First time buyer advice...please help!

[dizziethedog]

Thanks for reading. I am new to the sport and am very keen to get into MTBing. I am looking for a quality MTB, and am prepared to spend up to $1000. I have long been involved in sports and always push myself. So I will need a bike that can deal with that. I would probably prefer a dual suspension bike, as I intend to start with trail riding, but will quickly progress into doing harder rides and some down hill. I am not intending to go to the total extreme of insane downhill runs, but a medium between the two. Also, I am just under 6 foot, what size bike would I suit?

Any idea? I'm a bit confused by the range of bikes on the market?

Thanks....Robert

 

[Phil, Squid-in-Training]

"dizziethedog" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
>
> Thanks for reading. I am new to the sport and am very keen to get into
> MTBing. I am looking for a quality MTB, and am prepared to spend up to
> $1000. I have long been involved in sports and always push myself. So I
> will need a bike that can deal with that. I would probably prefer a dual
> suspension bike, as I intend to start with trail riding, but will
> quickly progress into doing harder rides and some down hill. I am not
> intending to go to the total extreme of insane downhill runs, but a
> medium between the two. Also, I am just under 6 foot, what size bike
> would I suit?
>
> Any idea? I'm a bit confused by the range of bikes on the market?

Look into the Specialized FSRxc. The 2004 models were cheesy... the 2005
models are much better.

The FSRxc is pretty much the cheapest dual-suspension bike that is of rather
good quality.

Look at the Giant NRS3, if your LBS has them available.

At 6 feet, you're looking at a bike sized between 19" and 21".

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

 

[dizziethedog]

"dizziethedog" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
>
> Thanks for reading. I am new to the sport and am very keen to get into
> MTBing. I am looking for a quality MTB, and am prepared to spend up to
> $1000. I have long been involved in sports and always push myself. So I
> will need a bike that can deal with that. I would probably prefer a dual
> suspension bike, as I intend to start with trail riding, but will
> quickly progress into doing harder rides and some down hill. I am not
> intending to go to the total extreme of insane downhill runs, but a
> medium between the two. Also, I am just under 6 foot, what size bike
> would I suit?
>
> Any idea? I'm a bit confused by the range of bikes on the market?

Look into the Specialized FSRxc. The 2004 models were cheesy... the 2005
models are much better.

The FSRxc is pretty much the cheapest dual-suspension bike that is of rather
good quality.

Look at the Giant NRS3, if your LBS has them available.

At 6 feet, you're looking at a bike sized between 19" and 21".

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Thanks for the help, very much appreciated. I have stepped my spend limit up to $1200. let me know if that give me any other options worth considering.

Robert

 

[peet9471]

Just a thought, but wouldn't it be wise to get something you wouldn't mind tearing up while you learn? It's ok to get a nice bike to be proud of but I like to get out and ride places I wouldn't dream of taking my best bike. If you don't really know what you want, try a few used bikes first. Learn to repair your own mistakes on something that doesn't cost a fortune. Then you can make a decision on what is best for you, and really appreciate what you are spending you money on.