Need advice on a new bike

[Ken Earley]

So, yesterday I went down to the underground garage in my apartment building to grab my bike, and it was gone. After talking to a neighbor, I found out that someone had broken into the garage on Wednesday and had stolen a bunch of bikes and tried to hot wire a car.

As much as I'm pissed my bike was stolen, I'm more concerned now about replacing it so I can enjoy the rest of the biking season. I would love to get some advice from all of you on what's a good bike to buy.

I'm pretty new to offroad biking. I had a Gary Fisher Wahoo (hardtail) that I bought it in early '06 (it's my first decent bike). I would love to upgrade to something nicer but I would like to get a sense of what is the right fit for my experience level (and of course buget). I guess my buget is roughly around $1000. I would love to find a decent bike cheaper than that, but I'm willing to invest a bit more if it REALLY seems worth it for me. It just seems silly to get a bike that's WAY beyond my experience and abilities to really appreciate.

Thanks,
Ken

[gtbikes]

Find a good frame and builder up! I have never spent more than 400 bones on a bike, in fact my GT zasker frame I bought off of craigs list for $100 (mavic wheels and xt components) and then I upgraded to SRAM components. Get a great frame and add what you like.

[Ken Earley]

Find a good frame and builder up! I have never spent more than 400 bones on a bike, in fact my GT zasker frame I bought off of craigs list for $100 (mavic wheels and xt components) and then I upgraded to SRAM components. Get a great frame and add what you like.

Man! I would love to do that. But, by the time I learn enough on what to buy and how to build the bike, I'm afraid this season would be pretty much over.

By the way - Could you recommend what IS a good frame?

[THUMP!]

If you wanted to make it thru the season on the cheap you could get a Specialized Hardrock(which will easily handle the trails around here) for less than $500. Then next season or the season after when you have more experience and cash you could choose the right bike for yourself. It also gives you the bonus of a backup bike in the future as well as something you can beat on as you learn and not worry about wrecking it.
Or, you could look at a used bike as there are quite a few here, on Craigslist or eBay in your range.
Or, if you are interested in SS you could check out the Raleigh XXIX which is a single speed 29er. I have that as my backup bike and also use it all the time at Theo, Salem or River Bottoms where there isn't much climbing...they run about $600 and have them at Erik's.

[Red_Ak_Ranger]

dude you're worrying me because I left my bike in my apt's garage with about 50 other people, hopefully it didn't get stolen since it's been sitting for about 3 months.

[bpblondie]

Hey Ken, sorry to hear about your bike. Any chance that you have renter's insurance? That might help you w/ the budget a little.

In regards to this question...
By the way - Could you recommend what IS a good frame?

Most responses are going to be biased one way or another. What works for one rider doesn't always mean it will work for another. The most important thing to keep in mind is the fit of a bike.

-What did you like or dislike about your Gary Fisher?
-Where do you usually ride?

[Danimal]

Man that sucks. I think thieves are the lowest form of life on this planet.
Go with a Specialized HardRock, priced around $350, I started on one and my son is on one now. The frame is indestructible.

[Paul Swenson]

I guess my buget is roughly around $1000. I would love to find a decent bike cheaper than that, but I'm willing to invest a bit more if it REALLY seems worth it for me. It just seems silly to get a bike that's WAY beyond my experience and abilities to really appreciate.

Thanks,
Ken


Most responses are going to be biased one way or another. What works for one rider doesn't always mean it will work for another. The most important thing to keep in mind is the fit of a bike.

-What did you like or dislike about your Gary Fisher?
-Where do you usually ride?

If you're looking for a HT in that range you're going to have a lot of nice bikes to choose from. bpblonde is right, figure out what you like and didn't like and test ride a bunch of bikes. I would even try the GF 29er

[MisterClaw]

I guess my buget is roughly around $1000. I would love to find a decent bike cheaper than that, but I'm willing to invest a bit more if it REALLY seems worth it for me. It just seems silly to get a bike that's WAY beyond my experience and abilities to really appreciate.

Thanks,
Ken
There's a lot of the dealers trying to clearing out their 07 (and older) inventory as the 08 models are rolling out now for a lot of the big brands. You should be able to find something at least 20% (probably 30%) off retail if you purchase new. I picked up a 06 fisher city bike for 40% off last month, so there are deals out there.

[Shorty]

If you have about a grand to spend, I'd go a Specialized FSR XC or a Giant Trance 3. It might be beyond what you are used to now, but you will appreciate it as you get more experienced.

You should be able to find a 2007 model at a close-out price... buying an '07 at the end of the season is the best way to get more bike for your money.

Try the smaller shops... from what I've seen the big chain bike shops in town don't seem to mark things down as much. Although I think Penn has some good deals.

Some shops will reduce a $1200 bike down to $1130 and try and pawn it off as a "closeout price"... you can do better than that.

That price range should also get you a nice Fisher hardtail, or even a Fisher Rig, if you are so inclined.

If I had one mountain bike, it would be a 3 to 4 inch travel full-suspension model... probably the Giant Trance 3.

[Ken Earley]

Thanks for all your input. I've been out test driving some bikes and I really liked the Gary Fisher's (probably because that's what I'm used to). I know it may have been a bit hasty, but I went with the Hoo Koo E Koo (http://freewheelbike.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=249&id=3420). It really felt like my old bike, just upgraded with some nice features. I'm sure this will last me many years and I'll grow into it a lot as I get more experience. I've been out to Lebanon once so far and it really handles nicely, and I love the breaks and shifting. I'm really interested to ride at Theo to see how well it handles the tight turns there.

http://freewheelbike.com/images/library/large/fisher_hkek_07_m.jpg

Thanks again,
Ken

[Ken Earley]

Hey Ken, sorry to hear about your bike. Any chance that you have renter's insurance? That might help you w/ the budget a little.

Eh. My deductable is $500 which is more than I paid for my bike. I might be getting money back through the building association's insurance, though. That would be nice.

[bpblondie]

Glad to hear that you found a good deal on a bike.

[Ken Earley]

Man! I went to Leb again today. Rode the black and double black loops for the first time. It was great! Love the bike! Can't wait to get out there again.

[Shorty]

Nice Ken!

There are few things better than getting a new bike.