Mountain bike selection help

[Haywood Jablome]

Anyone have any good suggestions for a mountain bike for me?
I would use it mainly for commuting to work, but I also like to shred in the mountains about a dozen times during the summer.

I want a hard tail, and I want a light bike, and hope to stay <$1000.

Reps will be given out for help

[Stu Pidasso]

I got a Kona chute hardtail I am about to sell. It is totally bad a$$. I custom built it myself. It is a size 17. I have about $2,000 invested in all the parts on it. I rode it for about 6 months and parked it. At the time I was riding a Santa Cruz Bullit. It has Mavic 321 rims, hope bulb hubs, shimano deore rear derailure, shimano xt front derailure, raceface prodigy downhill cranks, shram rocket grip shifts front and rear, maxxis highroller tires, hayes mag-9 brakes 8" front 6" rear. Selle Italia saddle, thomson seat post, titec bars and odi loc on grips. I am sending it off with a Shimano Saint rear derailure, and extra rear wheel which is on the bike right now (hope rear hub needs rebuild) the current rear hub is Shimano deore. Oh yeah and a FSA Pig sealed bearing headset. This bike is bad. As far as advice on finding a new bike. Scope out Specialized hardrock, and Kona Cinder Cone. Both of those get you riding for less than a grand and are very user friendly. I am selling my ride for $800.

[Stu Pidasso]

I would recommend not getting any bike with components that are less than Deore in quality. If you buy a bike with Shram components they are awesome. Just remember that it is better to go with a less fancy bike with great parts. Parts are what wear out and end up costing you. I have broken 1 frame and it was a downhill bike. You will not be destroying frames from what you have said you will be doing with it. Also don't just get talked into some bike by a salesman. Get on it ride it and make sure the bike and you feel good together. "Oh you will get used to it" Does not apply to this one. You get used to your butt being on the saddle, your palms get used to rubbing the grips, you don't get used to crappy parts, and improper fit.

[Fuelish]

I would recommend not getting any bike with components that are less than Deore in quality. If you buy a bike with Shram components they are awesome. .

I recommend getting Shimano LX parts at minimum (step up from Deore....Deore is OK, but heavier and not as refined as LX or XT.....if you drop near a $$$$grand on a hardtail, it had BETTER not have Deore parts on it...LOL) And the company is SRAM, not Shram....makes you sound as if you don't know wtf you're talking 'bout there, pal . Not to mention that SRAM makes parts for all price ranges from department store bikes to top o' the line race equipment.....just the name is meaningless...
To the op - there a LOT of GREAT hardtails available from all the major manufacturers at under $1000....Trek, Gary Fisher, Specialized, Cannondale, etc...check 'em all out and test ride a lot of different bikes (as many as possible), as they all "fit" differently, and proper fit is key to an enjoyable bike

[youm0nt]

its best that you visit your local bike shop.ask them what you need and you will get a high quality bike.you will also probably get free tuneups,bike fitting, and a great warranty.do not go to a toysrus,walmart,kmart,target,sears for a bike.

[Stu Pidasso]

Wow Fuelish you are rude as hell. I would act link a dink for your insulting post but that is not what I do. I will appologize for mispelling Sram and as far as Deore' components go if you pay attention to what was originally posted. ("would use it mainly for commuting to work") Deore' will do fine and wont brake the bank. As a matter of fact the Deore on my bike is my spare because my XT got bent. I would run the Saint but I never put a through axle in my rear hub. I guess next time I am not knowing what I am talking about I will just go back to building wheelsets and remember my need for humility.

[Fuelish]

Hey, Stu.....sorry if I came off a little heavy - no offense intended, really, and I apologize ....... the original poster was talking about hopefully staying under $1000, which made me feel he'd be willing to spend that much, and there's no place for Deore components on a $1000 hardtail, that's all.
As far as picking on your misspelling SRAM, welll.....am gonna have to blame that one on having had a few "adult beverages" Again, I apologize....I'm not really a prick....honest

[skeletore84]

Anyone have any good suggestions for a mountain bike for me?
I would use it mainly for commuting to work, but I also like to shred in the mountains about a dozen times during the summer.

I want a hard tail, and I want a light bike, and hope to stay <$1000.

Reps will be given out for help

I also comute to and from work, round trip of 32 miles. The bike I got is a Trek 8000 LT but I know this is much more than your looking to spend so I recomend this one Trek 4900™. It retails for around$620.00 Its a good bike for pounding the pavement and hitting the hard trails.
This one sounds just like what your looking for. Not bad for the price either.http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1032600&f=19

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1037600&f=19


And if that one won't do then just look at the entire selection right here.
http://www2.trekbikes.com/

[skeletore84]

do not go to a toysrus,walmart,kmart,target,sears for a bike.

ROFL!!!
What about yardsale or pawn shop? LOL!!

[Haywood Jablome]

Thanks for all the replies, fellas

I went to a bike shop today and the guy suggested a Kona Cinder Cone:
http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...0&parentid=182

What do you think? I do like that it has disc brakes.......

[Haywood Jablome]

I recomend this one Trek 4900™. It retails for around$620.00 Its a good bike for pounding the pavement and hitting the hard trails.
This one sounds just like what your looking for. Not bad for the price either.http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1032600&f=19

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1037600&f=19


And if that one won't do then just look at the entire selection right here.
http://www2.trekbikes.com/

Cool, I'll check that one out too

[Stu Pidasso]

I do beleive I suggested that bike to you captain!! A Cinder Cone is a great bike and the geometry of the frame easy to get used to.

[sLiPkNoT Fan]

Thanks for all the replies, fellas

I went to a bike shop today and the guy suggested a Kona Cinder Cone:
http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...0&parentid=182

What do you think? I do like that it has disc brakes.......

Hey bro, I have a Cinder Cone. It is a really good bike. I have the 2005 model which has mechanical disc and a rear XT derailer. The 2006 model has hydraulic disc and a rear LX derailer. No big deal, I just prefer mechanical to hydraulic as they are easier to service myself. I am unsure of the distance you commute, but with the knobby wide tires the ride can be physical. Like I said before, my road bike is more then twice as fast, but not as comfortable a ride due to the hard, high pressure tires. Here is a picture of my bikes. Note the AC / DC poster I hung up last week(it is 20 years old) My wife hates it.

[mntbikedude]

There's alot of good choices in that price range. I would look at a Specialized Hardrock, and the Raleigh M80. Those are just two that I like. Bikeforums.net is also a good resource.

[Haywood Jablome]

I do beleive I suggested that bike to you captain!! A Cinder Cone is a great bike and the geometry of the frame easy to get used to.

ha ha - maybe I should read my own thread!!

[Haywood Jablome]

mm hmm - nice weed wacker


nice collection though

Ya, I thought about getting a road bike, but its just the fact that they're so limited in use.......
I figure I'll get a decent XC now, and maybe down the road add a road bike

Hey bro, I have a Cinder Cone. It is a really good bike. I have the 2005 model which has mechanical disc and a rear XT derailer. The 2006 model has hydraulic disc and a rear LX derailer. No big deal, I just prefer mechanical to hydraulic as they are easier to service myself. I am unsure of the distance you commute, but with the knobby wide tires the ride can be physical. Like I said before, my road bike is more then twice as fast, but not as comfortable a ride due to the hard, high pressure tires. Here is a picture of my bikes. Note the AC / DC poster I hung up last week(it is 20 years old) My wife hates it.

[jimmyjames]

In another thread a while back I was asking for help with selected a mountain bike. I posted that I was a novice and really had no clue about Mountain Bikes so another member posted this link for me. I learned alot from this Mountain Bike forum. Btw I decieded to get a Cannondale jekyl. Got it rather cheap too.
http://www.bikeforums.net/

[Fuelish]

In another thread a while back I was asking for help with selected a mountain bike. I posted that I was a novice and really had no clue about Mountain Bikes so another member posted this link for me. I learned alot from this Mountain Bike forum. Btw I decieded to get a Cannondale jekyl. Got it rather cheap too.
http://www.bikeforums.net/

Another great forum for mountainbikes is mountainbikereview www.mtbr.com ....very large forums geared to every aspect of the sport, along with equipment/bike reiviews, trail reviews, and they have a whole slew of sister sites as well, such as roadbikes and assorted stuff like photography, etc. If you are serious about or mountainbike, check out mtbr .... people get a little testy on the forums at times (.....but not as bad as here..!!!! LOL !!!!)

[skeletore84]

Another great forum for mountainbikes is mountainbikereview www.mtbr.com ....very large forums geared to every aspect of the sport, along with equipment/bike reiviews, trail reviews, and they have a whole slew of sister sites as well, such as roadbikes and assorted stuff like photography, etc. If you are serious about or mountainbike, check out mtbr .... people get a little testy on the forums at times (.....but not as bad as here..!!!! LOL !!!!)

In another thread a while back I was asking for help with selected a mountain bike. I posted that I was a novice and really had no clue about Mountain Bikes so another member posted this link for me. I learned alot from this Mountain Bike forum. Btw I decieded to get a Cannondale jekyl. Got it rather cheap too.
http://www.bikeforums.net/

Good links guys I am going to check both of them out later.

[mike_d]

Nice bike Haywood! And Slipknot, nice collection you got there


I just bought a bike recently...





Giant Boulder, it seems like a good bike for the price range ($350CDN). I'm pretty broke right now being a fulltime student but I love biking. Eventually I'll probably sell or upgrade this bike for a better mountain bike. I also have dreams of adding a street bike to the collection too


www.bikeforums.net is good, i've been on there for a while. I gotta check out www.mtbr.com too, I was just looking for new bike forums the other day.

[Thordic]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...cane/700ds.htm I bought this bike, I really like it. free shipping too

[blood vs. water]

i had a trek mountain bike back in the day. unfortunately, i don't remember what model or year it was. it was good though, never had any problems with it.

haywood i hope you have a nice wall mount to go with that bike

[Haywood Jablome]

i had a trek mountain bike back in the day. unfortunately, i don't remember what model or year it was. it was good though, never had any problems with it.

haywood i hope you have a nice wall mount to go with that bike

ya, once we get into our house I will

I think I'm going to test ride the Kona Cinder Cona and Specialized Hard Rock and go from there. My Oryx I have now is too small........

[sLiPkNoT Fan]

ya, once we get into our house I will

I think I'm going to test ride the Kona Cinder Cona and Specialized Hard Rock and go from there. My Oryx I have now is too small........

I was sold on the Cinder Cone when I rode it. It feels solid and the riding position was what I liked. I used to race BMX bikes and the Kona felt like a big BMX bike. Treks are good too, but it all comes down to what it feels like, price and components. Nothing less then Deore Haywood, even better is LX and then XT. Sram is also getting popular, but I am unsure what there numbers mean in regards to quality.

[ratmonkey]

for commuting and at a price point under 1k i would avoid disc brakes.

[Haywood Jablome]

for commuting and at a price point under 1k i would avoid disc brakes.

really, why?

[mcxk]

I guess cuz disc brakes add a considerable amount of weight. However I personally wouldn't avoid them considering you live in Calgary since they work well in the weather conditions over there. But if you were commuting in regular conditions there would be no use of them really, as you can just modulate your brakes and lock them up when you need to. As for best mountain bikes under 1000$ you should check this out http://www.dirtragmag.com/forums/showthread.php?p=59129

Have fun and good luck

[ratmonkey]

really, why?

they add cost that would be better shunted to a better frame/suspension/drivetrain, weight is not a factor with most bikes you'd be using for commuting.
if you aren't thrashing about in severe conditions, disc brakes are just too much for the job. a good set of v's will lock up just fine in even wet conditions. disc brakes have the advantage of not needing a perfectly true tire, so you can bend a rim somewhat while riding hard in the woods and not have to worry about it, and they'll lock up in any weather condition. they are also more expensive for upkeep.

[fat_tyre_flyer]

they add cost that would be better shunted to a better frame/suspension/drivetrain, weight is not a factor with most bikes you'd be using for commuting.
if you aren't thrashing about in severe conditions, disc brakes are just too much for the job. a good set of v's will lock up just fine in even wet conditions. disc brakes have the advantage of not needing a perfectly true tire, so you can bend a rim somewhat while riding hard in the woods and not have to worry about it, and they'll lock up in any weather condition. they are also more expensive for upkeep.

Yep good advice...
And just to expand on the expensive bit... if you are using the bike for commuting then you are going to be stopping a lot which means more wear on the brakes.

Disc brake pads are a lot more expensive than v-brake pads and the chances are you will wear through the rotors fast as well. Road grit does a pretty good job of that.

Just something else to consider.

[PennState]

I would def. look at the cannondale F line of bikes. You should be able to get a midrange F bike for about 1000. They are solid, and cannondale frames come with a lifetime warranty.
As for components, if you only plan to shred offroad a handful of times each year it won't really matter what you have so much. Most likely it will come with a mix of Shimano LX and XT parts. XT rear, LX front, deore shifters. Something along those lines should be fine. Personally as for commuting you should just go to your nearest walmart and get a good hardtail from them. I don't know about you, but where i commute around (a college campus) i would never ever let one of my good bikes out of my sight. lock or no lock. I commute on an old 1980's pugeot frame converted to a single speed. Light, east to pedal, no parts to break really, and i can hang with traffic all over campus. (please please please when you commute don't ride the sidewalks, unless you are on a highway overpass)

So thats my best advice, get a crappy bike to commute on. and get a decent bike to haul around trails on. Then again i don't understand how you could only trial ride a hangful of times each year. Its too addicting to do it that little.

My take on disc brakes, get good mechanical discs for the good bike (avid BB7's, its the standard in mech discs.) And yes they are made my Sram(same company that owns rock shox too) But that is the gold standard in mech discs. You prolly won't be in the price range of hydro disc brakes. Plus unless you are real hardcore they are not necessary, adjusting and bleeding can be annoying. Especially if the shop that puts them on for you doesn't do a good job. Weight really doesn't matter. Until you get into the really expensive bikes all XC hardtails under 1000 will be more of less the same.

Not to brag, just to let you know the credentials so you don't think i am just some kid posting out his a$$. I own a myriad of bikes and am a sponsered racer for a local shop at home. I've also been doing it for the past 7 years. Been obsessed with it for the past 2 years.

www.mtbr.com like said before is the end all of mountain biking on the web. No comparisons.

i'll leave you with this quote from kieth bontrager
"light, cheap, strong...pick two"