whats a good mountain bike for around $200-300?

[Nostril Cheese]

Like the title says, I'm looking for something decent for around $200-300.

I dont need a handbuilt racing bike or anything like that. Just looking for something as an all-around bike.

I'm not too up on bicycles, so any info in general would be cool. I plan on using it as general transportation to work.

[Type911]

Wal-mart can hook you up for $79

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2513008

[scottmandue]

Specialized makes a pretty good bike in that range.

Like most sporting goods you can get a great deal on slightly used mountain bikes from people who bought one then threw it in the garage and forgot about it after ridding it a few times. Check your local paper for people cleaning out their garage and dumping such bikes.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Craig's List... "

2-5 year old Cannondale or Specialized that retailed for $800, only ridden twice, moving, must sell...

Look for those kinds of ads.

[Nostril Cheese]

I had Diamond Back BMX bikes as a kid and always liked them. Do they make a good mountain bike in that price range?

[VincentVega]

used is your only option. Anything new in that price is built to a price and will fall apart if you use it even moderately on a trail.

There are a TON of great deals on craigslist/ebay, bikes depreciate like crazy.

[89911]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Craig's List... "

2-5 year old Cannondale or Specialized that retailed for $800, only ridden twice, moving, must sell...

Look for those kinds of ads.

Ditto!! Anything around $300 will weigh close to 50lbs

[Racerbvd]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa
Craig's List... "

2-5 year old Cannondale or Specialized that retailed for $800, only ridden twice, moving, must sell...

Look for those kinds of ads.

Ditto again, and I still play with my BMX bike and the new school ones ride very nice, I'll be 42 in August, 6' 215lbs and still play on BMX bikes.
Over 10 years ago


Over the winter. but before I got up (note to self, drunks don't take very good pix) Depending on what kind of riding you are doing, you might think about a newer BMX bike

[Nostril Cheese]

not looking to ride BMX, those days are long over and my knees cant handle that. I understand your enthusiasm. When we were kids, mybrother and I would take a shovel and spend all day digging and making 5 foot high jumps. It's a miracle i was never seriously hurt doing the things I did. A snapped collarbone was about the worst.

[teenerted1]

good mtn bike in that price range will be used. expect to pay a min of $500-800 to get something decent that will hold up to some trail use.

if you are going to stick to pavement and want something upright better off with a hybrid/fitness model...

WALMART sucks!!!! good luck on finding something there that will last getting out of the parking lot. if even the wheel is out of whack you will be better of replacing the whole bike than finding a replacement part. do you really want something assembled by someone that couldn't get a job at McDonald's?

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by Nostril Cheese

I plan on using it as general transportation to work.

Doesn't sound like you are planing on any hard core off roading so a $300 used bike should serve you just fine.

I don't need a mountain bike but I like the extra comfort of the fat tires and the more upright riding position plus it can handle the occasional pot hole. My Schwinn Mesa mountain bike (made in China) works just fine to get my fat a$$ around town.

[HardDrive]

I bought a Marin Larkspur for $325 about 2 years ago. GREAT bike. Absolute deal for the money.

[89911]

I have a Trek 8000. Paid a little less then $1K about 6 years ago. I just went to the Trek store and picked up a bike for my 11 YO son. Great service and the prices weren't that bad compared to other big box crap stores. I went to 3 of them (Dicks, Toys R Us and Dunhams) and had absolutely no help. No one to even ask a question. I paid a little over $300 for my sons mountain bike. I would think for $500-800, you could grab a nice bike. Again check Craigslist. The biggest problem I have with them is that you may try to contact 10 people and possible 2 will call you back, and that may be 2 weeks later.

[Jims5543]

I have had a Trek VW Jetta model for 8 years now never a problem. Like 89911 the store was awesome, let me take the bike for a ride down the road and up some nearby trails, I drove 3 different bikes before I decided on the one I have.

I am about to get my son one now, he is 13 and it should last him 10 years or more. We are looking in the 300-400 range.


This was posted on another forum, just for you Byron.
http://www.whoisthemonkey.com/videos/13/amazing-urban-mountain-biker

[BGCarrera32]

Get the best looking, best paint job you can find on a bike that costs what you want to spend.

That way, when its sitting in the garage and it looks cool, you're more abt to go ride it.

[FastCarFan]

I am very happy with the Specialized Rockhopper I bought last spring. I think the list price is $520 -- you can get it for less at most bike shops. It is my 2nd Specialized -- they make a nice bike.



Here is the bike I hope to buy next spring.

[Racerbvd]

Thanks Jim, that was wicked cool!!!!

Funny, I have 4 MBTs, including a tricked out carbon fiber Trek VW Team Issue and am most comfotable riding my 76 Schwinn Stingray Scrambler or late model 20" BMX. If you don't have more than a few miles to work, that is a very easy to move & store (I use one as a pit bike at DEs)

[Noah930]

I was in the same position about many years ago. I bought a used GT Tequesta from a local bike shop for about $300. Total of about 27 lbs. Chromoly (steel) frame. You're not gonna get aluminum or anything fancier in that price range. Doesn't sound like you'll need it, anyway. Components were all Shimano STX or STX-RC, I think. I think that's about the lowest level of frame and componentry you'd want for any off-road riding. Rode that thing through quite a bit of technical stuff in the Santa Monica and Hollywood mountains with no breakdowns. Later, I stuck on a RockShox front fork.

I've since upgraded to fancier equipment, which definitely makes a difference I can feel while riding. I may get up and down the mountain easier now, but I'm not doing stuff now that I couldn't do before with my 'lesser' bike. And I was probably in better shape for lugging that older, heavier bike up and down the trails.

[ikarcuaso]

OK, I'm now in this camp. Considering some of the prior suggestions. Just wondering if anyone throw out any more models in this price range? Thanks.

[gchappel]

Definately look used. In the low price range look at a hardtail. I would stay away from inexpensive full suspension bikes. If you are just going to ride around town buy whatever you like- THAT FITS YOU. If you are actually going to do hardcore offroad riding save your money until you can buy a better bike- a $300 one is going to hurt you.
Gary