Picking a bike (noob)

Lbs?

:idea:
Do you have a local bike shop? That would be a great starting point, with that price range they should be able to show you several different models and brands. Take notes and come back to the forums for more in-depth recommendations.

From my research good bikes start around 300 to 400. Are you looking too get both a road and mountain bike for that 1000 dollars?

Drucon, what sort of bikes are your friends riding? Can you tell us anything about the types of trails that they ride?

Since you want to ride w/your friends, it's worth taking a look at what sort of bike is working for them.

Vtolds said:

From my research good bikes start around 300 to 400. Are you looking too get both a road and mountain bike for that 1000 dollars?

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entry lvl bikes start at 300-400... good mtn bikes with decent (or better then decent) componentry are around $1k

lol, entry lvl bikes start at 70 bucks at your local walmart. I am a fairly firm believer that it is the rider not the bike. A 400 dollar Trek, Gary Fisher, Specialized, Gaint, list goes on and on will last just as long and give a superb ride. Drucon is 14 years old, I doubt he needs a 1000 dollar full suspension bike to get him self on the trail. My personal advice to you Drucon is to get what you can afford to break, not what you can afford. You break something on a 1000 dollar bike you got nothing left to maintain it if it need work.

We should put more effort into finding out more about the type and style of riding that the OP has in mind.

My friends and i are going to be hitting up alot of downhill trails, with some jumping, i do have a Bicycles Plus near me, and im only looking for a Mountain bike, not a road bike.

what bikes do your friends ride?

Go to Bicycles Plus and look at the Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc and the Trek 6000 Disc. Those are two great bikes to start out on. Ride them both and see which one feels better to you. Also, ride your buddies' bikes. You might find one of theirs that you like and can try to get for yourself.

buy a gary fisher from your Favorite LBS

Vtolds said:

lol, entry lvl bikes start at 70 bucks at your local walmart.

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entry into what? :skep:

I wish I had $1k to spend at 14.

How dedicated to this hobby are you? I ask because I find the fact you want to upgrade because your *friends* say you need to underwhelming. What do YOU think you need? If you really enjoy riding and it won't hurt to part with that kind of cash, then $1000 will get you a very, very nice hard tail.

If you are ambivalent or in the least bit unsure, spend $200 on a used or $400 on a new entry level but solid hardtail and a bit more on some new gear then stash the rest away for college. A $400 bike, wisely chosen will get you very far.

Also, you may very well outgrow any bike you buy now. You'll be able to recoup some costs selling it used, but the wiser financial choice might be a more modest bike now and the higher end bike when you've reached your full height.

NicoleC said:

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If you are ambivalent or...

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don't confuse that with going out and buying a bike on ambien -
you'll come home w/ a frozen turkey or something

The Wahoo disc is a great deal. I sell a ton of them to customers who are starting to really get in to mountain biking but don't want to spend a ton.

Choosing a MTB

You are getting a lot of valuable advice from everyone- good luck with your choice. I rode a Giant Yukon for 18 years and had a blast on it. It was a great bike, I spend around $400 dollars on it when I was your age and upgraded parts when they became worn. It was a 19 inch frame- it still fits me well.

I finally went to my lbs and purchased a Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc- it is a great bike and you will not be disappointed.

I'd find something used that is ok in your range, don't fall into the competition with your friends over who's bike is the coolest with the best parts blah blah, in the end it comes down to the rider not necessarly the most expensive bike.

UGH don't get a Trek or Specialized EVERYONE has one.

(they are awesome bikes though)

Something like this would be awesome.
http://www.rscycle.com/2007-Iron-Horse-MKIII-Comp-All-Mountain-CLOSEOUT?sc=19&category=55

You know my girlfriend has a GIANT YUKON FX and it won a MBA shootout and its an amazing bike LBS has it here for $699. BEST DEAL EVER.

+1 -> "you may very well outgrow any bike you buy now... the wiser financial choice might be a more modest bike now and the higher end bike when you've reached your full height."

Amen to that. I'd spend $400 on a decent hardtail now, sell it on for $200 when you're 18 and know what size frame (and what type of mtb) you will need for the rest of your happy, healthy mtb-ing life. Put the $600 spare towards your future dream bike.

There are some frickin awesome-looking and -riding hardtails for $300-400 these days. Trek's 2009 and 2010 4 series for example.