Mountain/Trail Bikes
 

I know that some of you aren't fat slobs and actually get out and do some form of physical activity, such as trail riding.

I'm in the market for a new bike and almost pulled the trigger on a 29, but recently took a 27.5 for test drive and really liked the feel. A lot.

I'm not that much into hospitalizing myself anymore, so I'm not into hard core technical trails and the like, so I don't need to spend a lot on the high-end components and radical frame materials. (And I never really liked spending a lot on such things as I usually ended up replacing them more often than not, e.g., the last time I went riding I came off a bit of a steep vertical and ended up breaking both hubs, snapping the crank, shattering the front sprocket, blowing out the fork and bending the handle bars around the headset - thus the need for a new ride.)

I'm not looking to spend anymore than around $1000 to $2000 max.

Right now, it looks like the Jamis Nemesis 650 fills the bill at $1,150 and they've been putting out the 27.5 model for about five years. I know that Giant has recently totally committed to the size as well, but I haven't really looked at their line.

Any suggestions?

Don't buy new. And $1,500 will get you a VERY nice mountain bike used.

Much easier for you to do outdoor things Sac. You live in Utah where the humidity is drastically lower and you have mountains where you can cool off by going uphill.

PM Otter he's big into that.

I only really know about road bikes, but I will be interested to see the responses.

I would recommend a push bike with the wrecks your having.

Yeah, I live right against the Wasatch on the east side of the Valley and literally can ride right into a ton of trails without having to slap the bike on the car.

I'm just not going to go full bore into it as most guys around here do, thus wanting to economize the initial financial outlay a bit. As well, by the time work is over, I'm usually pretty hammered, so I'm not going to be using it a lot. (Case in point, this week I had work days consisting of 12, 16, 18.5, 13 and 9 hours long where I didn't sit down but about 15 minutes each of those days. It takes me a weekend of doing nothing/sitting on my ass to get my legs back under me.) In addition, my daughter is getting the age where she's able to go on the trails with me, but not total hardcore and my ex-wife has already told her about the first time I took her on a little bike ride which nearly ended us in divorce court. (I still have her helmet from that ride, which has a really nice, large indentation on the front of it. *cackles*)

And it's just a personal thing with me, but I just can't buy used stuff. I know I'd get a better deal and there are a ton of used bikes around here, but I don't want to put my best shit down on a bike seat that's been rubbing up against some other dudes hairy, sweaty nut sack.

Kona Precept

http://www.konaworld.com/precept.cfm

Or the Precept DL

http://www.konaworld.com/precept_dl.cfm

Both fall within your budget and Kona makes an amazing bike at great prices. Their customer support is amazing as well and all their bikes carry lifetime warranties on the frames. I prefer the 27.5" to the 29ers too.

If you're wanting a cheaper hardtail, Ive heard great things about the Trek X-Caliber 8. Its a 29er though.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...29/x_caliber_8

Not a big fan of Giants.

That Kona Precept DL looks nice.

Ive ridden my buddie's, its great...I'm getting one once my kids relocation dispute is over.

I dont know if you've ever ridden a full suspension bike but there is a world of difference between it and a hardtail. Easier climbing, faster downhill, and your back/nuts will thank you.

I haven't. I've kept to hardtails, perhaps because the first of the full suspension bikes were so awful. Felt like I could generate better power without the mashing. I guess the lockouts help a ton too. I've also dropped a bit in terms of weight (used to be around 225/230, dropped to 175 right after I went vegan and now I'm back up to 200 and have been holding there for the last four/five months now) so I imagine that helps in terms of mushing on the rear suspension.

I'd like to get a little list of about five to seven bikes that fit the bill and then try to give them a serious test drive.

Trust me, you can do physical activity and still be a fat slob.

My stationary bike, beer fridge, TV, AC just saying.

"I know that some of you aren't fat slobs "

what are you getting at friend?!

are those your girlfriends tits? :eek: