$200. or so mountain bike

[Lowdown3]

Need a recommendation for a decent quality mountain bike in the $300. or so dollar price range. Preferably something that could be found at a "big box" sporting goods store in a large town (e.g, ****'s, Academy, etc.)

Any hardcore bicyclists out there? What do I need to look for?

TIA

Willing to spend a couple bucks more for longevity if that's necessary. These would double as backups to bug out needs.

[protus]

Basic trek 820..under 300 iirc. Sides that I only have experience with my specialized hard rock.iirc they are well over three bills.the Trek bikes are good bikes.I've had my hard rock for near 10 years now

[rockriver]

this is a great idea...
i've considered it for our use.
one backup location is about 80 miles away...
-- BUT..
our bikes are in poor condition for 80 miles.
rr

[rol3155]

Couple of different trains of thought; you should try Craigslist or something like that (you could probably find a better bike for less money) or get a decent rig from a bike shop and know the quality you're getting. As far as bells & whistles, keep in mind -- the more pieces a machine has, the more potential you'll have for problems later, at the most inopportune time -- You could get a better 'quality' rig with no suspension (front or rear) or go to the big box store and get a full suspension ride for the same (or realativeley so) cash. If I had to choose, I would stick with a Trek (what I've got) with front suspension only, just to keep the weight down & the ride a bit easier to handle on trails. The dual suspension 48 pound pig from Wally-world only gets heavier when you add stuff like mud and all your gear. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major brands, i.e: Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc.

Peace.

[Rmplstlskn]

For bikes, like most other things, I believe in QUALITY over cost, especially if it is a bike for an adult... A child or teen can do with less... You really do get what you pay for! In so many ways....

I still use the same bike I bought in 1986... Panasonic Mountain Cat made of Prestige Cr-Mo TANGE tubing with high-end Deore XT groupo, Deore XT brakes, levers, hubs and bottom bracket... This bike is tough! It rolls like butter on warm glass and still turns heads of bikers as it is true "old school" ATB... I paid premium for it, but here we are 27 years later and it still outperforms the function of cheaper bikes made in China... All I do is give it a full grease job on the bearings every couple of years and a tune-up every year. I think I only had my wheels trued a few times in those decades... A testament to buying QUALITY... I have literally put HUNDREDS of miles on this bike...

Here is my bike and I back many, many years ago in my South Florida stomping grounds...


But if $300 is really the limit, it really doesn't matter much, as the same few Chinese manufacturers make them all in that price range now days... You will get an aluminum frame, but thin, and sheet metal gears, cheap cast brakes, crappy cranks, gravel-like bearings, weak rims, steel spokes, and crappy pedals... What do you expect for less than $300 bucks?

For that price, stay away from rear suspension. Too mushy! Front suspension will be mushy too, but not so obvious. Look at shifting components and hubs and try to get the best you can for the price. Good hubs and good components are what makes or breaks a bike.

I would look at Craigslist or eBay for a better USED bike in your area... You may luck into a really nice bike that just needs a tune-up to become a thoroughbred again... For example, here is a nice Japanese lugged steel frame ATB (super tough) with decent components for less than $200 bucks...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRIDGESTONE-...item1c32804e9b

Rmpl

[WiseOwl]

Bought a GT from Sports Authority about 5 years ago. Still rides like a champ. It was less than $300
Also got a Mongoose from Wally World for about $200 dual suspension that is my banger.

If I go ride daucet trails I can smash on the goose.

One thing I recommend, if you buy a new bike, buy a new seat and 10 tubes

[Grand58742]

Bought a GT from Sports Authority about 5 years ago. Still rides like a champ. It was less than $300
Also got a Mongoose from Wally World for about $200 dual suspension that is my banger.

If I go ride daucet trails I can smash on the goose.

One thing I recommend, if you buy a new bike, buy a new seat and 10 tubes

Kinda figured you for the Huffy with the bell and streamers coming from the handles :D

[protus]

For bikes, like most other things, I believe in QUALITY over cost, especially if it is a bike for an adult... A child or teen can do with less... You really do get what you pay for! In so many ways....

I still use the same bike I bought in 1986... Panasonic Mountain Cat made of Prestige Cr-Mo TANGE tubing with high-end Deore XT groupo, Deore XT brakes, levers, hubs and bottom bracket... This bike is tough! It rolls like butter on warm glass and still turns heads of bikers as it is true "old school" ATB... I paid premium for it, but here we are 27 years later and it still outperforms the function of cheaper bikes made in China... All I do is give it a full grease job on the bearings every couple of years and a tune-up every year. I think I only had my wheels trued a few times in those decades... A testament to buying QUALITY... I have literally put HUNDREDS of miles on this bike...

Here is my bike and I back many, many years ago in my South Florida stomping grounds...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]1833[/ATTACH]

But if $300 is really the limit, it really doesn't matter much, as the same few Chinese manufacturers make them all in that price range now days... You will get an aluminum frame, but thin, and sheet metal gears, cheap cast brakes, crappy cranks, gravel-like bearings, weak rims, steel spokes, and crappy pedals... What do you expect for less than $300 bucks?

For that price, stay away from rear suspension. Too mushy! Front suspension will be mushy too, but not so obvious. Look at shifting components and hubs and try to get the best you can for the price. Good hubs and good components are what makes or breaks a bike.

I would look at Craigslist or eBay for a better USED bike in your area... You may luck into a really nice bike that just needs a tune-up to become a thoroughbred again... For example, here is a nice Japanese lugged steel frame ATB (super tough) with decent components for less than $200 bucks...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRIDGESTONE-...item1c32804e9b

Rmpl

my 1st atb was a fuji..no frills but good parts. then i upgraded to the specialized ...had to only cost me 125$ from a buddy who got it at a pawn shop.
you can always scour the pawn shops and pick up good bikes at lower cost..

i made the mistake of giving away an old Peugeot road bike with carry rack etc on the back..i should have kept it,,was a nice ride for how old it was.

upgrades help..but key thing is tune up,,dry lube on the chain,,good seat and components. i beefed up my spealized bars and neck and added front shocks.but thats it...oh and good tires,,but they are old now and need to be yanked(some dry rot- dart3' in the front and tioga TT rear)

[Rmplstlskn]

How could I forget the terrible factory seats and useless tires???? I concur...

Rmpl

[qrprat77]

I agree w Rmpl, quality over price. Go get one of the starter bikes from Trek, Specialized, Giant, or Canondale. I ride a hard rock sport.
Some points to help.
1 In Flageorgiabama, most of the off road riding can be done with front suspension only. Adjust the suspension so its a little stiff if you don't plan on riding a lot of bumps/drops. There is a science to setting a bike up.
2 plus 1 on the change your seat reccomend. I would also add change your pedals. Get the higher end bmx pedals. They are all metal, both sides are slightly concave, and they have replaceable metal pegs on them to aid your foot in gripping. If you are going to ride them recreationally, learning to ride using "clip in" tyoe pedals, it does help you ride, but requires a little bit more specialized gear.
3 consider maintenance preps. Bikes use chains, sprockets, chainrings, levers, pads and cables. Occasionally they will all need replacing. Choosing good gears from the start helps out big time but remember this: if u replace your chain you will also need to replace the sprocket on the back. They wear out together.
4 if your dirt in the AO is mostly sand, run the chain dry, and after every use, lube it, but wipe very clean. Use the cheapest SYNTHETIC lightweight car motor oil u can find to clean and lube your chain. If you have a lot of clay, run the chain wetter, it will help u clean it better.
5 buy a maintenance book and a set of bike tools. Even if its just a bike multitool.
6 cut your old tubes up to use as "ranger bands" I've used them to strap a lot of stuff down over the years.
7 get a quality underseat bag to carry your bike multitool, a spare tube, and a tube repair kit.
8 when u pay a lot for stuff on bikes, u r usually paying to make it lighter. You can find good quality bikepumps, wheels, seats, etc, but they will be heavier.


That's all I have to add for now.

[WiseOwl]

Kinda figured you for the Huffy with the bell and streamers coming from the handles :D

I have a tacticool basket on the front as well as a 1987 Topps Don Mattingly in my rear spokes :P

[protus]

I have a tacticool basket on the front as well as a 1987 Topps Don Mattingly in my rear spokes :P

that was a 1.25$ card back in 87' ..............lol

[WiseOwl]

Now they are all just common players.......


I made the mistake of buying a women's seat when I first got into biking. I didn't know any better walking around REI.
I still have it on the goose. I go for comfort over coolness.

I also took the pedals off of a grandma bike. Nothing sucks worse than having those sharp tacticool pedals dig into your shin. Had to go.

[Grand58742]

Yeah, I can agree on the seat. I know nothing of the bikes themselves, but ended up having a commander years ago that was all about spinning classes. After 45 minutes of that, I went out and bought one of the nicer padded seats. A good seat is worth the investment, like huge. Like your butt hurts for several days without one.

[protus]

Yeah, I can agree on the seat. I know nothing of the bikes themselves, but ended up having a commander years ago that was all about spinning classes. After 45 minutes of that, I went out and bought one of the nicer padded seats. A good seat is worth the investment, like huge. Like your butt hurts for several days without one.

the more you ride the less sore you get...but it aint your 6 that gets sore its the between parts ...maybe my butts to big for my seat lol