Complete noob wants to get into mnt biking

[Lvovsky]

A complete noob wants to get into mountain biking. Haven’t ridden any bike in years. Has an 80s road bike of questionable size. What should one buy and what questions to ask in a shop? Why this cheapo thing is bad or good: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RN2K24Z..._1CrGEbJQM04H9

Asking for friend. 5’11” 160lb. Haven’t done any research yet- clean sheet of paper...

[SKIP IN7RO]

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...light=electric

[Lvovsky]

https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...light=electric

on it...

[Vt-Freeheel]

You're gonna die!

[Sandbox]

Yeti or Santa Cruz or else don’t even bother....

But seriously I’d avoid that bike you have linked... cheap bikes and poor design have put off more then their fair share of new riders. I’d buy a used bike.

The real questions are what type of biking do they want to do? What is the budget? Fitness level? Just go riding on a bike path with kids on the weekend? Local trails and riding clubs?

[BFD]

I was you 4 years ago. Had no clue. Asked for similar advice here. Bought the red one. Rented a bike rode it bought it Santa Cruz 5010. But like Sandbox said what is your purpose. That Schwinn could do it for you.

[Lvovsky]

You're gonna die!

I totally forgot to add this as ‘in before’...
yes I know... easy trails... very almost flat trails... I just want to get out and the hills are right there

[Lvovsky]

I was you 4 years ago. Had no clue. Asked for similar advice here. Bought the red one. Rented a bike rode it bought it Santa Cruz 5010. But like Sandbox said what is your purpose. That Schwinn could do it for you.

Just want to get out. Ride half an hour on asphalt. Build my strength up. Go on some easy trails to start learning the basics of mnt biking. Eventually, would love to be good enough to go to local ski hill and ride the chair up, bike down... just want learn new sport.

[Lvovsky]

Yeti or Santa Cruz or else don’t even bother....

But seriously I’d avoid that bike you have linked... cheap bikes and poor design have put off more then their fair share of new riders. I’d buy a used bike.

The real questions are what type of biking do they want to do? What is the budget? Fitness level? Just go riding on a bike path with kids on the weekend? Local trails and riding clubs?

Just want to get into a new sport. Fitness level - ok. Ski in bounds anything I want - not everything gracefully tho. 46 yo. Need to work on cardio, hence, mnt bike!

Yes, just riding on the path would be a start. If I catch a bug - yer never know riding in those shorts - I want to get enough fitness and skills to ride chair up, bike down on the local hill.

[alewi11]

Hardtail 29er. Stay away from that Schwinn!

[Dantheman]

Here you go
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod183330

[volklpowdermaniac]

Here you go
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod183330

This

[Sandbox]

Yeti’s writing (about Taos and in general) is a major reason I stuck around. Much respect.

Just want to get into a new sport. Fitness level - ok. Ski in bounds anything I want - not everything gracefully tho. 46 yo. Need to work on cardio, hence, mnt bike!

Yes, just riding on the path would be a start. If I catch a bug - yer never know riding in those shorts - I want to get enough fitness and skills to ride chair up, bike down on the local hill.

ultimately I think budget is your first thing before we ( or anyone) can give you solid advice. That Nukeproof that’s suggested seems like a sweet deal but may be too much.

if you have a good local bike shop stop in ( if they allow that in these crazy/shitty times) and chat with them. If you are mechanically inclined I still like the used bike option. Get a lot of value that way after someone else took the big depreciation hit.

but based on what you said I’d think hardtail would be a good place to start

[Lvovsky]

ultimately I think budget is your first thing before we ( or anyone) can give you solid advice. That Nukeproof that’s suggested seems like a sweet deal but may be too much.

if you have a good local bike shop stop in ( if they allow that in these crazy/shitty times) and chat with them. If you are mechanically inclined I still like the used bike option. Get a lot of value that way after someone else took the big depreciation hit.

but based on what you said I’d think hardtail would be a good place to start

I’d like to get my feet wet in a new sport... don’t have any gear... would be nice to do it all for a grand or so... remember, you talking to a desk jokey/couch potato here

[Lvovsky]

Googled a bit... may be I need gravel bike?... and I thought ski gear was complicated

[Sandbox]

Hardtail is front suspension only, no rear. Soft tail has rear suspension as well.

at your price point I’d avoid soft tail and I’d also avoid the Walmart/target big box store specials. Take a look on Pinkbike or Craig’s list in your area and see what’s for sale used. Swing by the bike shop and see what they say/ have in stock. Might be able to score a covid 19 deal....

[rideit]

Well, technically, a ‘softail’ has about 50-60mm of suspension, like a Moots YBB or its ilk. But I digress.

[toast2266]

Don't buy a new full suspension bike that costs less than $1800. Don't buy a new hardtail that costs less than $1000. If you're going to buy a used bike (which is definitely a good option), have someone that knows about mountain bikes look at it first.

[Dantheman]

Another kickass option that's even cheaper than the Nukeproof. These UK hardtails are so much bike for the money.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod188255

[Dantheman]

You should absolutely get some flavor of 29er hardtail with mid-level components and good tires. Those UK hardtails check every box.

Used bikes can be a great value, but if you don't know what you're looking for you can buy a lemon. There's also lots of good deals, but not necessarily in your size and in your area.

[Lvovsky]

I am going to die. Broke. I am going to die broke.

[Sandbox]

I am going to die. Broke. I am going to die broke.

if you think skiing is expensive, get ready....

[Sandbox]

Well, technically, a ‘softail’ has about 50-60mm of suspension, like a Moots YBB or its ilk. But I digress.

Why are you the way that you are? #theoffice #toby

i never knew that! I’m gonna do some research with all my damn free time I have these days....

[rideit]

Why are you the way that you are? #theoffice #toby

i never knew that! I’m gonna do some research with all my damn free time I have these days....

[toast2266]

if you think skiing is expensive, get ready....

Get ready... to save a bunch of money by not paying for lift tickets!