Looking at buying a trail bike but I need some help.
I am looking into buying a bike that I can ride on the local outdoor trails and also at the state park by my house. From what I can see just driving past the trails some of it is hard to navigate through and there is also a good bit of water crossing as well. With this being my starter bike for trail riding I would like to try and keep the price under $400.
I went and looked at Dicks sporting goods today and the Diamondback Response they have there seems like it would be a good one to start off on. Dose anyone have any experience with that bike? Can anyone also recommend any other bikes I should look at?
Unfortunately my diamondback is over 13 years old and built like a tank (survived many crashes), so I can't help with a comparison of the latest models. I will contribute that the ONE feature I regret not purchasing at the time was a front shock. While stationed at Schriever, I tried my hand at a few trails that were actually up in the mountains. My lack of a front shock resulted in the downhill parts of the ride being anything but fun. The guys with full suspension bikes were much better off on the trails!
Of course that tech was still fairly new at the time and those bikes were over 1K... Mine only cost $350..
GL!
$400 seems like a very tough bar to get past based on a lot of numbers I have seen bandied about. perhaps a used bike?
Originally Posted By ilbob:
$400 seems like a very tough bar to get past based on a lot of numbers I have seen bandied about. perhaps a used bike?
After doing some more looking around I have come to the same conclusion about the price of the bikes. I was able to get measured for a bike at REI yesterday so I am going to search on Craigslist for a while and try and find one. Thanks for the help.
Dont feel bad about spending more than $400, you should genuinely spend around a grand for your first. Chances are your going to like the sport, and will quickly "out grow" your "beginner bike". Which will suck because if you bought it for $400, its not gonna do what you were hoping, and when its time to upgrade, youll only be able to sell it for $100 or so.
My father is a cycle enthusiast, has 4 mountain and 4 road bikes. All in the $3000 range, but he didnt buy them like that. He buys top of the line parts used off ebay, and builds them to his liking. If I were you I would buy something mid priced but with a real nice frame, and replace the other parts at your leisure.
You have options so dont feel pressured.
You might be able to land a previous model year trek 4500 at that price.
