Which Bike

specialized hardrock

anyone else have any ideas?

I don't want to spend too much on this bike... just something for the time being until and if she gets serious into this, then move her up to a real bike... I just need something simple... paved/dirt, mild trails...

I would like to not spend more than $150, but am still open to opinions...

Hmmm. 150$. You wont get much for that. Spend the extra 100$ and buy her something that will encourage her to ride, the range your in now will as likely get you a badly made, evil handling and possibly dangerous POS that even if it dosnt cripple or kill her will certainly put her off riding forever. Giant do the Boulder SE for about 260$US which would be ideal for an outright novice. If you must go cheap buy secondhand. Apologies in advance for all those who know where to get amazing bikes for 150$:-)

What do you guys think?

sportmart.comindex.jspOpen ↗

Sorry to say it, but I have to agree with the others here that you need to push the budget up a bit. Everyone knows that at the top end of the market, say in the $5,000 range, you get "diminishing returns" - putting in a lot more money gets you only a marginal improvement in quality, because the stuff is already pretty much as good as it gets. But at the budget end, an analogous thing happens - shaving off a relatively small amount of money produces a massive drop in quality. I'd say look upwards of $250 - this way you'll get something that won't fall to bits, and will be fun to ride. No use saving money on a bike if it doesn't do what it's supposed to.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
Sorry to say it, but I have to agree with the others here that you need to push the budget up a bit. Everyone knows that at the top end of the market, say in the $5,000 range, you get "diminishing returns" - putting in a lot more money gets you only a marginal improvement in quality, because the stuff is already pretty much as good as it gets. But at the budget end, an analogous thing happens - shaving off a relatively small amount of money produces a massive drop in quality. I'd say look upwards of $250 - this way you'll get something that won't fall to bits, and will be fun to ride. No use saving money on a bike if it doesn't do what it's supposed to.

So what can I get for that price range? I understand your opinions and value them greatly... Throw me some brands and models and where to get them, and I will gladly look 🙂

Thanks in advance

Gary Fisher Tarpon web page asks $279
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=classic&bike=Tarpon

Raleigh M20 or M40
http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=3&itemid=156&va=0

Ironhorse Maverick Comp
http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/products/intermediate/maverick_comp.shtml

Schwinn Mesa Retail $299
http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=282

Trek 820 Retail $249
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/820.jsp

There are probably lots more, but here's a starter list of "starter" mt bikes that would be good enough to enjoy the ride some ... can be purchased from a bike shop which will give you a quality assembly and upkeep ... the real deciding factor should be which bike feels good and fun to her ... that'll be the bike that gets ridden and enjoyed the most.

In the real basement price-wise, I'd say there are some Schwinn models that have solid features and are occasionally on close-out at bike shops that are sort of superstores also. Around here that would be a price of around $200 for a year or two old model, no suspension (anywhere), over 30#, but made well enough to knock around and get a decent ride (it's all relative).

For example here are a couple deals at $199 ... the Schwinn Frontier
http://kozy.com/site/showitem.cfm?Category=87&searchtype=Category&Catalog=1

Good Luck!

Well: From a girls point of view...

My boyfriend did a website for the local bike shop and was able to get his tradeoff payment a new bike for me, which he surprized me with fro Christmas 😄 What a hunnie eh?

Anyways, he got me a Trek 4500

http://www.rcsnowmobiles.com/temp/trek4500/

Those are some pics of it (Before I reciently sold it)

Well, point being, this bike was my entry level ride. Make sure you can definately get her something decent. If she wouldn't mind, maybe purchase something used. Honestly, i just got a new ride, used and it cost me the same that I sold the Trek 4500 for, but my new bike is worth lots more then the trek.

Anyways, thank you to my bf who got me my bike because I really got into XC off roading trail riding with him, and this is now something we commonly do together.

Good luck with your choices! I recomend the Trek 4500 as an entry level bike. It was perfect for what I wanted it for, and it didn't cost a gold bin!

Ta!

Currently considering 2 bikes...

Trek 820
Trek 3700

What do you guys think?

also... does it make a difference between a women's frame or a guy's frame? I've heard both.

What other brands do you guys suggest?

Max to spend is 250 - 300

Thanks again 🙂

In case it matters, she is about 5'8" 105lbs

I currently own a 4300 and have been very pleased with it

I personally would go the 3700, slightly higher spec, the real bottom end components tend to be 'average" in the longevity/reliability dept.

These days they don't generally make a "womens" frame as such, I think Trek has some "womens specific" frames, and Giant does as well. But I think they're no longer into the double down tube thing. I know my wife prefers to ride a "mens" frame over a womens due to ride quality/frame life.

Keep in mind as well that women and Men have quite different needs as far as frame fit goes, due to the differences in Men and Womens' Upper body and Lower body length ratios, so a frame that fits a 5'8" Man, may not fit a woman of the same height. There are some great web pages on this subject, but I've lost all my links, so can't help there.. but google should. I guess what I'm trying to say is, make sure she at list sits on the bike to get a feel for the bike before you lay out the cash 🙂.

Giant Boulder

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by LiquidOps
Greetings,

OK... i'm looking to get a bike for my g/f... Something that will be great for bike trails, nothing advanced, at the same time, nothing too expensive...

Options?

Thanks

My first MTB is a Trek 4500, great bike and not too expensive!!!

so Giant Boulder or Trek 3700?

Thanks again 🙂 Purchase time is coming near 🙂

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by LiquidOps
so Giant Boulder or Trek 3700?

Thanks again 🙂 Purchase time is coming near 🙂

Theres not not much to choose between them, its your call from here, get your girlfriend to ride them, let her choose.

well... We went with the Trek 3700

She looked at both... She felt more comfortable with the Trek, so that's what we got her...

Thanks for all the input and advice..

Happy riding 🙂

I can say that the Trek 820, which I bought for my wife, is not a good choice if she plans to ride it much on trails or pavement. It's really just an occasional bike, if you ask me.

Hi-Ten steel is a very poor choice for a quality bike. Bike Barn in Houston swore up and down that it was CroMo when I bought it last year, but they lied through their teeth and I'm selling it to a coworker for her daughter. Of course, he also swore that our child seat would fit on a 15" frame...

In the same price range, I'd consider the Specialized HardRock (buying one for my wife tomorrow). If Trek still sold the 800 Sport, I'd say jump on it at $250, but they seem to have killed it.

If you can spend more, the Trek 4500WSD would be an excellent choice. Solid bike, nice woman-specific geometry, good price.