Advice on a good hardtail.

frodge said:

Hi. I am pretty new to the board and want to know a good hardtail to
buy for around $1000. I am 5'7, with an inseam of about 31". I will
be using the bike for trail-riding. Nothing serious like jumping 8
feet and stuff. Basic trail riding with roots and mud and hills.

http://tinyurl.com/3cglf

Not sure if you can get it for under $1000, but it looks fun to ride.

Tom (just tryin' to help)

frodge said:

Hi. I am pretty new to the board and want to know a good hardtail to
buy for around $1000. I am 5'7, with an inseam of about 31". I will
be using the bike for trail-riding. Nothing serious like jumping 8
feet and stuff. Basic trail riding with roots and mud and hills.

That's a /fairly/ long inseam for your height, so it's even more important
that you enlist the help of professionals with bike selection and fit.

In other words, visit some Local Bike Shops (LBSs) and ask questions and
take test rides.

You can get a helluva bike for a grand these days, but it MUST FIT or you
won't enjoy riding it.

Bill "go forth and shop" S.

tcmedara said:

frodge said:

Hi. I am pretty new to the board and want to know a good hardtail to
buy for around $1000. I am 5'7, with an inseam of about 31". I will
be using the bike for trail-riding. Nothing serious like jumping 8
feet and stuff. Basic trail riding with roots and mud and hills.

http://tinyurl.com/3cglf

Seat looks comfortable.

Quoted message said:

Not sure if you can get it for under $1000, but it looks fun to ride.

You pig.

Bill "a fan" S.

frodge said:

Hi. I am pretty new to the board and want to know a good hardtail to buy
for around $1000. I am 5'7, with an inseam of about 31". I will be using
the bike for trail-riding. Nothing serious like jumping 8 feet and
stuff. Basic trail riding with roots and mud and hills.

--

You're pretty new to the board, as you said. Try not to use the word
"serious", it seems frowned upon 🙂
You can get a great HT for that kind of cash, but like others have said,
go to your local bike shop (LBS). Even if you pay a little more than you
might mail order, that money will more than make up for itself in
advice, service work, mojo, and other ways that will surely come up as
you spend more time on the trails.

Craig Brossman

go to your local bikeshops and look for a good deal on last years
models....most bang for the buck.

"frodge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi. I am pretty new to the board and want to know a good hardtail to buy
for around $1000. I am 5'7, with an inseam of about 31". I will be using
the bike for trail-riding. Nothing serious like jumping 8 feet and
stuff. Basic trail riding with roots and mud and hills.

--

" S o r n i" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

frodge said:

Hi. I am pretty new to the board and want to know a good hardtail to
buy for around $1000. I am 5'7, with an inseam of about 31". I will
be using the bike for trail-riding. Nothing serious like jumping 8
feet and stuff. Basic trail riding with roots and mud and hills.

That's a /fairly/ long inseam for your height, so it's even more important
that you enlist the help of professionals with bike selection and fit.

In other words, visit some Local Bike Shops (LBSs) and ask questions and
take test rides.

You can get a helluva bike for a grand these days, but it MUST FIT or you
won't enjoy riding it.

Bill "go forth and shop" S.

Heh, this is the guy that inadvertently started the brawl over bike fit - he
said his 19.5" Trek felt great, but reading about bike fit convinced him he
was wrong.

Frodge, you just bought a bike. Ride it for at least a year. You're not
going to develop enough skills, ride enough miles, or race so much that the
low-end-Trek you have won't last. In that space of time you will have
learned enough to make your own decisions as to what you should ride. Don't
listen to us; you'll get everything from "rigid steel SS" to "Ti FS or
bust."

Chris

Thanks guys. I will check back in 6 months to a year after I have put some miles on. I guess my skills are [censored] right now anyway and the Trek will be o.k. for now. 😎

--

"frodge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks guys. I will check back in 6 months to a year after I have put some

miles on. I guess my skills are [censored] right now anyway and the Trek will be
o.k. for now. 😎

Quoted message said:

One thing you might do---keep checking the Trek web site looking for when
the DEMO program comes to a trail within a reasonable distance of your
area... You can ride several different sized bikes, and also get the
assistance of the Trek people in choosing the right frame size for you.
And in particular, you can try riding several different styles of mountain
bikes on real trails--you can see how you like a good hard tail, how you
like a full suspension cross country bike, how you like an "All Mountain"
bike with 5 inches front and back suspension, how you feel about extremely
light versus extremely plush, etc. You get to do this over real obstacles,
not a parking lot where you can tell NOTHING about how the bike will ride
over technical obstacles for you.
A lot of people on this NG hate Trek, and with that in mind, I'll add that
the DEMO program can help you with what style of bike, and does not have to
be about choosing a Trek--you may decide you like an All Mountain design,
and then gravitate to some other manufacturer for the All Mountain bike you
will actually get ( or X-country, or hardtail, etc).
Personally, I like my Trek Liquid 25....its awesome in the rooty type of
riding we have in south florida, and its holding up well to the abuse I've
been giving it ( Got it in January, been hammering very rooty trails 3 to 4
days per week on average since then...I weigh 212 pounds now, and I put alot
of stress on a bike frame. For the people who claim the Treks have weak
backends, I have to say this is nonsense. I don't use it to jump off 7 foot
drops onto flat landings, but to me that is not mountain biking....If that's
what you like, get a bmx or freeride bike, start banging your head into
concrete walls for at least 30 minutes a day to help further reduce your IQ,
and try skateboarding in your spare time;-)

Regards,
Dan V

Dan Volker said:

"frodge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:2%_sc.2-
[email hidden]:[email hidden]-
netserver.com...

Quoted message said:

Thanks guys. I will check back in 6 months to a year after I have
put some

miles on. I guess my skills are [censored] right now anyway and the
Trek will be
o.k. for now. 😎

Quoted message said:

One thing you might do---keep checking the Trek web site looking for
when the DEMO program comes to a trail within a reasonable distance of
your area... You can ride several different sized bikes, and also get
the assistance of the Trek people in choosing the right frame size for
you. And in particular, you can try riding several different styles of
mountain bikes on real trails--you can see how you like a good hard
tail, how you like a full suspension cross country bike, how you like an
"All Mountain" bike with 5 inches front and back suspension, how you
feel about extremely light versus extremely plush, etc. You get to do
this over real obstacles, not a parking lot where you can tell NOTHING
about how the bike will ride over technical obstacles for you. A lot of
people on this NG hate Trek, and with that in mind, I'll add that the
DEMO program can help you with what style of bike, and does not have to
be about choosing a Trek-- you may decide you like an All Mountain
design, and then gravitate to some other manufacturer for the All
Mountain bike you will actually get ( or X-country, or hardtail, etc).
Personally, I like my Trek Liquid 25....its awesome in the rooty type of
riding we have in south florida, and its holding up well to the abuse
I've been giving it ( Got it in January, been hammering very rooty
trails 3 to 4 days per week on average since then...I weigh 212 pounds
now, and I put alot of stress on a bike frame. For the people who claim
the Treks have weak backends, I have to say this is nonsense. I don't
use it to jump off 7 foot drops onto flat landings, but to me that is
not mountain biking....If that's what you like, get a bmx or freeride
bike, start banging your head into concrete walls for at least 30
minutes a day to help further reduce your IQ, and try skateboarding in
your spare time;-)
Regards, Dan V

Haha. That last part is pretty funny. I just bought a Trek 4900 amonth
ago and like it a lot. It is a little big for me because I didn't know
anything until after I bought it. I know it is not a heavy duty trail
bike, but for right now it is not bad I guess. I will look into your
suggestions. The bike shop will not work with me with the issue that the
bike i a little big. For what I am doing right now, it seems to be ok.

--

The fact that the bike shop sold you a bike that was mis-sized in the first
place is a concern. I'm a big proponent of proper fitting and not assuming a
certain "size" of bike is appropriate for any person. Unless they warned
you or advised you against it in the first place, I wouldn't go back there
or give them any business.

I'm 5'9" and during this past winter we vacationed at a remote spot in Baja
Mexico. The place had several "decent" MTBs so we toured a fair amount on
the surrounding hills. On the days that the bike selection was low, I was
forced to take a larger than preferred frame, and by mid day I always had an
aching back and numbing fingers.

My $.02

"frodge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Dan Volker said:

"frodge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:2%_sc.2-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

[email hidden]:[email hidden]-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

netserver.com...

Quoted message said:

Thanks guys. I will check back in 6 months to a year after I have
put some

miles on. I guess my skills are [censored] right now anyway and the
Trek will be
o.k. for now. 😎

Quoted message said:

One thing you might do---keep checking the Trek web site looking for
when the DEMO program comes to a trail within a reasonable distance of
your area... You can ride several different sized bikes, and also get
the assistance of the Trek people in choosing the right frame size for
you. And in particular, you can try riding several different styles of
mountain bikes on real trails--you can see how you like a good hard
tail, how you like a full suspension cross country bike, how you like

an

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"All Mountain" bike with 5 inches front and back suspension, how you
feel about extremely light versus extremely plush, etc. You get to do
this over real obstacles, not a parking lot where you can tell NOTHING
about how the bike will ride over technical obstacles for you. A lot

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

people on this NG hate Trek, and with that in mind, I'll add that the
DEMO program can help you with what style of bike, and does not have

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be about choosing a Trek-- you may decide you like an All Mountain
design, and then gravitate to some other manufacturer for the All
Mountain bike you will actually get ( or X-country, or hardtail, etc).
Personally, I like my Trek Liquid 25....its awesome in the rooty type

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

riding we have in south florida, and its holding up well to the abuse
I've been giving it ( Got it in January, been hammering very rooty
trails 3 to 4 days per week on average since then...I weigh 212 pounds
now, and I put alot of stress on a bike frame. For the people who

claim

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the Treks have weak backends, I have to say this is nonsense. I don't
use it to jump off 7 foot drops onto flat landings, but to me that is
not mountain biking....If that's what you like, get a bmx or freeride
bike, start banging your head into concrete walls for at least 30
minutes a day to help further reduce your IQ, and try skateboarding in
your spare time;-)
Regards, Dan V

Haha. That last part is pretty funny. I just bought a Trek 4900 amonth
ago and like it a lot. It is a little big for me because I didn't know
anything until after I bought it. I know it is not a heavy duty trail
bike, but for right now it is not bad I guess. I will look into your
suggestions. The bike shop will not work with me with the issue that the
bike i a little big. For what I am doing right now, it seems to be ok.

--

Gwood said:

The fact that the bike shop sold you a bike that was mis-sized in the first
place is a concern. I'm a big proponent of proper fitting and not assuming a
certain "size" of bike is appropriate for any person. Unless they warned
you or advised you against it in the first place, I wouldn't go back there
or give them any business.

I'm 5'9" and during this past winter we vacationed at a remote spot in Baja
Mexico. The place had several "decent" MTBs so we toured a fair amount on
the surrounding hills. On the days that the bike selection was low, I was
forced to take a larger than preferred frame, and by mid day I always had an
aching back and numbing fingers.

My $.02

<SNIP>

Quoted message said:

Haven't we hashed this out already with this dude two weeks ago?
Enough! Stop whining and just sell the damn thing on eBay already.
Don't rehash the same question to try and get an answer you like
better than the last.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

[qoute] Haven't we hashed this out already with this dude two weeks
ago? Enough! Stop whining and just sell the damn thing on eBay already.
Don't rehash the same question to try and get an answer you like better
than the last.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o www.schnauzers.ws The thread was started to
find out what would be a real good hardtail for $1000. NOt to "re-hash".
A reading lesson would be proper for you. Read my original post. Since
no-one offered a suggestion on bikes, it reverted back to the original
discussion. Not my fault. You must be bored.

--

Gwood said:

The fact that the bike shop sold you a bike that was mis-sized in the first
place is a concern. I'm a big proponent of proper fitting and not assuming a
certain "size" of bike is appropriate for any person. Unless they warned
you or advised you against it in the first place, I wouldn't go back there
or give them any business.

If it were me, I'd be taking every opportunity to tell people to avoid
this shop. You can get zero service for a lot less money on-line, or
possibly good service for the same price elsewhere.

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

Bb said:

If it were me, I'd be taking every opportunity to tell people to avoid
this shop. You can get zero service for a lot less money on-line, or
possibly good service for the same price elsewhere.
--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at
least)

The shop has been in existence for over 100 years. :eek: The owner was
like, everybody buys a bigger bike their first time around. Next time
you will go smaller, everyone does. 🙄

--

frodge said:

The shop has been in existence for over 100 years. :eek: The owner was
like, everybody buys a bigger bike their first time around. Next time
you will go smaller, everyone does. 🙄

I'm just curious why you're so hesitant to name a shop that has appears to
have an idiot for an owner...?

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

"Dan Volker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"frodge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks guys. I will check back in 6 months to a year after I have put some

miles on. I guess my skills are [censored] right now anyway and the Trek will be
o.k. for now. 😎

Quoted message said:

One thing you might do---keep checking the Trek web site looking for when
the DEMO program comes to a trail within a reasonable distance of your
area...

Naw - skip Trek and try out a Giant or Marin HT. Good stuff. The
Marin can be had in steel, which is nice.

[snip Trek commercial, LOL]

Quoted message said:

A lot of people on this NG hate Trek

But that's where you're wrong. There might be one or two, but not
"lot[s]". The fact is that Trek makes some OK bikes, and that some of
them might be acceptable to some buyers. But to just recommend "Trek"
every time a newbie comes in is nothing but brand loyalty.

[snip continuing Trek commercial]

Quoted message said:

Personally, I like my Trek Liquid 25

Quoted message said:

For the people who claim the Treks have weak
backends, I have to say this is nonsense.

Bb said:

frodge said:

The shop has been in existence for over 100 years. :eek: The owner was
like, everybody buys a bigger bike their first time around. Next time
you will go smaller, everyone does. 🙄

I'm just curious why you're so hesitant to name a shop that has appears
to have an idiot for an owner...?
--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at
least)

Bennetts Bicycles

http://cyclery.com/Members/cybercycle/bikeshops/10585392941/view?state%-
3Alist=New+York+(NY)&batch_start=51

--

"Jonesy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For the people who claim the Treks have weak
backends, I have to say this is nonsense.

And you are a materials engineer? Those carbon stays are a gimmick,
and flexy as hell. Been there, done that. Any serious MTBer would
run away.

What I am is 212 pounds, and even "if" JD and a few others here can beat me
up hills at elevations over 6000 feet, I'm strong and heavy enough to put
any mountain bike through more structural stress than most 150 pound riders
could do, no matter how well they can ride.

If you rode a Liquid 25 or 50, and thought the stays were flexy, I'd suggest
what you might have had as a problem was not the stays, but tires that had
sidewalls which were too soft for you, or insufficient air pressure, and
were not allowing the bike to corner the way it should. With the Panaracer
2.4 FR ( freeride and light downhill tires) on this bike, the back end feels
rock solid.

At the same price point, you can get better bikes from

Quoted message said:

other makers, including Specialized and Marin. Four-bar, real pivots,
solid and no Bontrager craptastic drivetrain shiite.

Considering Trek offers Demo days are real trails on a regular basis, and
most other brands do not, you might re-think this a bit--if they were so
bad, people would be riding them on trails and NOT liking the performance.
Instead, people riding on real trails LIKE the way the bikes handle.

Quoted message said:

When one of those CF stays finally lets go, I hope you don't crash too
badly, and I hope it doesn't screw up the other parts too badly. What
I'd love to hear is if Carla or Jim have ever tested one of these
flexy Liquids - I'd like to know what a real mountain biker thinks of
these bikes.

I forgot again. Real mountain bikers only exist out west.

My main point was that being able to DEMO a bike on real trails is a huge
big deal. In snow skiing, this is demanded by skiiers---but mountain bikers
must be so damn timid that we just take the [censored] the bike industry wants to
put out, without any demo or way of knowing how good the bike is.
Dan V

Dan V says:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'd love to hear is if Carla or Jim have ever tested one of these
flexy Liquids - I'd like to know what a real mountain biker thinks of
these bikes.

I forgot again. Real mountain bikers only exist out west.

Actually, Dan, Carla and Jim are based in NY. They ARE going west this summer,
however, is that close enough?

Steve