[davidarnott]

Check out the thread "Ignorance is bliss?" on the Passion site. I want to make some recommendations for beginning bike riders and I'll bet there are a few others around here with some good suggestions. Until you know a lot of technical information about bicycle products you would be advised not to spend a whole truckload of cash for your first bike. It takes a lot of time to learn all this crap tires rims hubs brakes suspension frames cranks bars chains. The list seems endless. And until you know what you want don't go out and break the bank. We've ALL made this mistake by the way.

Hit pawn shops thrift stores bike auctions used sporting goods stores craigslist. Anyplace that has used bicycles. Buy a Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Kona, Haro, Diamondback, Marin, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz, North American, it's a long list of good quality bikes and these are NOT in order of importance. Pick a mountain bike for a good low price. Suspension is complicated and expensive to maintain. Take the bike to a local bike shop and have them put on a set of new Panaracer, Kenda, Continental Schwalbe tires, new tubes, check spokes, new grips, new seat? pedals? lubricate cables new brake pads or disc pads, full tuneup set brakes derailer.

Then just ride the holy crap out of it. Run it into the ground. Ride the freakin wheels off that bike. Use it or lose it. The best bikes are ones that are expended, ridden, used. That's my two bits worth for noobs looking for their first bike. Usually you don't even have to take them to the shop. Get an air pump, lube, and a multi tool. Okay enough ranting.

 

[ae111black]

:thumbsup: Good Thread!!















Should Get good responses......

 

[AZ]

Get a good helmet . Find friendly people to ride with . Volunteer on trail work parties .

 

[fastale]

The best bikes are ones that are expended, ridden, used.

amen brother.

 

[LRB]

Don't be scared to try!

Try the trail, who cares if you have to walk a little.

Try to fix it, worst case you have take it to the shop and have them help you.

Its all about having fun!

 

[OSOK]

That's such an awesome pic... so many thoughts, desires, fears, and things that'll make us happy can come to mind just looking at that...

 

[DavidWixom]

How about be smart and safe about it? That'd be good advice. Plan your trip out in advance, know your limitations, don't go on the more difficult trails alone, etc...

 

[Lawson Raider]

Don't forget to always bring a slower rider in case you find a mountain lion or bear on the trail! Just kidding!

Make sure you stay hydrated with water and electrolytes, be courteous and friendly on the trail to all users (hikers, bikers, and horse riders), always try to lend a hand when you see a rider in trouble, and just as much - Have fun and enjoy the scenery!

 

[Noobi-Wan Kenobi]

Might be a good idea to try to get a bike that fits the rider.

 

[random walk]

Don't cheap out on the post-ride beverages when it's your turn.

 

[nickav21]

Don't cheap out on the post-ride beverages when it's your turn.

Probably the best advice yet!!

Other than that, eat a good meal before a good ride. It'll make your ride a lot more enjoyable if you have plenty of energy to really ride hard! And don't get dehydrated! Especially if riding after a night of over-indulgence in "post-ride beverages."

 

[scottzg]

Probably the best advice yet!!

...says the guy with the pbr avatar...

 

[heartland]

That's exactly how I got started riding: my campus auctions off abandoned bikes twice a year, and on a whim I bought a Raleigh M80 for $25. I put on a new set of tires, had my LBS replace a broken spoke, hit the trails and never looked back. After riding it for a year, I realized that the suspension fork had never worked (it had maybe 10mm travel) but since I didn't know anything about forks I didn't know that they were supposed to have more than that.

My two bits for beginners: get a repair guide and learn to do some of your own wrenching. Saves you a ton of cash, and it's a great excuse to buy more tools. :thumbsup:

 

[nickav21]

hey, i think a big glass a water before bed! it makes everything better

 

[BigSharks]

"...Buy a Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Kona, Haro, Diamondback, Marin, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz, North American,..."

Scroll through the bike brands here on the main forum page. They are all quality (keep an eye on crummy Mongeese).

 

[AZ]

Yep , beware the Walgoose .

 

[Hopping_Rocks]

Always carry a spare tube and minipump. Ride with friends. Try different trails.

 

[davidarnott]

It musta been friday night around here last night

As the great Montana painter Charles M Russel once said about riding bicycles: "Gives one a terrible thirst for beer". I think several folks around here might agree that mountain biking makes beer taste a whole lot better!

Beware the Walgoose. That's funny. I have a little problem I can't turn down any $8.00 steel framed Specialized that turns up at the Salvation Army in Bozeman. Fact is you could get into this sport for under $100 and your bike would be just a little heavier than everybody else. And not much heavier. A quick trick for scoping a used bike is: Are the rims, hubs and crank aluminum? Yes=good No=bad.

 

[davidarnott]

We Love You Noobs

you are our future. We Love You!!! Ride ride ride ride. Start something new. Ride that bi
ke!!! Around town and in the country too. Ride the wilderness. You won't be sorry. It you wuz an ur ban riderl I triple dare you to tempt the dirt. You won't be sorryl.
BMX urban duddes hoit the wilderness there will be no turning backi. It's over suckers. Anywhere anytime for any reason. I've seen you little ****ers. I just keep thinking to mjyself. When these BMX *****es hit the dirt. there will be a revolution. Around the planet

We are just poineers. We do not realize the potency of this coming revolution. Our enemey is envy. We just don

't believe what these ****ers can full off. It's all over now. It's time for noobs to take over. .

 

[davidarnott]

Just You Wait

When those freeride urban atheltes hit the wilderness for the first time. thst's gonna rock and you know it's true. When those ****ing BMX urban dudes hit the dirt for the first time.

The Will Kick Ouer Ass. They are going tpo LOVE the dirt. And they are goingto eat dirt for lunch. Moab has nothing on the upper midwest. Those ****ers can do anythning anytime for any ****ing reason any where. Including the Montana Mountainsl. And the Great Northern Plains. Anywhyere. That's no idle boast.

I'm just imagaining one of these urban wizards in Hell Hole Couloee. It would be good all around. No apolgies. No regrets. **** you *****es. **** off. Welcome to the end of the world.