question for roadbikers, cyclists, and mountain bikers

[mastamoose4]

I have been taking my mountain bike out the past couple of years especially during summer time and bike around 30-50 miles some days while averaging around 70-90 hours a week

I have a mountain bike from costco made for off road use and it kills my lower back

I want to take a 3-4 day weekend and bike around 250-350 miles soon, I know I will be needing a new bike for this and I am a college student that has just moved out on his own so I am on a tight budget of around $700 or less, what would any of you suggest?

Thank you for your help I really appreciate it

also if there is such a thing as a bike that makes it easier to bike on the road but that I can still take on mountain trails after being on the road for 30-50 miles, I would really like to know about it

Thanks again, all help appreciated

[FitStick]

There are hybrid bikes, but they really are no good on a trail. I would suggest a mountain bike and change the tires from road to mountain knobby when you get to the trail, if that is an issue for you.

If you are on a budget, I would suggest a used full suspension bike from a reputable (non wal-mart/costco) brand. Or you can get a new or used hard tail, it depends on why your back is hurting. My old bike forced me to sit in a leaned over position, almost craning my neck up to see in front, and that hurt my neck/back after a while. My current bike lets me sit more upright, so make sure you ride the bike and check the size and seated position before you buy it.

As for specific bikes, Specialized makes some good hardtails and full suspension bikes, I ride a GT XCR5000 full suspension. Also, Mongoose sells some decently priced full suspension bikes, just make sure to find them at a bike shop and not at Wal-mart or Costco. They will run somewhere around $700.

[RockyIV]

Originally Posted by mastamoose4

I have been taking my mountain bike out the past couple of years especially during summer time and bike around 30-50 miles some days while averaging around 70-90 hours a week

I have a mountain bike from costco made for off road use and it kills my lower back

I want to take a 3-4 day weekend and bike around 250-350 miles soon, I know I will be needing a new bike for this and I am a college student that has just moved out on his own so I am on a tight budget of around $700 or less, what would any of you suggest?

Thank you for your help I really appreciate it

also if there is such a thing as a bike that makes it easier to bike on the road but that I can still take on mountain trails after being on the road for 30-50 miles, I would really like to know about it

Thanks again, all help appreciated

You can buy a used road bike on Craigslist or something like that. I bough my time-trial/triathlon bike on craigslist with good components for a good deal. Look around and you can find it.

[xc_mtb]

if you really want to have both the street and mountain abilities you're going to need to buy 2 bikes tbh, i cant see one of those hybrids standing up to much more than a smooth path. as for the mountainbike, you could find something in the specialized hardrock or rockhopper series that would fit your budget

[mastamoose4]

thanx guys, heres some green pills

[US_Ranger]

For 700 dollars you can get a really nice and new front suspension bike from almost every major brand. Specialized, Trek, Giant, etc all have good bikes for under 700 that will last you a long time. I still have my Specialized Rockhopper from 2004. The only major problem in the last 5 years is a bent rim and that was from a nice little full speed downhill crash. You get what you pay for with mountain bikes and a lot of places will give you free tune ups if you buy from them. That will save you cash in the long run. I suggest you look at the '09 Specialized Rockhopper.

[Ultra_Magnus]

http://shop.ebay.com/items/__motobec...&_sop=16&_sc=1

Are a fantastic bargain. Compare the componants to bikes twice there price (Specialized, Trek, Giant, etc).

[ratmonkey]

as a general rule, bikes designed for great performance are very uncomfortable for the average joe rider.
my personal suggestion is get something with a good frame construction and the best front fork(if you go suspension) in the price class you're looking at.

research, research, research. mtbr.com is an excellent resource.

[UberBerzerker]

Originally Posted by ratmonkey

as a general rule, bikes designed for great performance are very uncomfortable for the average joe rider.
my personal suggestion is get something with a good frame construction and the best front fork(if you go suspension) in the price class you're looking at.

research, research, research. mtbr.com is an excellent resource.

quoted for truth.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=443860

My advice: stick to front suspension only for your first bike. Full suspension is something you work up to once you've ridden for a while and your style of riding or terrain dictates you have one. Road and trail combo riding doesn't warrant a full suspension. You will be able to get more bike if you don't get full suspension, or an extra set of wheels on which to install road riding tires. Plus, it will be lighter with no rear suspension and most likely easier to ride on the road because you won't lose efficiency from pedaling into the rear suspension (most lower end fully suspended bikes that I've seen don't have fully lockable rear suspensions, correct me if I'm wrong) Find a real bike store, try some bikes out, ride them around the parking lot. Be careful ordering from online bike sources, you could get something that doesn't fit and have a problem returning it, or it cost you a fortune to ship back. Every good bike can have the seat height adjusted as well as slid forward and back for adjusting reach to the handlebars. If that doesn't work, have a different length stem (connects handlebar to bike) installed, longer stem = more lean over and reach, shorter = less reach a bit more upright seating position. You could also change out handlebars to the riser style if you're that hard up to adjust the comfort. Every bike has different geometry, or length of tubes and angles at which they intersect. Its not easy to find one that fits properly, that's why a bike store that will take some measurements is a good place to start. You'll be uncomfortable to start with while your body adjusts to the new sport - just like lifting weights, muscles will ache. Once you're do it a few times you'll be all set.

If you can get a higher end used bike from craigslist or the like, go for it. Just make sure they let you ride it and do some shifting on it so you know it works and wasn't crashed - check to make sure it doesn't look bent or dimpled anywhere it shouldn't be. You may have to take it to a bike dealer for that part, they have tools that check alignment.

Good luck, post back here with any more questions

[Turbomunkey]

hardtail is going to be your best bet as stated above.