Trail Cyclists: Help me find a decent trail bycicle to buy? (used)

[S-Man]

Well I have a few friends that go trail riding occasionally, and I've been wanting to pick it up for several years now, just haven't made myself do it and haven't gotten around to it.
I'm now making myself look for a decent trail bike for recreational riding. The thing is, I'm not all into the sport like many are, so i don't know where to start, I don't know what brands to look for regarding the balance between quality and price, I don't know the market value of said brands, and I don't want to spend a ton.

For this reason, I'm thinking I want to look around Craigslist or something like that to find a quality, used bike in good condition that isn't as expensive as a brand new bike.

Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Approximate budget: Around $500 or less for a used bike.
Is that budget too cheap?

Thanks!

[KenJulio]

Specialized, Trek, Giant, Santa Cruz are the big names out there, I just picked up a Giant XTC 2 29er in a medium(EFT of 59cm) in comparison to my road bike, which I fit a EFT of approx 56cm. Of course headtube and seat tube angle will make a diff as well as any offset in the seatpost.

If yyou can find old new stock that the shops are carrying you could probably find a good deal.

Are you wanting a single speed? If so, the Redline Monocog are in your price range new.

[S-Man]

Thanks Ken. I don't know what EFT is. And I don't know what I should be looking for regarding headtube an seat tube angle for my body type, or is it more of a comfort thing?

Also, what size should I be looking for? I'm 6' 160 Lbs.

I don't know about the speeds, should I be looking at single speeds?

[KenJulio]

So you should fit a Medium to a Large, so from somewhere of 17-20" for a mountain bike, the setup of the 'cockpit' will vary if you're buying used as people tend to upgrade/swap parts out to get it right for them. The cockpit consists of the stem, handlebars, and seatpost.

For Houston, the trails arent all that difficult and can be ridden in a single speed, it's a bit more work but it can be done. If you're uncertain, geared would be the best option.

If you have some time, drop by your a nearby shop and test ride some and see how they fit you. Then go home and check the specs to see if you can find a used one which will be close, then go test ride it.

[crbeveri]

go 29er!!! once you go 29's you'll never wanna ride a 26 again haha. Also depending on the "trails" you're riding you can get away with a hardtail just fine and wont need full suspension. I have raced Mountain for about 8-10 years and never owned full suspension and have done awesome.

If you just want an already built bike go to Performance Cycles, Sun and Ski Sports, or Bike Barn. I started on a treck before I built my own and they are good but yes you do pay for the name. Sun and Ski has some by Scott that seem to be doing well and if you're not in it for racing then it'll hold up to everything Houston has to offer. Performance Cycles stocks specialized mostly and they are also good bikes.

(not sure if posting links is permitted I do not represent any of these businesses I am just a hardcore biker)
Performance Cycles
Sun and Ski Sports
Bike Barn

If you have any questions about any of the trails in Houston, Sugar Land, or Champions area I have ridden the all. If you wanna give it a real challenge hit me up some time and we can make a trip up to Warda, Texas.

[KenJulio]

Dont forget bikesport, Bicycle World and Fitness(2 locations).

IMO BikeBarn hasn't had the best customer service, the sales folks I've dealt with have always been making the sale and not about getting the fit right. Bicycle World and Fitness for me is just the opposite.

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by ken74

Dont forget bikesport, Bicycle World and Fitness(2 locations).

IMO BikeBarn hasn't had the best customer service, the sales folks I've dealt with have always been making the sale and not about getting the fit right. Bicycle World and Fitness for me is just the opposite.

This is true.

I haven't actually bought a bike from a shop in probably 6 years. I build all mine now :D. my Mt. Bike is totally custom Frankenstein and my fixie is the same. MY road bike is only store bought and I got it from REI (also could look at them)

[SpeedRacerSlots]

Depending on where you are... Northwest Cycle (290@Jones) or Bike Barn (290@ Spring Cypress). They have trade-ins that are in good condition available for sale too, if you dont want to drop the coin to go new.
I would agree with the BikeBarn being more into the sale than the fit or service, but hope they will change that approach with the new Cypress location.
The guys at Northwest Cycle have been great, but havent purchased from them primarily due to price.

I get my bike stuff almost exclusively from Bicycles, Inc in Hurst, TX (DFW), because I have been getting my stuff, service, etc. there for the past 25yrs. I will pick up tires & tubes here locally though.

Shoes... GET SHOES! not tennis shoes... get bike shoes. Will make a huge diff whether or not you are on a mountain bike or road bike.

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by SpeedRacerSlots

Depending on where you are... Nortwest Cycle (290@Jones) or Bike Barn (290@ Spring Cypress). They have trade-ins that are in good condition available for sale too, if you dont want to drop the coin to go new.

Shoes... GET SHOES! not tennis shoes... get bike shoes. Will make a huge diff whether or not you are on a mountain bike or road bike.

Just make sure you get use to clipping in and out of them before you hit the trails. lol I have eaten it many of times when I first started out with clip-less.

I do agree though. Go with SPD's or egg beaters for Mt. Biking.

[KenJulio]

Yeah, the 'clipless' pedals help in utilizing the full stroke. I have found the Shimano's 540's to be easy to clip out when set at the lowest setting as we as the angle. Candy's are a bit harder for me, as I'm turning heels in to clip out vs heels out, limitation in my knees.

[XtremePhoto]

Originally Posted by crbeveri

go 29er!!! once you go 29's you'll never wanna ride a 26 again haha. Also depending on the "trails" you're riding you can get away with a hardtail just fine and wont need full suspension. I have raced Mountain for about 8-10 years and never owned full suspension and have done awesome.

If you just want an already built bike go to Performance Cycles, Sun and Ski Sports, or Bike Barn. I started on a treck before I built my own and they are good but yes you do pay for the name. Sun and Ski has some by Scott that seem to be doing well and if you're not in it for racing then it'll hold up to everything Houston has to offer. Performance Cycles stocks specialized mostly and they are also good bikes.

(not sure if posting links is permitted I do not represent any of these businesses I am just a hardcore biker)
Performance Cycles
Sun and Ski Sports
Bike Barn

If you have any questions about any of the trails in Houston, Sugar Land, or Champions area I have ridden the all. If you wanna give it a real challenge hit me up some time and we can make a trip up to Warda, Texas.

I think you have your brands and stores mixed up. Performance does NOT carry Specialized; Bike Barn is the major Specialized dealer in Houston.

Performance carries many different brands but no Specialized. Some of the Upper end GT bikes at Performance are really nice and fair priced.

I raced a while back, now I only ride for fun and fitness. I travel a lot to ride, as I enjoy various trails and not the same thing over and over.

I would suggest a hard tail for entry level and if you buy decent quality, your looking at 600-800.00 on your first bike and accessories.

I ride a Giant Carbon Fibre Full Suspension, but find myself on the Aluminum hard tail a lot as well. I also spend alot of time on my cross bike.

Can't beat cycling for fun and fitness.

-G-

[venchka]

Let me reinforce proper gear.
Helmet
Gloves
Shoes
Shorts
Don't leave home without them.
Big problem with bikes: No parts for older hardware. Old as in digital camera terms. 3-5 years & you have to buy a new bike because Shimano isn't stocking replacement parts.
BTW, you can get anything you want in a bike. As long as it agrees with The Gospel According to Shimano.

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by XtremePhoto

I think you have your brands and stores mixed up. Performance does NOT carry Specialized; Bike Barn is the major Specialized dealer in Houston.

Performance carries many different brands but no Specialized. Some of the Upper end GT bikes at Performance are really nice and fair priced.

I raced a while back, now I only ride for fun and fitness. I travel a lot to ride, as I enjoy various trails and not the same thing over and over.

I would suggest a hard tail for entry level and if you buy decent quality, your looking at 600-800.00 on your first bike and accessories.

I ride a Giant Carbon Fibre Full Suspension, but find myself on the Aluminum hard tail a lot as well. I also spend alot of time on my cross bike.

Can't beat cycling for fun and fitness.

-G-

mmmmm carbon mmmmm

Sorry. It's been a long while since I bought a bike form a bike store.

I have seen specalized at perfomance... Maybe they were just really clean used ones. Bike barn I just remember spec and treck. I have a buddy that raced a GT for about 3 years in Jr's and the bike held up very well.

I build my own bikes now, buy the frame I want and components I have used and trusted over the past many years. It's sometimes cheaper or more expensive but I get what I want. Carbon is my next step

[crbeveri]

Originally Posted by venchka

Let me reinforce proper gear.
Helmet
Gloves
Shoes
Shorts
Don't leave home without them.
Big problem with bikes: No parts for older hardware. Old as in digital camera terms. 3-5 years & you have to buy a new bike because Shimano isn't stocking replacement parts.
BTW, you can get anything you want in a bike. As long as it agrees with The Gospel According to Shimano.

I disagree with this in that you don't have to buy a whole new bike. You can upgrade components and just put them on the old frame. I have gone through 2 BB's on my current frame (07 Diamond Back Racing Axis hardtail)

[XtremePhoto]

Originally Posted by venchka

BTW, you can get anything you want in a bike. As long as it agrees with The Gospel According to Shimano.

You haven't looked at bikes recently then. SRAM (RockShock) is coming standard on many bikes now. I am like crbeveri ... in that I build my own, frame, then choose components.

I preferred SRAM shifters over Shimano as they are a 1:1 ratio and always seems to shift crisper and last longer than Shimano. Besides, isn't Shimano used for fishing and not cycling? (LOL )

-G-