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Upgrading the mountain bike

Phylodog

Phylodog

Hidin since '06
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 9, 2006
2,373
22
52
Arcadia, IN
#1
My brother recently got into mountain biking. I bought a Fuji a couple years ago but I intended it for mild road use riding with my daughter around the neighborhood. I'm selling it and looking to upgrade to something which will hold up better on the trails. My brother has posted a few videos of the trails I'll be hitting, this is Indiana so shit is pretty flat.

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Looking for recommendations or advice on what to look for, what to stay away from etc.. I'm hoping to spend around $1000 on the bike which will leave me a couple hundred for shoes & other items.
 
#3
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

I have a full suspension carbon fiber Gary fisher hifi. It is incredible! It is a $4000 bike that i got on closeout for $1800 at wheel and sprocket. Gary fisher also makes a superfly. These bikes show up on eBay occasionally for about $1000.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-Gary-Fisher...ec#ht_928wt_922
If you get to know the repair guys at your local bike shop they might have a better deal for you.
As always buyer beware on eBay.
 
#4
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

When I was racing MX I had a Trek 6500 I used to stay in shape and get some practice in the off periods. The solid rear end limited me at times but if you're going to be riding flat trails it shouldn't be a problem. I beat the hell out of mine over a couple years and only ever had to replace one wheel and a bent crank. Paid around $800 for it.
 
#5
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

There are many good bikes out there, any of the big names will serve you well. The most important step is finding a bike tha will fit you properly. The wrong fit will cause a lot of discomfort on longer/rougher rides. My advice would be to get a fitting first, which should cost anywhere from $50 to $200 depending on who does it and how in depth they go. Then go to the HMBA (Hoosier Mountain Bike Association) website and check out thier for sale forum. That is where I got my first mountain bike when I was living in Indianapolis. Lots of good people there that are willing to help beginners getting into the sport.

From what I remeber about the area, Brown County, Town Run, and Versailles really didn't require a full suspension bike so sticking with a hardtail will get you more bang for your buck.
 
#8
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

I got an old rigid Hilltopper I turned into a hybrid with Specialized Nimbus III 1.5" road racer tires. Bike still is fast as heel, lightweight, and has the rolling resistance of a roller ink on any ground. Of course the kids get more miles with it than I have in teh last few years...good thing someone is using it!
 
#9
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

I remember 20ish years ago when I was in high school a buddy that worked at BGI and I were riding those trails over by Ft. Ben and we rode donw a hill right into a bunch of Army guys. We were like 16 scared the crap out of us, but they didn't really seem upset. Try that bike shop in Broadripple next to the rusted moon and Plumps last shot. Thats where my buddies shop now. Good luck.
 
#12
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

Take a look at the All Mountain Specialized bikes. Basically go into your local shop and find the shiny bikes with a big S on it and small suspension on the back. They are good for all around riding and have a good amount of travel for mountain trail riding. Hardtails are a rough ride so thats why I would suggest an AM bike. No need to go full downhill bike like one I have that weighs 43 lbs. Also when buying locally you support a local shop and get a warranty.

Good upgrades include wheel sets which can really take some abuse if you get good ones. Shifters are the other thing to get high end ones if you can afford it, it night and day difference between high and low end parts like a Sram x4 versus an high end Sram x10. You can usually find bike shops willing to unload last years models for cheaper than retail.
 
#15
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

I don't ever check the news, I just see their bikes on the trail and evaluate them that way. Thanks for posting that by the way. I mostly ride downhill so all that road bike stuff is lost to me.

Some of the new Jamis bikes are pretty god too.
 
#19
Re: Upgrading the mountain bike

Stopped by one of the local stores today and talked with one of the guys working there. He thinks a 17.5" frame with 29's is a bit too tall for me. I looked at a Specialized and a Gary Fisher (Trek) that I liked but didn't pull the trigger yet. I'm going to check out some other stores first.

I appreciate the assistance and advice so far.
 
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