Beginner looking for advice on purchasing

MD said:

Hi All,

After years of skiing and hearing about mountain biking as being a
great sport to compliment skiing, I've decided to try it. I also live
in NYC and would like to use it around town. I've been considering a
hybrid (the Jamis Coda Sport) but also have a friend that's looking to
sell me his unused Specialized Hardrock Sport. I hear that the
Hardrock is heavy so I should look elsewhere. Can anyone offer a
little advice as to the type of bike that I should get (and even a
model, if you can...)? Thanks..

Also, anyone know any good trails in/around NYC for someone to start
out on?

If you are interested (potentially) in real mountain biking, skip the
hybrid. They are nice for dirt roads and commuting and such, but won't
let you get a real picture of what mountain biking is all about. And an
mountain bike will be fine for around town too.

As far as weight goes, don't worry about it until it is actually
something that is slowing you down. More important is fit and quality.
I'd suggest just establishing a price range, and go with a bike in that
range from the store with the best service. Or your friends bike IF it
fits properly.

It's been along time since I lived in NYC, so no info on trails. The
folks at a good shop should be able to point you in the right
direction.

Have fun!

Joseph

PS: I find XC skiing to be a great compliment to cycling, so I imagine
it is the other way around too.

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

Quoted message said:

Hi All,

After years of skiing and hearing about mountain biking as being a
great sport to compliment skiing, I've decided to try it. I also live
in NYC and would like to use it around town. I've been considering a
hybrid (the Jamis Coda Sport) but also have a friend that's looking to
sell me his unused Specialized Hardrock Sport. I hear that the
Hardrock is heavy so I should look elsewhere. Can anyone offer a
little advice as to the type of bike that I should get (and even a
model, if you can...)? Thanks..

You can use a hybrid on dirt trails if they are reasonably flat and groomed,
but a mountain bike would be better, and mountain bike tires are pretty much
essential for rough stuff. Whether you can find such tough tires that will
be in a 700 size AND fit in the fork of the Jamis model, I can't tell from
here but the dealer who carries the Jamis should be able to indicate
specific tires he carry that would accomplish this. If he can't, then that
is an indicator that the bike really wouldn't do for singletrack.

Specialized has sold a ton of Hardrocks over the years and so far as I know
it has a good reputation as a reasonably priced mountain bike. For riding
around town you can put some slicks (high pressure tires without knobbies)
and have a pretty good commuter. You will see a lot of people riding
mountain bikes around cities.

Given what you wrote, I personally would get the Hardrock, but others may
disagree.

Everything I'm hearing is pointing me in the direction of a mountain
bike. Now, I need to decide whether the Hardrock is the right bike.
I'd hate to get a bike that's too heavy and have it ruin my first
experiences.

Thanks for the replies...

Mike Kruger said:

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

Quoted message said:

Hi All,

After years of skiing and hearing about mountain biking as being a
great sport to compliment skiing, I've decided to try it. I also live
in NYC and would like to use it around town. I've been considering a
hybrid (the Jamis Coda Sport) but also have a friend that's looking to
sell me his unused Specialized Hardrock Sport. I hear that the
Hardrock is heavy so I should look elsewhere. Can anyone offer a
little advice as to the type of bike that I should get (and even a
model, if you can...)? Thanks..

You can use a hybrid on dirt trails if they are reasonably flat and groomed,
but a mountain bike would be better, and mountain bike tires are pretty much
essential for rough stuff. Whether you can find such tough tires that will
be in a 700 size AND fit in the fork of the Jamis model, I can't tell from
here but the dealer who carries the Jamis should be able to indicate
specific tires he carry that would accomplish this. If he can't, then that
is an indicator that the bike really wouldn't do for singletrack.

Specialized has sold a ton of Hardrocks over the years and so far as I know
it has a good reputation as a reasonably priced mountain bike. For riding
around town you can put some slicks (high pressure tires without knobbies)
and have a pretty good commuter. You will see a lot of people riding
mountain bikes around cities.

Given what you wrote, I personally would get the Hardrock, but others may
disagree.

Everything I'm hearing is pointing me in the direction of a mountain
bike. Now, I need to decide whether the Hardrock is the right bike.
I'd hate to get a bike that's too heavy and have it ruin my first
experiences.

Thanks for the replies...

MD said:

Hi All,

After years of skiing and hearing about mountain biking as being a
great sport to compliment skiing, I've decided to try it. I also live
in NYC and would like to use it around town. I've been considering a
hybrid (the Jamis Coda Sport) but also have a friend that's looking to
sell me his unused Specialized Hardrock Sport. I hear that the
Hardrock is heavy so I should look elsewhere. Can anyone offer a
little advice as to the type of bike that I should get (and even a
model, if you can...)? Thanks..

Also, anyone know any good trails in/around NYC for someone to start
out on?

The advice I was given when I was first shopping for a new bike was to
invest in a good frame. The components can be upgraded as they wear
out. So instead of the Hardrock I was seriously looking at, I bought the
low end Rockhopper and haven't regretted it. Since I bought the bike in
2003, I've worn out both rims and upgraded to disk brakes when I
replaced the rims. The cassette isn't too far behind on the replacement
schedule either. I would think the main difference between the Hardrock
and Rockhopper frames would be the weight. You'll also tend to get
better components on the Rockhopper so it's worth the few extra dollars
to go with an entry level Rockhopper instead of a top of the line
Hardrock. I use my bike daily for commuting and weekend rides and it
works well for both. On a sidenote, my bike favors commuting as I don't
usually keep knobbies on it, and have added a rear rack for saddlebags.
Without the saddlebags the bike is about 32lbs.

"MD" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Everything I'm hearing is pointing me in the direction of a mountain
bike. Now, I need to decide whether the Hardrock is the right bike.
I'd hate to get a bike that's too heavy and have it ruin my first
experiences.

Thanks for the replies...

MD said:

Hi All,

After years of skiing and hearing about mountain biking as being a
great sport to compliment skiing, I've decided to try it. I also
live in NYC and would like to use it around town. I've been
considering a hybrid (the Jamis Coda Sport) but also have a friend
that's looking to sell me his unused Specialized Hardrock Sport. I
hear that the Hardrock is heavy so I should look elsewhere. Can
anyone offer a little advice as to the type of bike that I should get
(and even a model, if you can...)? Thanks..

Also, anyone know any good trails in/around NYC for someone to start
out on?