I've decided to get myself a mountain bike. I want to spend between $600-800, tho if that will not get me a decent one with shocks for downhill, I'm willing to spend more for something that will last.
I haven't ridden a bike in over 8 years, so I figure it's about time I got one again.
I also want to get myself some basic maintenance tools. spare tires, inner-tubes, a tiny tire pump, patches, gear oil, etc. I know a few of you use these things regularly, so I'm looking for some general advice before I make a purchase.
Good mountain bike?
Re: Good mountain bike?
I made this thread about 3 years ago when I started to get back into biking more...
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=31910
First post has the Cannondale that I bought at the time. IIRC, it was about in your price range.
For your price range, you're not gonna be able to get a full suspension bike. You'll be able to get a hardtail with suspension in the front fork though. That's at least enough, when you're on a budget.
I checked out several bikes, and in that price range, I found Cannondale to be the best.
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=31910
First post has the Cannondale that I bought at the time. IIRC, it was about in your price range.
For your price range, you're not gonna be able to get a full suspension bike. You'll be able to get a hardtail with suspension in the front fork though. That's at least enough, when you're on a budget.
I checked out several bikes, and in that price range, I found Cannondale to be the best.
Re: Good mountain bike?
Let me revise what I said in my last post. You can get full a suspension bike cheaper than what you're looking to spend, but they're gonna be junk bikes of terrible quality. If you're looking to spend $6-800 then I'm assuming you want something of decent quality. In that price range, of that quality, you're not gonna be able to get full suspension.
I'd love to get a full suspension bike for trails, but I don't mind having the hard tail. I can lock out the front suspension and that makes them decent to ride on the road with (some times I ride to/from trials).
For all the small stuff you'd wanna get, yeah, definitely. I'm not sure where exactly you'll be riding. But for me, more often then not I'm deep in woods that if something happened I'd have to carry my bike over several miles to get out.
As far as basic tools go, you don't really need a wide array of tools. The only thing I take with me is a set of allen keys. Most modern bikes, of the type you wanna get, pretty much everything is gonna take an allen key. The axles have that hand locking nut so you don't need a wrench/socket if you have to change a tube. So pretty much a set of allen keys is the only think you have to carry with you. And of course, a spare tube and a compact pump.
Depending what bike you get, you might have a few spots to mount accessories like a water bottle cage or bag. So if your bike has a spot for it, I would get a pump that you can mount on the bike. That way, you never have to worry about carrying it around or forgetting it at home. It's always right there.
If you get a bottle of chain oil, get the wax type. And be careful when applying it, you don't want to get any on the rotors. That's assuming you get a bike with disc brakes, which I highly suggest you do. They perform much better.
I'd love to get a full suspension bike for trails, but I don't mind having the hard tail. I can lock out the front suspension and that makes them decent to ride on the road with (some times I ride to/from trials).
For all the small stuff you'd wanna get, yeah, definitely. I'm not sure where exactly you'll be riding. But for me, more often then not I'm deep in woods that if something happened I'd have to carry my bike over several miles to get out.
As far as basic tools go, you don't really need a wide array of tools. The only thing I take with me is a set of allen keys. Most modern bikes, of the type you wanna get, pretty much everything is gonna take an allen key. The axles have that hand locking nut so you don't need a wrench/socket if you have to change a tube. So pretty much a set of allen keys is the only think you have to carry with you. And of course, a spare tube and a compact pump.
Depending what bike you get, you might have a few spots to mount accessories like a water bottle cage or bag. So if your bike has a spot for it, I would get a pump that you can mount on the bike. That way, you never have to worry about carrying it around or forgetting it at home. It's always right there.
If you get a bottle of chain oil, get the wax type. And be careful when applying it, you don't want to get any on the rotors. That's assuming you get a bike with disc brakes, which I highly suggest you do. They perform much better.
Re: Good mountain bike?
I second everything Ziggy just said about getting a full suspension vs front with that price range in mind.Ziggy587 wrote:Let me revise what I said in my last post. You can get full a suspension bike cheaper than what you're looking to spend, but they're gonna be junk bikes of terrible quality. If you're looking to spend $6-800 then I'm assuming you want something of decent quality. In that price range, of that quality, you're not gonna be able to get full suspension.
I'd love to get a full suspension bike for trails, but I don't mind having the hard tail. I can lock out the front suspension and that makes them decent to ride on the road with (some times I ride to/from trials).
.
Re: Good mountain bike?
For a hardtail Cannondale, look at the "Trail" series...
http://www.cannondale.com/2014/bikes/mo ... ails/trail
Mine is a Trail 5 from 2011. I was more than satisfied with it. They also have 29" models, if you're into that. I test rode a 29'er and it just wasn't for me. At the time I bought my bike, I was looking at several other. I was heavily considering a Trek that was about the same price, but the Cannondale just felt so much better.
At the time, Iron Horse wasn't sold anywhere in the states. If they were, I would have loved to have tried one of them out.
http://www.cannondale.com/2014/bikes/mo ... ails/trail
Mine is a Trail 5 from 2011. I was more than satisfied with it. They also have 29" models, if you're into that. I test rode a 29'er and it just wasn't for me. At the time I bought my bike, I was looking at several other. I was heavily considering a Trek that was about the same price, but the Cannondale just felt so much better.
At the time, Iron Horse wasn't sold anywhere in the states. If they were, I would have loved to have tried one of them out.
Re: Good mountain bike?
Excellent! I checked out the Cannondale Trail SL and it's exactly what I'm looking for. I won't be doing any hardcore downhill paths, just a bit of offroad so it should suit my needs perfectly. I found a dealer closeby that carries them, so when I get back home I'll get one. Cheers!
Re: Good mountain bike?
The SLs are 29ers, right? I test rode a 29er when I was bike shopping and it just didn't feel right to me. It made me feel like a little kid trying to ride an adult bike lol.
Yeah, Cannondales just feel better than other bikes that I've tried. They feel lighter and easier to ride. I love mine. I hope you love yours.
Yeah, Cannondales just feel better than other bikes that I've tried. They feel lighter and easier to ride. I love mine. I hope you love yours.