Getting in to Biking!?

[globaldesigns]

If it doesn't have an engine, I don't have it!

[saltcreep]

Another place to visit is nsmb.com. Obviously more slanted to those of us on the West coast here, but still has some great stuff.

This reminds me that I need to get out for a ride. Kind of spoiled here. I look from living room window to some of the best trails mother nature (and trailbuilders) have given us. An hour and a half and I've got one great lap of the mountain in. Just to get spat out a quick two minute ride back to the house.

[lastlight]

The last bike I owned was in grade 8 I think. Was < $100 from K-mart. I recall nerding it up in the computer room at school one day and heard from someone that my bike had been taken from the racks. I guess they were riding it INTO the school wall but the tire was so bent when I rode it the wheel rubbed the brakes a few times with each revolution.

I know this helps you out Chris otherwise I'd never intrude on your post. Just not my style =)

[Aqua-Digital]

I used to do some serious XC stuff back in the UK. 2 x 20mile XC training rides during the week followed by a 40mile three hills treck on a Sunday, looking back now (15 years) I have now clue how I managed it.

The early to mid 90's suspension was just coming into play, my first bike was a Kona Lava dome, soon tricked out with all the latest CNC stuff and a neat pair of magnesium mazzokies (check spelling) on the front. Then came the hand granades (clip in SPD peddles from Shimano). Not a good move to go out in these for a first trip clipped in and cant get your feet out when you stop at a set of lights!!

So before I knew it I had ordered a custom frame from the USA from Chris Chance, the guy that built the USA mountain bikes for the olympics, the trade name was "fat Chance" The came the custom wheels from Jeremy Duke, again, he made the wheels for the UK olympic team.

Taking into account this was mid 90's I think i racked up a bill on this bike close to $5k!!!!!!! and managed about 3 hospital trips on it resulting in concussion twice.

Late 90's I gave up and found Carp fishing!!

Now in Canada I am back in the seat and have a 2009 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR! I just dont have the fitness I had all those years back, but hell this thing is like hacking a sofa on steriods down a hill!!

[Funky_Fish14]

Well thanks for all the help everyone! I wish I could go for something with full-suspension but that moves in to the $1600 range... Gah...

And I would def go new because of the warrenty and adjustments and assurance that the bike is in good condition. Im handy enough but Im not the bike pimp so I dont know everything about every little detail, lol.

[loveless]

Originally Posted by Parker

Lovless, do you ride at Rabbit Hill often? Last year I didn't make it too much but the year before I was there at least a few times a week.

Ya I bought a seasons so im busy trying to make it worth my while. At present half the trails arent open because of the rain but its getting there.

[BlueWorldAquatic]

For you budget and type of riding, I would consider a full suspension with rear lockouts. This way when you are using the bike for commuting you can lock out the rear suspension, and don't lose too much energy from bobbing up and down.

Just a few suggestions when locking up your bike, do not use the same spot more than a few times. If people see it in the same spot the same few hours, it makes it a target.

Take it into a building as much as you can, if a store doesn't let you, then don't go in. It takes seconds for someone with bolt cutters to get your bike, even thos "U-locks" are easily to break into.

My suggestions for a bike, are my personal preferences;
-Trek Fuel EX
-RMB Element, or Vertex (Hardtail)

This time of year, I would not recomment to buy from a store, the prices are at a premium. Buying used is another storey, avid riders are upgrading right now, and selling off last years cheap.

Ebay is a good choice too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TREK-Fuel-70-Ful...item2eadbb26e4

for example

Unfortunately I have a 16.5" Fuel 80 that has gotten maybe in 100KM in the last 3 years.

Ken

[BlueWorldAquatic]

Originally Posted by Aqua-Digital

I used to do some serious XC stuff back in the UK. 2 x 20mile XC training rides during the week followed by a 40mile three hills treck on a Sunday, looking back now (15 years) I have now clue how I managed it.

The early to mid 90's suspension was just coming into play, my first bike was a Kona Lava dome, soon tricked out with all the latest CNC stuff and a neat pair of magnesium mazzokies (check spelling) on the front. Then came the hand granades (clip in SPD peddles from Shimano). Not a good move to go out in these for a first trip clipped in and cant get your feet out when you stop at a set of lights!!

So before I knew it I had ordered a custom frame from the USA from Chris Chance, the guy that built the USA mountain bikes for the olympics, the trade name was "fat Chance" The came the custom wheels from Jeremy Duke, again, he made the wheels for the UK olympic team.

Taking into account this was mid 90's I think i racked up a bill on this bike close to $5k!!!!!!! and managed about 3 hospital trips on it resulting in concussion twice.

Late 90's I gave up and found Carp fishing!!

Now in Canada I am back in the seat and have a 2009 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR! I just dont have the fitness I had all those years back, but hell this thing is like hacking a sofa on steriods down a hill!!

I know the feeling, I remember when after every ride it cost $$$ to make repairs.

Ken

[Funky_Fish14]

Brett... thanks for the wonderful contribution :P Haha.

Thanks for the continuing advice everyone!

In terms of used bikes... I guess im looking for something like this?

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/655443/

or this:

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/639596/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/655884/


I guess my question is... if going used... do I pick something that looks like its not about to fall apart and rides well/clearly is not broken? Do i buy something on the cheaper side and upgrade/replace some of the parts? Are the brand like 'big hit' generally OK? And Norco I figure is reasonable? Norco makes great trials and mountain unicycles and I think their bikes are ok?

Not too worried about theft, the bike would always be in my car, in a garage (in city or at acreage) and the UofA campus I go to is in camrose... camrose has very low theft, particularly on that campus.

Thanks for the continuing info!

Cheers,

Chris

[loveless]

Big hits are generally good. They are made by Specialized.

Generally you can tell the condition a bike is in just by seeing it. If its all scratched up and smashed you know its had a hard life. Imo if the major components like suspension, wheels, frame is in good working order the other stuff is fairly inexpensive comparatively.

Alot of people get bikes with good intentions of using them, but end up collecting dust instead.