No idea what to buy
 

I was on a trail the other day that would have been great on a mountain bike, and I'm thinking of getting one. I found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Full-Suspen...d/224067249911 Seller says it's a medium. It is listed as new and unused. Other than being from Bulgaria, is this a good buy?

It's a overpriced department store bike with low quality components, it probably has a warning sticker on it saying it's not designed for off road use.

Gotcha. Glad I asked! Next question: what should I be looking for in a decent MTB? Can they be had for under $1000?

What sort of riding do you want to do?

Examples of what you can get new for under $1000.....
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...bikes/hardtail
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm

That is a $200 bike max. Are people really paying over $500 inc. shipping?
A good FS starts at $3K,better get a rigid or hardtail if you don't have the funds. Nothing worse than bad FS.

Again, all depends on what riding you'll be doing. What your trails are like. Etc.etc. Is this your first time to mtb? Then I suggest get a used one first. A lot of factors.

I ride mainly road, but I was on a trail the other day and I think I want to be able to ride a rough trail on occasion. Back in the day I rode dirt bikes and BMX. Any thoughts on this:https://www.rei.com/product/162208/c...s-drt-11-bike#

I also found this one: https://lakeland.craigslist.org/bik/...150037566.html The guy says I can have it for 450. It's in good shape (so he says, haven't ridden it yet) and about 8-9 years old.

Looks like it would of cost around $800 new.

https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/valu...oduct/3040668/

I'll check it out then. Thanks!

I bought this 1997 Specialized Rockhopper FS on eBay:


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9998ee815a.png


$350 shipping included.

I feel like a lot of people using MTB trails are "overbiked"

You don't NEED suspension to have fun and tackle a lot of really technical terrain.

As others have said, hone in on the type of riding you like to do, pick a budget, and get the best deal you can for the type of bike you can get in that budget.

I ride what is basically a rigid MTB with 29+ tires - I love doing technical descending and gravel roads, I can live without suspension because I don't leave the ground too often.

You're probably right. I rode BMX as a kid. The frame was a monoshock, and it had a rigid fork. I used to ride trails on my Raleigh Supercourse. I had switched the handlebar to a flat hybrid type, and put on fatter tires. It worked ok. Of course, I'm 30 years older now, and I tried a trail last week that was too rough for the Raleigh. It has road tires on it now. Hey, if the fork doesn't work well I can switch to out to a rigid one. I'll have it next week, and I'll see how it is.