REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

A little help for a wannabe Mountain Biker...

2934 Views 51 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Blurr, Dec 29, 2009

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2009

Hey guys, new to the forum and I really want to get into Mountain Biking. I am currently looking to buy a good used Mountain Bike, but I really know absolutely nothing about what I am looking for. I have been checking out local craigslist (Monterey & Santa Cruz California area) to see if anything decent pops up.

Can I get some advice on a bike that just popped up?

Specialized Enduro XL

CraigsList link

Is that any good?

Another one that I saw was this...

Santa Cruz Heckler...

Craigslist Link

Are either of these good deals? I really don't have a ton of money to put into a bike, but I also don't want a piece of crap either. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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AZ

· #2 · Dec 27, 2009

IMHO the Spechy is a particularly good deal if it is in good working condition and fits you properly.

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 27, 2009

Also, I'm assuming that I should look for a full suspension bike over a hard tail for riding around the Monterey Bay.

AZ

· #4 · Dec 27, 2009

GrayBeard Pirate said:
Also, I'm assuming that I should look for a full suspension bike over a hard tail for riding around the Monterey Bay.

Entirely an individual choise , suspension is nice when it gets a little chunky .

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 27, 2009

I'm 6' tall....what size frame am I looking for? I often see them listed in either cm or inches, and I have no clue what to look for.

BantamSLK

· #6 · Dec 27, 2009

GrayBeard Pirate said:
I'm 6' tall....what size frame am I looking for? I often see them listed in either cm or inches, and I have no clue what to look for.

This is a hard question, because different bikes will fit people differently, you may be 6' with really long legs, or a longer than average torso, and that can throw off the size. The best way to determine is just to ride a bike before you try it, make sure you don't feel either too cramped or too stretched out.

That said, if you have to get a size, I would say look for something in a Large or around 19" frame.

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 27, 2009

Thanks for the info guys. I really appreciate it.

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 28, 2009

How about this one for $500.00 new? Good Deal?

I should add that I have about $500 to throw at a bike, and I want to make sure I pick a good bike that will last me a while and could possibly be upgraded later as needed.

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louisssss

· #9 · Dec 28, 2009

Probably a good deal but i wouldn't buy that FS bike for $500. Bunch of low end parts that you'll either break or have to upgrade very soon. stick with a HT for $500

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 28, 2009

louisssss said:
Probably a good deal but i wouldn't buy that FS bike for $500. Bunch of low end parts that you'll either break or have to upgrade very soon. stick with a HT for $500

Being a beginner MTB'r in my mid 30's and not planning on killing myself quickly...will I notice a big difference?

louisssss

· #11 · Dec 28, 2009

yes you will notice a difference in the quality of parts used. for one, the bike will be lighter, which will help you with speed, climbing, and technical stuff such as getting over logs.

your components will also be much better overall with a HT purchase, such as better fork, stronger wheels, etc

blunderbuss

· #12 · Dec 28, 2009

That there Motobecane is a cleverly disguised department store bike.

highdelll

· #13 · Dec 28, 2009

^^^ I was gonna say that it looks like a nice wallgoose

look at the fukkin shock mount on the frame... are you kiddin me?! :eekster:

Trail Ninja

· #14 · Dec 28, 2009

I'd say not the Motobecane just because of the Dart 2 fork but that rear shock mount looks sketchy too. I'm no pro but I wouldn't pay money for that bike.

louissss is right. A hardtail will get you more bike for your money. Ride it for a while and then decide if you want to upgrade to full suspension.

I'm in my 50's and I started on a hardtail 40 years ago, graduated to full squish about 10 years ago (a slow learner) and now I'm back to hardtail.

louisssss

· #15 · Dec 28, 2009

Trail Ninja said:
I'd say not the Motobecane just because of the Dart 2 fork but that rear shock mount looks sketchy too. I'm no pro but I wouldn't pay money for that bike.

louissss is right. A hardtail will get you more bike for your money. Ride it for a while and then decide if you want to upgrade to full suspension.

I'm in my 50's and I started on a hardtail 40 years ago, graduated to full squish about 10 years ago (a slow learner) and now I'm back to hardtail.

wait, they had front suspension bikes 40 years ago???

GrayBeard Pirate

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 28, 2009

OK, thanks for all the information. It's obvious that I have no idea what I should be looking for. What should I be looking for?

louisssss

· #17 · Dec 28, 2009

GrayBeard Pirate said:
OK, thanks for all the information. It's obvious that I have no idea what I should be looking for. What should I be looking for?

for a price range, and a type of riding (cross country, All Mountain-XC + some Jumps ,etc...)

mudlover71

· #18 · Dec 28, 2009

louisssss said:
yes you will notice a difference in the quality of parts used. for one, the bike will be lighter, which will help you with speed, climbing, and technical stuff such as getting over logs.

your components will also be much better overall with a HT purchase, such as better fork, stronger wheels, etc

If he's a noob how will he notice the difference? Can you???? Probably not.:madman:

mudlover71

· #19 · Dec 28, 2009

Should louissssss be giving advice on things he seems to know nothing about? I saw him asking about grease for ti pedals on another forum. He seems to me to be clueless. Just venting a little bit.....I guess it's the internet and everyone has a voice but really???

GoBuffs

· #20 · Dec 28, 2009

Ha ha ha ha.......

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