[rcarter321]

Need to buy a mountain bike for this summer


I'm working at a summer camp in CO this summer and would like to have a mtb for their trails etc...

I'm looking for something that I could use for two years or so and that's a good entry level bike. I'd like to spend no more than 300$ on the bike...dunno much ab mountain biking, but i want something that'll hold up, I can go fast on rough terrain on, and I'm not opposed to buying used. I'm not looking to do jumps/run over huge rocks...I just want something I can take out and get in hill workouts with. Usually road biking is my thing, but this camp has no paved roads and nothing nearby to ride on...however, they're at 8000 feet and have tons of dirt roads so I figured a mtb would be great

This was one of my ideas..


http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/4ht_new_xii.htm

I'm open to any and all suggestions

 

[rola643]

You are probably going to get lots of different input on this. I am brand new to MTB as well and lucked into a well used Specialized Rockhopper (the thing isa prolly 10-12 yrs old!) and with a minimum investment an d I have had a blast on it. So you can spend as little as you want and sacrifice some quality and just ride. The guys on 29ers go around me like i'm sitting still, but I'm having a blast and someday I have decided on a hardtail 29er. The disc brake advantage is huge.

I would def. suggest a 29er just cuz they seem to roll so much better, but like I said I'm pretty clueless and can only speak from my extremly limited experience.

I just saw a Felt for 559.00 butt I'm sure every manufacture has something down around that entry level price range.

http://2009.feltracing.com/09-catalog/hardtail-mountain/q-series/09-q520.aspx

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sport/3_series/3500/#

 

[rcarter321]

What's a 29er?

 

[rcarter321]

Never mind. Figured it out haha. Thanks!

 

[rola643]

http://www.mtbr.com/29ercrx.aspx

I'll prolly get my typing fingers smacked for pointing you this way

 

[Industry_Hack]

$300, entry level, 29er. Which of these does not belong?

In all seriousness, you're better off with a nice used 26" bike that has a decent fork. If you shop around, you may find last year's bikes close to your price range. I'm partial to the Giant Boulder as a bike for dirt paths and light trails.