Im shopping for a new mountain bike, anyone have tips?
 

I am currently shopping for a new mountain bike. All of the bikes I own were from department stores or Walmart/Kmart. The last bike I owned was a gift from a girlfriend, and it was a mountain bike from Walmart. It was a pretty nice bike, until it started to fall apart (POS).

Now that I am out of college and making the big bucks, I want a nice bike! Although I want a nice bike, I dont really need "the best". I live in Louisiana, so we dont have any mountains, all of the hills we have here are mostly man-made...lol. We do have some mountain bike trails in some parks, which I would be using the bike at sometimes. Most of the time tho, I will be riding on a paved path, that goes along Lake Pontchatrain.

The local bike shop carries mainly Trek, Giant, and Raleigh. I really like the 2002 Trek 820 mountain bike. The price is $289 MSRP, and the bike shop is selling it for $269. It looks like a really nice bike. I wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on this bike, and/or recommends another bike in the same price range. Like I said before, I dont want/need the "best" bike, but I want something that will last me awhile.

Here is a pic of the 2002 Trek 820 or click on the link above.

Also, does anyone know a good bike rack that I can use on the roof racks of the P5, or a rack that will fit well on the hatch?
http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2002/...0_lg_photo.jpg

I've got a Mongoose Alta SX hardtail. I'm not too big on biking anymore (Hmmmmmm... Bike or P5... Decisions, decisions... ;) ) But it's a good bike for what I need. I think I paid like $800 Canadian for it. Hope I wasn't shafted!

I'm another one that just doesn't like Trek's....not that they are POS's but I just don't like some things about them. I don't ride like a madman or every weekend, but I've been very happy with my GT. It's a heavier bike but it's solid! It's a good 5 years old but still going strong and does the job for me. I agree with PRX, if you find one that you like the looks and hardware, ride it for a while. The good shops will let you take and get it dirty, or have one to take out more than in their parking lot. Do this to all you're intreted in because as he said, they all ride and shift very differently!

well im a big bike geek/guru...... needless to say i own 8 bikes, all schwinn..... im not much of a fan of GTs or Treks, because of their low quality (lower than the schwinn in my eyes, not huffy low though) and over priced-prices....


check out a schwinn, youll be amazed! if you dont like it, oh well..... but always ride the bike first and see if YOU are comfortable riding it, thats the best way to buy a bike

Well, I orginally wanted to buy a Schwinn, but did you know they were recently purchased by Pacific Bike, which is a department store bike company? GT was also bought out by Pacific Bike. The local bike shop use to carry Schwinn and GT, but that will change since they will be department store/walmart bikes now. This sucks, since I also "liked" Schwinns quality, but that will change when it hits department stores/Walmart. :(

BTW, thanks for the replys everyone. I still like the Trek I was looking at tho. :) Im going to test ride it tommorow, wish me luck :D

I will buy a new bike this year,its the first time in my life that I dont have a bike at all,I 've sold my Norco vps-3 to a friend...I wanna get myself a freeride bike,I've seen a few of them,and these are very strong and agile,so I'll be able do drop a few feet down on concrete and it wont even twitch.You should get yerself a freeride bike I think,You can do whatever you want to with that,and the price is not that high.....try norco,these are excellent bikes,and the prices are cool...

wow....schwinn sold out? that is really disappointing to me.....being one of the older guys here....its something that I grew up with...a schwinn.....and you could always guarentee something...if you got one...and took even half way good care of it....it could last you a lifetime.....I still have my 10 Speed Varisity.....its now, 28 years old.....and still rides like a champ....sure I have replaced MANY a tire....and changed out the seat with a gel filled one....but its still going strong....the quality of it was outstanding.....

and I would hate to see that change...but most likely will.

:(

As I understood the GT/Scwhin situation scwhin was going bankrupt and GT bought them and them GT had to claim bankruptcy so Pacific bought them. I personnaly ride a Specialized and would recommend them but as with cars its personnal prefference. The best piece of advice that can be given already has. Ride the damn thing. I want to get a specialized FSR next. Cannondale is also worth looking at their prices are a little more than a comparitively equiped competitor but all of their bikes are made in Pennsylvania.

wow guys, this is all new info for me.... that royally blows! well that explains why my fave bike shop quit carrying gt and schwinn..... thankfully i have the last model of decent schwinns in the bikes i have

but im gonna stick by that last comment, specialized is a great company, and id take a look at them, also cannondale is great too.....

Well if you're just looking for a bike to ride around in and occasionally go off road in (but not too serious of stuff) the 820 will suit you ok. It's not the top qualilty bike in teh world but it will do. I have one that's going on 11 years now the only big repair for it was a headset and fork that I ruined taking to many BMX jumps with. Anyway if you are thinking abotu anything serious though go with one in the 400 and up range. Look for at least Shimano Deore and try to get a good quality front shock with it. ALos try to see if you like grip shift or the rapid fire. I've been out of the circuit for a while (my latest bike is a 94 steel stumpjumper) so I don't really know how much the 820 has changed since I got mine. Anyway the most important thing is fit and how you like it. Any competent shop owner will be able to fit you properly and the liking part is up to you.

94 stumpjumper FS (Steel)
Manitou Mach 5 shocks
LX clipless

91 Trek 820

Hey mnkyboy and anyone else into mountain biking..

Biking is my PASSION. (Climbing and Boardin are close 2nds)

If funds allow, I'll be getting rid of the old Norco POS i currently own and moving on up to a Giant FS (either the warp or the NRS)

Anyway, for anyone interested, there's an awesome website that has hundreds of reviews of mountain bikes submitted by people like us...

Check it out:
http://www.mtbreview.com/

BTW, if anyone wants to buy a 6 year old Norco Mountaineer, it's for sale!!! :D

Hey if you're still looking for a montain bike I've got a Cannondale F700. I paid $1300 for it, about a year ago and am looking at getting about $600 for it. Let me know if you're interested.

No kidding. The bike is practically brand new. It's just a bit small for me and now living in CO I'd like to get a dual boinger. You know one of these minimum travel jobbies. I've also got 7 bikes and no one in there right mind needs that many bikes