What bike would you buy with a $1,000-ish budget?

DangerDirtyD

DangerDirtyD

iMTB Hooligan
A co-worker is interested in re entering the MTB world since riding a rigid bike on Alaskan fireroads in the early '90s. He has about $1k to spend. I'm steering him towards a 29er Hardtail, but i see that any rig with a thru-axel starts at $1,250 and up. Since he's about 5'8 and 170 lbs and not expecting to blast the bike the way you or I would, I'm not sure he would need the thru-axel-type of AM bike. What bike would you recommend for about $1k?
 
Does he have to buy new?
Knowing what I know now, and having a friend such as yourself, I would steer him to parking lot test a bunch of favorites at the LBS and get his first bike off Craigs List with your guidance. That way initially he could get much more bang for his buck.

Down the road, if he is hooked, he'll know more of what he is looking for while saving up for New Bike Day!

$1200 seems to be the magic number for good starter bikes.

Just my thoughts...
 
I like Mikie's logic, and that's what I would likely do in that situation, but I'll throw another thought out there...

Don't be afraid to start on a low end bike. I have the $700 Diamondback in the garage that I bought when I still weighed 275ish. It probably has 4000 miles on it, and it's still rideable. That bike took a beating... The front "shock" is completely shot, but it's otherwise good to go. The wheels are straighter than the Stan's on my Salsa after only 6 months. They probably weigh as much as a small VW, but the bike weight wasn't my real concern in those days. That was a few years ago, and the low end bikes are really enjoying the trickle down effect these days.
 
I would tell him to search craigslist and find a used higher end bike that has gone done in value.

I sold my 2008 Specialized Enduro Expert last year for like $1,150. The bike had an MSRP of $4000+ when it first came out. Up until the day that i sold it, it was a very solid bike with quality components. I could have ridden it for years to come on any trail in So. Cal. However, I got the 27.5" upgrade fever hard.

If he decides to turn around and sell the bike later, he won't lose much on depreciation as well if that day comes.

I bought my first bike for $1100 new. Sold it six months later for $600 because I felt that the bike didn't fit my riding style. That's $500 lost in six months. I don't really care because those six months were EASILY worth $500. However, going back, I would just have purchased a higher end bike from the get go.
 
go used. can't beat some deals out there. I just came across a Scott Scale 29er hardtail for $600 and even though I don't need it, I almost bought it because it was such a good deal. disc brakes and 1x10. probably weighs 24-25 lbs

if you want to ck it out go on Facebook: <a class="postlink" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/166881490128155/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/166881490128155/</a>

scroll down it was few days ago, but I think still available

just have to be willing to look around.

Re: the thru axle. No he doesnt need it. maybe later. we have all rode bikes without them, and I still have one with QR f&R. I bet 75% of people can't tell a difference.
 
Like everyone else said I'd suggest him getting a used bike as well. you can definitely get more bike for the money getting something that's a few years old. I sold my nomad a year ago for $1200 on Craigslist and that thing was still in damn good condition.
 
I've got the same recommendation as Faust a few posts up. I still have my $900 2013 Trek Mamba hanging in the garage. Rides great, but also is in need of at least a fork seal job. I haven't ridden it since I bought the Giant right after Christmas. Was intending to make it my project bike, but...

... I've realized I'll never actually do anything with the Mamba and might as well move it on to someone who can/will actually use it. Now that I've thought about it, I'd be happy to let it go to someone who wants back in. Even if he has to put on a new fork, that will be his investment - call it a deal because selling it would be a PITA I'm not willing to deal with, and I've more than gotten my money's worth out of it, and why not? If he doesn't want it, eventually I'll end up giving it away to someone.

Everything else works just fine. I've ridden it hard, and it's got about 2,500 miles on it, but it has plenty of miles left, too.

I'm 5'7", 168 lbs. It's a 17.5" frame, G2 geometry; it would probably fit him perfectly. Triple chainring 44/32/22 and a 9 speed 11/34 cassette. Decent tires on it that will last another few hundred miles too. SPD pedals included, too, since I don't need them for something else.

I'm in west Anaheim, near Knott's Berry Farm. If he's interested, shoot me a text at 714 seven four three 6 seven oh eight. I'll come up with a pic or two. Win-win...he gets a bike, I get wall space in the garage :)

All I ask is that when the time comes, he passes it on.
 
Runs with Scissors said:
I've got the same recommendation as Faust a few posts up. I still have my $900 2013 Trek Mamba hanging in the garage. Rides great, but also is in need of at least a fork seal job. I haven't ridden it since I bought the Giant right after Christmas. Was intending to make it my project bike, but...

... I've realized I'll never actually do anything with the Mamba and might as well move it on to someone who can/will actually use it. Now that I've thought about it, I'd be happy to let it go to someone who wants back in. Even if he has to put on a new fork, that will be his investment - call it a deal because selling it would be a PITA I'm not willing to deal with, and I've more than gotten my money's worth out of it, and why not? If he doesn't want it, eventually I'll end up giving it away to someone.

Everything else works just fine. I've ridden it hard, and it's got about 2,500 miles on it, but it has plenty of miles left, too.

I'm 5'7", 168 lbs. It's a 17.5" frame, G2 geometry; it would probably fit him perfectly. Triple chainring 44/32/22 and a 9 speed 11/34 cassette. Decent tires on it that will last another few hundred miles too. SPD pedals included, too, since I don't need them for something else.

I'm in west Anaheim, near Knott's Berry Farm. If he's interested, shoot me a text at 714 seven four three 6 seven oh eight. I'll come up with a pic or two. Win-win...he gets a bike, I get wall space in the garage :)

All I ask is that when the time comes, he passes it on.
Click to expand...

Now that's an offer... :-)


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Mikie said:
.... I would steer him to parking lot test a bunch of favorites at the LBS and get his first bike off Craigs List ...
Click to expand...

NOT a good way to support your LBS.

The Angry Singlespeeder: Don’t “Showroom” Your Local Bike Shop

<a class="postlink" href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singlespeeder-dont-showroom-your-local-bike-shop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singl ... -bike-shop</a>
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scottay said:
Mikie said:
.... I would steer him to parking lot test a bunch of favorites at the LBS and get his first bike off Craigs List ...
Click to expand...

NOT a good way to support your LBS.

The Angry Singlespeeder: Don’t “Showroom” Your Local Bike Shop

<a class="postlink" href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singlespeeder-dont-showroom-your-local-bike-shop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singl ... -bike-shop</a>
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Click to expand...

...Says the guy who has a billion bike parts constantly for sale in the classifieds. :lol: So in your book, new " Complete Bikes" is the cut off for supporting your local bike shop?
As well, then, the goal is to throw used bikes in the City Dump after first time buyers use them?

As I understand it, it's bikes that attract buyers to bike shops, but when talking to the owners of bike shops, they have stated it's parts and service where they make their money.
Should I rephrase it to, "Try to find strangers, friends, and neighbors that have a bike like you would like to ride, ask them if you can try it, and then look on Craig's List"? Or, "Hang out at your local trailhead and ask people if you can try their bike out"?
Should I just leave out "try a bike", or leave out Craig's List? ...or, just not steer them to a Local Bike Shop at all.
Most often when I have steered people to their local bike shop they end up buying a bike just outside their price range anyway. At least I steered them to the LBS... :D

Maybe as well, you should put all your used bike parts in a local bike shop for sale on commission.... just a thought... ;)

The last thing I would do is dissuade someone from supporting their local shop.
So the guys has $1000.00 bucks, what do you suggest he does?
 
Mikie said:
So the guys has $1000.00 bucks, what do you suggest he does?
Click to expand...

Hookers and blow but of course.....


B601A.jpg
 
scottay said:
Mikie said:
.... I would steer him to parking lot test a bunch of favorites at the LBS and get his first bike off Craigs List ...
Click to expand...

NOT a good way to support your LBS.

The Angry Singlespeeder: Don’t “Showroom” Your Local Bike Shop

<a class="postlink" href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singlespeeder-dont-showroom-your-local-bike-shop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://reviews.mtbr.com/the-angry-singl ... -bike-shop</a>
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Click to expand...

I generally agree with the "don't showroom" philosophy. However, in this case, I have less of a problem with it (Although doing it at a factory demo day would be better). If he tries something, gets an idea of what he likes and finds a used bike, where's he going to go for parts? When the time comes and he wants to buy new, he should remember those who helped him out in the beginning. If I'm an LBS owner, I don't think I'd have an issue with someone trying something out to buy used. All I'd say is that when he needs tires, parts, helmet etc., come to me. That's especially true if the perhaps-someday-customer takes out a demo unit for a fee or comes to a factory demo day.

I used to work in a camera shop, back in the pre-digital days (and, yeah, I saw my share of showrooming - spend hours talking with someone about camera choices, only for them to come in later with a new camera they bought elsewhere and want me to show them how to use it). The manager of that shop would have, if he could, sold every camera at cost. Why? Developing. That's where the profit was - not in the 10 percent margin on equipment. I would guess (and that's all it is, a guess) the same is true for the LBS. The bikes themselves are the hook... the real money is made in parts, tires, apparel, service etc.
 
Mikie said:
...Says the guy who has a billion bike parts constantly for sale in the classifieds. :lol: So in your book, new " Complete Bikes" is the cut off for supporting your local bike shop?
As well, then, the goal is to throw used bikes in the City Dump after first time buyers use them?......

Maybe as well, you should put all your used bike parts in a local bike shop for sale on commission.... just a thought...
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Click to expand...

Not sure why you need to make it personally about me or put words into my mouth.....Never said anything about a City Dump or Complete bikes.
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The issue was "showrooming".
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@ Scottay... Not making it personal bud...I wouldn't do that, you just took it that way.

Just trying to make a point that at what point do we help a guy out. And, to what extent do we support the LBS.

Although this is going off topic, I just want to clarify my point and then we should start a new thread as this would be a great Topic...

Tell me the level that it becomes unacceptable to not support your LBS:
1) I buy everything at my local bike shop regardless.
2) We go into a bike shop to look at bikes then decide to buy elsewhere.
3) We go to a bike shop and talk to their mechanic about a crank set and then go buy it on a classified?
4) I walk into a bike shop and try on their shoes and then go online and purchase from a competitor?
5) I pay to rent a Demo, take it in the hills, then decide to buy it online somewhere else.
6) I buy everything online.
6) I buy everything used.
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I have used this as my rule of thumb. If I'm out of line please, anyone set me straight:
It seems I utilize my local bike shop 80% of the time. 20% of the time I find I have to order it due to time restraints or availability.
100% of the time if I need it right now and it is in stock.
100% of the time if I'm in no hurry and they can easily get it within the near future.
75% of the time if they don't have it and not sure if they can get it in time.
I order online 100% of the time when I can't find a local bike shop that has something that I specifically want or need.
 
@DangerDirtyD : Resurrection only because I'm curious....did he ever get going with mtbing? After the initial "thanks" I never saw him on the forum; never knew if he enjoyed the ride, etc. Hope he did, and I'm hoping the bike is still in circulation if for no other reason that I'd like to track it down again. :cool: I actually kinda miss the versatility every now and again.
 
I almost got fooled by thread necrosis. I started liking a few posts, then I was going to respond to Doublewide's photo (something clever about the humbucker on the Stratocaster) and realized the thread is over two years old.

Someone really should make the date in bold or something so we don't get fooled into responding to old threads. :confused: :bang: :whistling: ;)

So did the guy ever ride the gift bike?
 
Hey guys, Greg is riding the Trek! I took him to incycle a few years back and he bought new brakes and a tuneup. A few months after that I got laid off of that job so I haven't talk to Greg since, but the photos he sent me while I was still working there indicated that he was out on the trails.

When I get a chance I'll look up his contact info and pass it on to you @Runs with Scissors.
 
herzalot said:
I almost got fooled by thread necrosis. I started liking a few posts, then I was going to respond to Doublewide's photo (something clever about the humbucker on the Stratocaster) and realized the thread is over two years old.

Someone really should make the date in bold or something so we don't get fooled into responding to old threads. :confused: :bang: :whistling: ;)

So did the guy ever ride the gift bike?
Click to expand...
I re-liked them again anyway.
I find it interesting to read stuff I wrote a while ago. Kinda coaches me on how I respond and make sure I stay positive. My response to scottay above does seem harsh in retrospect when there was no harsh intension at all...
Interesting how important it is to make sure "words" relate intensions.
 
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