Mountain Bike Recommendations

[RNajarian]

Hi All,

I'm in the market for a mountain bike for recreational riding. Nothing too over the top but definitely for off road use.

Last Friday I bought a 26" Schwinn at the Point Hueneme Naval Exchange. When I got home I made the necessary adjustments and took off for her inaugural ride.

I didn't get more than 1/2 a mile away when the chain came off the sprocket and the rear shifter mechanism broke.

I called Schwinn, their response "Return it to the store and get a new bike."

Exactly, but not a Schwinn this time.

Any thoughts on a good reliable bike and from which store.

Thanks

[Noah930]

For a recreational level bike (even for off-road mountain use), I think if you go with any of the more popular brands (Specialized, GT, Giant, Klein, Trek, Gary Fisher) you'll do OK. You just want a bike that has decent components (derailleur, shifters, brakes, etc) for what you intend to do. I think you might want to budget at least $500-600 or so for a decent entry level mtn bike. At that price point, you have to make compromises: better frame = worse components (or vice versa). If you're willing to spend more, you get more (i.e. better equipment). The more expensive "levels" of components tend to be lighter/faster/more durable.

For a bike shop, where are you located in the LA area?

[RNajarian]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll check them out.

As for the bike shop, I am in the L.A. area.

[sc_rufctr]

I ride a Trek and it's great... Robust and strong.

Not the cheapest by far but with bikes you really do get what you paid for.

[RNajarian]

Wife has a Trek and she is happy with it. You are right about you get what you pay for, I learned that the hard way.

[Noah930]

I've been happy with GT. Years ago I used to go over to Beverly Hills Bike Shop (by Cedars Sinai) and do weekly rides with their mechanics. But the shop, itself, was just so-so. I. Martin is also in that Beverly Center area, and I found them to be better stocked.

Like Peter said, ya get what ya pay for. (Though I think it's poor form to buy a $5000 CF-framed, Ti component, fully-suspended rig and get yer rear end handed to you by some kid on a beater bike on every climb out there.)

[RWebb]

focus on the fork

[911Urge]

I have a Trek 820 and have nearly 1000 miles on it with zero issues. I ride more road than off road. Can be purchased for around $299.

[sc_rufctr]

This is the Trek I've been riding for over 4 years.

It's a Trek SU300 with a Shimano group set and Bontrager rims and components.

[dd74]

Cheap bike = cheap parts. They'll break in no time, even with casual use. Spend the money now with the thought you may want to do more than just ride around, and get good parts.

And get fitted. None of it will mean anything unless you fit the bike.

[chocolatelab]

I'd check out craigslist. Just a quick look in la and i found this.

Decent components and good builder $300 obo

you'll save a ton of money vs retail if you find a good used bike

Gary Fisher Tassajara Disc Bike '02!!!!!!OBO!!!!!!OFFER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[dd74]

Originally Posted by chocolatelab

I'd check out craigslist. Just a quick look in la and i found this.

Decent components and good builder $300 obo

you'll save a ton of money vs retail if you find a good used bike

Gary Fisher Tassajara Disc Bike '02!!!!!!OBO!!!!!!OFFER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Only problem with that is you don't know how the bike's been ridden/taken care of. Mountain bikes, IMO, I'd be particularly wary of.

Even so, I haven't bought retail for a very long time. Some prices are just outrageous for basic two-wheel propulsion.

[Racerbvd]

Last Friday I bought a 26" Schwinn at the Point Hueneme Naval Exchange. When I got home I made the necessary adjustments and took off for her inaugural ride.

I didn't get more than 1/2 a mile away when the chain came off the sprocket and the rear shifter mechanism broke.

I called Schwinn, their response "Return it to the store and get a new bike."

Exactly, but not a Schwinn this time

1st, you didn't buy a Schwinn bike, you bought a mass market bike with the Schwinn name, you can't expect to get a good bike, properly assembled from a chain store, period.... Remember, you get what you pay for and a cheap bike with make riding no fun at all.. You could even get an older, high quality bike and be very happy..

I have a few MTBs, but the one I ride the most is this Trek, I have also had a few Cannondales and was very happy with them, but when I got the chance to get this bike, well, the veteran cyclist will understand

[alf]

I have a 1988 Specialized Rockhopper Comp. Bought it in collegue $500 with Shimano Deore groupo.

I rode that thing down stairs, through dirt, on the street, up and down a bunch of trails in Washington for years, dropped it more than i could count and it is still straight and true. My 11YO son is riding it now and it will no doubt survive his (ab)use. Could be had used for about $100 on CL, Stumpjumper maybe $50 more.

Would not mind getting a used Cannondale or Fisher MTB either. A used top of the line bike could be had for less than a new bottom of the line bike. The former will usually hold up better.

[Eric Coffey]

A half-way decent (Specialized/Trek/Giant/etc.) 29er hard-tail should fit the bill nicely.

[dd74]

That's a nice Trek, Byron. Hand built in the U.S. too, right? At least the OCLV road bikes are hand built here.

[JavaBrewer]

Find out what size frame you need and then hit Craigs list. Nearly all department store bikes are complete garbage. As stated you need to be looking in the $500-$600 range if you intend to take the bike in the dirt. Even then you will be breaking things and the bike will need regular adjustments and maintenance. Dirt, rocks, bumps, jumps, water, etc...are very hard on bikes. At your price range the wheels will be the biggest issue. Cheap ones are knocked out of balance quickly. With Craigs list you can usually score a MTB that's a couple years new for 50% of the original price so keeping your $500 budget will get into something that's more durable and serviceable.

[RNajarian]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I've got my marching orders . . .

While I've got some experts on line, I'm 71" tall (5'11") should I get a bike bigger than 26" ?

[Talewinds]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I've got my marching orders . . .

While I've got some experts on line, I'm 71" tall (5'11") should I get a bike bigger than 26" ?

26" is a description of the wheel size, and 26" is and has been the standard in the industry for years. They make 29'ers now, but they're somewhat rare and not entirely necessary, more of a novelty for longtime mountain bikers.

You're 5'11", mountain bikes are sized in inches whereas road bikes are sized in cm, you'll be in the 17"-19" range, but let the folks at the bike shop help make that determination.

Get a bike from a real bike shop, not Walmart. You live in L.A. so there's only like a thousand bike shops to choose from.

You really can't go wrong with any of the bike brands that a bike shop might carry.

[JavaBrewer]

It all depends on your inseam and the specific bike frame geometry. MTBs usually come a couple standard sizes but given your height I would be looking for a medium sized bike. I am your same height and ride a medium 19" frame. Sizing on a MTB is different than a road bike and you want at least a couple inches stand over clearance so that you don't neuter yourself in a tricky off-road situation.