Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

After Rehab: Aged and Ready to Go Full Suspension - Any Suggestions?

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

After Rehab: Aged and Ready to Go Full Suspension - Any Suggestions?

Old 02-09-23, 12:12 AM
  #1  
michaelm101
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 403

Bikes: Cannondale Carbon Synapse Road, Cannondale T2000 Touring, Vintage Mongoose IBOC Pro MTB, Vintage Peugeot 12spd racer, Old rusty Schwinn Manta Ray I neglected as a child, Diamondback Haanjo EXP Carbon & Metro, Specialized Roubaix Pro, RaleighSC Tandem

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 224 Post(s)
Liked 39 Times in 29 Posts
After Rehab: Aged and Ready to Go Full Suspension - Any Suggestions?

I quit MTBing after being injured in a terrible car crash in 2017. Experienced with hard-tails. I'm out of rehab and I'm contemplating getting back in the MTB saddle for training rides.

I'm a lifelong tennis player (since 1969) and coach who is making a comeback in 2023, even though I've attempted to do this unsuccessfully since 2020 :-(
I'm nearing 60 y/o, but I still have my skills and my wit about me. I've never ridden a (non motorized) full suspension bike, but have plenty of experience with motorized ones.

Can anyone guide me in this endeavor? I don't want to spend too much money (but may be swayed) on this (less than 1000) because I'm looking to get a good pedal assist road bike soon.
Thanks very much in advance! Just as a reference this is what I MTB'd on back in the 80s. I still have it, sans the original flat bars:


1988 Mongoose IBOC Pro (riser stem & bars added 2020)

Last edited by michaelm101; 02-10-23 at 11:35 AM.
michaelm101 is offline  
Old 02-09-23, 10:04 AM
  #2  
prj71
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: North Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,601
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 1,167 Times in 763 Posts
Originally Posted by michaelm101
I don't want to spend too much money on this (less than 1000)...
You aren't going to find a good quality full suspension bike (used or new) with this budget.
prj71 is offline  
Old 02-09-23, 10:06 AM
  #3  
Miradaman
Full Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Greater Chicago Area
Posts: 250

Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Mirada, 1989 Trek 420, 1995 GT Timberline, 1979 Schwinn Super Le Tour, Co-Op DRT 1.3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 49 Posts
Originally Posted by michaelm101
I don't want to spend too much money on this (less than 1000) because I'm looking to get a good pedal assist road bike soon...
Used is your only option for that price point.

EDIT: Though Bikes Online has one on sale for under $1000. I know nothing about full-suspension bikes, so I have no idea if it's any good...
https://www.bikesonline.com/2023-pol...-mountain-bike
Miradaman is offline  
Likes For Miradaman:
Old 02-09-23, 10:30 AM
  #4  
2old
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: socal
Posts: 4,219
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 872 Post(s)
Liked 795 Times in 603 Posts
You picked an excellent time for shopping with a (reported) glut of bikes on the market. The bike above or a Bikes Direct model in the same price range should be serviceable, but offer basically no warranty from my friend's experience. Used is a great way to save, but bring a knowledgeable friend since you've been out of the game for awhile.
2old is offline  
Likes For 2old:
Old 02-09-23, 10:37 AM
  #5  
Polaris OBark
ignominious poltroon
 
Polaris OBark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 3,927
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2185 Post(s)
Liked 3,337 Times in 1,742 Posts
If you want to go new, get prepared to drop $4K+ to get anything that will do more good than harm.

If you want pedal assist, maybe combine and get an e-mountain bike? That will make the above seem thrifty.
Polaris OBark is offline  
Likes For Polaris OBark:
Old 02-09-23, 10:47 AM
  #6  
michaelm101
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 403

Bikes: Cannondale Carbon Synapse Road, Cannondale T2000 Touring, Vintage Mongoose IBOC Pro MTB, Vintage Peugeot 12spd racer, Old rusty Schwinn Manta Ray I neglected as a child, Diamondback Haanjo EXP Carbon & Metro, Specialized Roubaix Pro, RaleighSC Tandem

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 224 Post(s)
Liked 39 Times in 29 Posts
Originally Posted by Polaris OBark
If you want to go new, get prepared to drop $4K+ to get anything that will do more good than harm.

If you want pedal assist, maybe combine and get an e-mountain bike? That will make the above seem thrifty.
Thx. I was thinking about this. However, my plan was to use the assist on the roadie only during climbing-- while using standard operating procedure all other times. The E-MTB, unfortunately would be too much extra cargo in this scenario.
michaelm101 is offline  
Likes For michaelm101:
Old 02-10-23, 09:30 AM
  #7  
DMC707
Senior Member
 
DMC707's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,390

Bikes: Too many to list

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1764 Post(s)
Liked 1,121 Times in 744 Posts
Originally Posted by michaelm101
Thx. I was thinking about this. However, my plan was to use the assist on the roadie only during climbing-- while using standard operating procedure all other times. The E-MTB, unfortunately would be too much extra cargo in this scenario.
im with ya on this. My LEVO feels like pedaling a cinderblock on the road. Still a fast cinderblock, but it’s clear that it’s out of its element


Although you could probably say the same thing for a lot of these new school rigs with big 2.5 and 2.6 tires
DMC707 is offline  
Old 02-10-23, 11:07 AM
  #8  
Kapusta
Advanced Slacker
 
Kapusta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,187

Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2749 Post(s)
Liked 2,516 Times in 1,422 Posts
For $1K, you are looking at used.

No new FS in that price point is worth it, IMO.
Kapusta is offline  
Likes For Kapusta:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.