mountain bike

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 11:15 am

I've been thinking about forgoing autox this year and trying out a new sport. I will be doing a few of the track events this year. I see several of you posting on FB about riding mountain bikes and hitting several different areas around Raleigh. Back in high school and college, that's all I ever rode was my bike. Heck, I still have my first "nice" road bike, a burnt orange colored Jenuet "french comet" that I bought back in '72. I've been riding bikes on and off over the years and I find I miss it. Speaking of FB and forums, is there a good local forum for bike info?

I bought a decent Giant mountain back on my 40th bday, but it was an impulse buy and the frame I bought was too small. I've never been able to get it configured to where I'm comfortable w/ the seat and handle bars, there's too much pressure on my hands and wrists and they wind up hurting after I ride.

So I'm thinking about buying a nice bike, but I'd like to buy used, I know new bikes are running a grand or so. I figure used would be around 300-600. That said, I've not watched for the latest trend in mountain bikes. What's a good brand and features to look for now? Any good websites to look at?

What area's around Raleigh do you ride on? I'll need some beginner trails to start while I get my body back into shape. Appreciate any feedback you can offer.

Brett_Murphy · **Joined:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:02 pm **Posts:** 355

It's been a while since I rode, but I had a Trek mountain bike that was great in Upstate NY, but it was geared too low for distance riding in the NC Piedmont.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 2:12 pm

Lake Crabtree park to me is the best starter place for off road. I have taken my kids and some guys i work with and it hasnt been to much.

http://www.trianglemtb.com is a decent local forum. Keith, Matt, and Karl will have tons more information than me. But that should be a good starting area.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:44 pm

wow, did some looking at mountain bike prices, are you kidding me? 3k-9k for a freaking bike? Do you know the crap I can buy for that mustang at those prices? Would not have believed they are that expensive. damn....

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:49 pm

if you think that is bad, look at Tom Hoope's set up, and Donnie Barnes. hahahhahaha

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:43 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

wow, did some looking at mountain bike prices, are you kidding me? 3k-9k for a freaking bike? Do you know the crap I can buy for that mustang at those prices? Would not have believed they are that expensive. damn....

Look on craigslist. You can find nice bikes for cheap and there are plenty of new bikes at the shops for less than $1000. The $3-9k bikes are for people that ride a lot and want the top of the line.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:55 pm

Why do you people keep saying "$3-9k"? There are several MTBs with MSRPs over $10k now. :evil:

I'd say thinking you're going to get something you'll really enjoy for $500 may not be reasonable. Getting something for a grand that's used, if you do your shopping right, might be, however. The classified on TriangleMTB is pretty good. But it's pretty slim pickin's for big people most of the time.

At that price, you gotta decide if you need full suspension or not. If you do, you'll end up with some pretty low end components you will be upgrading as you go. If you don't, you can get something fairly decent in terms of components.

I wouldn't recommend getting sucked into trying a single speed bike...those are for the hard core only. Can be attractive due to price and simplicity, but you gotta be hard core. Some folks love it. I have one and enjoy it occasionally, but that's it.

Crabtree is a good starter trail. It's even fine for advanced folks, but better when not crowded if you're advanced, anyway. And there are a lot of not-so-legal trails in that same area that are great once you get a little more advanced (ie. bored with Crabtree), too.

--Donnie

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 10:53 pm

Thanks Donnie, appreciate the feedback. Single speed? No way. I need gears to ease the pain. I figured finding a tall frame is going to be an issue. I'll have to wade into these waters carefully... I've been watching CL, but I need more schooling on what's good/bad/ok. There's new brands out there I've not heard of before.

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Quote:

I've been thinking about forgoing autox this year and trying out a new sport. I will be doing a few of the track events this year. I see several of you posting on FB about riding mountain bikes and hitting several different area

Whoa.....say it ain't so!
You do realze that there is significant physical exertion (God forbid exercise) involved in mountain biking.
If your goal is exercise, then even an inexpensive bike will wear your butt out. Spending more is all about comfort and speed (and maybe reliability). Find a frame that fits and have some fun. Unless you want to race you can be happy with a cheaper bike; just don't ride with folks who have nicer bikes who are faster than you. It only hurts when they have to wait for you to catch up; they're resting and you are still struggling to catch up.
Cheap a.. bike rider,
Charlie G

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 2:24 pm

Charlie Guthrie wrote:

Quote:

I've been thinking about forgoing autox this year and trying out a new sport. I will be doing a few of the track events this year. I see several of you posting on FB about riding mountain bikes and hitting several different area

Whoa.....say it ain't so!
You do realze that there is significant physical exertion (God forbid exercise) involved in mountain biking.
If your goal is exercise, then even an inexpensive bike will wear your butt out. Spending more is all about comfort and speed (and maybe reliability). Find a frame that fits and have some fun. Unless you want to race you can be happy with a cheaper bike; just don't ride with folks who have nicer bikes who are faster than you. It only hurts when they have to wait for you to catch up; they're resting and you are still struggling to catch up.
Cheap a.. bike rider,
Charlie G

Like I said, "I've been thinking about...." but I imagine as soon as I miss an event, I'll be regretting it. I have a few style mods planned for the mustang, but nothing performance planned right now. I do want to get some decent track seats that has the sub-belt pass thru and a roll bar, but that's 2 grand I don't have to spend right now.

In regard to bikes, I'm looking at CL to try to find a decent bike, but right now they are either too expensive or shorter frames. I may just put a springer fork on the current bike and call it done and work w/ the smaller frame. Maybe a riser handle bar to bring my body up some.

Brett_Murphy · **Joined:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:02 pm **Posts:** 355

I'll chime in with a dissent.

Unless you are a serious rider, you can get a solid new bike for under $1000. Granted, it will be a hard tail, but it will last years if you maintain it. The bike I had was a Trek 850 (circa 1995 of so) and it pounded trails in the Adirondacks, Green Mountains and put in tons of miles on pavement as well. It is still on the road with a different owner, albeit with major components replaced along the way.

Get a good frame, everything else can be swapped.

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 4:12 pm

I think I found the perfect option for Rodney.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mo ... /3_series/

You should have no problem finding one, none of them come with sunroofs.

e:
Just to be clear, I have no idea if that's a good bike or not. I was just making a 3 series headroom joke.

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 4:15 pm

I bought a 29er GT Karakoram from Performance bike for less than $500. i have put a bunch of miles on the bike and love it. You need to stop in at some of the local bike shops and they might be able to get you a good deal on a close out or something like that.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 4:20 pm

jeremy gast wrote:

I bought a 29er GT Karakoram from Performance bike for less than $500. i have put a bunch of miles on the bike and love it. You need to stop in at some of the local bike shops and they might be able to get you a good deal on a close out or something like that.

Friend at work mentioned performance bikes. Right now they are having a sale, but stated the new bikes were still in the 700-1000 range. He also mentioned the new 29" wheeled bikes. Not sure about those. Seems there would be some additional flex since there's more distance from the rim to the hub.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 4:23 pm

JamesMilko wrote:

I think I found the perfect option for Rodney.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mo ... /3_series/

You should have no problem finding one, none of them come with sunroofs.

e:
Just to be clear, I have no idea if that's a good bike or not. I was just making a 3 series headroom joke.

lol... either way I actually like the looks of that bike, especially the brakes. If you nick a wheel, the standard type rim brakes are going to complain every time you hit the brakes. Something to consider.

A 3 series bike.... gotta love that...

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