Mountain Bikes on a Budget

[Easy-E]

Again. Im talking 400$ for 2 bikes. Not one. So Im not going to be able to get anything fancy for that price. Just throwing that out there.

you can get a heckuvalot of craigslist bike for $200/ea. for what you want to do with it.

[Buckmark]

CL has numerous bikes that will fit the bill for you....
Here is a good deal..

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/4390616997.html

[JKEEN33]

That specialized that has been offered is a good bike. I bought my sister one when they first came out. Can't beat a deal like that!

[Easy-E]

Recommend you confirm size first before getting anything, even a freebie (which looks like a good bike). Make sure you get a bike that fits you! Otherwise it'll be hanging in your garage, too, instead of getting ridden... 

[Becky]

I agree with a lot of the posts. Buy used bikes that fit you. Riding a bike that doesn't fit will be miserable and you'll soon quit riding. Do a little research online about how to fit a bike once you've bought one that's the right size. You and SG can work together to adjust the seat, handlebars, etc. Go on some shorter rides and adjust and tweak the fit of the bike until its comfortable.

Here is a good chart that will get you in the ball park for a frame size:

http://www.ebicycles.com/custom/content_files/ebicycles-bicycle-sizing-chart-mountain-bikes.pdf

And a frame size calculator:

http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer/mountain-bike

There are a lot of YouTube videos on fitting a bike. Its not all that difficult if you have some simple tools. Just go out and pick a video or two to get an understanding of what the fitup needs will be.

Mine: http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer/mountain-bike/size-sheet?utf8=%E2%9C%93&u=in&r=woman&h=1752.6&i=825.5&b=Calculate

One the first link says 18", second looks like it's saying 18.5" for frame size .. both say crank size 175mm.

How do you know how tall of a bike to get or is that not as important as the frame size?

[Buckmark]

If i remember correctly from meeting you both you both fall into the average height range for most people, that being said most of the bikes in the 26 inch range are built to accomodate those standards and you should be fine..
If getting into some really speciallized bikes or if you are super tall or super short then it becomes more of an issue.
The seats and bars adjust up and down so dont get all caught up in sizing this bike or you will way over think this venture.
*
Most people stop riding bikes for alot of reasons and size is not likely the cause...
This is not like buying a pair of boots or a shotgun...
*
That freebie bike looks awsome to start with, pick it up and use it, if you dont like to ride it because of size then make a change (doubt that will happen) if you actually enjoy riding then you can make a decision if you want to spend more money, which i doubt you will need to....
*
The most common things i see or hear from people who set out to ride for hunting then give it up are, 1) the wetside is too wet or thick, no fenders means water and mud all over your back and lower legs, gear and you get wet. 2) It's work, you have to pedal uphill or push it. 3) My butt or back hurts....get a good saddle and adjust the handle bars...

[Easy-E]

I would agree not to overthink it too much. Use the frame size measurement to get in the ballpark. Most of your fit adjustments for overall biking comfort are going to be in the seat: seat height and position (forward or back).

You just don't want to get a bike that is too small or too large just because its a good bargain. If you were a small framed person or a large framed person it might be more of an issue for you. Sounds like you're pretty typical, so you should have lots of choices while shopping around!

[andersonjk4]

Here is a site for good quality bikes for a decent price: http://www.bikesdirect.com/

From what I've read the frames are made in the same factories and are the same quality as the big names (trek, giant, specialized).  They just put different brand names on them.  And they use good quality parts... Shimano, SRAM etc.

I haven't bought a bike from them, but I've been looking into them for awhile now and when my bike craps out this is where I will get my next bike.   

[Mxracer532]

My buddy has a fully built Kona Cowan with fully suspended with a rear shock lockout that he has roughly 4k into that he is trying to get rid of to buy a Savage LRP .260. He wants $1000. Not exactly budget but it has the absolute best parts a guy can buy

[Fl0und3rz]

This is all from a non-pro perspective.

A good rule of thumb for a general use bike is that, with your feet firmly planted and flat on the ground, the crossbar should be a healthy distance from the pelvic valuables. 

Bike frames are designed to fit a range of different height people, but the crossbar distance to the pelvic valuables is most crucial for safety.  You want to be able to mount and dismount easily without too much standing on your toes. 

People of a specific height vary in torso length and inseam. 

If the crossbar is of proper height, you want to have enough seat height adjustment so that at full leg extension (or with slightly less, but certainly not with knee locked) when the pedal reaches the bottom of its travel, your foot is not overly extended or retracted (foot should be in a natural resting position).

For proper seat height, I usually adjust so that the tip hits me in the tail bone, for starters, and raise or lower to get proper foot/leg extension at the bottom of the pedal travel.

The next most important frame dimension is the crossbar length.  The longer it is, the more bent over you will be when pedaling.  There are probably some rules of thumb, but the proper size is likely a subjective thing to a certain degree.  Too long, and you will  be placing a lot of weight and stress on your hands and wrists and perhaps lower back and stomach.  I say subjective, because the right/comfortable riding position can be affected, assuming nearly the right crossbar length, by moving the seat forward/back, or using (or not) a riser stem or handlebars. 

But again, mass-produced, general use frames are designed for the most common body size. So the frame size that is appropriate for you likely has about the right length crossbar.

[jackmaster]

beleive it or not walmart has mt bikes that are good bikes for the price, i have a mt bike that i bought there atleast 10 years ago, i use it to tow my hauler and i aint easy on it, i think i paid 150 for it, just put together a fix it kit, with smaller cresent wrenches, fixaflat, chain links, needle nose plyers with the wire cutter part and a small can of wd-40, it all fits in a small bag and you can lash it to the post under the seat 

[Becky]

If i remember correctly from meeting you both you both fall into the average height range for most people, that being said most of the bikes in the 26 inch range are built to accomodate those standards and you should be fine..
If getting into some really speciallized bikes or if you are super tall or super short then it becomes more of an issue.
The seats and bars adjust up and down so dont get all caught up in sizing this bike or you will way over think this venture.
*
Most people stop riding bikes for alot of reasons and size is not likely the cause...
This is not like buying a pair of boots or a shotgun...
*
That freebie bike looks awsome to start with, pick it up and use it, if you dont like to ride it because of size then make a change (doubt that will happen) if you actually enjoy riding then you can make a decision if you want to spend more money, which i doubt you will need to....
*
The most common things i see or hear from people who set out to ride for hunting then give it up are, 1) the wetside is too wet or thick, no fenders means water and mud all over your back and lower legs, gear and you get wet. 2) It's work, you have to pedal uphill or push it. 3) My butt or back hurts....get a good saddle and adjust the handle bars...

Yea basically average... well I'm on the taller side for women, so not sure if the women's bikes are shorter and I'd need to pay more attention than him.
I'm 5'9 and he's 5'7 

[jackmaster]

If i remember correctly from meeting you both you both fall into the average height range for most people, that being said most of the bikes in the 26 inch range are built to accomodate those standards and you should be fine..
If getting into some really speciallized bikes or if you are super tall or super short then it becomes more of an issue.
The seats and bars adjust up and down so dont get all caught up in sizing this bike or you will way over think this venture.
*
Most people stop riding bikes for alot of reasons and size is not likely the cause...
This is not like buying a pair of boots or a shotgun...
*
That freebie bike looks awsome to start with, pick it up and use it, if you dont like to ride it because of size then make a change (doubt that will happen) if you actually enjoy riding then you can make a decision if you want to spend more money, which i doubt you will need to....
*
The most common things i see or hear from people who set out to ride for hunting then give it up are, 1) the wetside is too wet or thick, no fenders means water and mud all over your back and lower legs, gear and you get wet. 2) It's work, you have to pedal uphill or push it. 3) My butt or back hurts....get a good saddle and adjust the handle bars...

Yea basically average... well I'm on the taller side for women, so not sure if the women's bikes are shorter and I'd need to pay more attention than him.
I'm 5'9 and he's 5'7 

shorty short i feel tall and i am 5'8

[Becky]

Yea basically average... well I'm on the taller side for women, so not sure if the women's bikes are shorter and I'd need to pay more attention than him.
I'm 5'9 and he's 5'7 

shorty short i feel tall and i am 5'8

Lol you feel tall at 5'8, well I feel like an amazon at 5'9 

[jackmaster]

Yea basically average... well I'm on the taller side for women, so not sure if the women's bikes are shorter and I'd need to pay more attention than him.
I'm 5'9 and he's 5'7 

shorty short i feel tall and i am 5'8

Lol you feel tall at 5'8, well I feel like an amazon at 5'9 

thats like jennifer lawrence tall chick