A Newb, Looking to get back in it for under $400

So, I'm in the latter half of my 20's, in need of losing some lbs, and tired of following that plan from the saddle of my road bike. I don't have much cash to spend, but I'd like to find something that could be the foundation of a (hopefully) long-term affair with MTB'ing. I thought the STR community might be able to send me in the right direction.

I purchased my current MTB sometime in high school, and at 6'0", that 16" Specialized Hard Rock just isn't doing it for me.

The things I've learned in my search are:

• It's silly to go dual suspension on my budget, so: Hardtail.
• Given a bigger budget, I'd probably go 29'er, but I haven't found much in my price range.
• I like disc breaks.

I've been scouring Craigslist for a couple months, and watching the STR marketplace for a bit. It looks like I have some good options if I go with 26" wheels on a lower end hardtail, but not much if I'm demanding a 29'er.

The only real 29'er options in that price-range I've seen are a single speeds, which sound kind of exciting - but I'm dubious about my ability to ride through the hills behind Loma Linda (where I live) without some serious granny gears. The two 29'ers that seem available in this price range are used Redline Monocogs (Upgradable to Discs, but not really upgradable to gears) and the Nashbar 9'er (Upgradable to Discs and gears).

So, what would the community recommend? Should I forget about 29" tires and single speed crazyness and go for a lower end hardtail, or go for a 29'er and plan on upgrading as I go? Or, is there an option I'm missing entirely?

Oh, and also. Hello STR Community. Nice to meet you.

 

:welcome: from Temecula!

 

If you want something CHEAP to build up, I may have a good start for you.... but it will have Vbrakes....

Brian

 

Find a frame and I've got a build kit.

Don't think you'd like a niner, my man seth has a bike that may fit your budget. Or option three is a sweet bianchi SS in a 17.5

 

Thanks! I should add that from testing a few bikes, anything under 19" feels small to me.

Also - as a technical Canadian myself, Brian's offer intrigues me. But if I go the 26" route, I'd like to have discs.

 

+1 :welcome: From Temecula

 

v-brakes are fine, I have still run them on my XC bike, and I get some weird looks but I have never felt any need to go with discs for XC except in some muddy rides up in norcal. Most people lump all v-brakes into the same category as "crappy v-brakes" but if you get some Avid single-digits you really won't have anything to complain about. Decent, mid-priced v-brakes out-perform lousy disc brakes or poorly-bred expensive disc brakes, anyday.

 

If your doing it to get in shape and ride around your house, I would go the hardtail v-brakes route. Easier to go cheaper that way and if you dont end up sticking with it your not out as much money.

 

I got almost a full bike I could build you

 

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/market-place/37099-fuji-nevada-09-upgraded.html

 

:welcome: can you add a lilttle extra cash i would say about 500? 2009 Giant rincon! thanks. PM if interested. thanks