Choosing new mountain bike.

[vjump1]

Hello,

My husband and I (mid-40's)are looking for good entry level mountain
bikes. We will be mostly riding park trails:single tracks, packed,
paved, sandy conditions, etc. We are both new at mountain biking, but
I believe I would be a little more agressive than my husband. We have
been looking at Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, GF Marlin, and Kona
Fire Mountain. My husband is leaning toward the Marlin or Fire
Mountain-he likes how they feel.

It seems (I think)that most of these are about the same and that we
pretty much have to find the one that feels the best for us, but I was
wondering if any one of these have better components or frames over
the other that we have been looking at. I noticed that all of them
have lifetime warranties on frames except for the Kona, which are five
years. At our level, will this make much of a difference?

I had also tried a Womens Rockhopper, but felt I was going over the
handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
womans style for me, would not let me test the regular. He stated most
women are short-waisted and weigh less so this would be what I would
use. (BTW-I am 5'6", 175 lbs, and don't consider myself to be
short-waisted.)

Any suggestions would be appreciated,
Thank you
vjump1

 

[small change]

vjump1 wrote:
> Hello,
> My husband and I (mid-40's)are looking for good entry level mountain
> bikes. We will be mostly riding park trails:single tracks, packed,
> paved, sandy conditions, etc. We are both new at mountain biking, but
> I believe I would be a little more agressive than my husband.

you go, grrl!

We have
> been looking at Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, GF Marlin, and Kona
> Fire Mountain. My husband is leaning toward the Marlin or Fire
> Mountain-he likes how they feel. It seems (I think)that most of these are
about the same and that we
> pretty much have to find the one that feels the best for us, but I was
> wondering if any one of these have better components or frames over
> the other that we have been looking at.

I'm not familiar with those bikes in particular, perhaps one of the gang can
chime in....
>

I noticed that all of them
> have lifetime warranties on frames except for the Kona, which are five
> years. At our level, will this make much of a difference?

not for you guys unless you are in the clydesdale size range and plan on
riding them hard.
here's an interesting little FAQ that may be useful
http://bbauer.gomen.org/newbike/


>
> I had also tried a Womens Rockhopper, but felt I was going over the
> handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
> womans style for me, would not let me test the regular. He stated most
> women are short-waisted and weigh less so this would be what I would
> use. (BTW-I am 5'6", 175 lbs, and don't consider myself to be
> short-waisted.)
>
AHA! You escaped the dreaded " you are female therefore you NEED Women's
Specific Design..." aka, the old "we know what's best for you, little lady"
treatment. I'd advise a different bike shop. If you think they are being
condescending now.. just wait. Curious? You can use the google archives for
the last discussion here on "WSD"... most of us think it's a joke but you
should decide for yourself.


> Any suggestions would be appreciated,

Find a different LBS ( local bike shop) and try a lot of different bikes.
You can try what feels good, great,and uncomfortable. You should feel
comfortable with the folks that work there, like they are looking out for
you not trying to sell you what they think you need.

check my site, I have more info on WSD there.

Penny

--
me and my bike:
www.specialtyoutdoors.com/penny/biking/biking.asp

 

[Scott]

"vjump1" <[email protected]> wrote in message > I had also tried a Womens
Rockhopper, but felt I was going over the
> handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
> womans style for me, would not let me test the regular.

Sounds like you were dealing with an idiot. Just like anything in life bike
sizes are an attempt at meeting the needs of a range of people.

Test what you want and trust what feels good for you.

Lifetime warrantee's don't really mean anything. The Kona is a good frame
especially in your price range.

 

[Mr_Kingkillaha]

but felt I was going over the
handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
womans style for me, would not let me test the regular. I would
use. (BTW-I am 5'6", 175 lbs, and don't consider myself to be
short-waisted.)
vjump1

your dealer is a moron.
What they reccomend for you and what is right for you isn't always the same. I think you should at least test the regular before buying, to make sure you are getting the best ride.

 

[SndSysLtd]

>I had also tried a Womens Rockhopper, but felt I was going over the
>handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
>womans style for me, would not let me test the regular.

My wife and I have been riding for about 15 years. Many styles and brands. I
think everyone is different and needs to try'um before you buy'um. In my
wife's case, she just started riding the women's specific Specialized Epic.
Our local dealer doesn't stock them and tried to talk her out of it. We ordered
it anyway and she thinks it's the best fit and ride she's had.
To each his (her) own. I'm still riding a ten your old Klein Fervor.....but
fixing to take another plung....
Good luck

 

[small change]

SndSysLtd wrote:
>> I had also tried a Womens Rockhopper, but felt I was going over the
>> handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
>> womans style for me, would not let me test the regular.
>
> My wife and I have been riding for about 15 years. Many styles and
> brands. I think everyone is different and needs to try'um before you
> buy'um. In my wife's case, she just started riding the women's
> specific Specialized Epic. Our local dealer doesn't stock them and
> tried to talk her out of it. We ordered it anyway and she thinks it's
> the best fit and ride she's had. To each his (her) own. I'm still
> riding a ten your old Klein Fervor.....but fixing to take another
> plung.... Good luck

The thing that needs to be understood about WSD is that it is for a very
specific body type and set of porportions: short torso long legs. If that's
what gives you a great fit, fine, but it's not for everyone.

Penny

 

[Joel Crum]

[email protected] (vjump1) wrote in news:97e71960.0410032001.554b1c68
@posting.google.com:

> My husband and I (mid-40's)are looking for good entry level mountain
> bikes. We will be mostly riding park trails:single tracks, packed,
> paved, sandy conditions, etc. We are both new at mountain biking, but
> I believe I would be a little more agressive than my husband. We have
> been looking at Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, GF Marlin, and Kona
> Fire Mountain. My husband is leaning toward the Marlin or Fire
> Mountain-he likes how they feel.

FWIW I don't think you really need the sorts of mountain bikes you list
for the kind of trails you describe. Unless money is no object what-so-
ever, I'd recommend you start out with some sort of basic used bike. I'm
thinking no shocks, old style shifters, maybe even old style brakes.
Noodle around on those for a while. Get them adjusted as well as you can.
Learn a thing or two about maintaining them. Learn about fit in general.
Then you can ditch them and buy new a lot more confident about what is or
is not right for you.

Just my two-cents worth, of course. But I'm on my third adult bike now
and I've learned enough to re-think how all my bikes "fit". I don't see
any reason to pay 500 for that education when you can get it for 50.

--
- Joel C.

"I once asked my wife to pose as a writer's model. I thought it terribly
unfair that artists had models and not writers. So she took off her
clothes and posed in the corner while I wrote. (I didn't get a lot
written....)" - Eric Idle

 

[SndSysLtd]

> I don't see
>any reason to pay 500 for that education when you can get it for 50.

Oh, Really??

 

[Joel Crum]

[email protected] (SndSysLtd) wrote in news:20041004162818.08741.00001470
@mb-m13.aol.com:

>> I don't see
>>any reason to pay 500 for that education when you can get it for 50.
>
> Oh, Really??
>

To each his own.

But my sense of a bike's feel developed over a series of bikes. Had I
owned only one of them, I couldn't have told you how close it came to the
perfect fit. (As was the case with my first bike.) I think, if a person
gets their first bike cheaply they'll be able to upgrade more rapidly,
and learn what they really want a lot more quickly then if they were
stuck trying to "get the good" out of an expensive purchase. Of course,
you could (by skill I don't posses, or luck) get the perfect geometry on
your first try, but I don't think that's any less likely with a used
bike, so I don't consider "buy used" to be risky advice.

--
- Joel C.

 

[SndSysLtd]

> so I don't consider "buy used" to be risky advice.

The buy used part isn't what I was talking about. I bought two used bikes from
buddies that got tired of them and still have them both. But they weren't 50
bucks.
I think you should ride what you can afford whether you're just starting out or
been at it a long time. If they've got the bucks to buy something nice, then
they should. Later on they can step up again. I just think it would be a
waste of riding time to start out on a beater bike. Might even discourage
someone from wanting to get into it. But you're right, to each his own.....

 

[Joel Crum]

[email protected] (SndSysLtd) wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>> so I don't consider "buy used" to be risky advice.
>
> The buy used part isn't what I was talking about. I bought two used
> bikes from buddies that got tired of them and still have them both.
> But they weren't 50 bucks.

Good thing I didn't type the long version of my experiences then. ;-)

50 was just a wild guess. One of my bikes is used and it cost $800 (that
model is over 2K list). OTOH there are bikes on e-bay for $1. I suppose
the average is 400, but - eh - like a say it was a wild guess.

> I think you should ride what you can afford whether you're just
> starting out or been at it a long time. If they've got the bucks to
> buy something nice, then they should. Later on they can step up
> again. I just think it would be a waste of riding time to start out
> on a beater bike. Might even discourage someone from wanting to get
> into it.

Yeah, it's a possibility. But people go out and lay down serious cash
and still get discouraged. I think the sport has just got to grab you on
a certain level, and then you buy the good equipment and sort of fall in
love with it again.

Again that's just what happened to me.

> But you're right, to each his own.....

Aye


--
- Joel C.

 

[KJ]

On Sun, 03 Oct 2004 21:01:43 -0700, vjump1 wrote:

> Hello,
>
> My husband and I (mid-40's)are looking for good entry level mountain
> bikes. We will be mostly riding park trails:single tracks, packed,
> paved, sandy conditions, etc. We are both new at mountain biking, but
> I believe I would be a little more agressive than my husband. We have
> been looking at Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, GF Marlin, and Kona
> Fire Mountain. My husband is leaning toward the Marlin or Fire
> Mountain-he likes how they feel.
>
> It seems (I think)that most of these are about the same and that we
> pretty much have to find the one that feels the best for us, but I was
> wondering if any one of these have better components or frames over
> the other that we have been looking at. I noticed that all of them
> have lifetime warranties on frames except for the Kona, which are five
> years. At our level, will this make much of a difference?
>
> I had also tried a Womens Rockhopper, but felt I was going over the
> handlebars. Perhaps it was adjusted wrong, but the LBS insisted on a
> womans style for me, would not let me test the regular. He stated most
> women are short-waisted and weigh less so this would be what I would
> use. (BTW-I am 5'6", 175 lbs, and don't consider myself to be
> short-waisted.)
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated,
> Thank you
> vjump1

I just went through this a few weeks ago myself. I searched and
researched, and was also looking at a Rockhopper, Stumpjumper, and a few
Cannondale rides. After looking through all the paperwork and getting
suggestions like these, what it all came down to was demo riding the bikes
at the dealer. After demo riding, there really was no comparison for me.
To each his/her own, but the Cannondale just 'fit' me right.

As your dealer for a demo ride(s) on several bikes and then trust your own
instincts. From what I can tell, for your purposes any will be made well
enough. If one should fail, you'd likely have ridden it enough to be
quite savvy at that point and would know what you want when you upgrade.

 

[Brandon Huff]

"vjump1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> My husband and I (mid-40's)are looking for good entry level mountain
> bikes. We will be mostly riding park trails:single tracks, packed,
> paved, sandy conditions, etc. We are both new at mountain biking, but
> I believe I would be a little more agressive than my husband. We have
> been looking at Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, GF Marlin, and Kona
> Fire Mountain. My husband is leaning toward the Marlin or Fire
> Mountain-he likes how they feel.

I have a 2000 Kona FireMountain, and it's been awesome. I mainly ride
aggressive cross country trails, and it handles it superbly. The main
weakness was the fork, but the new FireMountains have much better forks.
I've have even used it to 4ft and bigger drops on pavement, and done urban
style riding with it (stairs, walls etc), and the bike handled it fine.
It's not a heavy bike either. For the uses you describe, it would make a
great choice. You also want to consider that the more you ride, you may
find yourself trying more aggressive and adventurous riding than you do now.
But the good news is that the FireMountain gives you lots of room to grow
into more aggressive riding if you want to.

 

[Pizza Man]

[email protected] (vjump1) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Hello,
>
> My husband and I (mid-40's)are looking for good entry level mountain
> bikes. We will be mostly riding park trails:single tracks, packed,
> paved, sandy conditions, etc. We are both new at mountain biking, but
> I believe I would be a little more agressive than my husband. We have
> been looking at Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, GF Marlin, and Kona
> Fire Mountain. My husband is leaning toward the Marlin or Fire
> Mountain-he likes how they feel.
<snip>

Any suggestions would be appreciated,
> Thank you
> vjump1

I've just completed a similar quest (also well into my mid 40s). I
rode a lot of bikes before settling on a Trek 4300. I found the Treks
and GFs to be very similar in feel. I liked the light and lively feel
of both bikes. Money was an issue or I may have purchased the 4500 or
the Marlin. I didn't like the Rockhopper's. They felt heavy and
uninspired while riding. "Ho-hum". The Treks and GFs were "Woo-Hoo". I
tried a Kona smoke (more of an urban Mt bike). It was just plain heavy
and sluggish feeling to me. I also rode competing models by Giant,
Marin, and Raleigh, they were fine, but just didn't have that Trek
"feel".

Also, test the brakes thoroughly. I tried 4 bikes with mechanical
actuated disc brakes. Three of the 4 sucked. The disc on a GF model
was OK. I could barely lock up the rear wheel and forget about doing
any endos over the handlebars with the front brakes. I asked one LBS
if maybe the discs were not broke in, he said they should be fine.
Another LBS tried adjusting over and over again and the brakes were
still mushy and feeble. I imagine that high end discs are superb, but
cheap components are just that. Like that shock on my $300 Trek 4300.
It is fine for me, but they are not going to put a $200 performance
shock on this bike. For my needs I decided that a low end disc brake
setup was a poor option. A top of the line V brake will be cheaper and
likely perform better than entry level disc (my limited experience
anyway. I prefer the simplicity of a V brake and the reduced weight of
the V on the front wheel seems to make it a bit more nimble
(especially when pulling up the front wheel to hop a curb).

Regarding quality, the models you listed are all fine bikes. I would
definitely do some extended test rides and chose the one that feels
best. The one that makes you feel like a kid again. The one that just
begs to be ridden. Only you know which model that is.

Also, expect to upgrade a few components regardless of which bike you
choose. Bikes are cobbled together to meet a price point and the needs
of some average bike rider (who ever that may be). After you own a
bike for a while you may find that saddle just doesn't feel right.
Maybe you could use a slightly different rise to the handle bars or
stem. Maybe the shifters just don't feel right after extended use.
Pick the bike that feels the best, then fine tune to your meet your
individual needs.

Also budget in some $$$ for accessories. Helmets, gloves, locks, new
saddle, racks, bags, tool kits, patch kits, water bottles and holder,
maintenance manuals, who knows maybe some bike clothing (if you are
into that). You get the picture. I dropped about $200 after the bike
sale just on needed accessories.

Have fun and post back when you have made your decision.

Tracy

 

[bri719]

Pizza Man wrote:

>Also, expect to upgrade a few components regardless of which bike you
>choose. Bikes are cobbled together to meet a price point and the needs
>of some average bike rider (who ever that may be). After you own a
>bike for a while you may find that saddle just doesn't feel right.
>Maybe you could use a slightly different rise to the handle bars or
>stem. Maybe the shifters just don't feel right after extended use.
>Pick the bike that feels the best, then fine tune to your meet your
>individual needs.
>
>Also budget in some $$$ for accessories. Helmets, gloves, locks, new
>saddle, racks, bags, tool kits, patch kits, water bottles and holder,
>maintenance manuals, who knows maybe some bike clothing (if you are
>into that). You get the picture. I dropped about $200 after the bike
>sale just on needed accessories.
>
>Have fun and post back when you have made your decision.
>
>Tracy
>
>

really good post P-man, I agree with just about all of it.

and oh....if shopping for a mountain bike never let the seat influence
the bike you buy. sure, components, frame, fork -- all really
important. but unless you're extremely lucky and the bike you want just
happens to come with the exact seat that's going to fit your rear, the
first thing you should do when buying one is change out the seat. you
can either convince the LBS to do it for you (free), or convince them to
swap in a better one for a few bucks more. or if you decide to
substitute one later you can do so inexpensively. it's the same rule of
thumb for pedals and whatnot...

bri

--

* enjoying the karma *
remove LKJSDFJSD from address to email

 

[vjump1]

I want to thank everyone for their posts and suggestions.

We ended up purchasing Kona Fire Mountains after riding different
styles and going back and trying again.

The dealer changed my stem to a longer one that felt a lot better than
what was previously on it. He agreed that with the 16" my knees looked
a bit too close to the bars. He will work with us on any problems and
even teach us how to do any maintenance work. They also have group
rides for various levels of riders.

I have to say, after taking the bike out the next day for our first
ride, I couldn't believe how out of shape we were! And that was on a
paved road!!
But, with continued use, I hope to be able to stay with the group
without dying.

BTW, we found out that the dealer who insisted that I buy WSD is known
for that. Also, you buy what he says or forget it. Needless to say,
we didn't go back.

Thanks again,
vjump1

 

[Nel Brooks]

I'm sure you won't regret your decision. I have a 2000 Kona FireMountain,
and it's been awesome. I mainly ride aggressive cross country trails, and
it handles it superbly. The main weakness was the fork, but the new Fire
Mountains have much better forks (MZ Comp 100mm), and I think these will
handle more than you will need on cross country. I've have even used my
Fire Mountain for 4ft and bigger drops on pavement (with an inferior fork),
and also done urban style riding with it (stairs, walls etc), and the bike
handled it fine. It's not a heavy bike either. For the uses you describe,
it's great choice. You also want to consider that the more you ride, you
may find yourself trying more aggressive and adventurous riding than you do
now. But the good news is that the Fire Mountain gives you lots of room to
grow into more aggressive riding if you want to. Enjoy your new bikes!

"vjump1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to thank everyone for their posts and suggestions.
>
> We ended up purchasing Kona Fire Mountains after riding different
> styles and going back and trying again.