Mountain biking

[BLKXJ 96]

I was just walking around Walmart and I know it's not a good place to get bikes but they had a bargain bike section and they had a genesis hard tail 29er that a guy returned because the chain kept falling off because the tire wasn't set correctly for 120. There was also a genesis full suspension bike with 26's that was 95 because it had a busted shift cable.

I thought if the frames where ok maybe I could just run one of those and upgrade it as I go.

Over all, you will end up with some ok parts on a junk frame.... depending on how far into it you get. Your better off spending the money up front and just ride the bike. I got a higher end Kona seven years ago, I ride 2 to 5 days a week the only thing I have ever done to this bike is re-lace the rear wheel, replace the tires, and replace the disk brake pads. this bike has about 3000 miles on it, im guessing...I stopped counting at 1800....

Guess it depends on what you want to spend and how and where you are gonna ride it. Spend $400 to $600 at you local bike shop and be able to take it for service and buy parts. Spend $ 100 bucks at WalMart....service involves just swapping for another $100 dollar bike.

Hope this helps, i'm pretty passionate about mountain biking and it is easy to get discouraged when things don't work out on the trail. You also want to get a bike that fits you, too small or too big and you are gonna hate riding it. These are all things to keep in mind. I hope this helps...."thumbsup"

 

[RiceBurner]

I was just walking around Walmart and I know it's not a good place to get bikes but they had a bargain bike section and they had a genesis hard tail 29er that a guy returned because the chain kept falling off because the tire wasn't set correctly for 120. There was also a genesis full suspension bike with 26's that was 95 because it had a busted shift cable.

I thought if the frames where ok maybe I could just run one of those and upgrade it as I go.

Bought a genesis full suspension bike at wally for 160.00. Put rock shox recon solo air forks, monarch rear shock, pedals, saddle, grips, and some decent tires on it. It's ok, after I put a full year in riding I'll buy a real bike. Frames a little large for me. Gets laughed at but I keep up"thumbsup"

 

[adamargue]

Don't do it, run away from Walmart as fast as you can, the bikes they have are junk. Would you buy your rc car at Walmart?

Thats what I figured. My first bike was a next from walmart and I bent my down tube and forks after 2 weeks.

I think ill probably go to the LBS this weekend and see what they have. I know most of the guys frok back when I raced so maybe I can get a deal.
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[BigSki]

Stumpy FSR for the win! I had a major injury ( not bike related ) that was going to keep me off of a bike for 2 years, so I ( foolishly) sold mine. I kick myself in the arse every time I see one on a bike rack.

 

[Zod Rhombus]

Man, Specialized is the new Trek - you see 'em everywhere! Helluva good bike though....got an ultralight 98 S-Works hardtail I've ridden since '99. Finally gave it to the wife. We are in the same boat, trying to get back in shape.

Still giving the ol' 26ers a go, stepped up to a used Orbea Lanza Team this year with XT discs. I'll never go back to rim brakes again. Plus its cool to not see your brand on the trail every five minutes. Gets a lot of looks. Thanks, Myrtle Beach Craigslist!

Good luck on the bike search!

 

[jsowens]

Agreed on the Walmart bikes. You get a heavy bike, a bike that likely doesn't fit you, extremely crappy suspension, and parts that aren't that good at all. I've had to repair some of those Genesis bikes and they are extremely unpleasant to work on.

I honestly don't see why anyone would toss upgrades onto one of those bikes when the individual upgrades themselves cost more than the bike is worth...to each his own, though. In addition, I can't count the times I've walked into a department store and seen loose handlebars, brake/shifter cables that aren't connected, forks on backwards, etc...

 

[adamargue]

What do you guys think about these?

Dimondback 29er

Gravity 29er with front and rear disc's

Both on ebay for good prices. Neve heard of gravity so im more for the DB but I like the discs on the gravity.

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[The DC]

Either looks liek a decent entry level bike to ride and grow (as a rider) on "thumbsup" Bike fit and comfort while railing trails is much more inportant than which shop oversea's welded the frame (brand name ;-) ).

Diamond Back has been around a long time in one guise or other,and millions of happy owners love em.

Gravity is a house-brand name to Bikes Direct (.com). I have the G29 SS (singlespeed),though I bought it mostly for the build parts to throw together a steel frame'd SS (also bought an On One Inbred frame). While I didn't ride the G29 much (just while waiting on the On One to come in,about 27 trail miles),it rode well-a bit stiff riding for me personally,I tend to shy away from an inexpensive aluminum frame (as is the Diamond Back pictured,FWIW) having some old serious spinal injuries from 2001,but that's just me. Millions of other riders swear by budget aluminum frames,each rider has his favorite and no one's opinion is more important about what you ride than yours.

That said,IMHO,either would serve you well,get you riding,get you smiling and get you hooked,so both are great buys in my book "thumbsup"

 

[The DC]

PS,if you go for the Gravity,there's thread over on MTBR SS forum on the G29,which shares several parts with the one you picture there (I'm "Longhaultrucker" there,BTW). Those dics should be Tektro Novela (they're Tektro's,not 100% sure on the model). Out of the box,they may squeel a bit,and can use some filddling-with-nothing some quality brake pads (easy to install,inexpensive upgrade) and a very little bit of trial and error on adjustments won't cure. Then again,out of the bike-box,mine were squeel-free and stopped very well,just an after thought

 

[adamargue]

I just signed up in the mtbr.com (adamargue) forum. It's a awesome place. I like the gravity it looks good and I could always ride it a awhile then get a chassis and throw the parts on it.

 

[stevem50]

if you can get the diamondback at performance cheap enough... sign up for their buyers club before hand. the standard deal is 10% back on all purchases, but have been running specials now that summer is ending where I have seen up to 30% back.

b.t.w. isn't gravity one of the bikesdirect labels? have you looked there at the motobecanes?