Buying a new bike any Suggestions?

[Bergsteiger]

Originally Posted by David

I'm 5'6"

Ok, this bike is too big for you. You need a medium frame.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by mechmann

for around 1000, i would highly suggest staying away from full suspension bikes. you are much better off getting the best equipment on a hard tail (with a good fork!) that you can afford.

full suspension bikes in the 1000 dollar range are going to have very cheap forks, less effective rear suspension, and very low end components.

just my opinion.

if you really dig riding and you are gonna stick with it, then you can go big with a high dollar FS bike and keep the HT for SS duty or something.

besides, it is better to learn to ride on a HT. (don't use my wife as an example, she needed suspension untill the addiction set in, now she rides rigid sometimes!)

Good advice.

[mazer75]

The Kona Dawg can be had for $1500 I think. I test rode that bike and it was pretty nice. I also agree with the Spesh FSR XC suggestion.

If you can get there, go to The Path Bike Shop in Tustin. Ask for Tani (the owner) or Carl, and they can really help you out. I bought my Enduro SL Expert there about a month ago, and they've helped me out a few times since (with great answers to my sometimes silly questions). Great bunch of guys and they know what they're talking about (because they ride what they sell).

You can also rent demo(stration) bikes at shops like The Path, and this is ideal. Riding around a parking lot isn't going to tell you much about a bike. If you take several bikes out on consecutive weekends, you'll quickly learn what you want in a bike, and which bike provides it. It's $50 a day, and you can usually apply those costs towards a new bike later on once you're ready to buy.

[J_Sims]

The Path is a great suggestion... They will really take time with you to ensure that you get the bike that is right for you, while showing you all of the diferant options available Great Guys

[SAR_boats]

My advice is go to Adrenaline Bkes in Orange. I heard that they are hurting for business so much that they made the new guy in the shop eat a bunch of hot wings to try to get people into the shop. Help em out, would ya...

[Pain Freak]

It is better to spend the money up front and get good componets now. If you decide to just upgrade latter you'll end up with a bad case of Upgrade-a-titus. Although not fatal it can be really devastating to a person and his family ( especially around vacation time), almost all mountain bikers experience this dreaded disease and have gone to great lengths for the cure,some sorry to say will never be cured. Good luck, and remember one thing among all others when it comes to mountain biking.....

Mountain bikers LIE!

[1x1clyde]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

My advice is go to Adrenaline Bkes in Orange. I heard that they are hurting for business so much that they made the new guy in the shop eat a bunch of hot wings to try to get people into the shop. Help em out, would ya...

Scar boats, that is almost funny!
All kidding aside, go to different shops. There are sooo many bike companies and at a $1k to $1500 there are alot of great options and if you come to our shop, you never know what we've got Woobie doingoh wait, he wants to be called "Robert" from now on.

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by gurp13

Iron Horse? I said he should get a good bike, Nam! ....I'm sure they're fine bikes. But, as a Specialized owner, I have to have someone to look down on.

LOL! LOL! LOL! As a proud owner on an Iron Horse MKIII Team I must agree with you, they are DAMN fine bikes!!! So DAMN fine, the owners of other brands spend most of their time LOOKING UP (not down at me)... wondering why I keep pulling away from them! Rider or the bike? I tend to believe it is the bike!

Iron Horse/"DW-LINK" (Believe the hype) - DW-LINK - 7 Reasons

Iron Horse single speed?!?!? Hmmm... I like the way that sounds!

Sorry to jack your thread David. I must agree with Mechmann- a performance hardtail should merit consideration. With that said, purchase a bike that best suits YOUR needs. Good luck with the search!

[Bergsteiger]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

LOL! LOL! LOL! As a proud owner on an Iron Horse MKIII Team I must agree with you, they are DAMN fine bikes!!! So DAMN fine, the owners of other brands spend most of their time LOOKING UP (not down at me)... wondering why I keep pulling away from them! Rider or the bike? I tend to believe it is the bike!

Iron Horse/"DW-LINK" (Believe the hype) - DW-LINK - 7 Reasons

Iron Horse single speed?!?!? Hmmm... I like the way that sounds!

Sorry to jack your thread David. I must agree with Mechmann- a performance hardtail should merit consideration. With that said, purchase a bike that best suits YOUR needs. Good luck with the search!

Thanks for giving props to the IH MKIII Team. I am the proud owner of one myself. Climbs better then my Land Rover, and cheaper on gas. I guess if we measured GU by the gallons, it would way more expensive. Hmmmm.

[PacMan]

The two things I would suggest are:

1. Make sure you are gonna stick with it before you lay out some serious cash. But being that you are on this board and looking to dump your beginner's bike tells me you are serious and will continue to ride.

That being said,

2. After alotting money for the purchase and doing extensive research and lots of test rides, spend as much money as you possibly can to get the most bike you can. Upgrading parts later will end up costing you more. And by all means, go full suspension. Embrace the technology and take advantage of it. It is a great time to be a mountain biker with all the AFFORDABLE technology out there. It all serves to make your riding more enjoyable.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

It is better to spend the money up front and get good componets now. If you decide to just upgrade latter you'll end up with a bad case of Upgrade-a-titus.

come on mike, you of all people should know that no matter how a bike is spec'd.... it could always have more bling

[Pain Freak]

Get a silver one....all the cool kids are riding silver.

[dirttorpeedo]

cannondale rush,incycle,san dimas.

[SAR_boats]

Get an old Schwinn. Make sure there is a little rust on it. Get the vinyl springer seat, top tube shifters and mettalic sparkle paint job. Any more than 10 speeds is overkill.

Hey you asked for suggestions...

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Get a silver one....all the cool kids are riding silver.

I heard red is the new silver.