Thread: Less than $1,000

I just started mountain biking a year ago. I live in Houston so it really isn't mountain biking. They have some hilly bike trails thorugh the woods at a park near my house. I have been riding a '91 no suspension Trek which is in pretty poor condition. I'm going to buy a new bike. I don't want to spend more than $1,000. What should I get. I'm 6' 160 lbs if that matters.

Go to Bike Barn at the Kirby location and ride some stuff. (I used to work there)

can you swing an extra $100?

http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id....1&category=108

as far as new bikes go I think that's one of the best deals around right now. I've been riding that same frame (different parts spec) for around 9 months now and I've been real happy.

At your height I would probably recommend a 19". I'm 5'11" and I ride a 17" with a 75mm stem but I like my bikes short. Try to find a local IH dealer for a test ride.

If a 5" travel MKIII is overkill for his local trails, they've got an Azure for the same price with a very solid parts spec (Reba, Float R, XT, BB5):
http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id....1&category=108

These are seriously killer deals.

So you both think I should go full suspension?

Originally Posted by Jim J

So you both think I should go full suspension?

Yes. A hardtail will help you learn to control your bike better initially, but you'll still find yourself coveting a fully pretty soon. Better to just get it now. The Ironhorse deals mentioned above really are great ones- I'd jump at that MKIII- all the bike you'll ever need in Texas and then some (but not serious overkill).

Also check out classifieds at:

http://www.mtbr.com
http://www.pinkbike.com
http://www.ridemonkey.com

Originally Posted by Jim J

So you both think I should go full suspension?

yes. down the road you may feel like picking up a hardtail or a single speed or a 29'er or whatever fad is hot at the time. to start off your back will thank you for getting a full suspension.

I'll throw my vote in for full suspension as well. Climbs better, descends better, and will leave your body (and especially your taint) feeling much less worn out at the end of the ride.

Originally Posted by Big Blue

and especially your taint

Its all about the taint in the end.

Originally Posted by dfinn

yes. down the road you may feel like picking up a hardtail or a single speed or a 29'er or whatever fad is hot at the time. to start off your back will thank you for getting a full suspension.

Fad? Hardtails and Singlespeeds have been around way longer than fulls. Anyhow go with a full sus if you have any inkling you might want one.

I tried the full suspension route once and it isn't for me.

I have little mechanical skill and know even less about bikes. Would you still recommend buying a bike over the internet?

Originally Posted by powwrangler

Fad? Hardtails and Singlespeeds have been around way longer than fulls.

I realize that. I was talking about their recent popularity and people trying to get back to the "roots" of MTB.

Originally Posted by Jim J

I have little mechanical skill and know even less about bikes. Would you still recommend buying a bike over the internet?

Jim J: I'd check out some bike shops in your local area. This maybe a good time to buy a bike from the last model year at a great discount. I'd talk to the sales people ride a few bikes, see what they have to offer, etc.

Most bike shops are pretty cool. You might even be able to say: I'm getting such and such a deal from the internet, could to come halfway to meeting that. You'll make some friends in the process, they'll put your bike together for you and tune it up.

If you want to get more bang for your buck, go with a hardtail as they are relatively cheaper/lighter/less maint. Nothing wrong with full sus the lwer end ones just seem to be heavier and have lesser components than hartails at the same price range.

Originally Posted by powwrangler

I tried the full suspension route once and it isn't for me.

its because you hate your taint, isn't it?

Originally Posted by doublediamond223

Go to Bike Barn at the Kirby location and ride some stuff. (I used to work there)

Is that the same bike barn that started in Clear Lake that I that was started by that lady (can't remember her name - Kitty??) and her husband?

Originally Posted by Jim J

I just started mountain biking a year ago. I live in Houston so it really isn't mountain biking. They have some hilly bike trails thorugh the woods at a park near my house. I have been riding a '91 no suspension Trek which is in pretty poor condition. I'm going to buy a new bike. I don't want to spend more than $1,000. What should I get. I'm 6' 160 lbs if that matters.

Once you get into it, you'll be traveling to the hill country to ride, and that stuff can get rough. What part of Houston are you in?

Originally Posted by sfotex

Is that the same bike barn that started in Clear Lake that I that was started by that lady (can't remember her name - Kitty??) and her husband?

They have a clear lake store, although Kirby is the flagship and has the highest-end bikes by far. The owners are Lee Neathry (sp?) and Neil Bremner. They are the second owners, and are not married, so idk.

Jim, again, just go down there and test ride some stuff, they don't mind. Either that, or go to the copperfield store and ask for Brandon. The inventory there is a little lower, as far as FS bikes go, but there is still a lot of high end shit. The nice thing about going to copperfield is that there is a huge grassy area in the back to test ride at, along with a bunch of loading docks to jump off of. Kirby doesn't have anything like that.

www.bikebarn.com

Originally Posted by Jim J

I have little mechanical skill and know even less about bikes. Would you still recommend buying a bike over the internet?

Any shop will build the bike up for you for the cost of labor. The deals from the above links really are great deals.

No question- a 4-5" fully for your first bike. Rigid bikes are great, full suspension are better. No offense poww.

Originally Posted by biggins

Any shop will build the bike up for you for the cost of labor. The deals from the above links really are great deals.

No question- a 4-5" fully for your first bike. Rigid bikes are great, full suspension are better. No offense poww.

I didn't say hardtail were better, I just said they are cheaper, and to ride some bikes before blindly pulling the trigger.

I have been reading some threads and people around here seem to like steel frames and they seem to like single speeds. Is it worth turning my Trek 850 into single speed and throwing a cheap front sunspension fork on it? There are no visible cracks in the frame and it looks straight. Should I get someone at a shop to check the frame out?

I have the perfect solution for you. Buy my 19" '05 Rocky Mountain Slayer 50 for $900 shipped!!

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70269

Back me up here people. The Slayer is a perfect score for this guy and it is for sure the most bike he is going to get in his price range. If he goes to a store he will get half this bike for his money.

Originally Posted by Jim J

I have been reading some threads and people around here seem to like steel frames and they seem to like single speeds. Is it worth turning my Trek 850 into single speed and throwing a cheap front sunspension fork on it? There are no visible cracks in the frame and it looks straight. Should I get someone at a shop to check the frame out?

Clean it really well and check for cracks yourself.

Then, if you think you might like singlespeeding, pick a gear (probably in the neighborhood of 32-16 to 32-20 depending on terrain) and simply don't shift for the whole ride. If you had fun, consider converting it.

Originally Posted by sfotex

Once you get into it, you'll be traveling to the hill country to ride, and that stuff can get rough.

Definitely agree, showed up in San Anton' with my beloved hardtail from a flatland state which will remain unnamed. The riding is awesome, as it is something of a novelty to have singletrack with an elevation change, but as soon as I have the cash I'm changing frames.

Full Day on Hill Country Limestone + Hard tail = Burning sensation when pissing

I'd go with a decent FS rig, SMFs RM wouldn't be a bad deal at all. Or the short travel Iron Horse.

As for the SS project, it's a great way to get yourself into building bikes. I put together a SS, and then my next two bicycles. However, the 300 bucks you put into your trek could be spent on your primary bike.

Whatever you choose, best of luck and happy riding

Originally Posted by skimasterflex

I have the perfect solution for you. Buy my 19" '05 Rocky Mountain Slayer 50 for $900 shipped!!

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70269

Back me up here people. The Slayer is a perfect score for this guy and it is for sure the most bike he is going to get in his price range. If he goes to a store he will get half this bike for his money.

I'll back you up on that. I would have bought your bike already if it wasn't a complete overlap with my current bike.