advice for a new bike...

[TACO BUENO]

I'm a BMXer but I am in need of a good companion bike for my Tacoma.

I want a a good mountain bike, affordable, a-headset, chromoly or aluminum frame. What's the best deal and brand for my specs?

 

[mcewan13]

for beginner needs, i suggest the following:
1. test ride a crap load of mid range bikes (stay about $500 above your pricepoint) at the local shops to determine size and fit. Every frame is a bit different and the right bike will find you if you ride enough of them.
2. Search the net for a gently used version of the one that found you (this brings you back in line w/ your budget); try CL, EBay, and MTBR.com. This is finding a needle in a haystack and requires major patience, but can really pay off. ....I just purchased my '03 UJZ100 for 16k this way!!!
3. Alternatively, try Bikes & Bicycles - Mountain, Road, CycloCross, Hybrid and Comfort bikes from bikesdirect.com. They are a net based distributor (w/ b&m stores all over Texas) who license recently expired designs from major bike mfrs and rebrand them. The quality is fine, but you don't get much in the way of customer service.

best of luck and feel free to contact me directly.

 

[TACO BUENO]

thanks for the advice. I'm going to check out some of those licensed designs.

 

[Nolan B.]

Are you looking for a hardtail or full suspension? Also, how much are you willing to spend?

 

[knorrena]

Best advice I can give: be honest with yourself about how you are planning to use it. If you plan on trying out some downhill, get a fully suspended - thats all they are good for cause they are too heavy and generally need more energy to ride. If your looking to do some trail or single track stuff get a light fully suspended or a hard tail. If your a commuter get a 29er or a hybrid. If your into long street rides get a road bike.

Alloy bikes almost require suspension because they are stiff. A good steel frame is more supple, but if your heavy they can feel a noodly in the corners. Titanium is even more noodly. Carbon fibre bikes are incredibly stiff, but sing beautifully at high speed - they really do make noise, at least mine did.

Most fully suspended bikes cant carry paniers.

Get disc brakes - they resist dirt and moisture better than any v-brakes or caliper brakes.

Fat tires require more energy to spin than skinny

Dont buy a used bike unless your sure its a cream puff. By the time your done repairing a used bike you will have spent the same amount of cash as a new bike and at least with a new bike you get a warranty and possibly the odd free tune up.

Buy good gloves and a good helmet these are more important than the bike

 

[stash12]

specialized p.all mountain

this might be up your alley. check out. www.specialized.com


stash12.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Check out steel hardtail singlespeeds like a Redline Monocog or any of the Bianchi line. They're reasonably priced and likely suit your bmx riding style.

Stay away from aluminum hardtails; too stiff, IMO.

 

[TACO BUENO]

I saw this bike in another thread. Like I said I am a BMXer, 10 years on a twenty inch BMX 20" top tube, so hard tail I am really comfortable with. In fact it's a feature I would like because that is what I have dealt with for so long. All that to say I am really liking this redline.

To answer some of the questions posed by others...

I want it for some light city riding, medium trail riding, and a piece of transportation if I am stranded on a trail in the taco.

Hope that helps.

Check out steel hardtail singlespeeds like a Redline Monocog or any of the Bianchi line. They're reasonably priced and likely suit your bmx riding style.

Stay away from aluminum hardtails; too stiff, IMO.

 

[Topoguide]

There are several bikes that will fit your needs; what it comes down to is personal preference and riding style. After riding BMX for so long your first impression of the Red Line single speed may be right on for you. But as Mcewan stated, test a boat load of bikes to find the right fit. You can always find rental bikes to try out, or a cheaper route is borrowing a buddy’s bike for a ride.

That said my personal preference is Specialized, and every time I’ve purchased I stop testing other bikes once I’ve ridden the right Specialized… it just fits. And since you’ve ridden long enough you may do the same thing.

On a more technical note, remember there’s a lot that goes into these bikes now; from all of the components, to the style of bike, and the design of the frame. When considering frame design each material will ride differently, and geometry plays a huge role. Some bikes are so upright you feel like you’re going to go over the bars if you hit a pebble, others are so aggressive they’re just down right twitchy (my preference ).

Anyway, good luck. And post up what you decide on.