Bicycle on a Budget

Hi,

I am looking for mountain bike under $200 I am 6'2" 230, any advice?

Local bike shop, check used stock. STAY AWAY from Walmart, Kmart, etc.

Craig's list. Look at entry.level specialized. Few year old. Rockhopper non disc brake should.do the trick. You'll probably want a 21" frame for comfort.... I'm roughly that size and I should be on a 21.... I prefer 17" frames myself for toss ability.

This is an old bike, but I had one for years and absolutely loved it. The frame size can be deceiving on them because the top tube tapers downward for more junk clearance. It's very light. They are awesome for rocky trails.

http://reading.craigslist.org/bik/4167039634.html

Cannondale M800 Beast of the East

Dats a nice bike Woody. I keep wanting your stuff.

I don't have it any more. I bought it used but unridden. Unfortunately, it was the largest frame size available and it was always a little too big for me, but I still rode it for 17 years. I sold it because I wanted a dual suspension bike, but I miss the ability to just hop on a bike at short notice and ride without fooling with suspension settings.

Sounds like my old one would have been perfect for Trigun. I sold it for $200.

Thanks all for the good information. I will keep my eyes peeled, what about steel frames are they still ok? I know that Carbon Fiber and Aluminum frames are the frames to have, but I am not a PRO.

In reply to trigun7469:

There's nothing at all wrong with a high quality steel frame.

Steel frame bikes are fantastic. IMHO, they ride better to me than carbon fiber or aluminum. Keep an eye on Craigslist. You can find deals on there.

CF bikes are very "alive" in how they feel. I like mine, the lightness makes riding them very easy and the acceleration and stopping unbelievable.

At this price point, I'd be looking for the best deal which turns up in terms of a quality frame with quality components. I won't say it's impossible for a CF bike to turn up (and I could barn find an original Cobra for Challenge money), but it seems vanishingly unlikely and I see no reason to hold out for it. If it's a good quality frame that fits well with good parts, material is secondary.

At $200, my biggest worry would be winding up saddled with a craptacular (or dead) suspension fork, followed closely by crappy and/or orphaned shifters or brakes (U-brake, anyone?). For example, I can't stand Grip Shift. Some people love it, but when I was working at a shop I found it the most sensitive to dirty cables; if things weren't perfect, it would rattle and shift badly.

Crossing my fingers for the OP for finding something like what Woody posted. A high quality, if "outdated" bike. $200's pretty low, but stuff will turn up there.

Craigslist is your friend. I just picked up a 92 Bridgestone MB-3 for $230---- in great shape! ($800 bike when new)

At that price point, I'd probably stay away from suspended bikes. (unless you can find one with a Rock Shock) All suspension is not equal, and a rigid bike can be amazingly capable.

ransom wrote: At this price point, I'd be looking for the best deal which turns up in terms of a quality frame with quality components. I won't say it's impossible for a CF bike to turn up (and I could barn find an original Cobra for Challenge money), but it seems vanishingly unlikely and I see no reason to hold out for it. If it's a good quality frame that fits well with good parts, material is secondary. At $200, my biggest worry would be winding up saddled with a craptacular (or dead) suspension fork, followed closely by crappy and/or orphaned shifters or brakes (U-brake, anyone?). For example, I can't stand Grip Shift. Some people love it, but when I was working at a shop I found it the most sensitive to dirty cables; if things weren't perfect, it would rattle and shift badly. Crossing my fingers for the OP for finding something like what Woody posted. A high quality, if "outdated" bike. $200's pretty low, but stuff will turn up there.

Grip shift is evil.. give me SIS anyday.

I spent 600 on my CF trek about 6 years ago.

What about Titan bikes? I went to two local bike stores and couldn't find a bike in the stores under $550. I haven't had any luck local on craigslist.

don't know anything beyond a quick look on Titan bikes... but from what I can see is just another big box store bike, Chinese made frame with the lowest end shimano components so they can say it has a shimano drivetrain along with the lowest off brand other bits and the worst suspension fork you could find but in the $200 range (what I found on google shopping) it's about what you'd expect... at that price I'd prob go with a bikes direct cheapo... but as with most things a little bit more money buys you A LOT more bike.

to posts above from back in Dec... I find it funny about the SIS vs gripshift... when I build up another MTB it will have gripshift... and a SRAM derailleur out back... no matter how little I cared for it, how muddy and dirty things got it just worked... same with the mid end sram trigger shifter... I'm just not fond of shimanos design (admittedly I think they changed them in the last few years but I've got big hands so I was never fond of the index finger click.)... I am running MTB dual controls on my touring bike though... and brifters on my road bike (although those goto Campy soon :) woot woot

Joe Gearin wrote: Craigslist is your friend. I just picked up a 92 Bridgestone MB-3 for $230---- in great shape! ($800 bike when new) At that price point, I'd probably stay away from suspended bikes. (unless you can find one with a Rock Shock) All suspension is not equal, and a rigid bike can be amazingly capable.

I too have a Bridgestone that I bought new. 1993 MB-4, green
Here is a link to a 1992 MB-3 that may be worth considering.
it is possible that the frame may be a little small, not sure.
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/bik/4359268369.html

For a real education, take a read through the original Bridgestone Catalogs
On a side note, I still have my original Bridgestone 1993 Catalog. I think it is surprisingly collectable.

at 6'2 i'd say anything under an 18" is going to be a bit on the small size :-/

http://allentown.craigslist.org/bik/4374768328.html

http://lancaster.craigslist.org/bik/4346968250.html

Nishiki ChromeMoly

Woody wrote: http://allentown.craigslist.org/bik/4374768328.html http://lancaster.craigslist.org/bik/4346968250.html

Thanks for the link but I live 7 hours away. I have contacted people far away and nobody seems to be keen on shipping even at my cost.

Is used better then a new Chinese bike?

They were very helpful at bike shops, I liked the Trek dual sports seemed like the best option for me, but I felt out of place because I am not some extreme biker, I going to ride back and forth to work which is probably a little over a mile. The roads are rough and I would like to be able to fit a bigger tires in the winter, $550 plus tax is not in the cards for me.

trigun7469 wrote: Is used better then a new Chinese bike?

A sharp stick in the eye is better than a new Chinese bike.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/spo/4375837537.html

Where are you located?

In reply to trigun7469:

As far as the bike shop is concerned, you are their bread and butter customer. The guy who is buying the 2000$ bike is probably not making the shop much money. however, the people that buy a bike and a helmet and gloves and a water bottle and get a tune up, well those are the people the shop survives on. If the shop made you feel out of place, I would try another shop.

wvumtnbkr wrote: In reply to trigun7469: As far as the bike shop is concerned, you are their bread and butter customer. The guy who is buying the 2000$ bike is probably not making the shop much money. however, the people that buy a bike and a helmet and gloves and a water bottle and get a tune up, well those are the people the shop survives on. If the shop made you feel out of place, I would try another shop.

Out of Place as far as spending $$$, they weren't rude, they were nice. I haven't found a budget bike place yet, if they exist.

I am located in Erie, Pa 2 hrs away from Pitts, I sent the craigslist ad a email.

If your interested in learning about places to ride (offroad) join "South Shore Trail Riders" on Facebook, check out "BikeErie.org" or Penn State Behrend Cycling Club, also on Facebook.

I know lots of the guys on South Shore Trail Rides have old bikes they are looking to sell.