Mountain Bikes

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 04-15-2008, 09:13 PM

My exercise thread got me thinking about what I have liked in the past.

The only thing I have actually looked forward to doing was riding.

I used to own a Rockhopper by specialized. I lost it someplace, probably when I moved. But for me it was a really good bike. Handled ok both on the street and moderate trails.

I see they still make them so, if I can't find any other exercise alternative I am going to bite the bullet, put off my new TV purchase and get one.

But I am sure that the art of Mountain Bikes have improved dramatically since I bought my Rockhopper back in 1990.

Are there any bikes fellow TGers recommend me give a test ride? It will be about 50% paved, 30% decent dirt and the rest, if I am lucky, easy to moderate trails. Nothing hard core. And I would like to keep the cost in the $600-$900 range.

Hambergler · 04-16-2008, 12:06 AM

I used to ride a mountaon bike, but found it was overkill for what i was riding. So I ride this comfort bike now. It does mostly street and light trails. It has slick cop tires on it right now. I have to get some little nobbies.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...le/1277/29341/

**CingularDuality** · 04-16-2008, 08:45 AM

The best bike I've ever owned was a Giant, so I'll second the motion for you to check them out...

Someone here works there, too, so you might want to do some digging and see if you can get hooked up with a deal!

**Catman1975** · 04-16-2008, 08:52 AM

I have a Cannondale hybrid that I absolutely love. Great for pulling the kids around in their trailer.

Even with my extra weight I found it hard to keep up with my friend and his road bike so I upgraded to a Cannondale Synapse , it my be out of the price range you are looking at, but I highly recommend a full road bike if you don't think you are going to get off of the road. I thought I was going to be doing a little off road with my hybrid, but I never took it off of the road.

**Bamboo** · 04-16-2008, 10:25 AM

Lot has changed in bikes since your last one. Lots of major players that used to have good bikes have sold out and gone main stream, like Mongoose. They sale those now at like target and wall-mart and places. And they went way down in quality to meet the lower price needs.

Giant is still really good though. I would go to the book store and look though a couple of bike mags. like Mountain Biker, or look on their web site, for review of some of the bikes in your $$$ range. And then ride them before buying.

Before I bought mine, I was all about Cannondale, cause they are supposed to be really good bikes, get good reviews etc. But I rode a few, and it just felt weird and didn't fit right. Tried a Gary Fisher, and it felt better, and finally tried a Mongoose (this was when they still had good bikes) and it felt much better. Don't know what it was. But a good bike shop will let you ride as much as you want on a test bike before you buy.

Also, since you say you are going mostly on hard pack, you might want to check out tires like these:
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...&tn=0&ssn=5160

Lot of different ones like that, just showing that it is like a hybrid, so you have kind of slick for street, but knobby on the side when you need it. Supposed to help cut down on friction or something and make street riding much better/easier.
I have always meant to try some, but had a friend that loved them and was all he used. And he used his bike more than his car, riding to work, the store, etc., so he knew his tires.

Also, try to buy from a place that offers free tune-ups. That way, you can keep you bike in shape till you learn all the fine tuning stuff.
And if your bike doesn't come with it, buy some bar ends. I love mine once I started using them. When riding on street, it lets you sit up straiter and more comfortable.

Hambergler · 04-16-2008, 10:37 AM

/\ /\ /\
Those are the tires I have. They don't do squat in mud, sand or even wet gravel. I have become the fishtail master.

**El_Gringo_Grande** · 04-16-2008, 11:15 AM

Good points Bamboo.

That is why I picked the Rockhopper the first time around. It "felt" the best. But that was when I was 22. I better check out some others.

I have heard good things about giant.

Anybody have experiance with Treck or Diamondback?

**Bamboo** · 04-16-2008, 01:56 PM

I heard Diamondback went mainstream like Mongoose, but not for sure.

Trek used to make some really good stuff, but I haven't been looking at new bikes in a while. They are probably still good though.

04-15-2008, 09:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
El_Gringo_Grande Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: OKIE HOMY Age: 39 Posts: 2,545	Mountain Bikes My exercise thread got me thinking about what I have liked in the past. The only thing I have actually looked forward to doing was riding. I used to own a Rockhopper by specialized. I lost it someplace, probably when I moved. But for me it was a really good bike. Handled ok both on the street and moderate trails. I see they still make them so, if I can't find any other exercise alternative I am going to bite the bullet, put off my new TV purchase and get one. But I am sure that the art of Mountain Bikes have improved dramatically since I bought my Rockhopper back in 1990. Are there any bikes fellow TGers recommend me give a test ride? It will be about 50% paved, 30% decent dirt and the rest, if I am lucky, easy to moderate trails. Nothing hard core. And I would like to keep the cost in the $600-$900 range. __________________ Sen. Barack Obama (IL) For President '08 --- I’m not racists, I have republican friends. Radio show host. - "The essence of tyranny is the denial of complexity". -Jacob Burkhardt - "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Emerson - "People should not be afraid of it's government, government should be afraid of it's People." - Line from V for Vendetta - If software were as unreliable as economic theory, there wouldn't be a plane made of anything other than paper that could get off the ground. Jim Fawcette

04-16-2008, 12:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hambergler Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Age: 33 Posts: 1,059	Re: Moutain Bikes I used to ride a mountaon bike, but found it was overkill for what i was riding. So I ride this comfort bike now. It does mostly street and light trails. It has slick cop tires on it right now. I have to get some little nobbies. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/...le/1277/29341/ __________________

04-16-2008, 08:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
CingularDuality Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas, USA Age: 33 Posts: 16,809	Re: Moutain Bikes The best bike I've ever owned was a Giant, so I'll second the motion for you to check them out... Someone here works there, too, so you might want to do some digging and see if you can get hooked up with a deal! __________________ Become a supporting member! -- Shop at the Tactical Market! Take the world's smallest political quiz! "I was touched by His Noodly Appendage." TacticalGamer TX LAN/BBQ Veteran:

04-16-2008, 08:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Catman1975 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Purgatory Age: 32 Posts: 2,539	Re: Mountain Bikes I have a Cannondale hybrid that I absolutely love. Great for pulling the kids around in their trailer. Even with my extra weight I found it hard to keep up with my friend and his road bike so I upgraded to a Cannondale Synapse , it my be out of the price range you are looking at, but I highly recommend a full road bike if you don't think you are going to get off of the road. I thought I was going to be doing a little off road with my hybrid, but I never took it off of the road. __________________ Check out the most awesome IHS ever [Due to the State of IN v. Catman Case #IND04 65413-5468 001 I must disclose the following:] Catman is batsht insane and all of his posts should be read with extreme scrutiny and disdain. If at any time you become compelled to relate or agree with any post by Catman, you should seek immediate, professional, psychiatric counseling. Catman recommends 1-800-OMGIMNUTS, he swears by (at) them. Remember to burn* before you pillage. "I proceeded to burn him alive by saturating his clothing and his face with benzene and igniting it with a match. So horrible was this torture that in writing of it I have been tempted to attribute his death to some humane means-not with a wish to spare myself, but because I fear that it will not be believed that one could be so heartless and depraved."

04-16-2008, 10:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bamboo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: On the beach north of Jacksonville, NC Posts: 3,047	Re: Mountain Bikes Lot has changed in bikes since your last one. Lots of major players that used to have good bikes have sold out and gone main stream, like Mongoose. They sale those now at like target and wall-mart and places. And they went way down in quality to meet the lower price needs. Giant is still really good though. I would go to the book store and look though a couple of bike mags. like Mountain Biker, or look on their web site, for review of some of the bikes in your $$$ range. And then ride them before buying. Before I bought mine, I was all about Cannondale, cause they are supposed to be really good bikes, get good reviews etc. But I rode a few, and it just felt weird and didn't fit right. Tried a Gary Fisher, and it felt better, and finally tried a Mongoose (this was when they still had good bikes) and it felt much better. Don't know what it was. But a good bike shop will let you ride as much as you want on a test bike before you buy. Also, since you say you are going mostly on hard pack, you might want to check out tires like these: http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...&tn=0&ssn=5160 Lot of different ones like that, just showing that it is like a hybrid, so you have kind of slick for street, but knobby on the side when you need it. Supposed to help cut down on friction or something and make street riding much better/easier. I have always meant to try some, but had a friend that loved them and was all he used. And he used his bike more than his car, riding to work, the store, etc., so he knew his tires. Also, try to buy from a place that offers free tune-ups. That way, you can keep you bike in shape till you learn all the fine tuning stuff. And if your bike doesn't come with it, buy some bar ends. I love mine once I started using them. When riding on street, it lets you sit up straiter and more comfortable. __________________ LINKS 10th Tactical Guard Server Rules and SOP * Kicked? Banned? READ THIS FIRST!* Contact an Admin * Nominate your teammates for a ribbon Stoop and you'll be stepped on; stand tall and you'll be shot at. -Carlos A. Urbizo-

04-16-2008, 10:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Hambergler Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Age: 33 Posts: 1,059	Re: Mountain Bikes /\ /\ /\ Those are the tires I have. They don't do squat in mud, sand or even wet gravel. I have become the fishtail master. __________________

04-16-2008, 11:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
El_Gringo_Grande Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: OKIE HOMY Age: 39 Posts: 2,545	Re: Mountain Bikes Good points Bamboo. That is why I picked the Rockhopper the first time around. It "felt" the best. But that was when I was 22. I better check out some others. I have heard good things about giant. Anybody have experiance with Treck or Diamondback? __________________ Sen. Barack Obama (IL) For President '08 --- I’m not racists, I have republican friends. Radio show host. - "The essence of tyranny is the denial of complexity". -Jacob Burkhardt - "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Emerson - "People should not be afraid of it's government, government should be afraid of it's People." - Line from V for Vendetta - If software were as unreliable as economic theory, there wouldn't be a plane made of anything other than paper that could get off the ground. Jim Fawcette

04-16-2008, 01:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bamboo Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: On the beach north of Jacksonville, NC Posts: 3,047	Re: Mountain Bikes I heard Diamondback went mainstream like Mongoose, but not for sure. Trek used to make some really good stuff, but I haven't been looking at new bikes in a while. They are probably still good though. __________________ LINKS 10th Tactical Guard Server Rules and SOP * Kicked? Banned? READ THIS FIRST!* Contact an Admin * Nominate your teammates for a ribbon Stoop and you'll be stepped on; stand tall and you'll be shot at. -Carlos A. Urbizo-

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