Looking at a mountain bike

troutbug · #1 04-09-2016, 06:07 PM

My daughter is right into mountain biking (she is 7) and even at the bike park she has NO fear and his the biggest dirt jumps etc. Well she wants dad to bike with her on the trails and stuff now. I used to be big into it when I was a teen but its been a very long time since I have had to look at buying a bike.

It will mainly be for the road and bush trails and such with my girls, my daughter loves being in the bush on bike trails and it would be a good idea to keep the fitness level up.

What should a guy look at nowdays? I cant spend a whole pile of money but want something decent enough. Im 6'2 if that makes a difference. Kinda pumped to get one now so would appreciate some opinions on what is out there for bikes.

CanadianPsycho · #2 04-09-2016, 06:13 PM

Lots of great bikes for that out there. And the tech has only improved over the years. I recommend looking at Norco, they make great quality bikes for a reasonable price. or the Ghost line at MEC, good bikes for the price.

rugatika · #3 04-09-2016, 06:15 PM

I bought a Kona Kahuna a few years ago. Been a pretty decent bike so far, and I'm not a small guy. As I recall, they come in a pretty wide range of frame sizes as well which is good for taller guys. I think I paid just over a thousand bucks for it. One of these years I'll put a fatter seat on it...to match my own.

http://2k12.konaworld.com/mtb_trail_...content=kahuna

justsomeguy · #4 04-09-2016, 06:43 PM

1 word...Kijiji

Put in your postal code, set the radius to 50km and see what pops up. There are tons of toys out there right now for great prices.

Redneck 7 · #5 04-09-2016, 06:48 PM

Any cross country hard tail from trek or giant will work great. I really like norco but that's just what I always stuck with. Rocky Mountain makes a good bike too but they will all be relatively same price. Just what fits you best really. But these brands id stick with.

kmacisaac · #6 04-09-2016, 06:57 PM

http://www.pinkbike.com/ is great for finding reasonably priced used. Narrow down your search by province, city, km away etc. MEC has a gear swap section as well. I know a lot of people that have scooped up great deals here due to the fact some people always want the latest year of bike due to the feature changes.
Good luck on your hunt

Etownguy · #7 04-09-2016, 06:58 PM

My biggest advice would be to go the a bike shop and steer clear of CanTire and WalMart. The price will be a little higher at the start, but the lifetime cost will be less.

Have fun!

riden · #8 04-09-2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redneck 7

Any cross country hard tail from trek or giant will work great. I really like norco but that's just what I always stuck with. Rocky Mountain makes a good bike too but they will all be relatively same price. Just what fits you best really. But these brands id stick with.

Good advice here

Don't get caught up on brand, they are all equal in the same price range. The big thing is fit and some brands may not fit you well. I have a Giant road bike, fits great. I looked at a Giant hybrid, and they don't come in a size that feels comfortable to me. While Treks feel perfect.

Go to a bike store, get sized, try a few on and then see if you can find one on Kiijii.

Specialized makes a great MTB bike too.

Sushi · #9 04-09-2016, 07:34 PM

The Specialized Rockhopper is probably just the ticket for you.

dwedmon · #10 04-09-2016, 08:44 PM

Specialized is really good, can't go wrong with one of those. The Ghost line at MEC isn't cheap but they are great bikes.

Unregistered user · #11 04-09-2016, 09:10 PM

I used to be a MEC fan in spite of their anti-hunting stance. I am less impressed with them each and every time I go there. Just bought a Giant Defy 2 carbon fibre road bike from Pedalheads, great people and great price, MEC didn't even come close. As has previously been said shop kijiji, tons of bargains though some may be stolen, chances are whatever you buy you will want for something else as you ride more, it is less painful if you haven't spent much. If you do get hooked on biking, when it's time for a new ride, go to your bike shop of choice and they will fit you to your bike-very important.

raised by wolves · #12 04-09-2016, 09:37 PM

Lots of good kit out there but stay away from the walmart and crappytire bikes. Based on your height, check out a 29er.

Cfinck · #13 04-09-2016, 09:48 PM

I have had a couple of Specialized bikes. First a Hard Rock and now a Rockhopper disc 29er. Both were very solid. I would definitely go with a 29er with disc brakes again. They seem to roll better on rough trails. And stopping is obviously important too.

Johnny199r · #14 04-09-2016, 09:53 PM

Don't buy a mountain bike from Walmart of Canadian tire.

I have a specialized hardtail I got for about $450. Get a giant, trek, norco, specialized etc from a bike store.

A cheap department store bike will end up costing you more in the long run.

new2ab · #15 04-09-2016, 09:58 PM

I have a Giant Trance that I like. Specialized stump jumper is good too.

Definitely check out a bike shop or kijiji instead of canadian tire. My favourite shop in southern AB is Cal's cycle. It's in Linden. Quite a drive from where I am, but often have prior season models on sale.

Wherever you shop, insist on taking it for a test ride.

6mm rem · #16 04-09-2016, 09:59 PM

Velocity cycle on Argyll in Edmonton has some good deals and service . I just picked up a fat bike on sale.

Clgy_Dave2.0 · #17 04-09-2016, 11:02 PM

This is our next purchase for the wife.

32 km/h with just a twist of the wrist!

(her knees are shot, so can't ride a conventional bike anymore)

Ebike:

roper1 · #18 04-09-2016, 11:07 PM

You probably already know this, but a bell for when you're on the bush trails good idea as well. Have fun!!!

brslk · #19 04-09-2016, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clgy_Dave2.0

This is our next purchase for the wife.

32 km/h with just a twist of the wrist!

(her knees are shot, so can't ride a conventional bike anymore)

Ebike:

What does something like that cost? my wife (and I) have bad knees.

Clgy_Dave2.0 · #20 04-09-2016, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brslk

What does something like that cost? my wife (and I) have bad knees.

Base model is $3000. You can order them straight from Pedego Canada, or from the Calgary Rep Toys4boys. We rented them in San Diego. My wife was able to bike all day (6 hours) Don't know how many km's we did, but LOTS. It was a dream for her! The battery didn't even go down to 3/4. Completely quiet. People didn't even know it was electric. You can pedal just like a normal bike if you like.
You can have it on full electric throttle, or pedal assist, or pedal only. Up hills without pedaling.

*edit: Looks like Redbike in Edmonton carries them as well. Should go down and take a test ride.

Sooner · #21 04-09-2016, 11:36 PM

All my kids bike have been Giant, seem to be a good bike. I would buy one when my Woolco CCM mountain bike finally gives out...should be soon lol.

^v^Tinda wolf^v^ · #22 04-09-2016, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brslk

What does something like that cost? my wife (and I) have bad knees.

Uh oh my wife just spotted this bike...dang.

I like Scott, which I own and my two others are not worthy of mentioning. The other good ones I prefer are giant and Norco. My brother is Norco all the way.
I would buy a large frame with 29" wheels for your height and comfort
Unless your doing downhill steer clear from a full suspension bike unless you can lock the shocks out for hill climbing like my Scott. If you buy used check for cracks in the frame with a flash light, give the wheels a spin to see if they are bent and check the teeth for damage on your sprockets, also you don't want dents in the frame, not even a little one. Last but not least, check the seat post it is common for cracks to form in the frame around the seat post area on some bikes. Ride on!

JimPS · #23 04-10-2016, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etownguy

My biggest advice would be to go the a bike shop and steer clear of CanTire and WalMart. The price will be a little higher at the start, but the lifetime cost will be less.

Have fun!

For sure - don't waste your time and money on a MalWart, Rondon Drugs, or CaJun Tire hunk of junk.

Bike Bros in Cochrane is an excellent shop - http://www.bikebros.ca/

brslk · #24 04-10-2016, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clgy_Dave2.0

Base model is $3000. You can order them straight from Pedego Canada, or from the Calgary Rep Toys4boys. We rented them in San Diego. My wife was able to bike all day (6 hours) Don't know how many km's we did, but LOTS. It was a dream for her! The battery didn't even go down to 3/4. Completely quiet. People didn't even know it was electric. You can pedal just like a normal bike if you like.
You can have it on full electric throttle, or pedal assist, or pedal only. Up hills without pedaling.

*edit: Looks like Redbike in Edmonton carries them as well. Should go down and take a test ride.

Thanks. I'll look into that.

J0HN_R1 · #25 04-10-2016, 02:15 AM

Kona, Specialized, Norco, Cannondale, Giant, Trek, Santa Cruz, Scott, Yeti, BMC...

Pick anything that's not available at Walmart or Canadian Tire.

roger · #26 04-10-2016, 08:06 AM

I got a 29" rocky Mountain trailhead in a extra large frame. Still had tags on handlebar til a couple weeks ago. Maybe has 5 miles on it.
It occupies a space in my garage but not in my heart. After a bicycling accident many years ago that cost a few teeth i'm not confident in riding anymore so it has to go.
nicest bike I've ever pedalled tho.