[fmbr]

Amazing how I've been riding around my $400 1995 26" rigid chromoly Rockhopper with stock components all this time... and now apparently I have to spend over $1000 to get anything remotely similar.

With inflation, that's about $600. Let's ignore manufacturing costs, which actually should have dropped. Where, for $600, can I get a decent steel mountain bike?

Last time I checked... dirt trails are still made of dirt. There has to be a decent quality rigid 26" bike out there for people who don't want to mess with suspension ****.

I might even settle for a 29er. Just something rigid, that accepts wide tires, and doesn't cost $1000.

Or even just a rigid frameset that I can build up myself (frame would have to be cheap enough to deal with individual part mark-up).

****ing hate this industry.

 

[bing!]

http://wheelworld.com/product/specialized-2010-rockhopper-57512-1.htm

but its not steel.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Apparently...

Steel is not real, it is now boutique.

 

[mtnbiker72]

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/bullseye.htm

Just add cassette, chain, derailleurs, and a couple chainrings. Wheels will accept 8/9/10 speed cassette. Can easily do this for under $600 total.

 

[mimi1885]

Steel is not real, it is now boutique.

So true.:thumbsup:

OP, you can't get the same bike at the same price anymore. Now for the same price you can get better, though not steel but better bike. for 700 you can get a very good FS Giant Yukon FX with disc brake.

 

[UEDan]

Here ya go.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/frames/mountain-bike-frames
Scroll down. Planning on building with a suspension fork. if I'm thrifty should cost no more than $700.

 

[PetesDustyVolvo]

Why don't you stop being ridiculous and get a nice hardtail. I think you will like it.

 

[kapusta]

Amazing how I've been riding around my $400 1995 26" rigid chromoly Rockhopper with stock components all this time... and now apparently I have to spend over $1000 to get anything remotely similar.

With inflation, that's about $600. Let's ignore manufacturing costs, which actually should have dropped. Where, for $600, can I get a decent steel mountain bike?

Last time I checked... dirt trails are still made of dirt. There has to be a decent quality rigid 26" bike out there for people who don't want to mess with suspension ****.

I might even settle for a 29er. Just something rigid, that accepts wide tires, and doesn't cost $1000.

Or even just a rigid frameset that I can build up myself (frame would have to be cheap enough to deal with individual part mark-up).

****ing hate this industry.

You can easily find a $500 HT that will utterly spank the `95 Rockhopper performance-wise, and for $100 you have a decent selection of disc-ready rigid forks to swap out for. No, it will likely not be steel, though. However, lets be realistic here. A `95 Rockhopper is not exactly a high end steel frame. You have an entry level steel frame. Unfortunately, with demand for steel coming mostly from more experienced riders, most steel frames are better than entry level and cost accordingly. What you are b!tching about is lack of options on an entry level frame.

As far as a rigid steel frame-sets, there are loads of options under $500.

 

[dubdryver]

Oh, I remember my '96 full rigid Rockhopper!!

Here is something to consider for a small amount of inflation ($649) 29er full rigid, but geared: GT Peace 9r. (free shipping!)

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_522985_-1_202311_10000_202617

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_514235_-1_201915_10000_202616

 

[AndrwSwitch]

Redline does some well-regarded alloy rigids.

Soma and Voodoo do steel frames for a competitive price. Salsa too, and they do some completes. Surly, and you might score one for cheap, since the people who buy Surly are mostly not people who ride bikes as a sport or go off-road sober. Jamis, but I think all have front suspension.

 

[kapusta]

Surly, and you might score one for cheap, since the people who buy Surly are mostly not people who ride bikes as a sport or go off-road sober.

Riding off-road drunk IS a sport.

 

[NJ Rider]

How about this:

http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/nevada_2_0

Fuji makes very good bikes but are not well publicized. For $600 you can get a very decent bike with disc brakes. If you bump up $200 to the Nevada 1.0 you can get Alivio derailleurs and hydraulic brakes.

 

[Berkeley Mike]

Things have changed

You can easily find a $500 HT that will utterly spank the `95 Rockhopper performance-wise, and for $100 you have a decent selection of disc-ready rigid forks to swap out for. No, it will likely not be steel, though. However, lets be realistic here. A `95 Rockhopper is not exactly a high end steel frame. You have an entry level steel frame. Unfortunately, with demand for steel coming mostly from more experienced riders, most steel frames are better than entry level and cost accordingly. What you are b!tching about is lack of options on an entry level frame.

As far as a rigid steel frame-sets, there are loads of options under $500.

The basic bike is no longer steel.
Time marches on.....

 

[AndrwSwitch]

Riding off-road drunk IS a sport.

LOL. True, but the people I was thinking of usually do it on LHTs and Cross-checks.

 

[ratmonkey]

With standard inflation you'd be correct on pricing in a sense. But with commodities inflation that same 400$ level 1994 bike is now a great value at 900-1100$ in 2011.

If you aren't too hard on things where a warranty may matter to you buying used would be a fine idea.