MT Bikers: what to buy?

[OMGK20]

So Im interested in a mountain bike but I honestly dont know the first thing about them. I wont be doing any racing or anything, im using it as a way to stay in shape. Im just not sure which "style" is right for me: Hardtail or Full suspension, in my case which would you suggest? What are the benifits of one or the other?

Thanks!

[patrikman]

I've been riding my whole life and if I could only have one bike it would be a hardtail with disc brakes. Being able to lock out the front fork is pretty sweet, but not completely necessary.

[RenegadeE36]

Go to your Local Bike Shop and test ride some bikes.
Many shops have Demo bikes your can rent and take out on your trails and see how you like them. But make sure the shop puts your rental fee towards the purchase of the new bike.

Get the best bike thats in your price range. I see many people that buy junk walmart bikes just to see if they like biking, then end up hating it because the bike is crap.
So say your in the $600-$800 range don't get a low end Full Suspension, get a nice Hard Tail.

Don't worry about getting Disc brakes, V Brakes work just fine for recreational riding. In fact nice V Brakes are much better than low end Disc Brakes.

How much are you looking to spend and what kind of trails will you be riding on?
How tall are you also? If you are tall you may want to look at some 29ers.

[M this 2!]

not much even comes with v-brakes. it's now a question of hydraulic or cable discs. I'd go up to a light hardtail, hydraulic and if you can a bike that comes with an adjustable fork, like mentioned. one with rebound dampening and a lockout. this'll give you a really FUN bike as it's light, climbs well and will deal with very aggressive riding if you go to that level.

[naiku]

I've been riding my whole life and if I could only have one bike it would be a hardtail with disc brakes. Being able to lock out the front fork is pretty sweet, but not completely necessary.

This pretty much describes my bike, I have a 2009 Rockhopper Comp Disc, had it since new and it's been perfect for me. Sometimes I ride on pavement, so being able to lock out the fork is nice, it's light for me to get up steep hills, the brakes stop me on descents. I probably fit the type of riding OP is after, ride for fitness and fun.

As parts wear out I have upgraded them (X5 to X7, looking at swapping brakes from BB5 to BB7) but it's been awesome for me, and with my original budget was probably a better buy than a lower end full suspension bike.

[lojasmo]

I ride a diamondback outlook 29er.

This is what I would suggest:

Hard tail
Disc brakes (upgrade to hydraulic for cheap, no v break is better than even the cheapest of hydraulic discs)
Front shock lockout
29er +\-

[RenegadeE36]

Disc brakes (upgrade to hydraulic for cheap, no v break is better than even the cheapest of hydraulic discs)

A good Quality V Brake is much better than a low end Disc. BB7s are the only Mech Disc that are any good. I have seen quite a few cheap Hydros that I would much rather have good V brakes. This is even more true for the recreational rider like what to OP is.

Naiku- Upgrade your BB5s to BB7s and you will be a happy camper for sure.

[naiku]

Naiku- Upgrade your BB5s to BB7s and you will be a happy camper for sure.

That's what I have read many times, looked at some hydro brakes, but for the price it seemed that unless I was spending a lot on hydraulics, that the BB7's were a better bet. I am just waiting for the pads on the BB5's to wear out so I have a good excuse to swap them out for BB7's.

[bbk]

Gunnar:

[IMG][/IMG]

[GTaye]

+1 on the Hardtail, I'd make it a 29er and spec'd with the best components you can afford inclulding a lock-out Fork.

Even if you progress into harcore All-Mountain/Freeride with a Full Suspension rig, you'll always want to keep a versatile Hardtail around.

[anextgli]

I ride a diamondback outlook 29er.

This is what I would suggest:

Hard tail
Disc brakes (upgrade to hydraulic for cheap, no v break is better than even the cheapest of hydraulic discs)
Front shock lockout
29er +\-

how do you like this bike. saw some at dicks the other day. cheap prices.
i too am looking for a bike. but rather not buy 2.
no pro so i dont need 1200 bikes now. just looking to ride with my son.
and mess around on streets when hes not riding.

[DanG]

It all comes down to your budget.

I'd rather have a lighter, better equipped hard tail than a poorly equipped full suspension for the same price.

About $1000 is the point at which I'd personally start looking at full suspension.

[A1an]

Get out and ride whatever you can. See if local shops rent or loan bikes that you can ride on the local trails instead of the parking lot. Also get in touch with some local mountain bike clubs/groups to see what most of the guys ride in your area. You may be able to test ride some bikes through those connections too as many of those guys have multiple bikes that they don't mind letting people ride for a day.

[BsickPassat]

So Im interested in a mountain bike but I honestly dont know the first thing about them. I wont be doing any racing or anything, im using it as a way to stay in shape. Im just not sure which "style" is right for me: Hardtail or Full suspension, in my case which would you suggest? What are the benifits of one or the other?

Thanks!

Hardtail = less expensive.
Full Suspension = more expensive

for a price of a low end full suspension, you get lower end components. For the same money, you get a hard tail with higher end components

Full suspension won't beat you up as much as a hard tail.

but... it really boils down to how much money you want to spend?

...

[lojasmo]

how do you like this bike. saw some at dicks the other day. cheap prices.
i too am looking for a bike. but rather not buy 2.
no pro so i dont need 1200 bikes now. just looking to ride with my son.
and mess around on streets when hes not riding.

I like it a lot! For the price, it can't be beat. I replaced the mechanical discs with some avid juicy discs, but in retrospect, they're overkill.

[MickR]

I talked new MTN bike with the dudes at my local pro bike shop today, after buying some new road shorts. I'm pretty short in height, with a really low inseam, and I was questioning 29er for somebody my size. But, it seems like everything is going this way. A lot more traction is the key here; I didn't think about this. So, no matter what, I think we are seeing everything, even lower price rigs, going 29.

[DanG]

You will find cheaper 29ers now, but they're heavy.

How short are you?