Bike Shopping

[LaxFB3]

As my big Christmas gift, I want a new bike, but i'm having a lot of trouble finding the bike right for me. All i need is a bike that can take me from my a house to a friend's house and not be wrecked by off road riding. And I don't want it to be 1,000+ dollars either. Do you guys have any ideas, and what kind of bikes do y'all ride?

[Wakesetter03]

I have three. I would guess for what you want to do a hardtail of decent brand would be perfect.

I have a specialized hardrock (there are different models but i jave the hardrock sport, top of the line when i purchases think they are again now) for riding like that, but as I am building up a Santa Cruz, I've used the hardrock for my offroad riding. It does it fine but isn't made for the riding I do.

I'd recommend looking at specialized, giant, trek, cannondale, kona etc. I'm a Santa Cruz guy and they make a hardtail but it will be over $1,000.

Hope I helped.

[curiouse97]

I have 2 used hardrocks specialized and I just perchest a $99.00 18 speed from wal mart. go get one down and ride it in store they dont mind at all.

[Njathind]

Not sure about he US but in The UK a decent specialized bike costs a fair bit more than your usual bike but you get what you pay for, you get nothing but the best components for the price and they generally last a good while so long as they are maintained properly. Bilke maintenance is pretty simple :D

I have a Giant which was old stock from the season before and it cost £350 instead of £500, has some decent kit on it, 27 speeds, front and rear cable discs and front shocks.

For your needs I would reccomend a hard tail, this means there is no rear susspension but there is front susspension. It means it will soak up the bumps well but wont cost a bomb or weigh so much you get tired out riding it.

Disc or block brakes are just as good as each other at the lower price range which is probably what you are looking at.

All of these semm pretty good, just to give you an idea.
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI272A01-Jamis+Komodo+I+Bike+09.aspx
http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2011-Talus-30-Mountain-Bike/PR3C8122/Product
http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/2011-Hardrock-Base-Mountain-Bike/PR3C7727/Product

All have front shocks and decent spec components and all are made of aluminum so they are gonne be light, this means you can get up to speed easily and shouldnt get tired out as quick as you would a steel frame bike.

If you can stretch to the extra price for the specialized then go for it, you wont be dissapointed with it and it will last you so when you fancie a new one or want to upgrade then you can either hand it down to a sibling or relative or simply sell it on.

Hope this helps :cool:

[BasketballBrad]

I also like the Trek, and they aren't really all that expensive.

[Imaussie]

Heyy mate I ride a 3 year old mongoose am hard tail off road and to school and back every day. We have a online shop n Australia called bike trader or something like that where you can buy used or new bikes in all budget ranges. Just google search bicycles online or something like so.

Don't get bikes from kmart (USA - Walmart), you shit your self if you fall of those bikes I had one a long long time ago....