School me on mountain bikes.

[Aceman85turbo]

Generalize much? I like cheap rigid SS bikes, but trash that wheelset once and tell me what a, decent one costs.

I legpress 800~ and weigh 250lbs, I havent busted this one yet. Good enough for me for now I think.

A multi speed setup to hold my power costs a ton.

[TeeShock]

I rode bmx and dirtbikes back in my day. I sold my 26" hardtail in within a year of riding and bought a 29" hardtail. It's all riding style and preference you won't know until you get out there and do it. Try and round up a few people with different setups and just go try them out. I have twin speshy 29er hardtails (21" frames) if you are serious about riding.


I recommend a locking front suspension fork for anyone who plans to ride on any flat surfaces.

[ThreeFingerPete]

I honestly wouldnt put much thought into it. Anything you buy you'll figure out some thing different in 6 months 29 vs 26, geared vs Ss, hardtail vs squishy, etc) and wan t to change.

Ive steered a few people into decent hardtail 29ers. (if you didn't BMX or motocross earlier in life, then I'd go 29er. Additionally, if you're tall I'd DEFINITELY go 29er). Most of them have stuck with it.

Very few if any are actually happy with their entry level hardtail 26" bikes.

[Binky]

I honestly wouldnt put much thought into it. Anything you buy you'll figure out some thing different in 6 months 29 vs 26, geared vs Ss, hardtail vs squishy, etc) and wan t to change.

[ThreeFingerPete]

I have a $400 chinese rigid single speed 29er and since im not a pussy my fat ass can keep up with the guys on the $2k bikes.

Generalize much? I like cheap rigid SS bikes, but trash that wheelset once and tell me what a, decent one costs.

[Aceman85turbo]

I have a $400 chinese rigid single speed 29er and since im not a pussy my fat ass can keep up with the guys on the $2k bikes.

[Binky]

No idea how big of a frame you need, but here's another option (XL frame)

http://dirtdawgs.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=28227&start=0

Building a bike from scratch is going to get you just what you want, but saving money will not be one of them (unless you already have all the parts)

I bought a Trek 3900 to start, rode that thing every two days on trails all over the area. I replaced virtually every part on that bike at least once, sometimes 3 times (drive train). I saved money at the start, but in the end I spent about 1300 once you considered all the repairs/replacements. That was in 6 months.

Bought a Gary Fisher Rig (29er) for about 1500 I think plus a nice set of built wheels and I've only had to replace the chain in 3 years. (frame cracked in year 1, but they warrantied it and sent me a whole new frame overnight)

Budget 8-1000 for a bike that will handle the trails and be usable, but if something breaks replace with better than average parts.
Budget 1500 for a bike you won't have to mess with
Budget 2k + for a pimp ass ride.

[ThreeFingerPete]

Will building one myself save me any money?

If youre pretty specific, then you can have exactly what you want. It will not save you money.

Buying a complete used bike is where you will find steals.

There is a guy selling a nice single speed comparable to mine for $1800 like new, ive got ~2500 into mine and nothing was purchased anywhere near retail.

[motoman]

Will building one myself save me any money?

[ThreeFingerPete]

What I would consider must haves in a bike that I intended to ride:
Decent air fork. durable, easy to adjust
External bearing crankset, lighter, easier to repair, cheaper BB options
decent wheels
Avid or shimano hydraulic brakes. Better, smoother breaking with zero adjustment compared to mechanical brakes. Easy to service, find parts for, etc


Start there, everything else is cheap.,i.e. Bars, seatposts, etc

[ThreeFingerPete]

All major name frames are of similar quality. Assuming fit / geometryis similar,Choose the bike based on component spec. You can turn a $400 bike into a $1000 bike with a few minor upgrades. its not uncommon to buy a factory bike as a parts bike to deck out a different frame, and then sell the factory frame.

[motoman]

I fucking hate Clear internet. Try number #3 at this post.

Those felt bikes look good, but the wheels, cranks, cassette, fork, etc are all pieces of shit, with the fork taking the Crown.

I repeat. Shops stay in business by servicing and replacing parts on entry level bikes.

$1300 will get you a bad motherfucker of a bike with no compromises if you can bring yourself to buy it without riding it first.


http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/234...p=018%20SETR51

Been there before with the Clear internet, I dropped it like a bad habit and went back to Time Warner.

I certainly don't mind spending more money on a bike if it means better components all around.

[TruestreetTim]

I fucking hate Clear internet. Try number #3 at this post.

Those felt bikes look good, but the wheels, cranks, cassette, fork, etc are all pieces of shit, with the fork taking the Crown.

I repeat. Shops stay in business by servicing and replacing parts on entry level bikes.

$1300 will get you a bad motherfucker of a bike with no compromises if you can bring yourself to buy it without riding it first.


http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/234...p=018%20SETR51

I always looked to my frame of choice as components are customizable and upgradable to your personal preferences.

As for my suggestions; they fit the budget given. I would have chose different, myself, given a higher price point.

[ThreeFingerPete]

I fucking hate Clear internet. Try number #3 at this post.

Those felt bikes look good, but the wheels, cranks, cassette, fork, etc are all pieces of shit, with the fork taking the Crown.

I repeat. Shops stay in business by servicing and replacing parts on entry level bikes.

$1300 will get you a bad motherfucker of a bike with no compromises if you can bring yourself to buy it without riding it first.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/23435-018_SETR51-3-Parts-429-29er-Parts/Sette-Razzo-XT-10-Speed-29er-Alloy-Mountain--Bike-offer.htm?utm_source=SLI&utm_medium=datafeed&utm_campaign=FTP&zmam=3075515&zmas=1&zmac=43&zmap=018%20SETR51

[TruestreetTim]

I haven't rode much around here yet so I'm unfamiliar with the terrain. 29'rs are great unless you prefer a traditional 26" wheel. These are close to your price range and will get you on the trails in fine style.

http://tinyurl.com/bsjhzpg (29")

http://tinyurl.com/chmyzfh (26")