what style of bike do i need?

[konaoptics]

Sorry if this seems like a novel but i hope to find some help from other who are knowledgable in the sport and are willing to throw tips to beginers.

I am currently bikeless. I've spent the last 2-3summers riding a specialized bike, and my riding was limited to bike trails in woods on hilly terrain. I basically just rode tight trails as fast as i could. I went to go visit a buddy who has friends that ride downhill and do freestyle. What they were doing got me interested and had alot more to it than just trail riding. So id like to expand my riding style and terrain.

What i want to do is buy a new bike but i have no idea what kind of bike i need. Whether it needs to be a downhill or downhill/freestyle, or dh/racer, just frestyle, dj/urban, or what. I'm not asking to for what bike in general to get but what kind of style bike.

Riding i'd like to do, and tell me if what i want is to much and i need to pick out main areas id like most, but I want to ride bike single track trails in the woods over hilly terrain. The trails have some jumps that drop alil over 5', some tree ruts you ride over when goin downhill, and has some decent climbs. Id like to be able to ride some parks like on mt hood maybe. So i want the bike to be good for getting some speed but will be sturdy for downhill and be just strong enough to take some drops off a jump or not brake if i crush myself on it tryin to tailwhip

im slightly tall, just under 6', and im around 150-160lbs. So if you can tell me what style bike i would need and how light of a bike i could get that will be just sturdy enough to take alil beating from a light guy. Thank! -OH and i have about $850 to spend on a bike and helmet/shin gaurds

[althegud1srtakn]

personally i would say that at this point since you seem somewhat unsure of the direction you're headed, you're not the heaviest of riders, and you're looking to drop ~$850, i'd say you might want to look at an all mountain, or AM bike. for that price range i'd stick to a hardtail, since a full suspension bike in that price range probably won't last you all that long.

your LBS (local bike shop incase you hadn't heard that before) can probably be a bit more helpful too, since they'll know what's avalable in your area. i'd recommend stopping by more than one shop too. also checking craigslist for good deals on not very used bikes has always paid off very well for me

[konaoptics]

yea i want a hardtail for sure. I could get a better bike hardtail for that budget than i can a full suspension. Atleast thats what ive been told.Whats AM?

my local bike shops suck, we had a nice extreme sport shop but they closed and moved to cali i think. We have one thats ok but only sells specialized and the guys there are dumb and only know cycling. then we have another shop that has trek, santa cruz, and then are mostly just cycling/cross country so my resourses are limited. Thats why im prayin to find good help online.

[cMc]

yea i want a hardtail for sure. I could get a better bike hardtail for that budget than i can a full suspension. Atleast thats what ive been told.Whats AM?

my local bike shops suck, we had a nice extreme sport shop but they closed and moved to cali i think. We have one thats ok but only sells specialized and the guys there are dumb and only know cycling. then we have another shop that has trek, santa cruz, and then are mostly just cycling/cross country so my resourses are limited. Thats why im prayin to find good help online.

There's probably a decent, burly Kona hardtail in your range. Otherwise, a bike like my Santa Cruz Chameleon would suit you. That's beyond your budget but you might find a used one somewheres for what you're looking to spend.

[rockyrider]

AM = All Mountain

[mscotch]

based on the Mt. Hood reference are you in OR somewhere? I can't say for sure, but Portland must have a number of decent bike shops and Craig's list has a ton of listings. I know nothing really about suggesting a bike for ya but maybe on this forum someone can take a look at a few and make a recommendation (http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/587087494.html) or 2 for ya

(click the embedded link "recommendation")
good luck!

[konaoptics]

i live in michigan, but go to portland abit

for question below keep in mind: I want to ride trails for a long time, be able to go downhill and land of some jumps, climb fairly decent. So i guess i need a bike that will be ok to do alil freeride, dh, climb, ride quick on trails

which of these would be best? these are just some ive tried to read up on so far
SC Chameleon
IronHorse Chimpira (amazon has 07 new for $658 neads to upgrade to gears thou)
IronHorse Bakuto
Norco Sasquatch
dmr exalt

[mscotch]

i live in michigan, but go to portland abit



you a troll?

[konaoptics]

no i love it there, and one of my buddies moved there so i go chill with him.. Michigan sucks so i try to get out as much as i can, im stuck here till i finish my current degree

but im moving to either Cali or Portland OR, so ill be riding my bike on trails alot in woods, on mountains, and in streets if i move to portland

[mscotch]

what I mean is do you live in the UP or lower MI?
Troll is slang for "to live under/below the bridge" (Mackinac Bridge)

[konaoptics]

ah haha sorry over my head. Lower MI in traverse city. It by the bay in the pinky of the mitten

[mscotch]

hey, that's not a bad area!
Boyne Mt. must have some good dirt to ride on??

[Hand/of/Midas]

a HT bike with a 100-130mm fork would be ideal.
find a used specialized rockhopper AM from 05-06,when they had two versions.good bike and youll have lots money left too for whatever.

[Hand/of/Midas]

theres a guy selling a gunnar rockhound frame for $150 on mtbr. its a little xc for you though,not strength wise,steel is real, just has a longer TT,but thats a killer deal,and with a shorter stem and 100mm fork might get the job done steller,all depends on what size your comfortable on. i would buy it myself but im saving for a engagement ring. oh yea, the rockhound is my personal ride of choice.

the only down side is 2.0 is the biggest tires that clears the rear end.

[davkatreb]

Fixie. And if you don't believe me you can ask Dennis Bean Larson, a Traverse City local. I think he's in real estate. He has an awesome bike website, plus if he doesn't know, he knows who does know.

hopethishelps

[Jay13]

Don't mind davkatreb. Based on the type of riding you mention, a fixed gear bike is the last thing you'd want. Dav is a fixed gear koolaid pusher.

The Iron Horse looks okay, but I don't know if I'd trust Amazon for a bike purchase... Here's another option- if you are looking for a do-it-all hardtail that can handle a bit of the rough, try a Jamis Komodo... The base model is well within your price range.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08komodo1.html

Worth a look...

[konaoptics]

yeah komado is been recomended alot, but they have odd sizes left. so itd be too small or too big. and im alil picky, the frame makes me think of a walmart bike.

Im not looking to do classic riding (plain trail riding) im planning on flyin through the woods on hilly terrain goin off jumps doin tailwhips, light tricks, and riding those wooden single tracks with some drops. So i dont want a general bike, i want a bike i can do alil extreme riding in. My friends do more cross country style, riding really fast over bumpy/hilly terrain so i want the bike to be able to hand some long rides with them if im not out on my own or be able to handle goin downhill when i visit mt hood

people say get a STRONG HT, but im only 155lbs so i should be able to get away with a little lighter bike than say a 6-7lbs frame... i should be able to get a lighter one shouldnt i?

[wheelerlover]

I second the Jamis Komodo. Only $150 more than your 850 gets you the upgraded Komodo II (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08komodo2.html)

[rockhound]

Lower MI in traverse city. It by the bay in the pinky of the mitten

When people from Michigan refer to their location by using their hand, it cracks me up. I've started doing the same thing with other states with other body parts.

"Where you at in Florida?"

'zip'

"Right here."

[konaoptics]

wait so you can get a 08 komodo I for $575? or a II for 1000?

everyone kept showin me the one on jenusa site thats on sale. It was over $1000 and is on sale for like $600 and it looks way different than these komodos thats why i kept sayin i didnt want one

Is the Komodo I on their own site a good bike for jumps, tricks, long ride in woods?

what would it be compared to the chameleon?

[plume_mtb]

Firstly,

No bike does everything you're asking it to do well. People are suggesting Jamis because as a company they're generally the best bang for the buck. Secondly my buddy's got a Komodo and he likes it ok. He sounds like you as he really wants a "do everything" bike - the thing is that's why there's so many different kinds of bikes out there. Of course he's using this bike "for now" and lusts after all mountain full suspension bikes for good reason. That said I think the geometry on a Komodo is about as good as it's going to get for you. The Kameleon might be about the same but I know less about them.

You can get a decent bike for 850, but if you're willing to shell out a bit more the quality seems to jump dramatically at that price point. ($1000 ish).

Oh, and lastly who cares what the bike looks like really, especially at your budget. Get what's going to work for you economically and your riding style - actual looks shouldn't be a main selling point.

Also... how are you with a wrench? Do you know how to work on bikes? If not it may be beneficial to visit your local bike shop for help. Online sales are great if you know what you're doing but once they make that sale, that's it. You'll get minimal customer service from Jenson, which is why their prices are so low.



wait so you can get a 08 komodo I for $575? or a II for 1000?

everyone kept showin me the one on jenusa site thats on sale. It was over $1000 and is on sale for like $600 and it looks way different than these komodos thats why i kept sayin i didnt want one

Is the Komodo I on their own site a good bike for jumps, tricks, long ride in woods?

what would it be compared to the chameleon?

[konaoptics]

i have 850cash to buy a bike and shin gaurds/ helmet if i buy my bike used or from someone....but if i buy from a shop or company and get monthly payments i can get a bike in the 1000-1200 range. What should I do buy a NEW bike that way i can set it up from the company way i need it and pay alittle more, Or buy used and hope the person has it set a way id like. I know jack about bike parts so iw ant to be sure i get a GOOD bike (atleast the frame) that i can put money into

any good fullys in this range?

so far ive found a 07 chameleon in super nice condition thats on a bid at $560 with 10hrs left, transition vagrant for $700, but then the komodo I for 575.. the II is 1000 is it have a much better fork or just lightly upgrade in all parts?

[rockyrider]

The Jensen Jamis Komodo (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI306A01-Jamis+Komodo+Fx+20+Bike+05.aspx) is a 2005. They also have a 2006 Komodo 3.0 (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BI300T10-Jamis+Komodo+30+Bike+06.aspx)

[konaoptics]

by the way. THIS forum has been way more helpfull than MTBR and PinkBike

thanks

[althegud1srtakn]

by the way. THIS forum has been way more helpfull than MTBR and PinkBike

thanks

haha. pinkbike is fun for the videos, but i got fed up with it a while ago too.

[Hand/of/Midas]

When people from Michigan refer to their location by using their hand, it cracks me up. I've started doing the same thing with other states with other body parts.

"Where you at in Florida?"

'zip'

"Right here."


that was the funniest thing all day for me!

i bought a specialized hardrock SS once, mostly cuz i got it for $150 in the box and wanted to beat it up, so i was jumping 25ft+ doubles and doing 8ft drops on it,throwing tricks and whatnot. it wouldnt break,the wheels stayed straight,all good. although on the bigger drops the fork was bottomed out pretty good,pretty bad i think i mean. best $150 bike i ever bought. then i gave it + gears to my brother for chistmas.

[Jay13]

yeah komado is been recomended alot, but they have odd sizes left. so itd be too small or too big. and im alil picky, the frame makes me think of a walmart bike...


If that frame makes you think of walmart bikes you have pretty high standards for walmart. lol.

The bike is within your price range and designed for exactly the riding you describe. I don't ride one, but have a few friends who ride the 2007s and they love them. The 2008s are supposed to be even better.

The Komodo 1 has an RST fork (historically crap, this one's new but still probably crap) the Komodo 2 has a Marzocchi fork, you would probably be better off shelling out the coin for the 2.

Ride what you want, but know that most of us on here (not all Mimbresman) have upgraded or replaced our rides many, many times. Nothing is the "one" bike. All have their strengths and weaknesses.