Any bicycle riders, looking for a bike

[WoodiE]

I've been thinking about getting a bicycle for a while now. Though I haven't been on a bike since I first got my license. I believe a mountain bike would be best suited for my needs. Something I can take off road on the many bike trails they have here in and around town as well as ride on the road.

What brand of bikes are the most popular bikes now? What features should I expect to find on most bikes and what features should I pay extra for?

Any suggestions?


-Michael

 

[alpinehyperlite]

First decide whether you want primarily offroad or onroad. If off, I'd go with a full suspension, if on and some off, I'd go with a hard tail (shock in front but not rear)
Disk brakes are almost a must these days.

Cannondale
Trek
Spediclized are the big three brands for me.

 

[hamz9561]

Trek and Specialized are two I'm familiar with. Front and rear shocks are a good idea, though most of the nicer bikes come with them.

I like disk brakes front and rear because they stop in slop that the cantilever style brakes won't. My bike has a front disc brake and I really like, just wish that it had the rear, too.

I would also suggest either a 7 or 8 speed rear cassette (the rear sprocket where the chain goes around) which will give you either 21 or 24 gear ratio selections.

A bit of Green Slime in the tires will also help keep you rolling even if the tire and tube get punctured.

A Blackburn rack in the rear will give you somewhere to put groceries and the like when you roll around town.

 

[WoodiE]

Shows how up I am on these things, one of the LBS here in town carries only Spediclized - never even heard of the brand. One thing I didn't like bout it was its not made in the usa, though I'm sure not many if any are...

I do like the idea of a rack. Might even be able to hook the dog to as well so she can run next to me.

They also suggested 29 inch wheels, they said it offers more tire options.

 

[wacmartin]

I'm in the same boat, but not much in the way of offload biking to be down here other then riding through farmers fields. I was looking at cruisers but coaster brakes kind of freak me out if I'm going to fast. My last bike was a bmx now that's not going to happen now , I'm to big. I'm at a loss here to what I should get as I don't want a mountain bike, cause I don't want to spend alot of money on something that's not needed.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

I'm in the same boat, but not much in the way of offload biking to be down here other then riding through farmers fields. I was looking at cruisers but coaster brakes kind of freak me out if I'm going to fast. My last bike was a bmx now that's not going to happen now , I'm to big. I'm at a loss here to what I should get as I don't want a mountain bike, cause I don't want to spend alot of money on something that's not needed.

Onroad can get much much more expensive than offroad.

 

[B-MILLER]

I'd say check out craigslist also. Can get killer deals on exspensive bikes there.

 

[2revo1maxx]

I recently bought a Trek dual sport 8.3, and I love it. It was about $750 after tax, and can handle some mild terrain, but it's best suited for onroad. A simple tire swap would probably make it a formidable dual purpose budget bike, but I ride mostly on the road. It has mechanical disc brakes and a fork lockout for onroad use.

 

[Greyryder]

They also suggested 29 inch wheels, they said it offers more tire options.

29ers are a big thing in mountain bikes, right now. A year or two ago, they were about all a lot of shops were stocking. I don't know about them having more tire options, since 26" wheels are what MTBs started on, and have been the standard since the beginning.

A lot of people in MTBing are really opinionated on 29vs26 inch wheels. (and 650b [27.5"] wheels just came on the MTB scene) Test ride different bikes, and find out what feels best, to you.

 

[usv568]

I have a kona hardtail with a front shock. Like the bike nice and lite, hence the aluminum frame. Disk breaks are a must, a good front shock is a must also. As far as I know I think kona's are us made but don't quote me.

 

[hamz9561]

Specialized has been around a while, Woodie. I had a nice touring bike they made when I was in college a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

I'm also looking at getting a new bike. Unfortunately it costs as much as a new 5ive-T. Decisions, decisions, decisions......

 

[SchrodeMode]

Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, and Jamis are the brands I can think of right now. If you are looking at any offroad, you will at least want front suspension, if you're not planning on any "serious" off road action, I'd stick with a hardtail, I've been told that the rear suspension absorbs a good bit of your power. When I got my bike, the salesman actually talked me into a cheaper bike, I wanted the full suspension, but he talked me into a hardtail.

 

[2revo1maxx]

Right^. Rear suspension is basically for jumping and severe punishment. I had an old schwinn frontier with no suspension and it took some serious abuse at out local state park. I would only suggest a front shock for you Woodie.

 

[WoodiE]

One name I've not seen but curious about is Giant. A co-worker rides one into work every day, in fact he doesn't even own a car, but talks highly of Giant bikes. Any opinions on those?

So far these are the bikes that have made my list:

Trek - Marlin 29er:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/29er_sport/marlin/

Cannondale - Trail SL 29'er 2:
http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes/mountain/hardtail-29er/trail-sl-29er/trail-sl-29-er-2-20744

Specialized - Hardrock 29:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/hardrock/hardrock

Giant - Talon 29er 2:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.29er.2/9041/48916/

Of those the Specialized is the only one I've seen and it was an 2012 model. The sales man told me I'd be better off coming back in 2-3 weeks to view the 2013 models.

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Out of those, the cannondale and trek would be on my top. In that order.

 

[WoodiE]

Cannondale doesn't list a price on the Trail SL 29er 2 but after doing more research it might be a bit out of my range. Looking to be a $1200+ bike, I'd really like to stay under $700-800.

Hoping to visit a few bike shops this week.

 

[SchrodeMode]

One name I've not seen but curious about is Giant. A co-worker rides one into work every day, in fact he doesn't even own a car, but talks highly of Giant bikes. Any opinions on those?

I haven't heard too much about them lately, I do remember that they were one of the big companies though.

 

[B-MILLER]

Giant is pretty popular around here. They have a shop and all they carry is Giant products. The couple I have seen in person look nice and well built.

 

[WoodiE]

Well this morning I spent some time checking out LBS's and riding a few bikes and at the end of the day I'm now an owner of a Giant Talon 1 29er. Doesn't have the sweet flat black paint job like I was hoping but has other features I'm happy with compared to a few other bikes I was looking at.

So far there is no hiding the fact I'm just a bit out of shape. haha

 

[alpinehyperlite]

Yea..... I got over $3k in bikes sitting here, and I'm still outta shape. Just getting the bike doesn't really do much for ya.