Bikes and Tundra

Very nice! I love that color.

I had one of these on order in black for the wife and tried to cancel when I found out they were 70+ pounds. No way she'd go for that. But they weren't able to cancel and Aventon said just to refuse it. When I caught the courier making the delivery, I had an impulse to keep it and give it a try. Kind of wish I did as I've seen nothing but rave reviews, but all in all she's happy with the eMTB I got her.

 

Hey guys, looking for some advice. I’ve got a Trek road bike, but I’d like to start riding trails. So I’m looking for a decent used mountain bike. What should I look for when buying? I got my Trek for free from a friend who didn’t want it anymore during a move, so I haven’t had to actually shop for a bike in a really long time. Any help would be appreciated!

 

@nhw544

This is always a tough one for me. I know what people need to do to find a bike that's super capable and a thrill to ride. Sticker shock scares them away 90% of the time.

Soooooooo.......Opinions will definitely vary on this but I would look for a 2018 or newer, lighter hardtail.

Here is my reasoning. Cheap bikes are fine for leisure and enjoying shorter trails here and there. Nothing wrong with that and plenty to choose from.
Serious trails, all day epics, and fun downhills are exponentially better, easier, and ear to ear grinning on a bike that was built to perform on those trails. I've taken many friends on some lower end bikes and it beat them up severely and honestly weren't the best geometry. I let them ride mine and it changes the whole trail and experience. It's really that big of a difference.

Now that being said, a hardtail will be your cheapest entry into the market. I'd shoot for something newer (updated geometry) and see if you like riding. Find a group ride or some MTB friends and try out a few of their higher end bikes on some trails and see the difference. If you do like MTB and get into it, I can guarantee you'll probably upgrade to a more capable dual suspension bike in the future.

A decent hardtail (if not found used) will probably be around 1500 and up.


If you love riding and know you will like MTB, don't mind dropping some cash ,and have one bike for many many years, look at a new IBIS Ripmo AF.
Not carbon expensive, relatively mid priced in the MTB market and new ones are about the same as used.
Used Prices right now are like cars, extremely inflated.

A decent hardtail (if not found used) will probably be around 1500 and up.
For example a Specialized Fuse , lower end build is around 1900, with a medium build at around 2200, and high end build around 2400.


Stop in a local bike shop. There are a ton of good bikes out there. Or, bounce some ideas off us here.
Used bikes can also be found at PINKBIKE.com under their classified section. Look for something local pickup only in the filters and that'll give you an idea of prices.

 

Knowing where you are from makes a big difference in recommendation.
As stated above, you don’t have to break the bank to get a bike but some cost more than others for a reason. I have 8 mountain bikes and 3 road/gravel bikes. Being in Louisiana I ride my hardtail single speed 90% of the time even though I have everything from a nearly $10k XC dual suspension race bike up to a 170mm enduro. Our trails are rough and rooty, and most of my friends think I’m nuts for preferring the hardtail.
A hardtail in all but enduro type environments will help you become a better rider as will learning on flat pedals with good riding shoes (ahem, 5/10 Freerider Pro).
If you live in an area with a lot of enduro trails and down hill runs, a 140/130 trail bike would be a better choice as you can set it up to perform well on a wide range of terrain. You can stiffen it up for road or gravel or make it more compliant for enduro riding and park riding but the cost for a decent trail bike will be significantly more expensive.

 

I forgot the most important part, ride and decide. I will never buy another bike without a significant test ride. The right bike will let you know it’s the one.
Don’t let people try to convince you to “buy the smallest bike you can ride” dumbest shit ever.
Several bike shops and other riders kept telling me I would be fine on a large frame at 6’2” and a bigger bike would be more cumbersome. Worst advise ever. Once I found an XL that fit, I was a noticeably more capable rider and my comfort level went off the chart.
Get a 29er regardless your height. Most of these 27.5 proponents grew up on 26ers and are either midgets or need the 27.5 final drive ratio to climb hills because they are used to shuttling or lifts. You won’t be trick riding or bombing switchback berms for awhile and then you will be used to a 29.

 

a large for 6’2” ??? Lol

 

IKR. I hear this advise being given all too often.

 

Thanks for the response! If I’m being honest, right now I’m just looking for something to ride on a couple times a month and start taking my son out riding. We have a Walmart bike, but that thing is terrible, which is why I’d like to move up to something a little better. I started looking on Craigslist and Marketplace and just got overwhelmed with what’s out there.

I’m in Richmond, Va; lots of good trails here. I was gonna ask about bike size. I’m 5’7.

And I’ll be honest, not looking to break the bank. I’ve read through some of the thread and you guys have some nice setups!

 

Seeing a seat that low wrecks my brain.

 

Baller

 

[QUOTE="nhw544, post: 2447951, member: 52445”]
I’m in Richmond, Va; lots of good trails here. I was gonna ask about bike size. I’m 5’7.

And I’ll be honest, not looking to break the bank. I’ve read through some of the thread and you guys have some nice setups![/QUOTE]

At 5’7” you will most likely fall pretty solid into the medium size. There are variables of course. I am 5’9” and ride a medium. I have had large frames but prefer the slightly smaller sizing. I also prefer a 27.5 tire, don’t shuttle ride and am not a midget. Biggest negative to the tire size for me is that I tend to have a few more pedal strikes than those on 29ers. Try to test ride some bikes. A quality entry level bike can be improved on but cheaper bikes are just that.

 

Love when this thread pops up again. Good summer of ridin! Hope you guys got out there!

 

Why do they advise a smaller frame? Is it supposed to be more flickable? Also, what are the benefits of the larger frame? I don’t ride MTB’s much, just curious.

 

That’s almost 38” to the top of the seat(& I’m only 5’9). I don’t think you realize how big that bike is compared to a traditional bike. It’s huge compared to my Santa Cruz.

 

That is what they say.
A bike that fits puts you in a better balanced position when you stand up to pedal, navigate technical obstacles, or descend steep hills.

 

It must be. Kind looks like a dirt jumper set up

 

I had an overnight trip to Minneapolis and decided to take my mountain bike since there is a great urban mountain bike trail system a couple miles from downtown at Theodore Wirth Park. I didn't get any dirt shots but lots of sights around the city. 23 mile round trip.

View across the Mississippi from Boom Island

Stone bridge in Theodore Wirth Park


Cool use of Nordic skis in the Chalet

Abandoned Fruen Mill building in the background

Great brewery stop on the way back

The great Kirby Puckett

Stone Arch Bridge

Iconic Gold Medal Flour

SKOL Vikings

Poor picture of the Weisman Art Museum on the University of MN campus

 

dude, the geometry of a cruiser style bike is vastly different than a MTB haha Looks normal to me.

 

Cruiser??? Isn't that a grandma bike? Wouldn't know about them.

 

Riding trip with the wife to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest.

 

Finally got my new to me bike out on some trails…

 

Off road troopers

 

Bet the grey bike is faster than the white Tundra.

 

Spider Mountain

 

Two from the Nutmeg Nor'easter back in October, and the third from a cold, rainy ride in Dutchess County.

E51_21NUTMEG-192 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

E51_21NUTMEG-125 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

November 13, 2021 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

 

Rad! I had to fly down from CO to go to a wedding in Boerne last week and was bummed I didn't have time to get over there.

 

That’s a hell of a wall ride!! You’re up there!

 

A few pics from the race at spider mountain on the 4th

 

Pit Vipers and a Stache. The only thing cooler is flip flops and a singlespeed.
Track looks fun though....