Any mountain bikers out there?

[marks 0]

I need help in choosing a mountain bike.

I will be riding some street, also will be riding some hard core rough trails. long down hills and long up hills. and lots and lots of roots and rocks in between.

the majority of the time may be on a paved trail, but I want the ability to go big.

I was looking at http://www.ibexbikes.com/Stacks/Series_Asta.html

was thinking about the 2007 Ibex asta x9, anyone got a better idea for the money?

[AggieDave 6]

A bike is a bike is a bike. The biggest thing to find is one that has the geometry that fits you and a company that you like.

Personally I've never riden anything that fits me as well as a Specialized.

Beyond that the component groups are just that, you can buy a better one or a cheaper one, but buy the best frame you can afford. That's the part of the bike you'll be least likely to upgrade.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[marks 0]

thanks dave

but im a wuffo when it comes to bikes. so I don't know what feels right and all that geometry stuff.

the only bad things I have heard about the Ibex bikes, is not being able to ride them to feel if they are right, because they are a mail order company.

BUT, Ibex bikes is about 20 minutes from me and they said if I buy one, I can come pick it up, ride it and if it doesn't feel right within 30 days I could bring it back and get a different one, or get my money back.

so those are good things, but I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to tell if they are right for you, or if there is a better choice for the money out there.

[AggieDave 6]

Oh, don't buy a steel frame. Get Aluminum or better.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[marks 0]

the one I am looking at is alloy.

[SWATcop 0]

I am not a "Hardcore" mountain biker but I have been through the IPMBA school (Police Mountain Bike School) and was a bike cop for three years.

I have been riding a Giant Iguana for the past five years and its taken a lickin and keeps on tickin. I actually like it better than the Police Cannondale I rode for three years at work. Check out Giant Bicycles they have all levels.

Giant Iguana
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2003_hardtail/product_121408.shtml

Giant Bicycles
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/

Kevin

Muff Brother #4041
Team Dirty Sanchez #467

[FlyingJ 0]

Are you just getting into it with the purchase of this bike, or have you been riding and now you're hooked and want to up it to the next level with a nicer bike?

If you are just getting started I would definitely suggest giving it a go with something much cheaper before you drop that kind of money.

I used to ride a lot, and have owned a few different bikes that I paid a lot of money for. In the end though, and I know this is kind of screwed up, but the damn bike I got at Target for $100-150 was the one that I felt most comfortable on. I made some changes and upgrades here and there, but it was the bike that fit me best out of all of them.

Another thing I liked about it was that I wasn't afraid to ride it hard. I used to laugh when friends I was riding with would be riding over cautiously (read: boring) because they didn't want to risk damaging their bike.

If you have been riding for a while and know you want to upgrade, see what's out there on eBay/craigslist, etc. I've gotten a couple used bikes from those sites and was always pretty happy, and if it ends up not being a match for you it can always be resold without the kind of depreciation you'd get with a new bike.

Killing threads since 2004.

[Stumpy 284]

Quote

Oh, don't buy a steel frame. Get Aluminum or better.

Um, thats kind of a sweeping statement. There are some excellent steel frames out there.
Aluminium is trendy right now however.

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[Zipp0 1]

I would highly suggest going to the local bike shop and riding a few bikes if at all possible. When I bought my first "real" mountain bike a few years ago, riding a few different makes and frame sizes really helped my decision.

And you don't have to break the bank to get a high quality bike. I chose a Trek, because I liked the way it rode, and appreciated the lifetime warranty on the frame. I've added some better components over the last year, and the bike just gets better and better.

Good luck!

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Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down.