Opinions on a good MTB please

I want to get fit again and thought that riding a bike is a good way to go.

I am thinking of a mountain bike as I will only be riding on roads and light
park type trails.

My budget is up to $500.

What should I be looking at? 2nd hand is an option also.

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com

I would recommend the Avanti Blade.
http://www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=137&t=6.

Its around $500. Very nice bike, don't own one myself but saw it at a
local shop recently.

Its pretty much a mountain bike frame with gearing and flat-bar
handlebars to match. Wheels are normal 700c road bike style which would
fly on the road and bike paths.

You can put mudguards and a rear rack with a pannier bag on it as well
which would make it a good commuter for going to the shops, and more
importantly an extra reason to get out and ride.

Alot of older 2nd hand bikes have less gears, worn bearings and
everything else and can be a bit of a nightmare. Although hard to find
a good used bike will probably ride alot better than alot of el cheapo
new bikes.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 18:53:15 +1100, "Brenton Spear"
wrote:

I want to get fit again and thought that riding a bike is a good way to go.

I am thinking of a mountain bike as I will only be riding on roads and light
park type trails.

My budget is up to $500.

What should I be looking at? 2nd hand is an option also.

Just don't opt for a good looking, super cheap bike from K-Mart! Spend
the whole $500 on something that is not junk, otherwise you will not
actually want to ride the thing!

The Avanti that Gescom recommends looks quite good. Shoguns are
popular too, which means they are good value with bits easy to come
by. Allow at least another $100 for some reasonable lights, a helmet,
and lock.
---
DFM

if your only riding on roads and light trails i'd recommend getting a
flat bar road bike rather than a mountain bike - why burden yourself
with the extra weight of front suspension and a heavy frame when you
don't need it. in addition to Avanti, there are a number nice
Specialised products on the market at the moment, starting at around the
$750 level.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

I had a look at an Avanti Escape FX today. $450.

What are these like? I couldnt see much difference between the $50 bikes and
the $600 bikes.

What would one of these Avantis weigh?

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"gescom" wrote in message
...
I would recommend the Avanti Blade.
http://www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=137&t=6.

Its around $500. Very nice bike, don't own one myself but saw it at a
local shop recently.

Its pretty much a mountain bike frame with gearing and flat-bar
handlebars to match. Wheels are normal 700c road bike style which would
fly on the road and bike paths.

You can put mudguards and a rear rack with a pannier bag on it as well
which would make it a good commuter for going to the shops, and more
importantly an extra reason to get out and ride.

Alot of older 2nd hand bikes have less gears, worn bearings and
everything else and can be a bit of a nightmare. Although hard to find
a good used bike will probably ride alot better than alot of el cheapo
new bikes.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

Brenton and Group,

Check out www.mtbr.com for reviews from all over the world regarding bikes.

I paid $550 AUD for a 2003 Specialised Hardrock (SEE www.specialized.com) on
a bargain deal with the LBS.Had a 1993 Specialised Hardrock for 10 years
doing over 10k klm per year so wanted a bike to last that time
again.Excellent level entry bike,looked at similiar Trek,Giant and Fuji but
liked the look of the Hardrock and like I said got an excellent deal.

cheers
booma


"waffle" wrote in message
...
if your only riding on roads and light trails i'd recommend getting a
flat bar road bike rather than a mountain bike - why burden yourself
with the extra weight of front suspension and a heavy frame when you
don't need it. in addition to Avanti, there are a number nice
Specialised products on the market at the moment, starting at around the
$750 level.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.535 / Virus Database: 330 - Release Date: 01-Nov-03

Obviously that should have been $500 and $600 bikes

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"Brenton Spear" wrote in message
...
I had a look at an Avanti Escape FX today. $450.

What are these like? I couldnt see much difference between the $50 bikes
and
the $600 bikes.

What would one of these Avantis weigh?

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"gescom" wrote in message
...
I would recommend the Avanti Blade.
http://www.avanti.co.nz/bikes_detail.asp?id=137&t=6.

Its around $500. Very nice bike, don't own one myself but saw it at a
local shop recently.

Its pretty much a mountain bike frame with gearing and flat-bar
handlebars to match. Wheels are normal 700c road bike style which would
fly on the road and bike paths.

You can put mudguards and a rear rack with a pannier bag on it as well
which would make it a good commuter for going to the shops, and more
importantly an extra reason to get out and ride.

Alot of older 2nd hand bikes have less gears, worn bearings and
everything else and can be a bit of a nightmare. Although hard to find
a good used bike will probably ride alot better than alot of el cheapo
new bikes.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

One shop said that I need a frame size of 20" and the other said 23". I am
6'1" with a long torso apparently. What sounds right? Do the size of the
wheels make any difference?

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com
"Brenton Spear" wrote in message
...
I want to get fit again and thought that riding a bike is a good way to
go.

I am thinking of a mountain bike as I will only be riding on roads and
light
park type trails.

My budget is up to $500.

What should I be looking at? 2nd hand is an option also.

--
Brenton Spear
Email: brenton dot spear at defconsystems dot com
Web: www.HostingLegends.com
Projectors: www.ProjectorSpecifications.com
Radio Control Trading: www.RCTradingPost.com

I bought a Diamondback Response for $500 down from $600 which i reckon
is awesome. I also have only ready great of it also.



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com

ozclimber wrote:
I bought a Diamondback Response for $500 down from $600 which i reckon
is awesome. I also have only ready great of it also.



That should be i have only read great REVIEWS of it also..



--
--------------------------
Posted via cyclingforums.com
http://www.cyclingforums.com