologies in shifters, brakes, hubs, etc.
She's hoping to spend $250-300 tops... And she's in the suburbs of Chicago, so "mountain bike" is more of a classification of a vehicle than a description of what she'll be doing with it.
Any ideas? Brands and models choices would be great.
I know the general concepts to tell her to look for, but I'm WAY out of the loop on specific technologies in shifters, brakes, hubs, etc.She's hoping to spend $250-300 tops... And she's in the suburbs of Chicago, so "mountain bike" is more of a classification of a vehicle than a description of what she'll be doing with it.
Any ideas? Brands and models choices would be great.
05-05-2006, 12:44 PM
#3
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i ride a TREK 4100,love it,same frame i think as 4300 & 4500 less expensive components,weve got great single track trails here,if casual rider with some off road use i bet it would be great for u also,if going to use for mostly casual or commuter ck out some of the new commuter bikes from TREK,like a 7200
05-05-2006, 12:56 PM
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05-05-2006, 12:58 PM
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yeah,stay away from the department stores,Joe Blow making $5.50/hr puttin it together-NO THANkS-stay with a reputable bike shop,the local one here takes great care of customers,does not charge for any adjustments made on bikes they sold ever & will properly fit them to u
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05-05-2006, 01:43 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by littlerunner
yeah,stay away from the department stores,Joe Blow making $5.50/hr puttin it together-NO THANkS-stay with a reputable bike shop,the local one here takes great care of customers,does not charge for any adjustments made on bikes they sold ever & will properly fit them to u
Thanks guys.. I'll point her to Trek.
05-05-2006, 01:44 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Funrunner
Thanks Shan! Yeah, Megs would look HOT on that!
05-05-2006, 03:08 PM
#13
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Raleigh, Specialized, Trek/Gary Fisher etc etc.
She might try a bike shop that specializes in USED bikes. Yes, some mountain bikes are thrashed, but there's also the near new wasgonnarideit bikes. She might find a deal on a good bike through a reputable shop, though used is always hit or miss.
Keep under 30# if possible. Steel's nice and somewhat shock absorbing compared to aluminum, which is stiffer and puts more of the pedal effort into going forward but can be harsh, especially without a shock.
She might try a bike shop that specializes in USED bikes. Yes, some mountain bikes are thrashed, but there's also the near new wasgonnarideit bikes. She might find a deal on a good bike through a reputable shop, though used is always hit or miss.
Keep under 30# if possible. Steel's nice and somewhat shock absorbing compared to aluminum, which is stiffer and puts more of the pedal effort into going forward but can be harsh, especially without a shock.
05-05-2006, 03:09 PM
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http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1018603&f=19
MSRP is 90 more than you had in mind but it is W.S.D.(ladies bike)...
MSRP is 90 more than you had in mind but it is W.S.D.(ladies bike)...
05-05-2006, 03:15 PM
#15
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(don't forget the most important equipment....HELMET!!)
05-05-2006, 03:18 PM
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Definately go used. That way you can get a much better bike. You can spend $1300 on a new Gary Fisher like I did or you can spend $350 and get the same bike one year used as a rental. So there you get a great cross country bike for dirt cheap! 
05-05-2006, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Avsfreak1234
Definately go used. That way you can get a much better bike. You can spend $1300 on a new Gary Fisher like I did or you can spend $350 and get the same bike one year used as a rental. So there you get a great cross country bike for dirt cheap!
05-05-2006, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by midiwall
hey all.. Megan's peeking in on the thread... everyone wave hi!
Givin' up horses for a bicycle, eh? 
05-05-2006, 04:01 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by Funrunner
Hi Megan!!!! I still think the Pink Princess Schwinn is the way to go. Givin' up horses for a bicycle, eh?
Givin' up horses for a bicycle, eh? She actually brought a horse home from school for the summer, and she's working a local show/race-horse barn so she'll get plenty of horsey scent as well as fresh air.
