Mountain Bikes?

[Bumppo]

Go to the Goodwill/ Salvation Army store and see if anyone has donated bicycles. I live a traveling lifestyle and find some amazing bargains on bikes in those places as well as in pawn shops. Bikes take up a lot of floor space so they tend to sell them below their worth. Try looking at those places that are closest to the richest neighborhoods you can find, as the people donating them probably didn't get their stuff at "Wally World "to begin with.

 

[Planterz]

Oh yeah, be sure to check Cragislist and whatnot for your area. You can often find a barely used bike for cheap that cost much more new. When I was in the market for a new bike, I saw all kinds of great bikes with low or very low mileage for as much as 50% of their original cost (but unfortunately for me, all the wrong size). Your $500 budget could get you a $600-1000 bike. If you're unsure of a specific bike, or how good a deal might (or might not) be, ask a more knowledgeable friend, or just post a link here.

EDIT: I just checked Craigslist, and there isn't jack squat for Moab, and that surprises me. There's no directory for Moab; the closest seems to be Provo, and only one bike shows up with a search for Moab. Check the local shops for used bikes, anyway. Can't hurt to look.

 

[mwerner]

I rebuild old bikes for sale, and I always use Craigslist. A Caveat; unless you are knowlegeable, take someone who knows bikes with you to look at a prospective machine.

 

[BlackHills]

EDIT: I just checked Craigslist, and there isn't jack squat for Moab, and that surprises me. There's no directory for Moab; the closest seems to be Provo, and only one bike shows up with a search for Moab. Check the local shops for used bikes, anyway. Can't hurt to look.

I'd have been more surprised if there was much for Moab, it's a pretty small place. The lack of such things is one of the prices to pay for living in paradise.

MM38, you're right about Behind the Rocks. It's a great ride and it has the advantage of not being nearly as popular as Slickrock.

 

[Buck268]

Look at a dirtjumper framed bike. Something like a Gary Fisher Mullet. These have heavier duty frames and stiffer shock forks.

I've had nothing but problems with the Fisher Mullet (as well as is older brother the Bitter) at the shop. From the sounds of it, a Trek 4500 would be ideal. Double wall Bontrager wheels, solid Dart fork, and a simple 3x8 drivetrain (more durable chain and less finicky shifting than the more popular 9 speeds). Oh yeah, and rim brakes to help keep costs down

 

[mwerner]

I just picked up a Trek 4300:

http://www.jacksbikes.com/contents/media/trek 4300disc 2008.jpg

for nothing. Each year, when the kiddies graduate, they always leave stuff behind. I was walking through the dorm area and spotted this bike leaning against (not locked to) the bike rack, with the left crank-arm lying on the ground. It was registered with us, so I ran the number on the sticker and got the kid's phone number.
He was apologetic; said he had planned to just tell the residential life folks to take it when he left since it was "broke".
I politely asked him to e-mail me permission to take the bike....

This is a 600.00 Trek with disc brakes, and RST fork, and decent Alivio components.
Looks like I'll have to spring for a new chain (the kids never lube 'em), a bottom bracket (I think I have one on hand) and a crank-arm. (ditto).
Not bad... I've rebuilt and sold numbers of these abandoned wonders.

 

[CDHumiston]

Is it possible to get into a decent Mtn. Bike for fairly cheap-say less that $500 bucks? I've been thinking of getting something for my fat butt to ride, but the shops here sell last years used models for starting at $1400:grumpy: Sorry, I don't think I ought to have to sell a kidney to ride a bike

Really, though, I'm pretty heavy (260#) so I'd like to find something durable, but I don't really need disk brakes and 28 frikkin' gears. Just something that I can get around on, and maybe run up a dirt road or two, but nothing hardcore.

Thanks:thumbup:

I don't know how old you are but Mountain Biking ain't easy.

Last year I bought an Elektra Beach Cruiser for $800 and I rode it everyday and had a blast, just on the street up and down the bike path on the beach checkin' out the girls etc...

Well I decided I had to go the next step and buy a Mountain Bike. I got a nice new Specialized Stumpjumper Elite with all the bells and whistles, cost me $3500 for the bike, special shoes, accessories, blah, blah.

I started hitting some trails around my house and in the area where I work (Long Beach). Well after a few downhill runs that looked tame from the top and almost killing myself a half a dozen times I decided I am not as young as I feel.

The Mountain Bike is currently on eBay and I'm back to enjoying the Beach Cruiser. I'm still getting exercise and I am not laid up with multiple contusions and broken bones!

Just an experiance from an old 49 year old that thinks he's 15! Oh and I still skateboard too, Longboard on level surfaces!

Oh, there are no girls in Bikinis in the Mountains!!!

 

[WalterDavis]

I don't know how old you are but Mountain Biking ain't easy.

Last year I bought an Elektra Beach Cruiser for $800 and I rode it everyday and had a blast, just on the street up and down the bike path on the beach checkin' out the girls etc...

Well I decided I had to go the next step and buy a Mountain Bike. I got a nice new Specialized Stumpjumper Elite with all the bells and whistles, cost me $3500 for the bike, special shoes, accessories, blah, blah.

I started hitting some trails around my house and in the area where I work (Long Beach). Well after a few downhill runs that looked tame from the top and almost killing myself a half a dozen times I decided I am not as young as I feel.

The Mountain Bike is currently on eBay and I'm back to enjoying the Beach Cruiser. I'm still getting exercise and I am not laid up with multiple contusions and broken bones!

Just an experiance from an old 49 year old that thinks he's 15! Oh and I still skateboard too, Longboard on level surfaces!

Oh, there are no girls in Bikinis in the Mountains!!!

Well, I'm not getting any younger, but at 31 I can still handle a bruise and a bump or two It helps that for the last 4 years I worked a pretty physical job, but not having that job is what is making me find a way to get some exercise I'm not planning on anything too hardcore, but I would like to go down some dirt roads, and maybe some easy trails. More to get away from traffic than to get the adrenaline going

And since I got plenty of sand but no ocean nearby, I guess I gotta settle for spandex and lycra in place of thongs and g-strings:foot: I know watching me huff and puff will make 'em laugh, and women always say they want a man who makes 'em smile, right

 

[Mountainman38]

MM38, you're right about Behind the Rocks. It's a great ride and it has the advantage of not being nearly as popular as Slickrock.

I particularly enjoyed taking my XR600 out there, to see a whole bunch of country. Not real keen on pedaling through sand, of which there is a fair amount back there. Cool country, though.

Gotta say, the reason the Slickrock trail is so popular is because it's so much fun. It is, hands down, the most fun trail I've ever ridden on a bike. All that nicely rounded sandstone, with nice drop ins and great traction, make it truly a world class bike trail. I miss it....

 

[carrot]

If you're on a budget look to cut out features, like dual suspension (get a hardtail) and things like disc brakes. If you really want to get cheap, get a 29er single speed mountain bike from BikesDirect for $350. You don't get gears (depending on your skill level and terrain type you may not need them anyway!) but you do get a bike with decent specs overall.

Otherwise, BikesDirect is a pretty good place to buy from (a friend and I have bought $2k in bikes so far -- 3 bikes total) and offer good bikes for reasonable prices. You do need to do some minor assembly when they come in but at that price... who cares?

However, in your price range ($500) you can get a fine Trek or Gary Fisher or Specialized or Cannondale from a local bike shop, which may be worth it if you aren't comfortable wrenching your own ride.

 

[mwerner]

A single-speed mountain bike? Hope the terrain is rather flat.... I did see footage of a fellow who has a unicycle "mountain bike"....He's pretty good with it. Likely only a tiny percentage of people could do what he does.

There's quite a fad for single-speed and even fixed-gear bikes among the roadie set; never saw it myself. At my age, I need all the gearing I can get. Tullio Campagnolo, back in the 30s, became God when he invented the modern derailleur.

As to age; I started mountain biking at about 48. Of course, I'd been a dedicated roadie for years.

 

[BlackHills]

A single-speed mountain bike? Hope the terrain is rather flat.... I did see footage of a fellow who has a unicycle "mountain bike"....He's pretty good with it. Likely only a tiny percentage of people could do what he does.

There's quite a fad for single-speed and even fixed-gear bikes among the roadie set; never saw it myself. At my age, I need all the gearing I can get. Tullio Campagnolo, back in the 30s, became God when he invented the modern derailleur.

As to age; I started mountain biking at about 48. Of course, I'd been a dedicated roadie for years.

You'd be surprised at the number of people that ride single speed MTBs, it's nearly as much a fad there as it is amongst the roadies. There are even people that race in the solo class at 24hr races on a single.

 

[texbaz]

Get fitted, if you don't find something from the shop that fits you, then look at used bikes. They give you the best bang for the buck. Don't think you have to have NEW. A bike that is in good shape that is 2 years old that sold for $1500 new you can probably get for half that. People buy them, ride a dozen times, then hang em up on the wall like art. Those bikes are the ones you want and they are out their.

 

[GraysonK]

Just my two cents:
Last year I took up cycling. I had gotten a $400 Giant Rincon a couple years before, but only really started riding last year. I wanted to Mountain bike, but after trying it I decided I needed to get in shape first. So, I took the knobby tires off, put on some slicker commuter type tires, locked out the shocks, and rode. I rode a lot! A lot! Decided I still wanted to mtn bike, but liked being on the road for longer distances. Started riding trails and the road with my mtn bike while I saved for a road bike. The point of this story is that you can get lower end mountain bike, ride it for a while and get used to it and even hit some easier or moderate trails with that bike while you save for something with better components, lighter weight, sturdier, etc. And you'll also have experience enough to know what you want. I'd give it a try even if you don't have the best and brightest out there right now. Personally, I'm jonsing for a Surly the next time I buy a mountain bike. I know what I want and what I like that is it for me. Good luck. Honestly, just get on a bike and start, you'll find out very quickly what you want.
Gray

 

[SIXFOOTER]

pawn shops, goodwill, craigs list are good places to find a bargain. The big thing with price is the quality of the hardware you get. I have been riding my Specialized Rock Hopper for about 15 yrs and I am 6'1" and weigh in around 250, so I needed one that was pretty tough. The bolts, clamps and whatnot on the wally world bikes are just pure junk. The bolt heads wound off and snap with finger pressure. Find a Specialized frame or something in that order and do some upgrades. Performancebike.com is an excellent source for parts. I have done a lot of business with them. Some things to look for: no pinch bolts on the crank set, look for good skewers on the axles and seat post, a Gel seat is a great thing for a big ass, screw what the hard asses on the trail say. Good tires like Smokes with heavy knobs and a poly thorn shield in the tire and even self sealing tubes.

 

[tricker]

nvm...i see this company has weeded out their lower end models

 

[jlouis976]

Redline Monocog 29er

 

[knivesandguns]

If you're on a budget look to cut out features, like dual suspension (get a hardtail) and things like disc brakes. If you really want to get cheap, get a 29er single speed mountain bike from BikesDirect for $350. You don't get gears (depending on your skill level and terrain type you may not need them anyway!) but you do get a bike with decent specs overall.

Otherwise, BikesDirect is a pretty good place to buy from (a friend and I have bought $2k in bikes so far -- 3 bikes total) and offer good bikes for reasonable prices. You do need to do some minor assembly when they come in but at that price... who cares?

However, in your price range ($500) you can get a fine Trek or Gary Fisher or Specialized or Cannondale from a local bike shop, which may be worth it if you aren't comfortable wrenching your own ride.

Bikes direct bikes are pretty much the only "awesome" factory deals out there, by not going the craigslist/ebay route.

 

[Zero_Time]

All the advice you've gotten here is pretty good. At your weight, you're really going to have to buy new, or luck out, cuz you are a clydesdale, buddy, and there ain't many in your weight class.

If there's nothing local to you, then the only other thing to say is to plan when your next trip out of the area is, and surf craigslist then. Definitely arrange to have a bike savvy friend with you. Got my bike for around 1/2 of what the build would be, and it's in great shape.

Or, lastly, you offer to put up one (or a bunch) of bladeforum guys at your place for a little while, and they'll drag a decent bike with them. That way, you meet some new people, learn a little about mountain biking from those serious about it, strengthen our community, and all of us guys green with envy at you living in Moab can shut up! Win Win, huh?

 

[mdauben]

Is it possible to get into a decent Mtn. Bike for fairly cheap-say less that $500 bucks? I've been thinking of getting something for my fat butt to ride, but the shops here sell last years used models for starting at $1400:grumpy:

One thing to be aware of when shopping for a mtn bike, is that like cars the makers come out with new models almost every year. If you keep you eyes open you can sometimes get a sweet deal on a new bike if the shop it trying to move their old stock to make room for the new models.

I picked up a really nice Klein mtn bike a couple years ago for around half-price and have been totally pleased with it so far.

Really, though, I'm pretty heavy (260#) so I'd like to find something durable, but I don't really need disk brakes and 28 frikkin' gears.

Hehe... I'm with you there, brother! Even though I'm a big guy too, I've been pretty into bikes all my life to the more leaned forward riding position does not bother me (its better than a road bike with drop bars!), but it can be pretty incomfortable if you are not used to it. Most of the "cruiser" bikes I see are single speed, which you probably don't want, but something like a more upright set up, sometimes called a "commuter", "hybird", "urban" or "bike path" bike might be what you are looking for.