Looking to buy a New Mountain Bike, Need Input.
 

Ok here is the run down. I'm broke due to the constant truck mods and builds, but need/want a new mountain bike. I'm looking for something in the 4 hundred dollar range. Here is an idea of what I was looking at. Any input would be great guys. Thanks

http://www.rei.com/features/zoom.htm...=513&width=700

http://media.rei.com/media/bb/85417b...01ca3b585d.jpg

Your links don't really help. Could you post up something that shows the bike and specs?

That said, what about a used bike? Something somebody bought with the intention to ride but didn't really. You can get a nice bike for much less that way.
What kind of trails do you ride, or are you beating about town? In other words, what do you want this bike to do?

The bike is for almost all mountain/ rock trails. I have Palmer Park just down the road. The trails aren't groomed they have roots, rocks, dirt, I like to keep it challenging and the trails half the time are barely that. As for the used I keep an eye out but have just been finding folks that think its worth new prices. Here are the specs for what I was looking at.

Diamondback Response Sport Mountain Bike - '09 Overstock Specs
Specification Description
Frame 6061-T6 aluminum
Brakes Hayes HMX-4 disc 6 in. rotors
Brake levers Tektro Alloy with reach adjust
Rims Weinmann XM260 doublewall disc
Front hub 32h alloy with CNC disc mount
Rear hub 32h alloy cassette with CNC disc mount
Tires Kenda Klaw XT large casing 26x2.1
Handlebar DB SL318b oversize 31.8 mid rise
Stem DB SL318s
Fork Spinner Edge AL-1, 120mm travel
Seat post DB SL309p Alloy Micro Adjust 30.9mm
Saddle WTB Pure V Sport
Pedals DB toe clip compatible platform
Headset Ahead
Crankset TRU-VATIV ISO-FLOW 3.0 with replaceable rings, 42/32/22
Rear shock Not applicable
Bottom bracket Sealed cartridge
Shifters SRAM X-4 8-speed trigger
Front derailleur Microshift M20
Rear derailleur SRAM X-4
Rear cogs SRAM PG-820 Cassette 11-32

I understand there are better bikes out there. And worse. The last bike I had was a cheap walmart whatever bike. I ended up stripping out the hadle bars, bendeing the rims, destroyed the pedals (replaced with metal) want disc brakes not those little sucky brakes. I like the low frames. (mounted to the seat low) for getting on and off the bike easily and quickly. Adjustable shocks would be nice. I live in Colorado so It gets used a lot. About 3-5 times a week in the summer.

I've ridden and left skin in CO Springs- so that's why I was thinking of trying to find a barely used bike with better specs. Of course finding a barely used bike for a good price would be hard in your area. Wasn't thinking.

Does the frame fit? There are a few bikes in that price range with similar specs so start trying some on to find the one that fits you best. Also, around here April's around the time they start clearancing the old stuff to make room for the new. That's another way to upgrade in your price range. Heck, anything with 2 wheels, fits and doesn't collapse is all good to me. You can always replace the stuff that doesn't last with stuff that will if the main stuff is decent enough.

I was thinking of the same thing. Upgrades if anything does break. I have found about 3 bikes that I like. Very similiar to the one posted. Around here it seems that not many folks get rid of there bikes. Just looking for perhaps some brands to stay away from. Things you wish you got on your bike.

I have
Trek, Cannondale, Raleigh, Ellsworth, Specialized, and Gary Fisher bikes. All have worked well for me. Almost all of them are between 10 and 20 years old and they all still get ridden.
My biggest reasons for upgrading frames was fit, weight and geometry (my 91 Trek 830 antelope was a #35 rigid and rode like a tank in tar), and front suspension.

So, if you can find a bike that fits you well, has a decent geometry for your riding style, doesn't weigh a bazillion pounds (some of that can be made up in future components-and you don't have to be a weight wienie, I'm just as happy with my 27# steel hardtail Trek as I am with my 22# Aluminum Gary Fisher) and has whatever suspension suits you then you're in business.

Good to know. Like I said I had a walmart whatever before, so all of these are lighter which I like. Not to concerned about weight. 10 -20 years. Well I certainly hope it lasts that long. I'm only 23 :hillbill: Are most parts interchangeable between the different brands of bikes?

When you get into the better quality bikes, often times, yes.

You may not be concerned about weight now.....

Ha, I was 23 when I got my first 'real' mountain bike too.

Anyone running a Carbondale F5? I'm kinda like it. And where can I find the weights of the bikes?

Huge +1 on trek or fisher.... I've worked for a trek dealer for the last 10 years, check out like a 4300 or a 4500 those are good entry level mt bikes. As far as fishers go for like an advance or pirana.. and if you decide you wanna get crazy.... get a fuel sl. I can talk to my dad and see if we've got any used bikes in right now and I donno your max price or what size you are but I know he was talkin about sellin his fuel so that might be somethin to look into...

Thanks I will look into those and see. I noticed a few guys on here are running specialized rock stompers. They pretty good?

Rockhopper Pro 2009
https://www.yotatech.com/51200978-post1.html

More info and upgrades posted here.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=566725

I have since taken off the Candy pedals and gone back to the Straitline pedals.
I do not like clipless, and I have found my Five Ten shoes and the platform pedals are very sticky.

The Rockhopper is a good hardtail bike with pretty rounded components.
I did not feel the need to go with a full suspension at the time, but may in the future when I try a 29" tire bike.

Whatever you end up buying support your local bike shop, buy from them..

As of now I will be going with a hardtail. Just can't afford the full suspension and build my trucks. Thanks Corey for the links the 2nd one I had not read before. The first I have seen in a thread. Why the local shop? They seem rather limited. The ones I was looking at had quite a bit for on road but not much for mountain biking. Thanks for the input guys.

I'm just sayin... local shops can help you out. They usualy have free service plans if you buy a bike from them, also if you get a bike offline who's gonna put it together to spec? Prob not you prob a shop around you.... when I was workin at our bike shop it was kind of annoying when people brought their internet specials in and wanted you to assemble them.. but they wouldn't buy from you... you can buy where ever you like but just me I like supporting my local bussinesses.. and also ask what they can get in for you. Or find the make of the bike you want and lookup local dealers that carry them near you.
Happy trails

Good point. Today I took a 29er out and really like it. Anyone running 29s? Checking out a few local places out here. When I get back to the Springs I will certainly check out a few places. Small shops that may have more selection/ different brands.

29ers you gonna have a way faster rollout and coast speed also the larger tire makes climbin a little easier. I'm iffy on them we had a hi fi 29 in the shop for a little while, it just seems like on a real technical trail it could be bulky. But I would love on for like a free ride bike. But def stickin to the ol 26" for tight single track

My next bike will more than likely be this 29er which I may pick up before 2010 is over.
I will still hang onto my hardtail though.

Stumpjumper FSR Expert 29

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/.../9303-35_l.jpg

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/wp-.../02/29er-4.jpg
http://www.rei.com/product/798500
This is what I'm looking at. That Specialized Full Suspension is gorgeous but $3300 is out of range. Grand max. Which is Outrageous for a bike. I don't spend that on trucks let alone a bike. :hillbill: