Looking for a new Bike

Dish said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Thanks....

At your price level you should see if your LBS has any used bikes.
Sometimes they have "trade ins" or have one on consignment for a
regular customer. If it is a reliable shop they will make sure it is
in working order.

gds said:

Dish said:

Hi,

Quoted message said:

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Quoted message said:

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Quoted message said:

Thanks....

At your price level you should see if your LBS has any used bikes.
Sometimes they have "trade ins" or have one on consignment for a
regular customer. If it is a reliable shop they will make sure it is
in working order.

What price range should i be looking at if i want to get a new
beginner bike??

Dish said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Thanks....

Your price point will make this tough, but not impossible. Avoid Wal-
Mart/Costco/Discount-Land at all costs. Check your local shops, and
see about used gear as gds suggested. If your local shop doesn't have
anything used, try expanding your search to a couple semi-local big
cities, and do your phone-footwork before you go looking in person.
You should be able to snag a decent used hardtail in that price area,
if you put the time in. Anything new at that cost will be
questionable at best, and most likely a complete POS. It's also
likely to either never see more than 100 miles, or get discarded
within a year.

If you really can't believe the Walgoose/Mongoose is a total waste of
money, try to find a department store that will let you ride the $200
bike. Go from that ride directly to a local bike shop, which should
have no issues allowing you to test ride something there. The
difference will be astounding.

If you really, really can't find anything used at a shop, use a local
shop to determine your size and then hit the used market.

The Specialized Hardrock is known to be a pretty good entry-level
bike, and will do you right through quite a few years of faithful
service. They can be had new for under $400, so you may be able to
find a leftover if you stretch the budget a bit or a used version with
leftover $ for the shoes & helmet if you can scour up the deal.

Good luck, and happy riding.

Quoted post said:

Dish said:

Hi,

Quoted message said:

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Quoted message said:

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Quoted message said:

Thanks....

Your price point will make this tough, but not impossible. Avoid Wal-
Mart/Costco/Discount-Land at all costs. Check your local shops, and
see about used gear as gds suggested. If your local shop doesn't have
anything used, try expanding your search to a couple semi-local big
cities, and do your phone-footwork before you go looking in person.
You should be able to snag a decent used hardtail in that price area,
if you put the time in. Anything new at that cost will be
questionable at best, and most likely a complete POS. It's also
likely to either never see more than 100 miles, or get discarded
within a year.

If you really can't believe the Walgoose/Mongoose is a total waste of
money, try to find a department store that will let you ride the $200
bike. Go from that ride directly to a local bike shop, which should
have no issues allowing you to test ride something there. The
difference will be astounding.

If you really, really can't find anything used at a shop, use a local
shop to determine your size and then hit the used market.

The Specialized Hardrock is known to be a pretty good entry-level
bike, and will do you right through quite a few years of faithful
service. They can be had new for under $400, so you may be able to
find a leftover if you stretch the budget a bit or a used version with
leftover $ for the shoes & helmet if you can scour up the deal.

Good luck, and happy riding.

Thanks that helps...

let me go and see what i can find....

Thanks again

Dish said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

First question: are you buying a mtb because you plan on actually off
roading, or due to fashion reasons? If you are actually going to go on
trails, then an entry level Specialized Hardrock can handle non-
technical stuff just fine. If you want absolute simplicity and
durability, a Redline single speed Monocog is unbeatable. The reviews
of it say it all:
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/singlespeed/product_123805.shtml

Either the Specialized or the Redline should run around $400.

If you aren't going off road, then there are all sorts of nice do-
everything hybrids between the $3-400 mark. A hybrid with fenders and
a rack is good for everything from riding to the store, to even a
short tour or a simple exercise ride. I'm partial to the Marin
Belvedere that runs $500 as it comes with color matched elegant
aluminum fenders and that gives it an old fashioned elegance. It begs
to be ridden, regardless of whether you're wearing a tux or spandex.

Consider used if your budget is limited. $250 doesn't buy anything new
worth riding, IMHO.

landotter said:

First question: are you buying a mtb because you plan on actually off
roading, or due to fashion reasons? If you are actually going to go on
trails, then an entry level Specialized Hardrock can handle non-
technical stuff just fine. If you want absolute simplicity and
durability, a Redline single speed Monocog is unbeatable. The reviews
of it say it all:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/singlespeed/product_123805.shtml

While that may be a good bike for you or me, I find it difficult to
imagine it fitting the needs of the OP. If they're just getting back
into biking & buying their first bike for "entry level" riding, it
seems unlikely to me they'll be able to do anything on a singlespeed
that a Hardrock wouldn't be up to. Singlespeed offroad, IMO, is
something that's more for the die-hards - especially in the hills. I
think pushing uphill could take a lot of the spirit out of a newbie
starting off. On the other hand, once that taste for suffering is
developed, singlespeeding can be a genuinely miserable stand-up great
time. I love my SS road bike, but am not ready for the SS MTB just
yet.

If the OP is not looking to ride real off-road, you have some great
suggestions in the hybrid market.

Dish said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Thanks....

You can get a new bike for not much more than that if you do your
homework and shop around. Buying used is great, if you can find
something nice.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted post said:

If you really can't believe the Walgoose/Mongoose is a total waste of
money, try to find a department store that will let you ride the $200
bike. Go from that ride directly to a local bike shop, which should
have no issues allowing you to test ride something there. The
difference will be astounding.

If you really, really can't find anything used at a shop, use a local
shop to determine your size and then hit the used market.

Even bottom-end Name Brand bikes have their weaknesses.
Sometimes they appear to be the same as a few models up
the product line, except components are replaced with
cheesy cheap junk to lower the price. Especially
disposable cranksets where the chainrings are riveted
together, and wear out in no time at all.

I think a better quality, used/reconditioned bike from
a reputable shop that stands behind their service is
the best way for the Original Poster to go.

cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

Quoted post said:

landotter said:

First question: are you buying a mtb because you plan on actually off
roading, or due to fashion reasons? If you are actually going to go on
trails, then an entry level Specialized Hardrock can handle non-
technical stuff just fine. If you want absolute simplicity and
durability, a Redline single speed Monocog is unbeatable. The reviews
of it say it all:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/singlespeed/product_123805.shtml

While that may be a good bike for you or me, I find it difficult to
imagine it fitting the needs of the OP. If they're just getting back
into biking & buying their first bike for "entry level" riding, it
seems unlikely to me they'll be able to do anything on a singlespeed
that a Hardrock wouldn't be up to. Singlespeed offroad, IMO, is
something that's more for the die-hards - especially in the hills. I
think pushing uphill could take a lot of the spirit out of a newbie
starting off. On the other hand, once that taste for suffering is
developed, singlespeeding can be a genuinely miserable stand-up great
time. I love my SS road bike, but am not ready for the SS MTB just
yet.

My way of looking at it was that though you might have to dismount and
walk a few hills, you'll at least have an affordable and utterly
reliable drivetrain. If running with your bikes is good enough for
psycho Brits in wintertime, it's good enough for us! It would be
challenging with the rolling hills here in Tennessee, that's for sure,
but a lot of places are flatter. I'm actually considering one of the
29'er Monocogs for summer, as I'm so pleased with the ruggedness of
the Redline fixie I got last fall.

It is true that even the cheaper Shimano drivetrains all shift pretty
nice these days, even on the $300 entry level bikes at the LBS and
REI. Wish I'd had that in the beforetime when I got into mtb'ing and
we shifted friction with our thumbs. :-P

Quoted post said:

landotter said:

First question: are you buying a mtb because you plan on actually off
roading, or due to fashion reasons? If you are actually going to go on
trails, then an entry level Specialized Hardrock can handle non-
technical stuff just fine. If you want absolute simplicity and
durability, a Redline single speed Monocog is unbeatable. The reviews
of it say it all:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/singlespeed/product_123805.shtml

While that may be a good bike for you or me, I find it difficult to
imagine it fitting the needs of the OP. If they're just getting back
into biking & buying their first bike for "entry level" riding, it
seems unlikely to me they'll be able to do anything on a singlespeed
that a Hardrock wouldn't be up to. Singlespeed offroad, IMO, is
something that's more for the die-hards - especially in the hills. I
think pushing uphill could take a lot of the spirit out of a newbie
starting off. On the other hand, once that taste for suffering is
developed, singlespeeding can be a genuinely miserable stand-up great
time. I love my SS road bike, but am not ready for the SS MTB just
yet.

My way of looking at it was that though you might have to dismount and
walk a few hills, you'll at least have an affordable and utterly
reliable drivetrain. If running with your bikes is good enough for
psycho Brits in wintertime, it's good enough for us! It would be
challenging with the rolling hills here in Tennessee, that's for sure,
but a lot of places are flatter. I'm actually considering one of the
29'er Monocogs for summer, as I'm so pleased with the ruggedness of
the Redline fixie I got last fall.

It is true that even the cheaper Shimano drivetrains all shift pretty
nice these days, even on the $300 entry level bikes at the LBS and
REI. Wish I'd had that in the beforetime when I got into mtb'ing and
we shifted friction with our thumbs. :-P

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

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

If you don't necessarily want a *mountain* bike, but just plan to cruise
around the neighborhood and the local rail-trails, then how about:

A comfort bike:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8001&catalogId=40000008001&productId=48022548&parent_category_rn=22000180

Or a cruiser:
http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/48137917.htm?vcat=OUTLET_SSHP_CYCLING_SA

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

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

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Thanks....

Where are you? I would use Craigslist. or if in BC
http://www.cycling.bc.ca/index.php?id=155

Where I got my Trek 1500. Posting is free
There is someone on van.forsale selling 3 new MTBs for $119

You can probably find something easy to ride for 50 bucks at a garage
sale. Just make sure you can stand with the bike between your legs to
check the frame size. Skip all the fancy shock forks, etc., as, for 50
bucks, if you wreck it in the woods, big deal.

Dish said:

Hi,

I have just started getting into bicycling, and am looking to buy a
new mountain bike. Since this is the first time i'm buying a bike i
have no clue which bike to go for and what options are available. i'm
looking to spend somewhere around $200 - $250.

Can some guide me in the right direction and help me get a bike
suitable for an entry lever biker...

Thanks....