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What would be a good bike for me?
What's a good bike for me?
Hey guys.
I've just started to get into riding a bit more, and I wanted to get a new bike. I'm looking for a mountain bike that will be used mainly on-road but will do a nice job as a trek bike.
I ride around fairlight/manly mostly (although I've only just started doing it regularly), so I want something that will feel good to ride during medium to long trips anywhere around the northern beaches.
I'm just on the border of 5"9 and 6 foot, and there should be some room to grow (I turned 16 last month).
I dont know if there's anything else you need to know, but I'll check this thread regularly.
(I was told that the brand 'Trek' are good value for what I want, but tell me what you think is best)
- Lars
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Check this thread out http://nobmob.com/node/401 there are some good recomendations about your first bike in there. A few things don't go to Kmart big w etc, go to a bike store, you'll end up dealing with somebody who knows what they are talking about and pretty quickly you'll end up on first name terms. you'll need to pay at least $500 for a bike that is goin to last of road, a few thins you will definitely need are double butted frames, double walled rims, 27 gears and front suspension. People will add disc brakes to this but im 6ft 75kg and i use v brakes and they stop me fine. When recommending bikes most people recommend the one they are currently riding (Funny that
).
That said i'm going to recommend my bike, i ride a learsport tr3270 and i love, it cost $550 about 18months ago. It is a great first bike for off road it has good quality deore (front) and lx (rear) shifters, double walled rims, its reasonably light and the front fork comes with a lockout (handy for long sections on the road). If you can pick one of these up cheap you'll be alright on the dirt, as i do 95% of my riding on the dirt about 4-5 times a week and i'm yet to have a problem (touch wood).
Good luck.
one more thing ask heaps of questions, that way you learn what's good and whats not?
Thanks,
I went to a bike store today to suss things out, the guy was talking about disc breaks and how they were essential if I was going to go offroad a lot, but I've never had a problem with v breaks, and I've never heard of anyone having problems with them, so I'll save myself the $300 (Price I was given), and stick with the regular ones.
If I were to say do 80% of my riding on the road, should I really invest too much into offroad specs? What's the real difference between a $500 bike, and $5000 bike? Is there anything I should look into given what the bike's going to be used for?
- Lars
yes i definitely would invest into the offroad specs, as it will save you money in the long run. If you go onto the dirt with a bike thats not designed for it, you will break it. I speak here from personal experience i took a $350 bike onto the dirt, 6th months later i took it to the bike shop and i had Broken the rear axle, bent the front and rear rim, destroyed the spring in my fork, broken my front derailleur purely because i was riding the bike where it was not meant to go. Fortunately most of it was under warranty. I would pay the little bit more and get a bike that is truly offroad worthy. two reasons. One you'll save money as i've already said and 2 road riding is boring, dangerous and no fun, pretty soon you'll be completely hooked on mountain biking.
As for your question about a $500 verse $5000 bike, don't over invest in your first bike you may decide i hate this sport (unlikely but it does happen) and as your still greowing you will eventually need to go to a bigger frame as well.
With 80% of your riding on the road, I wouldn't bother with disc brakes. Disc brakes are nice, but are by no means essential for riding offroad. They make your bike very attractive to theives, which is a bad thing if you plan on locking your bike up anywhere. Disc brake pads will last longer offroad, and work better in the wet. However, in the dry, you can lock up both wheels with V brakes, or if you are on the road, do a spectacular endo. They are powerful enough.
i still do spectacular endoes on the dirt with v brakes what am i doing wrong?
Can you even by a MTB without disk brakes? I can not think of any of the good MTB brands without disk brakes. if you are planning to ride off-road, get disk brakes. V-brakes are old technology and not as good as disk. My first bike was an entry level Scott reflex. It weighs a ton but it is a great bike to confidently get around Manly dam or anything else. I did Dirtworks with it and it is still going strong. What I recommend is to test ride everything you can. Most bike shops have demo bikes you can take for the day or a weekend. If you do not want to by new, look up www.bikeexchange.com.au
good luck with your choice.
One more thing - There are 12 inches in a foot
In Australia disc is spelt as I have done here, regardless of whether it's a compact disc or a disc brake. Please leave American spelling firmly where it belongs.
Would it be a smart idea to concider buying a second hand bike so I can get better gear?
got mine for a bit under a grand.
comes with Deore front/LX rear.
DART 3 shock w/ lockout (great for the road - none of that pogo-ing you can get).
disc brakes - not necessary but I'd never go back to vbrakes now
I've done a fair bit of on & offroad riding so far, no complaints at all. strangely enough, getting off my a55 & putting the road tyres on makes it much better to ride on the road
I was looking for an "entry"-level bike that won't fall apart, and will last me a few years. Fingers crossed it will go the distance, but things look good so far...
good luck!