Newbie, Mtn Bike which brands to look at??
06-09-17, 09:50 AM
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Newbie, Mtn Bike which brands to look at??
Im looking to buy a 27.5 Hardtail Mountain Bike.....
BUT....I will use it mostly in the city. Anyting mountain/trail will be occassional, nothing extreme nor intense.
I wanna ride mountain bike in the city bc I want to have fun and plow through the city. Huge plus if its light, upright, obedient. Most likely I will be a 15 size, I am 5'8.
Budget $1,000 or less.
In my city there is Performance Bikes which sells Fuji , GT and Diamond Back. The plus with this store is that you have some quite some time to return the bike if you dont like it. No idea if FUJI and GT are good?
Of course, other local stores sell Specialized, Felt, Giant, Kona, Jamis, Surly, REI brand, Trek.
My neighbor says I shouldnt bother with 3 in the front. He suggests 2 or 1. Thoughts on this?
Thanks!
BUT....I will use it mostly in the city. Anyting mountain/trail will be occassional, nothing extreme nor intense.
I wanna ride mountain bike in the city bc I want to have fun and plow through the city. Huge plus if its light, upright, obedient. Most likely I will be a 15 size, I am 5'8.
Budget $1,000 or less.
In my city there is Performance Bikes which sells Fuji , GT and Diamond Back. The plus with this store is that you have some quite some time to return the bike if you dont like it. No idea if FUJI and GT are good?
Of course, other local stores sell Specialized, Felt, Giant, Kona, Jamis, Surly, REI brand, Trek.
My neighbor says I shouldnt bother with 3 in the front. He suggests 2 or 1. Thoughts on this?
Thanks!
Last edited by loboseb; 06-09-17 at 12:33 PM.
06-09-17, 02:08 PM
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"Light" and "obedient" means you need to look at performance oriented bikes.
Performance oriented bikes are unlikely to allow an upright riding position w/o some modification and perhaps an unusual size choice.
Crank type is dependent on how many gears in the rear.
You can probably get 2x10, maybe 1x10, probably not 1x11 at your budget.
3x is most likely relegated to simpler models, maybe even down to 3x7.
A 3x7 is likely to be a freewheel model and best avoided.
My commuter is 3x7 and I never use the granny gear outside winter conditions.
A 2x would be fine for me WRT gearing ratio.
OTOH there's very little punishment from a triple crank if that's what's on an otherwise suitable bike. You might find yourself spinning out on a 2x 27.5 on roads.
The bike industry is very homogenous. Similar money buys you similar bikes regardless what brand is on the frame.
Performance oriented bikes are unlikely to allow an upright riding position w/o some modification and perhaps an unusual size choice.
Crank type is dependent on how many gears in the rear.
You can probably get 2x10, maybe 1x10, probably not 1x11 at your budget.
3x is most likely relegated to simpler models, maybe even down to 3x7.
A 3x7 is likely to be a freewheel model and best avoided.
My commuter is 3x7 and I never use the granny gear outside winter conditions.
A 2x would be fine for me WRT gearing ratio.
OTOH there's very little punishment from a triple crank if that's what's on an otherwise suitable bike. You might find yourself spinning out on a 2x 27.5 on roads.
The bike industry is very homogenous. Similar money buys you similar bikes regardless what brand is on the frame.
06-09-17, 02:25 PM
#3
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Why the 27.5? With 700c or 29" you get better street speed.
you can start an internet war with discussions on 1,2, or 3 cranksets :-)
But a 1x would be suitable for MTB if you don't need very much range (e.g. want to be very slow and very fast with same bike). so that may cost you city speed. A 2x would cover a wider range from very slowly crawling up-hill to fast (not road-bike fast). IMHO with 10 or 11 speed cassettes triple cranks are obsolete, but this is the part where the internet war will start.
You should go to the LBS and test-ride all the ones you like. Giant typically gives you good value, but it also depends on if an LBS negotiates well. Difference is where they put more or less money. LAter on you can upgrade wear items relatively cheaply. for example if $1,000 buys you a good frame and fork, but cheap components, and another bikes gives you worse frame and fork, but better components for $1,000. Components are relatively cheap to upgrade once worn out, but upgrading a frame or fork is expensive.
you can start an internet war with discussions on 1,2, or 3 cranksets :-)
But a 1x would be suitable for MTB if you don't need very much range (e.g. want to be very slow and very fast with same bike). so that may cost you city speed. A 2x would cover a wider range from very slowly crawling up-hill to fast (not road-bike fast). IMHO with 10 or 11 speed cassettes triple cranks are obsolete, but this is the part where the internet war will start.
You should go to the LBS and test-ride all the ones you like. Giant typically gives you good value, but it also depends on if an LBS negotiates well. Difference is where they put more or less money. LAter on you can upgrade wear items relatively cheaply. for example if $1,000 buys you a good frame and fork, but cheap components, and another bikes gives you worse frame and fork, but better components for $1,000. Components are relatively cheap to upgrade once worn out, but upgrading a frame or fork is expensive.
06-10-17, 10:14 PM
#5
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Dave
06-12-17, 03:27 AM
#7
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KONA BIKES | ROAD | ROVE | Big Rove AL
This doesn't fit the 650b bill, but it would cover city and non-intense trail riding AND it comes in under budget. 3x9 speed
Based on your description, I'd look for a gravel/cx type bike because they ride fine on pavement but are capable bikes offroad.
KONA BIKES | ROAD | ROVE | Rove AL
This is a similar bike with drop bars and a 2x10 drivetrain. it has 700x35c tires vs the other bike's 700x50's. Either bike would work for your application. I don't own a Kona but my favorite LBS sells them and they are nice bikes.
As far as gearing, the senior members that have posted have put good info. I run 2x10 and 1x11 on my bikes and find the gearing adequate. The last 3x bike I had I converted to a 1x because I never used the smallest chainring and rarely used the large.
Good luck with your search!
This doesn't fit the 650b bill, but it would cover city and non-intense trail riding AND it comes in under budget. 3x9 speed
Based on your description, I'd look for a gravel/cx type bike because they ride fine on pavement but are capable bikes offroad.
KONA BIKES | ROAD | ROVE | Rove AL
This is a similar bike with drop bars and a 2x10 drivetrain. it has 700x35c tires vs the other bike's 700x50's. Either bike would work for your application. I don't own a Kona but my favorite LBS sells them and they are nice bikes.
As far as gearing, the senior members that have posted have put good info. I run 2x10 and 1x11 on my bikes and find the gearing adequate. The last 3x bike I had I converted to a 1x because I never used the smallest chainring and rarely used the large.
Good luck with your search!
06-12-17, 05:48 AM
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KONA BIKES | ROAD | ROVE | Big Rove AL
This doesn't fit the 650b bill, but it would cover city and non-intense trail riding AND it comes in under budget. 3x9 speed
Based on your description, I'd look for a gravel/cx type bike because they ride fine on pavement but are capable bikes offroad.
KONA BIKES | ROAD | ROVE | Rove AL
This is a similar bike with drop bars and a 2x10 drivetrain. it has 700x35c tires vs the other bike's 700x50's. Either bike would work for your application. I don't own a Kona but my favorite LBS sells them and they are nice bikes.
As far as gearing, the senior members that have posted have put good info. I run 2x10 and 1x11 on my bikes and find the gearing adequate. The last 3x bike I had I converted to a 1x because I never used the smallest chainring and rarely used the large.
Good luck with your search!
This doesn't fit the 650b bill, but it would cover city and non-intense trail riding AND it comes in under budget. 3x9 speed
Based on your description, I'd look for a gravel/cx type bike because they ride fine on pavement but are capable bikes offroad.
KONA BIKES | ROAD | ROVE | Rove AL
This is a similar bike with drop bars and a 2x10 drivetrain. it has 700x35c tires vs the other bike's 700x50's. Either bike would work for your application. I don't own a Kona but my favorite LBS sells them and they are nice bikes.
As far as gearing, the senior members that have posted have put good info. I run 2x10 and 1x11 on my bikes and find the gearing adequate. The last 3x bike I had I converted to a 1x because I never used the smallest chainring and rarely used the large.
Good luck with your search!
06-12-17, 06:17 AM
#9
Senior Member
Big rove
With the 100 and 135QR hubs you could easily and cheaply convert this to a knobby 650b and have a killer street bike and BA rigid mountain bike.
Kona does a lifetime warranty too.
Kona does a lifetime warranty too.
06-12-17, 03:02 PM
#12
Senior Member
Again, i recommended the Kona based on your description of your intentions of use and terrain you plan to ride. Riding a mountain bike on the street can be tiresome and draining even compared to a hybrid. Sorry if I misunderstand. Good luck with your search
06-16-17, 09:28 AM
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On a 2 crank, how many gears should I go for?
What shifters do I wanna stay away from?
How about which kind of shock tube good vs bad?
What shifters do I wanna stay away from?
How about which kind of shock tube good vs bad?
06-19-17, 02:26 AM
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I've been riding a Trek 4300 I got almost brand new from a pawn shop for 200 bucks. Front suspension, 3x9, disc brakes, more of a road bike frame style and IMO a good choice for a couple or few hundred. Leaves you with funds for safety gear, saddle bags, back rack, etc... tools and tubes...
