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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → Any Bikers out there?
Any Bikers out there?
2008-09-30, 12:24 PM #1
I should note, this is a bicycle thread, not a motorcycle thread.

I'm considering getting a mountain/rough terrain bike, but have no idea where to start. I know when I was a kid all I had was a Huffy to learn on and eventually got a mongoose that got stolen. I don't think Mongoose makes good mountain bikes (if at all) though...

Anyone have some knowledge/experience to lend?
Quote Originally Posted by FastGamerr
"hurr hairy guy said my backhair looks dumb hurr hairy guy smash"
2008-09-30, 1:09 PM #2
I used to enjoy mountain biking, and do it on a semi-regular basis. I would always rent. Usually they would just have a Gary Fisher or something like it. On trails around me I would just use my average bike (But no way I would take it on the mountain)

I can't really tell you much, but I can tell you - Any good bike will cost you a bunch. That's why I kind of never got into it (When I was into it it was before I had a couple grand expendable cash) because owning a bike was out of my reach. I wanted to get a GT, I remember they used to be pretty good. Dunno if they are still around. I think Zascar or something like that was the one I wanted.
2008-09-30, 1:14 PM #3
You can build or buy a good mountain bike for under $1,000. You can go to Wal-Mart and get something surprisingly good for under $300.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 1:42 PM #4
Unless you're tall.
2008-09-30, 1:47 PM #5
Oh, a bicycle thread.

I was going to say you aren't smart enough to ride a motorcycle.
2008-09-30, 1:53 PM #6
Bikers get tattoos, grow beards, and ride around on Harleys.

Cyclists don sissy outfits, annoy traffic, and piddle around on bicycles.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2008-09-30, 2:03 PM #7
Originally posted by JM:
Unless you're tall.

Do they not have large frames? A few friends of mine have had full suspension bikes from Wal-Mart and they were rather nice, given the money they spent on them. I rode one a few times but I didn't bother with adjusting more than the seat.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 2:06 PM #8
I have a $700 dollar road bike I bought from a local bike shop and a $50 dollar full-suspension mountain bike I bought from Wal-Mart and the latter is a pile of **** in comparison.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2008-09-30, 2:18 PM #9
Originally posted by Emon:
Do they not have large frames? A few friends of mine have had full suspension bikes from Wal-Mart and they were rather nice, given the money they spent on them. I rode one a few times but I didn't bother with adjusting more than the seat.


A walmart Bike and an upper level road bike can't really be compared.

It's like riding a Honda CBR, then hopping on a Ducati. Or driving a Volvo and then a Ferrari

I paid about $50 for my road bike, but it's probably stolen.

I'm looking to pick up a much lighter frame soon, because I ride over 100 miles a week.
2008-09-30, 2:44 PM #10
I have a recumbant trike. >.> <.<
Snail racing: (500 posts per line)------@%
2008-09-30, 2:57 PM #11
Gary Fisher bikes are nice and light
Holy soap opera Batman. - FGR
DARWIN WILL PREVENT THE DOWNFALL OF OUR RACE. - Rob
Free Jin!
2008-09-30, 3:18 PM #12
my bike has a milk crate on the back. its the most useful thing ever

o.0
2008-09-30, 3:21 PM #13
Originally posted by Rob:
A walmart Bike and an upper level road bike can't really be compared.

Upper level? Who said anything about that? I know they can't be compared, but if he's just riding for fun, it'll be fine.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 3:35 PM #14
It wasn't until I rode my bike again that I realized how out of shape I am. :(
Naked Feet are Happy Feet
:omgkroko:
2008-09-30, 3:49 PM #15
I know it's horrible. I'm so out of shape cardio-wise. I've always had brute strength..I would work manual labor 24/7. But make me start running or something FORGET IT. I started to try to run. 2 miles is about my max (averaging 12-9 minute per each mile)
2008-09-30, 5:16 PM #16
Originally posted by Emon:
Upper level? Who said anything about that? I know they can't be compared, but if he's just riding for fun, it'll be fine.


Fine until your derailleur self destructs, your races decided to turn into an oval, and you find out your rims weren't exactly true.
2008-09-30, 5:26 PM #17
My Trek is nice. It's a hybrid.
2008-09-30, 5:36 PM #18
Everyone calls my bike a Hybrid, I never understood what makes it a hybrid.

I've kind of outgrown it. I consistently use only my three highest ratios, and on my highest ratio on flat ground there is like no resistance, and I can't really pedal any faster.

I'm ready for a new frame, and probably a new uhhh cassette is what they call it, I think.
2008-09-30, 5:40 PM #19
Originally posted by Rob:
Fine until your derailleur self destructs, your races decided to turn into an oval, and you find out your rims weren't exactly true.

The model I saw had decent Shimano derailleurs and brakes and the rims were just shy of being perfectly true (that I could see with my eyes, anyway).

Wal-Mart usually does offer sub-par goods, but bikes are something that the industry has basically perfected. It's hard to mess them up.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 5:41 PM #20
I'd like to build a hybrid or road bike someday. Nashbar has a lot of good parts for cheap. Right now I just have some Schwinn that I got out of the trash and restored. It works fairly well, but it's old. It needs better brakes. Here at school I'm using some POS mountain bike I got out of the trash. Works well enough to get around.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 5:43 PM #21
Quote:
Everyone calls my bike a Hybrid, I never understood what makes it a hybrid.
Tire width, tread depth, and gear ratios. Street bikes are thinner and sleeker, mountain bikes are beefy. Hybrids are in between.
2008-09-30, 6:16 PM #22
Also the frame on a hybrid tends to be more reenforced. They're often used for cyclocross.

I like the idea of a hybrid because I've gotten so many pinch flats on my road bike... I think the tires are 1.25" wide or so. After cranking the tire pressure to 90 PSI and staying away from large drops in pavement, I have yet to get another one. I probably wouldn't be comfortable doing any kind of touring without tires that can handle 120 PSI. 90 just isn't enough to support my weight (220 lbs) with high reliability.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 7:56 PM #23
I think in most cases renting if you go to a mountain is the best option. I bikes rarely, and usually on the same mountain I snowboareded on. So basically it would cost me 20 bucks to get a good enough mountain bike to do some bad *** trails. IMO you don't need a crazy bike to do stuff other than mountain. I used my LL Bean bike to do normal trails. I don't think I would ever need the benefits of a bad arse bike in the trails I would normally do - SO

Get a good* bike for cheap.
I (don't think) you'll be doing anything you would need a awesome bike for, outside mountains (in which case rent)
2008-09-30, 7:58 PM #24
Originally posted by Emon:
Wal-Mart usually does offer sub-par goods, but bikes are something that the industry has basically perfected. It's hard to mess them up.


However, all of Wal-Mart's bicycles come non-assembled, and they hire 1-3 full-time employees per store to assemble them. Quality of assembly may vary.
"it is time to get a credit card to complete my financial independance" — Tibby, Aug. 2009
2008-09-30, 8:02 PM #25
Yes, that's something to look out for. If I bought a Wally World bike I'd assemble it myself.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2008-09-30, 8:12 PM #26
I take my hybrid down forest trails. I've never had any trouble, besides that getting the brakes wet can make them slip. And if I accidentally shift too far going up a hill I'll make the chain pop, but that happens on pavement sometimes too.
2008-09-30, 8:18 PM #27
You really get what you pay for with bikes. Make sure you get a bike which suits its purpose, and spend at least 600$ if you are going to ride it alot. The difference between a 600$ bike and a 200$ canadian tire bike is massive.

I bike to work everyday and while I love riding a road bike, even my city commute is just too bumpy to ride it regularly. Even on my way to work I like having the option of hopping up on the curb, or taking a road with construction/gravel/asphalt. Make sure your bike fits the terrain you intend to use, AND how hard you intend to ride it.
2008-10-01, 12:17 AM #28
In my town people leave junker bikes in the Port that you can jump on and use whenever. >_>

o.0
2008-10-01, 5:21 AM #29
Wow, lots of info here. Thanks guys! I mostly just plan to ride this thing for enjoyment/exercise. Nothing longer than a few miles at a time. Maybe the occasional 10 mile trip.
Quote Originally Posted by FastGamerr
"hurr hairy guy said my backhair looks dumb hurr hairy guy smash"

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