mountain biking for newbies
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Originally Posted by bobushka king,Mar 13 2008, 04:28 AM
It all depends on what your using the bike for. If your just going to ride some flat smooth trails, then a walmart bike will do just fine. When you start to get into rougher/steeper trails, I'd suggest looking into a name brand bike.
I own an expensive bike, but what I use it for, I need it. I ride freeride/downhill so I need a bike that can take the abuse.
I own an expensive bike, but what I use it for, I need it. I ride freeride/downhill so I need a bike that can take the abuse.
It all depends on what kind of riding you want to do... like bobushka said, if you're just gonna ride some bike/jogging trails, a nice cheap bike will do... If you are planning on riding some intermediate/freeride/dirtjumping stuff a nice front suspension setup with good travel/adjustable recoil and rebound will do... If you plan on going all out downhill/freeride you will want a nice beefy full-suspension bike with loads of travel... for example my bike weighs about 40 pounds...
hella sick rims, hydraulic disc brakes, full suspension, chain stay/chainguard, downhill crank... strong A frame... $100 tires... that thing can take 30-40 foot drop-offs without breaking, but trust me, I might as well get off and walk when I'm going uphill.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,627
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
If you're actually gonna be riding trails get a hardtail from a bike shop. I bought a full suspension pos from target a while back and the frame slowly bent everytime I went out on the trail (Fort Ord). Keep in mind I only weigh about 140lbs. Also, if possible, get fitted for the frame by the shop. You'll be amazed at how much better it is riding a correctly sized bike.
EDIT: Also, bike shops have maintenance plans for bikes (some shops even offer maintenance free for a period of time) and you'll have the reassurance that it was put together properly. Those Target/Walmart/K-mart etc.. bikes are put together like utter shit; loose brakes, skipping gears, etc...
EDIT: Also, bike shops have maintenance plans for bikes (some shops even offer maintenance free for a period of time) and you'll have the reassurance that it was put together properly. Those Target/Walmart/K-mart etc.. bikes are put together like utter shit; loose brakes, skipping gears, etc...
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 0
From: Kufstein
Originally Posted by YoZUpZ,Mar 13 2008, 12:30 PM
It all depends on what kind of riding you want to do... like bobushka said, if you're just gonna ride some bike/jogging trails, a nice cheap bike will do... If you are planning on riding some intermediate/freeride/dirtjumping stuff a nice front suspension setup with good travel/adjustable recoil and rebound will do... If you plan on going all out downhill/freeride you will want a nice beefy full-suspension bike with loads of travel... for example my bike weighs about 40 pounds...
hella sick rims, hydraulic disc brakes, full suspension, chain stay/chainguard, downhill crank... strong A frame... $100 tires... that thing can take 30-40 foot drop-offs without breaking, but trust me, I might as well get off and walk when I'm going uphill.
What are you riding?
Right now I'm riding a 2005 Giant Faith 1, Boxxer World Cup/Team hybrid, Hope M4 brakes, etc. etc.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,749
Likes: 1
From: Santa Monica-SoCal
what does "outgrow a bike" mean?
i understand it breaking, etc. can someone educate me EXACTLY what is better than you get for spending more money. i know less weight, a frame that wont bend as easily, gears that change faster?
i understand it breaking, etc. can someone educate me EXACTLY what is better than you get for spending more money. i know less weight, a frame that wont bend as easily, gears that change faster?
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Originally Posted by dyhppy,Mar 13 2008, 03:39 PM
what does "outgrow a bike" mean?
i understand it breaking, etc. can someone educate me EXACTLY what is better than you get for spending more money. i know less weight, a frame that wont bend as easily, gears that change faster?
i understand it breaking, etc. can someone educate me EXACTLY what is better than you get for spending more money. i know less weight, a frame that wont bend as easily, gears that change faster?
I needed something smaller (so I could throw it around better), stronger (so I wouldn't keep breaking stuff), needed more suspension travel (for landings, big rocks, taking the impact force out of your legs and body when hauling 40-50mph down bumpy crap), better braking power (hydraulic disc brakes can stop you a lot quicker and smoothly... My old bike simply could not keep up with what I demanded of it.
So, I built a beefy bike. Downhill/Freeride bikes weight a TON more than Cross-Country bikes (which is what my Rockhopper was), but can take just about any amount of abuse you can throw at them. So, it all depends on what direction you want to go... So, I think what would be meant my "outgrowing your bike" is that, if you want to specialize, you will have to upgrade...
Just like road bikes, if you want to race in the Tour 'de France, you will have to upgrade from the bicycle you started off when learning how to ride... Same thing goes for Hardcore mountain biking, there are different levels of bikes for different types of riding and riding skill as well. You could look on GT's or Specialized's websites and just browse through the different types of bikes to get a feel for it and the different styles.
www.gtbicycles.com
www.specialized.com
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 0
From: SLC, UT
Originally Posted by dyhppy,Mar 13 2008, 04:17 PM
thanks. how do u go 50 mph over unknown rough terrain and not break your neck?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBxqUQa7jUo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDVXIBgM4kI
