Anyone recommend mountain bike

[1973911s]

I am looking for a mountain bike that I can use to ride around town, and along PCH?

My wife wants me to get off the couch and get some exercise.

Would like to keep it under $500.

Michael

[legion]

I have a Trek 6000 (no longer made) and my wife has a Trek 4300. Both are solid. I think I paid around $300 for my wife's bike.

[IROC]

I am probably the only person in the world who believes this, but I believe that "mountain" bikes are inherently unstable. IMHO, they place too much of a person's weight over the front axle and that, coupled with the geometry of the bike in general, leads to instability.

I practically lived on a bike from age 5 thru 16 (from the late '60s thru late '70s) and have spent *alot* of time riding on trails in the mountains, albeit on an old Schwinn 20" bike that I "modified" to look more like a motorcross motorcycle. Jump forward 15 years to 1995 or so when I bought one of the current style "mountain" bikes and found it scary on trails that previously would have been a breeze. Especially downhill, twisty stuff.

It seems to me the "motocross" positioning of the rider is much more stable than the current "weight over the front axle" position.

Am I nuts? Am I too old? :>)

Mike

[gr8fl4porsche]

Mike,

When going down twisty trails - hang your butt off the back of the seat as close to the tire as possible and lower your shoulders.

This will get you through it without that feeling of going over the bars.

Most mountain bikes close to $500 will be very similar in quality, components, etc. They all compete with each other within a given price range.

Test ride 4 or 5 bikes and see which one 'feels' the best to you.
Small changes in the angles in which the tubes are welded makes a big difference in handling characteristics.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by IROC
I am probably the only person in the world who believes this, but I believe that "mountain" bikes are inherently unstable. IMHO, they place too much of a person's weight over the front axle and that, coupled with the geometry of the bike in general, leads to instability.

I practically lived on a bike from age 5 thru 16 (from the late '60s thru late '70s) and have spent *alot* of time riding on trails in the mountains, albeit on an old Schwinn 20" bike that I "modified" to look more like a motorcross motorcycle. Jump forward 15 years to 1995 or so when I bought one of the current style "mountain" bikes and found it scary on trails that previously would have been a breeze. Especially downhill, twisty stuff.

It seems to me the "motocross" positioning of the rider is much more stable than the current "weight over the front axle" position.

Am I nuts? Am I too old? :>)

Mike

Never too old

You can play around with different bar stem heights and lengths to alter your position on the bike to your liking. To some degree you can also adjust the seat postion (front/back) however that setting is more determined for proper knee/pedal positioning.

[turbo6bar]

If your riding keeps you on streets and fireroads, I would go with a cyclocross or regular road bike. I think mountain bikes on roads are terribly unfun (I know that's not a word).

Figure out what size you need, and then point your browser to eBay. jurgen

[JavaBrewer]

Michael,

I don't know the current Giant lineup but checkout my Post on Giant one year ago. I'm still really happy with the bike. Nothing broken yet and it's really a nice compromise for a new bike in the < $1K market. Another thing to consider is a used MTN bike. You can pick up really nice bikes for cheap.

[BGCarrera32]

If you plan on spending no more than $500, have a reputable bike shop fit you on the correct sized bike with the best looking paint job. Then it will fit properly, look good, and you'll be more abt to use it regularly.