Advise on buy a mountain bike (???)

[Jackie]

My husband has been making noise about wanting a mountain bike since his "skinny tire" bike is not very good in the dirt! I was thinking it might be a good Christmas gift for me to get for him. I don't think he would be an agressive rider - just looking to ride in the open spaces and mild trails. Can you give me your thoughts? Trek, Cannondale, other brands? Anything specific I should look for? As far as budget... I'd like to keep it less than $500 if that's possible. My Trek is too small for him, but he likes it - I know that much.

Thanks in advance for advise...:)

[ExplorerTom]

Don't buy it as a surprise- take him to buy it so you can get the size right. And sometimes the difference between a trek or cannondale is just the feel. He might like one over the other.

[Jim]

So, from Tom's advice for taking him to get the fit right... Are there any recommendations for good bike stores [?near Westminster?]?

[Tom]

Agree. Fitting correctly is the key. A good bike shop knows how to do it if you don't.

[Jackie]

take him to buy it so you can get the size right.

Thanks, Tom - I thought about that too. I just hate giving gift cards... but in this case might be the better way to go.

[ExplorerTom]

Doesn't have to be a gift card......

you could also get him a mountain biking shirt (or socks or gloves or....) and present it to him by wearing it....... And only it. If you catch my drift.

if it was my wife, that would be amazing. YMMV though.

[Jackie]

HAHAHAH!!! Yeah! - NO!!!:lmao: Not going there...

[zukrider]

stay away from dirby on 104th. not a fan.

what are his stats? height, weight, and inseam being the most important. take a look at http://www.airbornebicycles.com/. they are a mail order direct to consumer. you get much more bike for the money. if you like them, go to a local store, size up on a trek, and buy that size from airborne. i have an airborne guardian. great bike, but i had to make a few upgrades due to my weight.

[dscowell]

I got a mountain bike for my birthday long time ago. Went to Bicycle Village off of Wadsworth (9170 Wadsworth Pkwy, Westminster, CO).I got a Trek and it works great! Used a little bit for mountain biking but not a ton more of a bike to get me to and from school and to ride around with my friends. I haven't ridden it in quite some time but it is still a good bike and still works great. Plus buying a bike from Bicycle Village you get free life time check ups which is a bonus!

[Jackie]

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning for Trek... however... we bought a couple bikes from the store on 88th and Wads for our daughter and they were very good about sizing it up for her, so I might go talk to them. The last time we went in to buy a bike for Annika, we were looking at another Trek and they turned us on to a Scott. When we asked what the difference was between the bikes, the sales guy said ..."about $100". Same bike. Different paint job. Same mechanics...and $100 cheaper.

Maybe gift card IS the way to go this time... (sans the aforementioned presentation!!!):D

[94ToyBear]

I bought my Girl friend a bike last xmass.....I thought it would be nice to surprise her with one....I'm glad I didn't as the fit is key... I woulda got her the wrong one that's for sure... she was more then happy to have it as very thoughtfull gift rather then a surprise....wheatridge bicycleary is where I went. Plus you get a free tune up 6 month in.

If he's a bigger guy I would look in to a 29ner (29 inch wheels)
I like the sevice to much at wheatridge I bought my self one. But you prprobably won't find anythin for him under 700. They also price match

[trailfiend]

I would like to say I despise Derby with my entire being. How he remains in business is a shock to me every time I drive by.

Typically, the (new) mountain bikes you can get a shop for around the $500 price point aren't built for mountain use, they're more just burly around-town bikes, good for commuting by people who like to abuse stuff (sorry to put it bluntly). If he would like to go mountain biking, doesn't have to be rough or advanced, trails are trails out here, if you're on single track the needs in a bike are all the same regardless of skill or speed (I get lots of people saying they're not very advanced riders when shopping for bikes, but a nicer bike usually means more smiles on the trail).

My recommendations for people with the $500~ budget looking to get into mountain biking is typically this:

If you'd like to purchase something new, I recommend looking for a fully rigid steel 29er with a single speed, 1x9 or 1x10 drivetrain (these usually shave weight and lots of $$). As far as durability, longevity and awesome-factor go, a fully rigid 29er is a great way to go. The suspension options that are out there for $500 range bicycles aren't worth it - they're more prone to breaking if being ridden on trails rather than around town. By going with the larger, 29" wheel (vs. 26"), it's the same principle as 33" or 35" tires instead of 31" on trucks - you get better breakover on rocks and increased contact patch = a smoother ride, more stability and control, and more traction. Rigid is a tough way to approach mountain biking, but if approached with the right mindset - it's a blast!!

If he would like more gears and some suspension, my sincerest recommendation is to turn to the used market. Or consider looking at bikes in the $1100 price range (I'm sure that's not what you want to hear, but that's the price range where components begin to get better and perform at a higher level of accuracy for longer). If you decide to explore the used market - I suggest finding some $1100-$1200 bike options new, and surfing CL for those or similar bikes used (also, VeloSwap is coming soon, many good deals to be had there).

As far as what brands to look at, spec. wise, below $1k most bikes are going to have about the same components per price point across the board, frame materials and build are all about the same... They probably all come out of the same factory, too...

How tall is he? I'll dig around the shop and see what kind of deals I can find for you.

[trailfiend]

Also, if at all possible, support your local bike shop :) (BikeSource, Bicycle Village, and similar big stores are corporate :| )

[94ToyBear]

http://m.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/hardrock/hardrock-disc-se-29

This is what I ended up with... as you can tell the price dropped some. I Like my bike a lot... im just not happy with stamped steel sprockets....but I'm also 240 lbs and ride hard.

[ExplorerTom]

One thing about the cheaper bikes with cheaper components- if that's what you get him and he never takes it to the mountains (the trails along the front range can be brutally rocky) then he should be fine. But if he does start wanting to trail ride, bikes are a lot like cars/trucks: you can upgrade them.

I bought a Raleigh with some crappy front shock (no rear) when I lived in KS. I paid about $600. Then I moved out here. Soon the shock was upgraded to a nice Rock Shock and the mechanical disc brakes were ditched in favor of some hydraulic brakes. Now it's a pretty decent bike- although full suspension would be nice.

[The StRanger]

Iv never had a real nice bike. A would buy ether used or pick up a WallMart.
Ride it till it fell apart.
And now I haven't rode in like 3 years ...

[Jim]

OK, so the initial presentation idea is nix'd... So how `bout this: Dinner (w/ or w/o chillin's) and an after dinner blindfolded ride to the bike store. It might be more fun if you had kids along (well, I could see the kids having fun with Dad being blindfolded - it'd be a fun, memorable event).

[trailfiend]

I could see the kids having fun with Dad being blindfolded - it'd be a fun, memorable event

heh..

[Funrover]

I'll dig around the shop and see what kind of deals I can find for you.

Awesome!


Also, if at all possible, support your local bike shop :) (BikeSource, Bicycle Village, and similar big stores are corporate :| )

Heck yes!!


The best is to find a bike that fits, test ride different types/brands. Trailfiend I'd bet would be willing to help you out! The price is your killer for a new bike.