recommend a mountain bike
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Jernik
New member
Wife and I are beginners in the mountain bike world, but we've been happy with our Diamondback Recoil 29's. Full Suspension + disc brakes for well under a grand. But... I think their frame size tops out at 20".
There are others here with more experience and equipment knowledge, I'll also be interested to see their suggestions. You might provide some more info for better feedback... what terrain you ride, how often you ride, any preferences on bike style (full suspension, no suspension, rim size preference, etc...).
Can't say about online retailers. I didn't go that route to get ours.
There are others here with more experience and equipment knowledge, I'll also be interested to see their suggestions. You might provide some more info for better feedback... what terrain you ride, how often you ride, any preferences on bike style (full suspension, no suspension, rim size preference, etc...).
Can't say about online retailers. I didn't go that route to get ours.
hikenbike
New member
After you determine your budget and features, a recommendation is impossible because #1 priority is how it feels to YOU when you ride it. Others opinions and the brand is meaningless if it doesn't feel right. Use a local bike shop (or multiple shops if available) and test ride lots of bikes in your price range. You'll be amazed how different they feel. Some will fit your body geometry and others won't. Don't be in a rush and never buy without test riding thoroughly or you'll end up unhappy. Good luck.
hikenbike
New member
hikenbike
New member
And don't go online as you will inevitably (and probably early on) need your LBS. Get it from them. The support you will get from them is well worth it. Only consider online if you can maintain and repair just about anything yourself. When your flying around on a mountain bike and taking on obstacles you do not want a mechanical failure. While you lie in your hospital bed you'll realize how foolish you were.
GrossMan
New member
+1
Good local bike shops with folks who know their sh!t are invaluable, well worth any extra fee they charge over internet shops. --Don't be afraid to drive a little to find a really good shop. My go-to guys are at a shop 40mins from my house, but they know me and know how I ride; have knowledgeable sales staff and wizards for mechanics.
Once you learn the ropes and are comfortable supporting your MTB habit then look to internet shops.
..there is much humor in this statement
Visit some local shops and maybe attend a local demo event. I know when I used to ride for companies part of our deal was we had to attend and help at product demo days. It was the best was for folks to try different bikes and see what they liked.
Look for events like the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-10-am-specialized-mountain-bike-demo-tickets-17081260510
Look for events like the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-10-am-specialized-mountain-bike-demo-tickets-17081260510
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1engineer
Moderator
Listen to the guys in the above posts like [MENTION=96581]hikenbike[/MENTION]. Test ride, test ride test ride. Why go to a local bike shop (LBS for those of us that have been riding a bit) instead of the internet?
Your bike must fit you (and your riding habits) or else you will hate it and hate to ride it. You asked for a 22" but that is just one dimension out of many that is important for riding enjoyment. What about head tube angle? That is a critical angle that will let you enjoy yourself on a ride or cause you to absolutely hate your bike. Let me explain:
Mountain bikes are built to do different things. Sure, they are all built to ride a trail but it is HOW you ride that trail that matters. Are you a seasoned veteran that races every weekend in the top class? No? How about a casual rider just learning and maybe not in the best physical shape yet? Maybe?
These two examples of riders will use totally different bikes. Sure, the components will be different but that's not the point. The GEOMETRY of the bike will be much different too! One will need a bike that handles like a F1 race car and the other will need a bike that handles like a SUV if they want to enjoy their ride. One of the differences (and one that is hard to see) is head tube, or slacker angle. This is the angle from the head tube (where your handlebars mount) to where the front tire touches the ground. Here's why that is so important:
The first guy, the racing one, will want his front tire tucked back towards the rider really far. Why? Because the bike will be much more responsive on the trail. It will turn quicker and be much faster through the rough stuff. The downside to this bike is you must know how to ride and be in the right physical shape to ride it. It is not a comfortable ride either. You are having to transfer your weight a lot more on this type of bike, meaning that if you are going down a short steep hill (say six feet down) on this bike you will have to move your butt way back behind the seat to keep from going over the bars. Same for climbing, you have to move your weight way forward to keep the front wheel on the ground. Is it fast? You bet but it's not a comfortable ride. Now lets take the second guy, the casual new rider that wants to get back into riding and will start on easy, short rides. He will want a greater slacker angle (only a few degrees can make a huge difference), one that pushes the front wheel away from the rider a bit. It won't be as twitchy when trying to dodge a rock (the other guy just goes over the rock) and when climbing up or dropping down a hill this rider won't have to move near as much to maintain balance.
My point is for a new rider there are several important considerations on geometry that literally will make your ride an enjoyable experience or a hated trudge that you can't wait to finish. Unless you know all this up front then you need the guy at the LBS to help you out. He knows all this and deals with it daily and will put you on the right bike for what you are doing. The best part of dealing with a LBS? When your thingamabob won't move and that whatchamacallit don't turn all you have to do is call the LBS and they will take care of it. Good luck.
Edit: Damn, I spent all this time being nice and helping out a two month old post? FML.
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JeepKiller
New member
Care to make any suggestions of bikes for the latter group? Im interested into getting into mtbing but ive got a limited budget and ive never done it before. Id go to a shop but the closest one is nearly an hour away and I get a solid 13 mpg.
1engineer
Moderator
Greenville should have a good LBS. I have been there once upon a time. Take a look at the Cannondale Trail 5 29'er hard tail. It runs around $750 and is a good starter bike. Down in your area a hard tail is all you need, especially to begin with. I ride up at the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte and over around FT. Mill a lot in the winter.
There are several good bikes to start with in the $750 range as long as you know what to look for.
I googled it and there is a place in Greenville called Freehub Cycles.
JeepKiller
New member
Yea that's the place I found, I'm just way out in the boonies so it's a long drive haha. I'll have to check it out. I'm in high school so even $750 is ALOT haha I'm a waiter so I don't make a ton of money.
1engineer
Moderator
I'm an engineer and $750 is a lot.
But then, maybe I just need a new job.hwell:
Gotcha. You have to remember that in the mountain bike world one really nice rim can cost $900! If you are on a budget then Craigslist or similar is the way to go. Remember you don't need full suspension to have a good bike. A lot of my friends are riding carbon fork NO suspension single speed bikes now. Tell you what: Look on Craigslist in your respective areas, find something in your price range and tag me (@1engineer) in this thread with a link. I will look at it and tell you if it is a decent bike for your needs. There are many here like [MENTION=96581]hikenbike[/MENTION] or [MENTION=113771]AudiTech[/MENTION] and several others that are knowledgable and would be glad to help you get started. You really can't go wrong and most people who have good bikes take care of them. I know down in the Charlotte area there are a lot of "wannabees" who go out and spend several grand on a bike, buy the latest and greatest, ride it a few times and figure out it's too much work and sell them a few years later on Craigslist. Good luck!
JeepKiller
New member
Wow... Thanks I really appreciate it! I'll definitely tag you!
LandCruiser
New member
I like the SOMA Juice 29ers.
They can be built like a SS or a geared.
I run a 1x9.
They can be built like a SS or a geared.
I run a 1x9.
ben550
New member
BrianSD_42
New member
I know there are some that say don't go online but I disagree.
I bought a Trek Road bike from my local shop a few years ago but when it came time to look at Mtn bikes I bought a 29R Hard Tail from BikesDirect (last year) for $1500 and its awesome.
Save Up To 60% Off Road Bikes, Bicycles, Mountain Bikes and Bicycles with Bikesdirect.com, New with full warranties
Easily a $2500 bike at your local bike shop.
The parts alone retail at $1200-$1500 on the bike I got. It is very light and was even simple to setup. I took it down to my local shop to have them tweak it out and they were very friendly. The guy working on it was blown away by what was on the bike.
Yes if you are an enthusiast then maybe online isn't for you but if you want a decent bike for the best that $1000 or $1500 can get then do it.
Some here aren't on a budget at all. OP - are you the kind of guy who would buy a $3,000 watch? Maybe online isn't for you. Online can give great deals, even on bikes. For those who are cost conscious it is great.
BTW, your local bike shop makes enormous profits on those bikes. They sell you $750 (their price) in bike parts for $1500. Why not get $1200 worth of bike for your $1,500.
Lastly I also bought a beach cruiser for my lady, $350 from BikesDirect. Had it assembled (it comes half assembled) locally for $50, bought a basket and some upgraded pedals. I got multiple compliments on the bike. I looked around at local Beach Cruisers and they were nearly double the price for similar quality.
Look at BikesDirect, look at the parts. On my Mtn I've got XTR, Avid brakes, a light frame, and a fork that even my local shop guy called very good.
I bought a Trek Road bike from my local shop a few years ago but when it came time to look at Mtn bikes I bought a 29R Hard Tail from BikesDirect (last year) for $1500 and its awesome.
Save Up To 60% Off Road Bikes, Bicycles, Mountain Bikes and Bicycles with Bikesdirect.com, New with full warranties
Easily a $2500 bike at your local bike shop.
The parts alone retail at $1200-$1500 on the bike I got. It is very light and was even simple to setup. I took it down to my local shop to have them tweak it out and they were very friendly. The guy working on it was blown away by what was on the bike.
Yes if you are an enthusiast then maybe online isn't for you but if you want a decent bike for the best that $1000 or $1500 can get then do it.
Some here aren't on a budget at all. OP - are you the kind of guy who would buy a $3,000 watch? Maybe online isn't for you. Online can give great deals, even on bikes. For those who are cost conscious it is great.
BTW, your local bike shop makes enormous profits on those bikes. They sell you $750 (their price) in bike parts for $1500. Why not get $1200 worth of bike for your $1,500.
Lastly I also bought a beach cruiser for my lady, $350 from BikesDirect. Had it assembled (it comes half assembled) locally for $50, bought a basket and some upgraded pedals. I got multiple compliments on the bike. I looked around at local Beach Cruisers and they were nearly double the price for similar quality.
Look at BikesDirect, look at the parts. On my Mtn I've got XTR, Avid brakes, a light frame, and a fork that even my local shop guy called very good.
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