Buying my first mountain bike.....

[BigSki]

2 years ago I got a great deal on a new Specialized StumpJumper FSR, it has been the best FS bike that I've owned.

 

[entropy]

One of the most important thing is to go to a real good bike shop and get fit for a bike (if you havent already). Everyones body is different, there are various angles, so frame sizes are important, width of bars, height and angle of neck, etc.

Had a family member who worked for Shimano. They have a few past Olympians there, have outfitted Lance, racers, downhill nuts, serious mountain bikers, etc. Was told to do that first.

I get fitted, and I ended up having to - re-do the bike a bit. Im a big boy, and I have a hardtail. Had to get:

-widest handle bars out there
-shock seat post
-new brakes
-extended height neck stem with a specific angle

-still need a new crank set that is a few mm longer - health issues and money have put that on hold

The fit is pretty good at this point. Im riding a 17 frame if I remember correctly. Im actually between frame sizes physically, but Ive got it where its pretty comfortable.

 

[Rootar]

I think i found a good shop to visit www.chainwheel.com is local to me (only an hour) seems like they know their way around a bike.


edit i found a couple more nice shops to visit all 3 carry completely different brands of bikes so ill get to see alot of different bikes. Definetly looking forward to tuesday.

 

[flapjack]

ive got 20+ yrs racing bmx/mtb behind me and here is my outlook on things.....as far as builds that can be gotten "cheap" that are worthy....dont laugh...number one on my list is khs pro deals...they sell their older models for mega cheap sometimes....granted i was working in a shop when i did this but that dosent mean its impossible....khs higher end fs trail bikes are actually pretty nice (never thought ide say that) but for example my 555xct has 5.5" of travel f/r hayes hydros all sram shifting and a marzzochi fork....oh and it climbs like a hardtail and decends like a freeride bike btw....its got a fsr rear end "thumbsup"....no matter what you get...if it has a "fsr" (specialised licensed design...works beautiful) rear end it will be gold.......regardless get ahold of someone you know at a bike shop and see what you can get in a pro deal .....msrp was 2,850 ..... i paid 1,450...with 2 day express shipping

 

[ecoli]

I'm thinkin' this thread should all be on another forum. I'm not being a douche, I'm just reading all that you are wanting to know about and seeing the replys you've been given, it just makes sense to make your decision based off information you get from a site designed for the topic. (Not a bunch of crawler dudes)

I'd have to agree, you don't go to a plumber to ask about your electrical problems. Not that there aren't people who don't know what they're talking about on here, but you'd probably get a bunch more info from searching through threads on mtbr. One word of advice, ignore the reviews on mtbr for any bikes. Seems the majority of people review after 1 week of riding saying how great the bike is :roll:

As with the others, going to a bike shop is likely the best place for you to start. I wouldn't pass on the 29'er either. Good for tall riders and you'll find it smooths out the ride a lot more.

 

[Rootar]

I know this is not a MTB forum but this is the chit chat section and i know alot of guys on here ride so thats why i asked "thumbsup"

I'm checking out a few shops tomorrow afternoon and going to look at a couple local used bikes forsale.

 

[athenscyclist]

if you go into Little Rock, stop by this shop.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/

2222 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72202

 

[Rootar]

them and chainwheel are on the list of stops for tomorrow forsure.

 

[shizzz]

if you go into Little Rock, stop by this shop.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/

2222 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, AR 72202

Very nice shop.
Take a look at Ventana. High quality bikes. Used to ride there El Cuervo for a long time. "thumbsup"

 

[Rootar]

just picked up this yesterday is texas. "thumbsup"

 

[Mr.Slave]

nice!

 

[Manning]

It's way too clean.

 

[Rootar]

Dont worry I rode it about 8 miles today and got it all dirty. Rocky and super hilly fun but i was wore out, next time ill ride the trail the other way...... much more rolling dh rather than a couple steep down hills and forever pedaling up hill.

this thing is BUTTER smooth down the rockiest trails plus i jumped a small creek today (just about cliped a tree after i landed) along with every bump or hill in the trail i could get any air off of but it took the jumps like i never left the ground. Now its time to get in shape.... i was wore out after about an hour and a half.

 

[Manning]

That's a really nice ride. Enjoy that thing.

 

[Rootar]

we need to go ride after the next comp?

 

[BigSki]

Stumpy, great choice! You will love that Float front fork and the rear shock set on 'pro pedal', you will literally float over rock gardens and stay in control of the bike.

 

[tom@vp]

2 years ago I got a great deal on a new Specialized StumpJumper FSR, it has been the best FS bike that I've owned.

just sold mine, i loved it... i was 1800 into that with lights and ugraded forks, good all around bike,

If your going to climb its a different bike if your only going down hill that is for sure.

 

[Manning]

we need to go ride after the next comp?

Sure, I nearly always have one of my bikes in the truck.

 

[TexasSP]

You know Ross, when I think of people that just need one more hobby, somehow, your name doesn't come to mind. :ror:

Just jacking with you anyways, oh for the days before I had children and time wasn't such a lost commodity.........

 

[Rootar]

You know Ross, when I think of people that just need one more hobby, somehow, your name doesn't come to mind.

:lmao: You know me all to well