Mountain bikes for hunting?

[Todd_ID]

I bought a used Specialized Hard Rock out of the paper for $450.  I've used it in several adventure races and 3 hunting seasons.  The thing is basically bullet proof.  Disc brakes are good for loads, wet, noise, and longevity; this makes them a decent choice for hunting.  Twist-shift is good for hunting but bad for maintenance; the click-shift on my bike has shifted on me in the brush a time or two, but I will live with it to get the positive shifting since mountain riding demands a ton of shifting.  You get what you pay for with gears and deraileurs.  Large pedals are a must with hunting boots.

One good cheap addition to any bike is the kevlar tube liners and green goo inside the tubes.  You'll go a ton of hard miles before you ever puncture a tire with that setup.

Rear suspension is a good thing if you're planning on riding logging roads, but make sure to get a tough-designed one if you plan on riding 1/2 of an elk out.  You're better off pulling a game cart/trailer if you're elk hunting on roads.  Riding trails doesn't allow trailers, so maybe the solid rear suspension would be better there.

A pack that holds your bow securely on the back is a great thing.  I used a Tarantula sling once and had my bow do 5 or 6 cartwheels down a gravel road opening day of elk season.  A sleeve that goes over your bow and arrows in the quiver is a good thing; those buggers will grab brush like nobody's business on a logging road, skid trail or trail.

Mountain bikes are a great way to get as far back in as most horseback hunters go, and that darn bike hasn't consumed one bale of hay since I bought it!

[Ray]

I'd stear away from suspension. I have logged some seasons with more than 500 miles on my mountain bike and I would never use suspension when hauling loads. In fact the only reason I have a bicycle with suspension is so that I can keep up with my friends when on the mountain biking trails. You'd certainly die a horrible death on some of them without it at break neck speed. For hunting I would call it too much because it will require to work more. However it can be negated to some degree by stiffening the suspension.

I would agree with the big pedals remark 100%

I would recommend staying away from the green goo crap since in the long term can damage your rims. Changing a tire is not too hard. The kevlar liners would probably a better alternative.

[steeleywhopper]

I would like to thank everyone for their input. I guess It's time to start shopping.

[Alchase]

I use a Trek 6000 mountain bike
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6000/

After my first time hunting with it carrying all my gear and heavy clothes the first thing I did when I got home was get rid of the hard wedge maker seat and buy a wide butt gel seat. Then I bought fenders. You get pretty nasty riding on a wet dirt road for any length of time.
This made riding under heavy load more tolerable.

[bucklucky]

I found that weight is a issue also whaen choosing a mountain bike. I tend to grab my wifes bike over mine just because of the weight differance.

[Bscman]

From the sounds of it, a $300-400 bike would fit the bill fine...stay away from a "department store" bike (target, walmart, etc). Go for a specialed, giant, or trek given the price range you're looking for.
With most companies, the basic product lines go the same. The cheapest of the series has a good frame, but lower quality components. As price increases, you get the same frame but better quality parts. The key is to find enough to suit you well, and nothing you don't need.

Don't try and get a ton of features packed into an entry level bike. $300-400 bikes with full suspension or disk brakes usually have shoddy components, little adjustability, and just aren't durable. For this price range, stick with the basic hard-tail/rim brakes....

Front suspension is a must (also referred to as a hard-tail).
A quality FULL suspension bike will cost at least $700. Anything less is heavy and in-efficient. You lose a lot of energy from each pedal stroke through the bobbing suspension...less torque to the ground! A hard tail won't wear you out nearly as fast on a hill or long ride.

Disc brakes are nice in the muddy/wet weather, but aren't that great otherwise.
If you damage a rotor while you're out, you're screwed unless you carry tools. At least with rim-brakes you can loosen the cable or unhood the brakes and continue to ride (no tools necessary).
Also, in dry conditions a rim brake will out-perform a disc brake every time. Easier to modulate as well. A disc brake also puts more stress on your wheels. The key is good pads--the brake pads that come on most bikes (stock) are terrible, and will be noisy. Get a quality set for another $20-30 and you're good to go. Most bike shops will haggle the price--so haggle GOOD pads into the deal.
The "good" disk brakes don't come on bikes under the $600 mark. The combination of cheap wheels and cheap disk brakes is a bad one...If you want discs, stay clear of Tektros. At least the cheap hayes mechanicals are decent (and common on lower end bikes). Avids are the way to go for mechanicals, IMHO.

Otherwise, just look for the basic features you need.
Personally, I hate "twist-grip" shifters. The shifter is right where you need to grip during technical/demanding riding. "Rapid fire" shifters are the way to go, IMHO. Impossible to over shift, but still quick... and no bulky shifter taking up half your grip.

Inexpensive, quality, "Get you out there" bikes"

A trek 3700 wouldn't be a bad choice if $$$ is a concern--right about $300 new. Decent quality components and a great frame. The fork isn't great, but sufficient. The 4300 is a little nicer, for about $100 more.

The Specialized Hardrock sport wouldn't be bad, either. Strong frame, decent components. Again, the fork isn't great but sufficient. Also, ~$400.

Another good one for the price is the DiamondBack Response....at around $300 give or take. If you have a Joes Sporting goods (formerly GI Joes) nearby, they put these on special quite a bit. Stout bike for the $$$.

If you're willing to put the price up to the ~$500 mark or so, then the doors really open up. Any of the ones I listed above should treat you pretty well though, as I feel they are the best bikes on the market at their price level.

[Little Fish]

One more thought....after you hunt a season with it you might need a little gear work done so you don't have to push your bike up every steep road you come to. It's going to depend on the bike, but it's something that helped a lot on my bike

[Alchase]

Some very good info in these threads, something else to think about, pushing a bike with a deer strapped down to me is easier (as long as you have the deer well balanced) then dragging a deer cart. Yes you can ride the deer down hill. And yes every little hill you came down is twice as big going back up, LOL. We have had some pretty good speed runs riding on top of muleys coming down NFD 100 RD to the gate above Pearigin lake. Cover your ears and were gloves while riding during modern rifle. It does not take much speed to feel like your ears and fingers are frozen and about to fall off once you get going you do not want to stop for nothing.

[steeleywhopper]

Thanks for the info Bscman, this was exactly what I needed to hear.

[edmondshunter]

Giant all the way.  I used to race downhill mnt bikes for Giant in the early 90's, so Im partial to them.  Best built for the price


Anyone know where to find silencer for the free-wheel?

[whacker1]

I am in the market for a used bike right now.  Any spokane guys interested in getting rid of one.  I have looked at a couple on craigslist and looking at another this evening.  But if someone on here had something worthwhile, I would listen.

[sisu]

Here is mine.

[rasbo]

sisu did you steal that from runamuck

[runamuk]

sisu did you steal that from runamuck

   I do not have a bike...I just walk really fast to get where I am going...

Sisu that looks more like a city bike for traveling around oh say the Hamptons or something but its awfully cute

[rasbo]

sisu did you steal that from runamuck

   I do not have a bike...I just walk really fast to get where I am going...

Sisu that looks more like a city bike for traveling around oh say the Hamptons or something but its awfully cute

Capital hill cruiser