Mountain Bike

[Papi Chulo]

Been thinking about hitting the trails

What should I look for in a bike?

I was thinking of purchasing this bike

Opinions?

 

[Bella6969]

wow 2 great minds think alike lol
I was just telling a member here i wanted to get a mountain bike
doesnt have to be fancy ,, new or used ,,,
its a great work out for the legs

 

[goodtime]

Depends how much riding you'll do & what type of trails.

If bumpy terrain, consider forks with shock absorbers. Worse the extra $$$ if you do a lot of bumps.

Serious riders like Trek, as they're really durable at great price. Models from serious Pro racers to weekend riders.

Here's a list of Terk shops in T.O.
http://direct.where2getit.com/trek/geoproc.cgi/trek

Folks at Cyclepath, Skiis & bikes, Bayview cycle are friendly & knowledgable. For best prices, see my friend Inder @ Bayview cycle. Yes, shill. Each one he sold me held up for years.

For casual riders with no plans getting off pavements, avoid Mountain bike, the added friction from the fat tires may discourage beginners, in keeping up with friends. Consider Hybrid bikes in this case.

Invest in gloves with palm/finger padding, padded cycling shorts, & Helmet with lots of airvent for hot days. www.mec.ca has good bike accessories.

Happy trails.

 

[fantasiafan]

Depends how much riding you'll do & what type of trails.

If bumpy terrain, consider forks with shock absorbers. Worse the extra $$$ if you do a lot of bumps.

Serious riders like Trek, as they're really durable at great price. Models from serious Pro racers to weekend riders.

Here's a list of Terk shops in T.O.
http://direct.where2getit.com/trek/geoproc.cgi/trek

Folks at Cyclepath, Skiis & bikes, Bayview cycle are friendly & knowledgable. For best prices, see my friend Inder @ Bayview cycle. Yes, shill. Each one he sold me held up for years.

For casual riders with no plans getting off pavements, avoid Mountain bike, the added friction from the fat tires may discourage beginners, in keeping up with friends. Consider Hybrid bikes in this case.

Invest in gloves with palm/finger padding, padded cycling shorts, & Helmet with lots of airvent for hot days. www.mec.ca has good bike accessories.

Happy trails.

I respectfully disagree with the above, only cuz I have a different opinion. Firstly, seeking a bike with shocks is beneficial for offterain as well as street for obvious reasons, hence this is why manufacturers have begun building all sorts of bikes -even choppers - with shocks. Secondly, I wouldnt have said that Trek is what serious riders ride, not cuz its not a good bike and some serious riders might ride them, but there are alot of better bikes and makes out there. In fact I would argue that Trek bikes at the high end Road cyling level are good at best, but really it would come down to a lot of drugs and less weight (a testacle) to win the tour de france 7 times. Thirdly, Cylclepath, Skiis and Bikes, and Bayview Cycle happen to be the most expensive of the bike stores. Sport Swap on Yonge south of Eglinton is a good buy, as is the Sporting Life Bike Store. Fourthly, I think MTB's are good any even for those on pavement, if your intention isnt to zip at high speeds couriering mail during downtown rush hour, but I believe the initial post was for a MTB so I wont get into road/hybrids.

Lastly, I concur that Mountain Equiptment Co-Op on King and peter is a good place for clothing, acccesories - good quality at a reasonable price.

For more info feel free to post. And though this is probably not what youre looking for, I built my MTB from scratch in a weight weenie contest with all the top of the line parts. I won the contest. My bike weighs in about 18lbs - and its a MTB! Cost $3600 to build, but I'd let it go for $2000 - Mint condition! Carbon Fibre Ti pretty much everything.

As for the Kona, good buy.

 

[gabeti]

That looks like a good buy.

 

[basketcase]

Check out the little stores that are bike shops. There's a bunch. Many tend to have sales on bikes and will have lot's of selection. You can often work deals as well on accessories like helmet, lights, locks, etc.) You should be able to get something more than good enough for a casual rider in the $600-800 range. Shop around. (though it is sort of funny to drive all over the city to shop for bikes)

 

[Papi Chulo]

Check out the little stores that are bike shops.

I have found that the little shops often seem to be a little more expensive than the big box stores, but it seems like the little shops are selling much better products (especially if you are going off road), and more importantly, you are paying a little more for their expertise & service.

I took the Kona for a 1 hour test ride today.. It seems to ride alright in the city and seems rugged enough to hold up off-road. I think I will buy it tomorrow

 

[Edifice]

Is Cannondale the best off-road terrain MTB? Am I wrong?
I know they are pricey but they are built to last, light as hell and had really good shock absorption from what I've heard.

Never personally owned one but did check out ebay and was interested in buying the Cannondale Super v400 model.

 

[goodtime]

Firstly, seeking a bike with shocks is beneficial for offterain as well as street for obvious reasons, hence this is why manufacturers have begun building all sorts of bikes -even choppers - with shocks.

Thanks for the correction, it should read:
If bumpy terrain, consider forks with shock absorbers. WORTH the extra $$$ if you do a lot of bumps.

 

[fantasiafan]

Is Cannondale the best off-road terrain MTB? Am I wrong?
I know they are pricey but they are built to last, light as hell and had really good shock absorption from what I've heard.

Never personally owned one but did check out ebay and was interested in buying the Cannondale Super v400 model.

I wouldnt say it's the best, but they are pricey and well built. As for the shock absorbtion, it depends on which shock manufacturer you have. Of course, Cannondale had the 'Lefty' which was a shock on one side only. It trips you out when you see it.

Take a look: http://mepris.de/wp-content/Cannondalesuperv.JPG

 

[goodtime]

Thirdly, Cylclepath, Skiis and Bikes, and Bayview Cycle happen to be the most expensive of the bike stores. Sport Swap on Yonge south of Eglinton is a good buy, as is the Sporting Life Bike Store. Fourthly, I think MTB's are good any even for those on pavement, if your intention isnt to zip at high speeds couriering mail during downtown rush hour, but I believe the initial post was for a MTB so I wont get into road/hybrids.

3) I don't find Sporting Life stuff to be knowledgeable.

4) Really depends how much riding & what terrain. Many on the Ride for Heart regard their MTB as they have trouble with the inclines. Mind you many haven't done enough training to begin with. Even though there weren't many inclines with M.S. ride & MTB with advantage on dirt roads but on pavement, the knob tires was too much for some.

 

[Eli]

You really don't need a fancy shmancy mountain bike for just doin trails. I had a Giant once it was pretty cool.

 

[i_am_good]

Get the Kona - it rocks! My bud just bought one and he loves it.

 

[Macator2003]

There are quite a few good mountain bikes out there. If you're just starting out or consider yourself at an intermediate level, you can buy a decent MTB for under $400.00
-front and back shocks, aluminum frame/rims, a good set of tires/brakes, 21-24 speed. Just remember, if you spend $2000 or more on a bike, the thefts are attracted to it. I get out app 3X a week and love it. Anybody do Walker Woods or Glen Major, they’re both about 20 minutes north of the City.

Check out:

http://www.trca.on.ca/parks_and_culture/places_to_visit/other_lands/WW-GM_trail_map.pdf

 

[fantasiafan]

3) I don't find Sporting Life stuff to be knowledgeable.

Neither do I....in fact I dont find any stuff to be knowledgeable, so I seek out staff

4) Really depends how much riding & what terrain. Many on the Ride for Heart regard their MTB as they have trouble with the inclines. Mind you many haven't done enough training to begin with. Even though there weren't many inclines with M.S. ride & MTB with advantage on dirt roads but on pavement, the knob tires was too much for some.

I think you hit it on the mark with the training more than anything. Plus on a ride like becels, MTBers should overinflate their tires, as oppossed to taking air out when one goes MTBing.

 

[fantasiafan]

There are quite a few good mountain bikes out there. If you're just starting out or consider yourself at an intermediate level, you can buy a decent MTB for under $400.00
-front and back shocks, aluminum frame/rims, a good set of tires/brakes, 21-24 speed. Just remember, if you spend $2000 or more on a bike, the thefts are attracted to it. I get out app 3X a week and love it. Anybody do Walker Woods or Glen Major, they’re both about 20 minutes north of the City.

Check out:

http://www.trca.on.ca/parks_and_culture/places_to_visit/other_lands/WW-GM_trail_map.pdf

Ya, I agree, for street use a good MTB for under $400 is possible. Just dont take that thing for some serious Mtbing. But for $2000, I wouldnt ride around and lock it up to go shopping either.

Yup, get out to GM, Dagmar, and Hardwood mainly, locally, but hit Banff, Utah, and Colorado many a time throughout the year, plus whatever tour locations the schedule has.

 

[goodtime]

You really don't need a fancy shmancy mountain bike for just doin trails. I had a Giant once it was pretty cool.

Giant is the other solid like a rock bike.

 

[goodtime]

but hit Banff, Utah, and Colorado many a time throughout the year, plus whatever tour locations the schedule has.

Banff & Colorado, beautiful!

 

[fantasiafan]

Banff & Colorado, beautiful!

You should really check out Utah for some serious MTBing!

Cheers,

 

[xix]

Just go to Canadian tire. If you don't mind waiting try garage sales. OR worst place would be Police/City Transit auctions. You get more ripped off at police auctions than you would at garage sales/CT.