I used to bike, and enjoy it. Then I outgrew my bike (or it broke.. can't remember), and haven't purchased a replacement since. That was at least 7 years ago now. I'm looking to actively get back into it next spring, and am looking for bike and brand name recommendations, as well as what to avoid. I'm a trail kind of guy, so it absolutely must be a mountain bike (I don't bike on public or busy roads of I can help it). Looking to spend $350-$700 (high-end) for basic equipment, on a bike that's decently light (and sports front shocks + F/R disc brakes). Please correct me if my pricing expectations are out of this world -- I haven't really researched bike pricing in several years.
Thank you all.
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I used to bike, and enjoy it. Then I outgrew my bike (or it broke.. can't remember), and haven't purchased a replacement since. That was at least 7 years ago now. I'm looking to actively get back into it next spring, and am looking for bike and brand name recommendations, as well as what to avoid. I'm a trail kind of guy, so it absolutely must be a mountain bike (I don't bike on public or busy roads of I can help it). Looking to spend $350-$700 (high-end) for basic equipment, on a bike that's decently light (and sports front shocks + F/R disc brakes). Please correct me if my pricing expectations are out of this world -- I haven't really researched bike pricing in several years.
Thank you all.
The higher number is reasonable for what you're looking for. Keep an eye out for Norco and Rocky Mountain, both are Canadian. Keep in mind at that price range, some of the components are not going to be the very best, and it will be a little heavier than the $800-$1000 range. But, if you look for a decent frame, you can always upgrade parts along the way.
The most important factor though is what bike makes you happy and that you enjoy riding. Make sure you try them at the bike shop before you decide.
Yeah, I was looking at the Norco web site earlier today, and they have some decent options. Obviously, a light-weight frame is important, but by no needs does it have to be insanely-light, nor sport the tip of high-end parts. I won't be doing any real 'rough' biking, just the trails around the GTA. If I decide to 'up' my biking habits later on, I can always trade-up/upgrade a few years later.
__________________ ACMT Mac mini (Mid 2011) 2.7 GHz i7, 8GB RAM, Crucial M4 256GB SSD + 500GB + 1TB FW800 OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini iPhone 4S • iPod nano 8GB • Sound System Audio Engine A2 • Display UltraSharp U2412M 24"
Yeah, I was looking at the Norco web site earlier today, and they have some decent options. Obviously, a light-weight frame is important, but by no needs does it have to be insanely-light, nor sport the tip of high-end parts. I won't be doing any real 'rough' biking, just the trails around the GTA. If I decide to 'up' my biking habits later on, I can always trade-up/upgrade a few years later.
I'm a Norco fan. Love my Charger. For the price, it's a great bike. Didn't have to change much either, besides the pedals (I ride clipless.)
i think you might be pushing closer to 1000 with disk brakes and shocks for a good brand of bike eg specialized or gary fisher, Canadian tire walmart might have something for you around 500 in their high end bikes
Norco and Rocky Mountain are both good Canadian brands, you might also want to look at Devinci (http://www.devinci.com/). I have an older Devinci Desperado hardtail that I rode regularly for several years without any major problems.
It sounds as though your needs would be well served by a Cross Country hardtail, as luck would have it these have fallen out of favour with the rise in popularity of fully suspended all mountain and freeride bikes (at least this seems to be the case out West - not sure if TO is different...). This, combined with the usual end of season blowout prices means that you ~should~ be able to get a decent bike for the upper end of your price range.
At the lower end of your price range you should be able to find a very nice used bike - although if it is more than a few years old it might not have disks. I have Avid Juicy 7 disks on my all mountain bike, and while they are much easier modulate and nicer to use all around, I can't honestly say they stop any better than the Shimano XT V-Brakes on my old hardtail - both have more than enough power to lock the wheels under all conditions.
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