Getting in to Biking!?

[sitandwatch]

Check out Bow Cycle this weekend they are haveing a huge sale with some great deals.

[Parker]

I think those bikes may be a little more then you need at this point. I'd look at a decently spec'ed hardtail. They can take quite a bit of abuse, and will still be light enough to commute around on day to day.

I think something like this would be a good fit:
Kona
http://www.konaworld.com/bike.cfm?content=blast

Specialized
http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/...nuItemId=12241

Giant
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...te/5398/41496/

Trek
http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes...4_series/4500/

Or for the same money, you could pick up something a little better spec'ed used as other have mentioned

If you find your progressing out of one of these bikes in a couple of years keep it in your stable for daily commuting duty and pick up something a little more robust for the more challenging stuff.

[Funky_Fish14]

loveless: Terrific! Thats exactly what I wanted to know! Thanks.

Tony: Thanks a lot for the info on the suspension etc...! I guess to find those things out its kind of about looking at the bike and finding out the model specs somewhere? (Since most people dont list them?) Or should the front and rear travel usually be the same? (im guessing that would make sense?) So you can eyeball it from the fork? And sweet, I have a MEC membership so when (or before) I get a book i'll have to pick that up!

Sitandwatch: Thanks! I'll try to take a look down there when im in calgary in a couple weeks (though the sale may be off?)

Parker: Cool, thanks! Im thinking maybe just a new hardtail might be easier for me to figure out and get started on since im just jumping in. The cost of a good new hardtail seems to be in the range of some of those used bikes that aren't in my riding area (yet..) so makes sense.

Thanks again everyone for the awesome info!

Cheers,

Chris

[Delphinus]

Yeah, looking up specs can become something of a hobby in itself.

Do keep us posted on what you end up with. I definitely see enough people in this thread that we maybe need to organize a bunch of Canreefer bike rides in our respective areas .. If you're ever really stuck with a bunch of free time on your hands, look into downloaded or watching "Drop In." Show is a few years old now but it's great for some byte-sized bike entertainment. One of the things they'd keep on saying to regular folks though is "just get out there and ride."

Now if it could just stop raining around here .......

[Funky_Fish14]

Haha. Yeah looking at some of the spec sheets on some of these bikes... It takes me awhile to decipher what some things even mean! Lol.

I sure will! And that most definitely would be a sweet idea! Heck I'd drive around for a good ride I think. Haha. (man I'd love a good ride on a bike... On my UNICYCLE I've done some XC and DH rides with bike groups (on real bikes)... and MAN it was fun! But hard to keep up cause on flat ground i just CANNOT crank fast enough. LOL).