Recommendations on Buying a Mountain Bike

[bholder]

I've been really happy with my 10 year old Trek, I think it's the 600 series? I got it as my 25th anniversary present at work, but I think the street cost then was around $600. I don't do much serious off road riding any more though (mostly stick to rail trails any more due to my aging body falling apart). I don't think my knees could handle a serious "deep in the woods" offroad wreck anymore.

 

[bholder]

since they are a lot cheaper

Really? I think the sky's the limit in both categories, I know of more extremely expensive road bikes than I do mountain bikes (though I'm sure both exist). Probably true that you can "get more" in a road bike than a mountain bike in a lower end price range, but both have some very astronomical prices for the high end (ultralight) stuff.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Really? I think the sky's the limit in both categories, I know of more extremely expensive road bikes than I do mountain bikes (though I'm sure both exist). Probably true that you can "get more" in a road bike than a mountain bike in a lower end price range, but both have some very astronomical prices for the high end (ultralight) stuff.

Yeah, I can get high quality vintage Japan or USA stuff (sometimes even European if you are lucky) for around $100.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Holy mcjesus... it would cost over $400 to upgrade all of the Novara components to Deore XT... that's about what I paid for the bike new. And Deore XT would be my only worthwhile option (as in worth the time and money to do) as V brakes are so out of style that they aren't apart of the SLX groupset...

 

[Paladin54]

This bike is on clearance and is fully loaded if its in stock in your size

Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane 2014 Fantom Comp

 

[Roland GR 88]

Remember, if you get it online you will have to assemble the bike yourself or get a shop to do it. You'll be attaching the bars, wheels, pedals, seatpost and seat. Cutting and installing the cables, adjusting the headset bearings and setting up the gears and brakes. Add $50-$100 for this. If you do it yourself you'll need a pedal wrench and a set of Allen keys - preferably a 4 & 5mm torque key. If a shop does this and there's any issues with the build - shipping damage or missing/wrong parts - you will have to deal with it yourself.
Buying locally will get you a warranty that works in your favour. Free service for a year usually and a friendly mechanic will often let you watch and learn.

 

[fingerguy]

Remember, if you get it online you will have to assemble the bike yourself or get a shop to do it. You'll be attaching the bars, wheels, pedals, seatpost and seat. Cutting and installing the cables, adjusting the headset bearings and setting up the gears and brakes. Add $50-$100 for this. If you do it yourself you'll need a pedal wrench and a set of Allen keys - preferably a 4 & 5mm torque key. If a shop does this and there's any issues with the build - shipping damage or missing/wrong parts - you will have to deal with it yourself.
Buying locally will get you a warranty that works in your favour. Free service for a year usually and a friendly mechanic will often let you watch and learn.

In short, just buy it at a bike shop!

 

[PortlandBass77]

Remember, if you get it online you will have to assemble the bike yourself or get a shop to do it. You'll be attaching the bars, wheels, pedals, seatpost and seat. Cutting and installing the cables, adjusting the headset bearings and setting up the gears and brakes. Add $50-$100 for this. If you do it yourself you'll need a pedal wrench and a set of Allen keys - preferably a 4 & 5mm torque key. If a shop does this and there's any issues with the build - shipping damage or missing/wrong parts - you will have to deal with it yourself.
Buying locally will get you a warranty that works in your favour. Free service for a year usually and a friendly mechanic will often let you watch and learn.

The bikes I am consider all are shipped mostly built (cables and stuff already installed).. But I have never heard of a pedal wrench, I have swapped out pedals before and they have always used standard allen keys. I will look around locally but I am not expecting much seeing that we are close to the $$$$ storm that is black friday.

 

[PortlandBass77]

This bike is on clearance and is fully loaded if its in stock in your size

Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane 2014 Fantom Comp

Damn that's a good deal. 22" might be a tad tall for me though (I'm 6'1"..) I might have to pull the trigger anyway though as this is only $60 more than the top bike I was considering and it has much better components...

EDIT: Nope just realized that bike has 26" wheels, that is kinda a deal breaker for me as I much prefer 29ers....

 

[Paladin54]

Damn that's a good deal. 22" might be a tad tall for me though (I'm 6'1"..) I might have to pull the trigger anyway though as this is only $60 more than the top bike I was considering and it has much better components...

EDIT: Nope just realized that bike has 26" wheels, that is kinda a deal breaker for me as I much prefer 29ers....

Whoops, I thought it was 29er. Good stuff on that site though if you aren't worried about brand.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Due to obvious reasons I am going to hold off on making any major purchases at the moment. I appreciate everyone's advice / feedback and will be using this thread for reference if / when circumstances improve.

 

[PortlandBass77]

UPDATE:
I took the chain off and did some diagnostics and it turns out the grinding noise is coming from the rear derailleur, NOT the crank set like I originally thought. I am highly considering replacing the crap rear derailleur with a Shimano XT or something similar...