Mountain Bike Question/Looking for One
#1
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mountain Bike Question/Looking for One
Ok, so I'm on the lookout for a bike on the cheap to take with me to Santa Cruz for school. I have a racing bike, but I really want a mounting bike (Again - last one got to small, go figure).
I've been checking the paper and CraigsList.com but haven't found one that suits my fancy yet.
I'm really looking for a Specialized Rockhopper that someone doesn't use any more.....
If I can't do that in the next 2 weeks, then I think this may be what I get:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...%3A4183%3A5304
Any thoughts on how bad/good that Mongoose bike might actually be for $99? I've had a Mongoose BMX and it was decent... but I've never heard of the companies that make the components on this one.
THANKS!
Steve
EDIT: I plan on using it mostly offroad to explore the trails and railroad remains in the Santa Cruz Mountains.... There is some interesting stuff our there. I've given myself a budget of $130 to spend on the bike....
I've been checking the paper and CraigsList.com but haven't found one that suits my fancy yet.
I'm really looking for a Specialized Rockhopper that someone doesn't use any more.....
If I can't do that in the next 2 weeks, then I think this may be what I get:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...%3A4183%3A5304
Any thoughts on how bad/good that Mongoose bike might actually be for $99? I've had a Mongoose BMX and it was decent... but I've never heard of the companies that make the components on this one.
THANKS!
Steve
EDIT: I plan on using it mostly offroad to explore the trails and railroad remains in the Santa Cruz Mountains.... There is some interesting stuff our there. I've given myself a budget of $130 to spend on the bike....
Last edited by JoKEpLaYeR; 08-12-2004 at 04:48 PM.
#2
Contributing Member
dont buy that walk mart piece of poop, mongoose is good but the stuff they send to walmart and kmart and target is the stuff they poop
anyway i have a specialized hardrock that i dont ride but shipping that would be a pain.
anyway just go for a nice used mountain bike and fix it up
anyway i have a specialized hardrock that i dont ride but shipping that would be a pain.
anyway just go for a nice used mountain bike and fix it up
#3
Registered User
Originally Posted by cacattack
dont buy that walk mart piece of poop, mongoose is good but the stuff they send to walmart and kmart and target is the stuff they poop
Also, a bike shop will help you get the right size. It makes all the difference in the world. A bike that is too big or too small will make you sore.
I would steer clear of way cheap full suspension bikes. The higher end ones are good, but if you get a hardtail you'll be able to get more for your money.
#4
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They're that bad? I'll stick to the bike shops then. I've bought from a quality shop for the only other 2 bikes I've owned - well, my parents have.
Is a Specialized Rockhopper a good entry level? Any other suggestions? I'm still going to buy used as I don't want to spend more than a $130 or so..... Where would you be shipping from cacattack? What do you feel your bike is worth?
Thanks!
Is a Specialized Rockhopper a good entry level? Any other suggestions? I'm still going to buy used as I don't want to spend more than a $130 or so..... Where would you be shipping from cacattack? What do you feel your bike is worth?
Thanks!
#5
Contributing Member
Originally Posted by JoKEpLaYeR
They're that bad? I'll stick to the bike shops then. I've bought from a quality shop for the only other 2 bikes I've owned - well, my parents have.
Is a Specialized Rockhopper a good entry level? Any other suggestions? I'm still going to buy used as I don't want to spend more than a $130 or so..... Where would you be shipping from cacattack? What do you feel your bike is worth?
Thanks!
Is a Specialized Rockhopper a good entry level? Any other suggestions? I'm still going to buy used as I don't want to spend more than a $130 or so..... Where would you be shipping from cacattack? What do you feel your bike is worth?
Thanks!
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Definitely don't go with a department store bike. Buy a quality used bike instead. Check e-bay and some of the bigger bike forums (mtbr.com, ridemonkey.com, etc.) - there are good deals to be had, you've just gotta find them.
Are you 100% set on the Hardrock?
Are you 100% set on the Hardrock?
#7
Contributing Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JoKEpLaYeR
Any thoughts on how bad/good that Mongoose bike might actually be for $99? I've had a Mongoose BMX and it was decent... but I've never heard of the companies that make the components on this one.
Having said that, check out bike and outdoor stores for a bulletin board of used equipment (and keep checking the paper). If you can expand your target bike from a rockhopper that'll help. But there are a ton of rockhoppers around so keep looking.
Trending Topics
#8
Contributing Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Graham, Wa.
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Several years ago i purchased a full suspension bike from a department store.
I bought a Diamondback X-link.
My first run out i really had a hard time. My shifting was way off and the brakes were crap.
So i took my bike into a shop by my work. Left it there over night.
When i picked it up the next day i asked if i had gotten a lemon. The owner of the bike shop said i had an ok bike but the department store had put it together wrong. I guess the shifing cable was actually the wrong cable. apperently it had too small of a cable and the shifter stretched it out on my first run. After he put a new cable in the shifter and brakes i couldn't beleive the difference.
The great thing was when i finished riding around in the bike shops parking lot i went in to pay. The owner looked at me funny and asked "pay for what?"
He told me to go out and have some fun but to come back if i need to purchase anything. I walked out with disbelief.
So the next week i went back and purchased and new helmet, hydration pack, gloves, tools etc.
So like it was mentioned by others, go to a local shop and let them set you up.
I bought a Diamondback X-link.
My first run out i really had a hard time. My shifting was way off and the brakes were crap.
So i took my bike into a shop by my work. Left it there over night.
When i picked it up the next day i asked if i had gotten a lemon. The owner of the bike shop said i had an ok bike but the department store had put it together wrong. I guess the shifing cable was actually the wrong cable. apperently it had too small of a cable and the shifter stretched it out on my first run. After he put a new cable in the shifter and brakes i couldn't beleive the difference.
The great thing was when i finished riding around in the bike shops parking lot i went in to pay. The owner looked at me funny and asked "pay for what?"
He told me to go out and have some fun but to come back if i need to purchase anything. I walked out with disbelief.
So the next week i went back and purchased and new helmet, hydration pack, gloves, tools etc.
So like it was mentioned by others, go to a local shop and let them set you up.
#10
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just found a 2000 Specialized Hardrock that need new cranks and a bottom bracket. What kind of riding/problem would cause that? I offered him $90 for it. The front fork is a Judy Rock Shocks.
Last edited by JoKEpLaYeR; 08-13-2004 at 10:47 AM.
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moorhead MN
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Should be alright as long as nothing is bent, Might want to call around and price new cranks. They might set you back between $100-$200 bucks.
This bike new was probobly around $300 so you might be better off just getting a new one.
If you do fix it your should'nt worry about it happening to you unless your going to do some hardcore offroading.
This bike new was probobly around $300 so you might be better off just getting a new one.
If you do fix it your should'nt worry about it happening to you unless your going to do some hardcore offroading.
Last edited by grams72; 08-13-2004 at 11:10 AM.
#14
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
True, a new one MSRP's for $330. I just don't have the extra $$$ to spend in one lump sum like that. I gotta spread it out paycheck to paycheck. So $90 now, another $100 next month and I'm set.
#15
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moorhead MN
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JoKEpLaYeR
True, a new one MSRP's for $330. I just don't have the extra $$$ to spend in one lump sum like that. I gotta spread it out paycheck to paycheck. So $90 now, another $100 next month and I'm set.
Go for it.
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by cacattack
dont buy that walk mart piece of poop, mongoose is good but the stuff they send to walmart and kmart and target is the stuff they poop
I had bought a Huffy and thought that it was an OK bike until I took it to the Oshman's over by my apartment and the bike tech went over the weak points of the huffy compared to his cheapest bike. I ended up taking the Huffy back and buying an Ironhorse Maverick, and for the riding that I do it has been one heck of an investment. My best friend had went and got a bike from Wal-mart and in the middle of riding around Houston, the bike crank fell off. :pat: . He ended up walking the bike back home (about 3.5 miles). I only put out $150 on it seeing that it dosen't have suspension forks, but the 04-'05 models do. Haven't priced them though.
SO I say go with a low end shop bike versus walmart, target, or any place like that. :pat:
Last edited by Outkast`; 08-13-2004 at 12:44 PM.
#17
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The more I read the more I wish I had the $$$ to buy a decent bike at a bike shop. I'll see if I can talk my parents into helping out. Thanks for the feedback!!!
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Telluride, CO
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JoKEpLaYeR
The more I read the more I wish I had the $$$ to buy a decent bike at a bike shop. I'll see if I can talk my parents into helping out. Thanks for the feedback!!!
wait.
i know you want something now to take with you, but chances are you will have a much better time finding a deal out there on used equipment. Los Gatos alone should have plenty of selection in the paper on used yuppie equipment that someone will get rid of cheap...
example: last yr i bought an s-works specialized hard tail with long travel SID and full XT components for $450. the frame alone is worth over 1000, and the shock is 250. save the 90 bucks, save up another 250 from now until then and get yourself a sweet a** bike when you get to santa cruz...
just my .02
dsp
Last edited by DSP; 08-13-2004 at 01:27 PM.
#19
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very true, good advice. I think I will wait. I know of a bunch of bike shops there and they are hard to come by up here.
Thanks!
Steve
Thanks!
Steve
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
IntoTheVoid
Trip-Trail Reports & Photos
42
10-24-2015 04:54 PM
charlie_fong
General Vehicle Related Topics (Non Year Related)
0
09-27-2015 10:06 PM