Austin Smithey

8 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

at risk of starting a debate, not everyone sees full suspension as the main "upgrade" to which they aspire.

there might be two schools of thought about your first bike:

1. buy a new uber-bike right off the bat and ride like hell. the bike will not allow any excuses at all for your inabilities. if you end up falling in love with it, you'll have a solid bike for many years. if you don't love it, you'll have a cool toy around or something you can sell to get some of your money back.

2. buy a cheaper bike to see how far it takes you. if you fall in love with mountain biking, you'll ride the hell out of that bike too, but quickly learn how to ride smoother and learn the value of nicer parts that perform better. if you love it, you can keep that bike limping along as Austin chunk tears it up while you save up for something that suits you better. if you don't love it, you'll have a decent bike to ride that is probably not worth selling compared to having a bike that works and fits you.

I think right now I'm looking at "school of thought number 2", get a decent-ish bike, probably used, and ride it into the ground. Hopefully by then I'll be out of college with a real job and can get a real nice bike. I just took a visit to the bike farm and the guy said that every nice used MTB get snatched up real quick. At the moment all they had in XL was a full-sus Rocky Mountain for 1500. While it was nice I think I'll keep looking around. 

8 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

that's what I suspected, just want to make certain.

online used bike adds are all over the place. instead of me/us spending hours of our own time (because I have so many more important things to do right now, ha!), please spend some time searching Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, call the two shops I listed that have used bikes, and find some deals online for complete bikes. post them here for feedback.

for used bikes, in general:

• it has to fit you. look for an extra-large frame, which is might be listed as 21-22 inches (seat tube length, silly way to size bikes). If the size is not listed, ask the seller. if they can't be bothered to tell you, don't waste your time with them.
• it should be made in the last decade or so. you can go older, depending on how hard you plan to ride. you could ride a rusted out beach cruiser with no tires if you really want, but if you want to have fun, don't buy a "vintage" POS.
• used bikes can be a mine field. if the bike was ridden a lot, look for something that has been maintained. a $500 used bike that needs a new drivetrain, suspension service, and a general tune-up will quickly become twice as expensive.

Thanks, I have been looking at the Bike Farm, Facebook, Craigslist, as well as looking at the new versions of bikes to familiarize myself with what a new bike would cost and comparing that to the used price. I appreciate all the advice very much. THANKS!!

1 hour ago, mack_turtle said:

please clarify: are you looking for a bike for trails or trials?

 

Yeah that was just a typo, for sure a TRAIL bike, whoops

2 hours ago, crazyt said:

do you actually want a trials bike? As in one to do trials riding?  

If so this one looks really good

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/d/austin-squared-bmx-race-bike/7099589796.html

Did you mean you wanted a trail bike?

right now there isnt anything on craigslist that meets your criteria, except this one which is rigid. I dont know the year, but it looks like an older geometry, but could be a good starter. You could upgrade the fork if you stick with it.

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/d/austin-10-speed-29er-marin-mtb/7109358384.html

 

It looks like facebook marketplace has some additional choices, especially if you are willing to drive to another city.

This kona honzo is only a large, might be too small but is one of the first bikes with todays modern geometry.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/586085352130809/

 

 

 

Oh for sure I'm looking for a TRAIL bike, never done trials in my life and that was a complete typo

52 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

Wheels size has nothing to do with rider height.

A bike that will withstand Austin terrain for that price does not exist. You'll be shopping for new wheels and a new fork in a few months.

The used market is great though and you might have better luck there.

Do you have any recommendations for a good brand for a used bike? Or what might be easier is, brands to avoid?

I just got rid of my old bike I got purely to ride around campus in and do some little small trials in my free time but with Corona I have loads more free time and need to get out. I'm looking for a trial bike, preferably 29' wheels (bc im 6'3") and a hardtail frame. I've been looking at bikes like the Cannondale 8 and the Specialized Rockhopper. Do yall have suggestions or things to look for when choosing a new bike around the $400-600 range?

Thanks,

Smithey

1 minute ago, mack_turtle said:

If something is missing or broken on that bike, it's time to send it out to pasture. I won't feel safe sending anyone out on a trail on that bike. Unless you have some serious skill as a machinist, you're not going to bring that back from the dead. I know that's hard to hear if you're attached to that bike, but it just sounds unsafe.

yeah thats what my gut is saying I should do. Besides Austin Tricyclist is there anywhere you would recommend to go for a new/used 29in (I'm 6'3") mountain bike?

Hey y'all

I'm new to relatively new to mountain biking so I decided to fix the big creak in my bike that was making it embarrassing to ride around in(sounded like a clown car). I thought it was the slight frame crack but I got that fixed(hence the unpainted bit) and the problem persists. After inspecting the piece that wraps around my pivot joint is bent maybe 1/8 in out of place. I'd like to keep this bike so is this fixable or is it time to start shopping. 

Thanks,

Austin Smithey

Hey y'all,

I've recently gotten into mountain biking a little more seriously but I've noticed that my bike had a real bad squeak. I thought it was the slight crack in the frame(hence the unpainted section in the pics) but I got that fixed and discovered a second problem which is causing the squeaks. the bit holding the pivot joint is bent. Is this a fixable issue or is it time to start shopping? Ive attached some pics in the link below. Any feedback would be great!!!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eouSx1QZqrq2GX4w8

Thanks, 

Austin Smithey