What Mountain Bike?

[NeilP]

Just a thing about frame sizing - be it 17 or 19 inch frame, or whatever - most different makes and models have different geometries of bike frame.

What will feel comfortable as a 17" with one make may not feel so comfortable with another, if you know what I mean.

Best to try a couple of different makes and sizes to find one that suits you.

Also if you can wait a few months then in the summer alot of shops will start to get their 2008 range in. You might be able to pick up a 2007 model at a cheaper price.

I went for a Specialized.

[DIVE BUDDHA]

get urself a nice dbr mountain bike ! rock shox forks !
xtr running kit ! and panneracer tyres ! that should see u rite !

[DanE]

Disks are also better with taco'd wheels

But again, it comes back to JAG's light offroad usage, which doesn't seem to imply hurtling down hills and failing to bunnyhop large logs...

Of course, once he's been bitten by the bug, that'll be a different matter

dan

[dorset_diver]

Originally Posted by DanE

and failing to bunnyhop large logs...

Of course, once he's been bitten by the bug, that'll be a different matter

dan

HAHAHA done that too many times, and its just like diving! once you start with the basic kit theres just so much god damn shiney new stuff to buy too!!

Chris Middleton
aka student guy

[JAG]

Originally Posted by DanE

Disks are also better with taco'd wheels

What the hell are taco'd wheels?

Originally Posted by DanE

But again, it comes back to JAG's light offroad usage, which doesn't seem to imply hurtling down hills and failing to bunnyhop large logs...

No it certainly doesn't mate, not at my age! Not immediately anyway, but there is a bike track near to where I'm moving too

[nickb]

Originally Posted by JAG

What the hell are taco'd wheels?

Badly buckled wheels - imagine the shape of a taco

[JAG]

Originally Posted by JAG

What the hell are taco'd wheels?

Originally Posted by nickb

Badly buckled wheels - imagine the shape of a taco

I just proved there are such things as stupid questions!

[nickb]

Check out the image at the bottom of this page for an extreme example

[Dan Wilko]

I love the diagram on how to hit a wheel on the floor

[Paul Burgess]

My tuppence worth:

Avoid cheap full suspension bikes like the plague. You have got to spend serious money to get a decent one. A cheap one will be heavy and soggy.

Therefore I'd look at hardtail or (if you are only doing light offroad) a fully rigid bike. The rigidity pays off on roads/tracks with a much more efficient ride.

Therefore I'd say be honest about the type of riding that you will do (or are realistically likely to do) and buy your machine to suit that end.

As others have said, the major manufacturers all make well engineered entry level machines. For sizing, get yourself along to your local shop and get them to set you up. Ask for a test ride before you part with your cash.

All the best with your choice.

Paul