Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Looking for a mountain bike

  1. #1
    "Has anyone ever mistaken the chicken outside for a crab?" JeepGeneral's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jeannette, PA
    Posts
    2,421

    Looking for a mountain bike

    Like the title says, I'm looking for a winter ride. Something capable of handling a little bit of snow on the local rails to trails. I ride a road bike all spring/summer/fall and probably won't spend much time on it other than in the winter.

    Should I look for a cheap rigid 29" wheel bike or a 26" wheel with better components? Suspension is not a big deal to me as I will rarely actually ride "off-road". Looking to spend around $500 or less. I'm 6'0 and weigh around 200 lbs. I definitely don't mind something pre-owned.

    What do you recommend?

  2. #2
    Less posting, more wheeling!
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Butler
    Posts
    1,853
    nashbar makes a full rigid 29er single speed. Two of my friends along with myself have them. We have not had any problems with them what so ever. I love mine. They have discs front and rear. Although they are a single speed they do have provisions for cables and derailers if you are looking for gears
    2007 Quad cab frontier LE
    1998 wrangler with pink wheel centers (hers)
    2004 trx450r stress reliever.

  3. #3
    Less posting, more wheeling!
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Butler
    Posts
    1,853
    here's a link to it. http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...54_-1___202341 usually if you google coupon codes you can either get 20% off and or free shipping. Their wearhouse is in Canfield so stuff usually arrives very quickly
    2007 Quad cab frontier LE
    1998 wrangler with pink wheel centers (hers)
    2004 trx450r stress reliever.

  4. #4
    PghOffRoad Forum Addict! cjw94xk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    South Hills
    Posts
    1,047
    Another recomendation is a Diamondback Overdrive 29er. I bought one a few years ago to see if I would like the whole 29er thing. THe bike has held up flawlessly. I purchased it from Nashbar and I think I got it for under 500 shipped.

  5. #5
    "Has anyone ever mistaken the chicken outside for a crab?" JeepGeneral's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jeannette, PA
    Posts
    2,421
    I did a lot of reading and actually ended up with a Diamondback Overdrive. They have some 2012 models on amazon for $350! I ordered it Thursday afternoon and it was at my door Friday at noon. I took it out for a few miles yesterday and like it so far, the fork sucks I wish it had a lockout. I'll probably upgrade it over time but most decent forks cost as much as the bike did!

  6. #6
    PghOffRoad Forum Addict! cjw94xk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    South Hills
    Posts
    1,047
    Awesome! The bike itself is very stout but I agree, the componets leave a lot to be desired. My philosophy, ride it unil it breaks. Also, keep an eye on craigslist. I occasionally see some nice 29er forks on there. Reba's, fox etc.

  7. #7
    "Has anyone ever mistaken the chicken outside for a crab?" JeepGeneral's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jeannette, PA
    Posts
    2,421
    Yea I always had the same philosophy. My road bike has mid grade components and I haven't broke anything after 2000 miles.

  8. #8
    Premium Supporting Member OverkillZJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USC, PA
    Posts
    15,707
    Quote Originally Posted by JeepGeneral View Post
    I did a lot of reading and actually ended up with a Diamondback Overdrive. They have some 2012 models on amazon for $350! I ordered it Thursday afternoon and it was at my door Friday at noon. I took it out for a few miles yesterday and like it so far, the fork sucks I wish it had a lockout. I'll probably upgrade it over time but most decent forks cost as much as the bike did!
    Hey Tom,

    Do you still like it overall? Did you end up upgrading the fork? I'm looking at getting back into biking. I might even be heading to CO later this year to do an adventure race that involves 45 miles of mountain biking (then hiking, then kayaking.) It just looks like too much fun to not try

  9. #9
    "Has anyone ever mistaken the chicken outside for a crab?" JeepGeneral's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jeannette, PA
    Posts
    2,421
    For what I've used it for so far it's great. Its basically my "do all" bike when I'm not riding my road bike. I ise it alot on the crushed limestone trails and some light mountain biking. The front fork sucks for climbing hills, I would rather have a rigid fork. I've got it set as stiff as possible but don't do enough real mountain biking to justify spending $200+ on a new fork. For $500 I would have bought locally but for the price I got it for I'm real happy.

    If you're looking for a bike locally head to Pro Bikes in Squirrel Hill and see my buddy Aaron. He is a bike nut and can set you up with a bike designed for whatever riding you want to do. I'm no expert and really like having a good relationship with a local bike shop. I just wish he was closer to Greensburg.

  10. #10
    "Has anyone ever mistaken the chicken outside for a crab?" JeepGeneral's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jeannette, PA
    Posts
    2,421
    I may also consider selling my current cyclocross/roadbike if you're looking for a nice bike with mid-level components. I have an offroad set of tires/wheels and a nice set of road wheels/tires. It's definitely not a mountain bike though.

  11. #11
    Premium Supporting Member OverkillZJ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USC, PA
    Posts
    15,707
    Thanks for the info - but no thanks on the cyclocross - still have mine! I'm looking for something that can get me back on the trails.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Woman's mountain bike (mint!)
    By muddeprived in forum Items For Sale
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-21-2010, 06:44 PM
  2. Greensburg (Mountain Bike) Trails
    By Ronin152 in forum Mountain Biking
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-18-2008, 11:58 PM
  3. GT Tempest mountain bike
    By Effjae in forum Items For Sale
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-22-2008, 02:09 PM
  4. cool mountain bike video
    By Jpdst29 in forum Mountain Biking
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 09-12-2007, 10:12 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •