Who Mountain Bikes?

[FMA4ME]

Hi all
So I've been wanting to get into mountain bike riding. I've seen clips of it, it looks soo fun, and I need more exercise!!! But I see the bikes look like they could get expensive. Anyone have some experience here? What's the most important thing to consider in a bike? I'd love to hear any input, see what kind of bikes you guys have, I'm in Southern California, got any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

 

[Steve_C]

I bike quite a bit. Mainly started doing it for the same reason you are thinking of it for (exercise). I use to weigh 400lbs back about 7 years ago (I'm 6'5" so I can carry more weight than most but 400 was way too much). So I decided to buy a mountain bike and combine biking with a better way of eating and I lost 180lbs and weigh 220lbs these days. Biking is a great calorie burner.

I'm far from an expert on bikes, I know some guys get really into it and spend a ton of cash on really high end bikes that cost 1k-2k or more. I didn't do that myself. What I did was just look around for something affordable that had some good solid main pieces to it. I ended up buying this one from Walmart for $160 and then put about another $150 into it in add on parts. I liked it because of a few main things. It's a 29" tire which is good for me being so tall, it has a really light weight alloy frame, and it has a 3pc crank which makes modifying the crank assembly easy if I choose to do so down the road. After buying it I added on some things like Kevlar tires, self sealing inner tubes, really comfortable seat, and things such as digital spedo/odo and led head & tail lights and rear rack and bags.

It's served me well for the past few years. Have over 1000 miles on it since getting it and for a total investment of around $300 including the aftermarket parts I can't complain.

 

[FMA4ME]

Alright Steve! Glad to hear what effective exercise it is! I'm going to start out just as you did, maybe check out CL and Offer up. I actually was wondering if places have bikes to rent.
Wow 1000 miles, that's a lot of riding!

 

[Steve_C]

It seems like a lot of riding, but you'll be surprised how quickly the miles stack up. I usually ride about 4-5 times a week and going just a normal 12-14mph pace for about a 30-45 min ride you end up racking up a good 35miles or so every week without even really trying.

 

[fishhead0103666]

You have to have a good place to bike that'll provide a challenge though so do you have a trail you use or something else?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Been riding Mt bikes since around 1995 or 96. Had to cut back on my running. My first bike had a chrome molly steel frame which is a good riding frame but the components were not all that good. They did hold up for around ten years with pretty regular cleaning and new grease. I switched to an aluminum frame specialized about 15 years or so ago. The seals and stuff were better and it has been a decent bike.
I have a second Mt bike that was left in the house I bought 9 years ago. It has even better components but the frame is a bit too small to be comfortable for me. I guess that is the most important thing = getting a bike that fits you.
Even if you do not buy from a good dealer, you likely should find out what size frame is the right size for you.

Never rode a carbon frame bike so cannot say if they are worth it.

If you want the lightest bike possible with top line components then it can cost several thousand bucks. I ride for fitness so a heavier bike is not a big deal. I may not find one with good components but am thinking of going back to a steel frame. A decent steel frame with adequate components ought to be had for a few hundred. I bought my specialized used from a good shop for about $350 as I said maybe15 years ago.

 

[FMA4ME]

Alright Jeff! I know I want something light, sounds like I should find out what size frame suites me best first. I actually bought a beach cruiser a year ago. It has somewhat oversize tires, it's heavy, I hate riding it.

 

[Steve_C]

I guess that is the most important thing = getting a bike that fits you.

Yep totally agree with him there. That's actually why I like my 29". Things like bar height and such can be replaced but once you buy the frame/bike that is a 26" or 27" etc then your stuck with it. So as he said above, make sure you get one that feel comfortable to you.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I think you can get different sizes in pretty much any style bicycle now days so there should be no restrictions on the type of bike. Does USA made make a difference to you? If so there are some USA makers of bikes.

Mountain bikes can be pretty from basic to ones with complex suspensions both front and rear. I do not race down dirt trails so the suspensions are not so much of interest. I have come to like a suspension seat post and front fork suspension.

Light weight and nice components will equal more cost which will make such a bike a target for thieves which can mean the need for a very heavy bike lock which makes the bike heavy again.

May I also suggest getting a decent helmet, a reflective vest, some lights, two water bottle racks and a small set of tools you can carry. I also carry two tubes and a CO2 inflator with a few co2 cartridges. I also put a rack on the rear of my bikes. Might ask for some of this stuff when haggling over the price of the bike once all the bike price discounts are used up.

 

[J. H.]

I do a little mountain biking, nothing hardcore. IME, go with a cheap bike with wideish rims and a STEEL frame. $50 for a used bike will take you on trails if it's a good steel bike. Make sure the chain is not stretched and the bearings are good. Steel is heavy, but durable. A too small frame is okay, a too big one is not. Water is important, so is some way of fixing tires on the road (a must for any serious biking really.) Helmets are a must for those wishing to remain fully functioning humans. I don't care much for suspensions.

Alright Jeff! I know I want something light, sounds like I should find out what size frame suites me best first. I actually bought a beach cruiser a year ago. It has somewhat oversize tires, it's heavy, I hate riding it.

I've done mountain biking on a beach cruiser. The smooth tires suck, and the 1 spd forces you to go much faster than you'd be able to go with more gears, but it works. I had a rusty and battered '60s beach cruiser for a bit, build quality was horrible and it was heavy, but took beating better than a mountain bike; modern ones might be a little different.