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Before I got a job at a dedicated bike shop I worked at Dick's Sporting Goods in the bike department. If you're looking to ride occasionally on fire roads or improved dirt paths, those bikes will suit you fine. However, if you are looking for a bike that you can ride aggressively repeatedly I would look elsewhere, say, an actual bike shop.

Another problem with buying a bike at Dick's is that most of the people they have build the bikes are not actual certified mechanics. I spent more time fixing bikes that the other "bike techs" had built than actually building bikes. Also, when you buy a bike from a shop, you are also investing in that particular shop. Say you buy a bike from Dick's and a comparably spec'd bike from an established bike shop. If the Dick's one breaks it'll take at least 3 weeks for them to get the parts, and at least another week for someone to actually fix it. At the shop, they'll most likely have the part in stock, and you'll have years of experience working for you.

The short answer is, those are "disposable" bikes. It'd be easier to replace it if you do break it, and they are not designed to hold up to downhill riding
 
dhslovak said:
Before I got a job at a dedicated bike shop I worked at Dick's Sporting Goods in the bike department. If you're looking to ride occasionally on fire roads or improved dirt paths, those bikes will suit you fine. However, if you are looking for a bike that you can ride aggressively repeatedly I would look elsewhere, say, an actual bike shop.

Another problem with buying a bike at Dick's is that most of the people they have build the bikes are not actual certified mechanics. I spent more time fixing bikes that the other "bike techs" had built than actually building bikes. Also, when you buy a bike from a shop, you are also investing in that particular shop. Say you buy a bike from Dick's and a comparably spec'd bike from an established bike shop. If the Dick's one breaks it'll take at least 3 weeks for them to get the parts, and at least another week for someone to actually fix it. At the shop, they'll most likely have the part in stock, and you'll have years of experience working for you.

The short answer is, those are "disposable" bikes. It'd be easier to replace it if you do break it, and they are not designed to hold up to downhill riding
that pretty much says it all....so where's the closet bike shop to you???
 
If you're looking into getting into serious down hilling, you're going to be spending a little bit more money than what you would for these bikes. From my experience working in a bike shop, I would suggest not to get a bike from a department store, and to instead go to a dedicated bike shop. The reason for that is one puts a lot of stress on a bike, especially with more extreme riding, and those bikes just aren't built to handle it. For the most part, most quality bikes can be repaired or adjusted using the same basic tools, but a lot of the cheap bikes can't. The parts they use break easily and replacements aren't available. I would go with a company like Specialized or Giant and see what they have that would be close to what you want to spend. Even their least expensive bikes will be better bikes than the ones you'd find at Dick's.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22089
 
actually, dicks sporting goods does sell ONE decent 5 inch travel bike.....iron horse warrior trail. Depending on how hard you are on it, it should hold up alright. you'll be looking at atleast 500 buckaroos though, and it's not on their website so i'm assuming only select Dick's will carry it. also, the fork is a zocchi MZIII which actually only has about 3 and a half inches of travel. not a bad bike for 500 bucks, but it's true what others have said about the mech's at Dick's. They really can't competently put a bike together correctly, I've seen a ton of stripped star nuts in headsets, stripped pedals, etc. etc. you really are better off visiting your local bike shop and dealing with a reputable and knowledgable staff who will guide you through the process of purchasing a bike based on your own needs. the extra money spent is well worth it, as you will be saving money in the long run by not having to replace crappy OEM parts as often as on a quality LBS built rig.
 
-look for a deal on a used hardtail with a decent fork and hydro disc brakes.
-You'll want to upgrade by the end of the season to a full squish and you can move parts over to the another used frame for probly 300 -400 more bucks.

Thats the best advice I can give you if you want to get back in to it for such a low investment.

Otherwise just bite the bullet and start with a used Fully... you know you're gonna love it so save yourself the trouble.
 
Jucin said:
Sorry picked up a 4500 not 3900 how is that?
the 4500 is still better suited to XC riding. An 80mm Rockshox Dart fork is not going to hold up to any abuse from a guy 6'4

Find a used bicycle consignment store, but do some homework on what to look for:cool:

I bought a mint condition DJ/4X style frame with a Marzocchi DirtJumper2 (20mm thru-axle) shimano XT/LX drive train, Double Trac Rims. I am 6'2 and want to ride hard. I can destroy equipment with the best of 'em and learned a while ago that it's best to just spend the money. you'll be better for it in the long run.

750 will buy you some awesome stuff if you look for it
 
Look for a used hardtail

best bet would probably to look for a used DJ hard-tail. I know that my Local Bike Shop(LBS) is selling a new Giant DJ for $380. Good parts, and good reliability too. Do yourself a favor, and don't Kill yourself when you DH with a $300 department store bike!!
 
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