Mountain Bikes

[Tiger1358]

This question might have been asked here previously, but I need some advice from those who hunt with mountain bikes behind the gates. I'm looking to purchase one to hunt behind the gates, honestly, it's not rough in those places where I usually hunt,even regular bikes won't have any problems there, but I might find new spots where it's a little rough, so gotta think ahead. I was never into biking and stuff, so I know very little about them.
What brands and models should I look at that are not very expensive? Is it worth to buy those under $200 mountain bikes from the department stores?

[Turner89]

Get on Craig's list and spend $200 on a used good bike. I used to buy the Wal-Mart bikes. They don't last long.
 

[Mossy]

Good advice above. Go to a reputable bike shop and have someone "fit you" for the correct frame size if you have some time on your hands. Then keep an eye on Craigslist for a used higher end bike in your price range. They're kind of like treadmills;

I recently went to a shop just to see what the fuss was all about with the 29ers...I will be upgrading to one next year 

[JLS]

Ditto Craigslist. 

Things to look for:

29" is nice, but is not a necessity if you're just riding gravel roads.  For trails it's really a big upgrade.
I much prefer tubeless tires, and wider is better for muddy roads
Disc brakes are must.
Don't skimp on shifters/derailleurs, think mid level components
Stay away from cheesy grip shifters. 
Front suspension would be very nice, rear very optional

If you shop around you should be able to find a pretty decent 26" hardtail for 2-300 bucks.

Edit:  I agree with spending a little more to get a nice bike.  I bought a Niner Jet 9 off of Craigslist for $1800.  Normally it would retail for $3500.  I ride it a lot, and it was money well spent.  I've upgraded some stuff on it, like grips, different stem, and added a dropper seat post.  In reality though, I spend much more time riding single track than I do towing a trailer on gated roads.  If you think you are going to get into mountain biking as a sport, keep this in mind when buying and look for a full suspension with a lockout feature.

[Jason]

The old saying "buy once cry once" is true when buying a Mtn Bike. I did some research a few years ago when I bought mine.
Try to buy a well known brands like Kona, Trek, Felt, Specialized..etc with great components. It's a bad day when your chain is skipping or won't stay in tune because of lesser components. A light weight bike is great, but the components make the bike. A hard tail will be more forgiving on your legs when going up hill and when towing a trailer.
29" vs 26", I don't think there's a lot of difference there, I bought a 29er just because hopefully I can roll over things easier seems to work great though.
Disk brakes are awesome compared to the old V-brakes, and I highly recommend them.
All my buddies and myself have top of line bikes and we bought them cheap second hand. My bike was two years old when I bought it and I got it off of Ebay for $600 from a guy on Whidbey Island, $800 off the new price and it wasn't used much because the previous owner did not like the 29" tires. My buddy bought his Specialized Hard Rock off craigslist for half the price of new.
Just do your home work and you'll find a better bike with better components than department store bikes at a price far less than new. 

[KFhunter]

I got my better half a men's Specialized pitch for just over $400 new, she doesn't know she has it yet       There's some really good sales this time of year!

Her hips and legs are the same length as mine and the bike shop will give it a free tune and adjustment when she brings it back in after riding it some.  Chains and cables will stretch a little with use and it'll need adjustment.  She's not a bike rider but wants to be so this is a good entry level bike and if she makes a go of it I'll get whatever the heck she wants.



For me I'd like a fatter tire, I'm not a bicycler yet but I'm very interested in the hunting aspect and I've got rotten knees so this'll help my legs out and won't ruin my knees pre-season.  I know I'll want a fatter tire, maybe that hybrid fat tire bike that isn't quite a fat tire and isn't quite a mtn bike.   3.5" tires I think?

[JLS]

the bike shop will give it a free tune and adjustment when she brings it back in after riding it some. 

This is something to keep in mind.  I do most of my own basic bike maintenance, but I still plan on spending 75-100 per year for the bike shop to true rims and replace other wear items.  Bleeding brakes is pretty easy and you can buy a kit off of Amazon for not much.  Replacing your own brake pads and adjusting derailleurs is pretty simple, lots of good YouTube tutorials on this.

On tires, my current set is 2.35" Schwalbes.  I'm upgrading to a 2.5" front and 2.4" rear, which is pretty much maxed out for my bike.  A 3.5 would be nice if roads are muddy.  Maxxis Minions are great tires with a pretty aggressive tread, and can be found on sale for under $100 a set.

[Tiger1358]

I found some good brand bikes on Craigslist that I think would work. Price isn't bad either for the conditions. I can probably convince them to lower even more.

Are these bikes good enough to go check them out. Yay or nay?

Trek 6000 https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/bik/d/trek-6000-mountain-bike/6330275089.html ($300)

Specialized Expedition Sport https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/d/specialized-expedition-sport/6336569828.html ($120)

Trek 3900 https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/bik/d/13inch-trek-mountain-bike-3900/6338402309.html ($75)

Trek 4300 (found it on OfferUp for $150).

I'd appreciate if you could take a quick look at it and tell me if they're even worth it.

[JLS]

None of them have disc brakes.  Keep looking.

[Tiger1358]

None of them have disc brakes.  Keep looking.

Are disc brakes really a necessity? 

[SkookumHntr]

yes they are very necessary!! Trust me!!

[JLS]

None of them have disc brakes.  Keep looking.

Are disc brakes really a necessity?

Yes, especially if you are even remotely considering using a trailer.

[blackveltbowhunter]

   It is possible. But unless you are planning to turn your own wrenches and, be well stocked in tools etc.... then it doesn't really pay out. I am going to have to respectfully disagree with the comments that disc brakes are a necessity. Well tuned brakes are a necessity, but I have hauled some heavy trailers down pretty steep stuff with V brakes, and they did just fine. I recently upgraded to a new bike and it has 3.5 in tires and quality hydraulic disc, and while it is AWESOME, I am sure all the dead animals who got towed out behind the old bike would agree it is not a "necessity".

   Bikes are like any other gear. Generally the nicer and more suited to your purpose it is, the more enjoyable it MAY make your experience. But if your not going to use it as intended why spend money for overkill.

  Will you use a trailer? Biggest question IMO. If you will then the argument for disc brakes does become much more valid, still not required IMO. This question goes hand and hand with the trailer, Will you be hunting elk? If yes to this, then I would highly recommend a quality disc setup. Again not a necessity but it will without a doubt make the experience more enjoyable and safe.  A boned out buck is considerably less weight than a bull. My experience is that if your using the bike as intended, then you will likely be WAY overloading the trailer, your back, and the bike in an effort to get to the bottom of the hill without a return trip. A scenario you likely will not have with even a big deer. 

[Tiger1358]

    I am sure all the dead animals who got towed out behind the old bike would agree it is not a "necessity".

Good one

I have a game cart in my trunk, that I would put together in a couple minutes to take the animal out of the woods. Haven't used it yet, just been using my muscles, but now trying to make stuff as easy as possible    Maybe later I will decide to get a trailer but that's 50/50. Right now I just want something that's durable and cheap to use for hunting and scouting. Later I guess I will invest more money in a more durable bike whenever I find a good deal. I'm new to biking, so as long as I can get a good deal on something durable, it'll work just fine.
I'm not a big fan of spending tons of money on something like that, it's like convincing a new hunter to buy an Accuracy International rifle as his first deer rifle, when you know Savage Axis can shoot sub MOA groups at 100 yards.

[Westside88]

I would say decide what you're willing to spend and get the best used bike within your budget. I have two bikes, I've found I only ride the newer lighter one with disc brakes and suspension because it's so nice to ride. I would avoid rear suspension unless you can lock it in a fixed position, because it effects pedaling efficiency. Good, well adjusted shifters ( the click type) are a must. Having fenders will keep you from getting yourself and weapon unnecessarily muddy/wet. A rack is nice for small packs etc. I made a cover for my rack so it doubles as a rear fender. I wouldn't let disc brakes be a deal breaker, but good brakes is a must. One nice thing about discs is they are alot quieter when it's wet out.