Topic: Those with a weak heart probably shouldn't watch this....

[heffay]

you heard the size i like... with that in mind, a 16 or 18... norm, i think, would be a 20 ish.

if i'm terribly wrong, others will correct me.   

[Rocking-M]

I think your right Geoff, I've been reading back up on it and I think that according to the size charts
it comes up with a 19". I've found several local and even a Gary Fisher Marlin for sale.
All I can do now is take a look and maybe throw a leg over but no peddling. 
That will come soon enough I hope. Thanks!

[Sporkfly]

Ok guys, it's been so long since I raced road bikes I can't even remember my sizes.
I think I road a 52cm but could be wrong.

I'm 5'10" and 31" inseam. What size would you suggest on the mountain bike scene?

Personally, I ride a 17.5". It's a more compact frame and allows me to take tighter corners faster and ride tighter trails in general. For longer distance I would recommend a 19" frame, it's what my brother rides and from the rides I took on his bike greater distances are much more comfortable than on my bike.

He has a Trek 4900 and it's a beauty for sure. I like my Giant. Stay away from Specialized or Trek though, and that's not to say that they aren't excellent bikes, but they are overpriced for the technology you get. You can spend much less on a Giant, Gary Fisher or Kona than a Trek or Specialized with equal technology. Read reviews, check out MTB Magazine... There's a lot of information out there for any bike you consider (just like with motorbikes). You don't have to listen to any advice on brand though because that's a personal choice thing.

As far as frame geometry goes, Giant have excellent climbing capabilities as do Gary Fisher and Cannondale. Giant's only downfall is their weight, my bike weighs about 30 pounds and it can be a bit too much occasionally. Most mountain bike companies have a lifetime warranty on the frame so if you come down off a drop and the frame cracks, you're covered. Since it's not a moving part they'll replace it with the same or equivalent frame.

Braking is a pretty important factor to consider too. Disc brakes are very nice and have great stopping power, but the traditional rim brakes will suffice perfectly. Keep in mind they will weaken the rim over time, where disc brakes you will replace pads and discs and your rim will last longer. Discs can make some pretty bad squeal if they get dirt or water though.

I guess I should be asking what kind of riding you wanted to do though? Because if you're planning on doing down hill you're looking at a higher priced full suspension piece of equipment than a more efficient hard-tailed cross country bike. Also, unless you spend upwards of $2000 a full suspension bike will likely disappoint. A good hard-tail can be had for $500

Unfortunately today was pretty crappy out and I probably won't get another riding day in this year to take pictures. The rest of this week is supposed to be nice though and if I can get out on Friday I'll get some terrain pictures for everybody. There are some pretty cool technical areas to cross on the trails here.

Edit:

http://www.mtbr.com
http://www.mountainbike.com

[rbmgf7]

coming from a forum of members who spend their time wrenching on motorcycles, you can always build your own bike. albeit, you may spend as much on a frame as you would an entire bike purchased from a shop.

i've definately grown addicted to two wheels. i think i've drove my truck 30 miles in the past 2 months. i just ride or bike everywhere else, carrying what i can in my backpack.

[texaninseattle]

man that was so EXTREEEMMMMM
lets go drink some mountain dew

[Sporkfly]

If you want to do this as a low stress thing for knees it's probably not the best option, to be honest. They take a lot of the shock from drops, hill climbs and technical areas (going down rocks for example, there's one spot on a trail I ride that has natural rock steps, some drops are about 3 feet - not nice to your knees).

It's certainly lower impact than other things you could do to your knees though. Sledge hammers come to mind .

[Rocking-M]

hey Spork, I'll not be doing any serious mountain biking for a long while, just gravel roads and such but
no drops or bumps to speak of. As it is now, if  I hit a bump in the car it hurts my leg. 

[oldbiker]

If that guy kills himself, that's OK but he is going to push someone else over those sheer drops one day. IDIOT.

[Frankenkit]

 Back when I did singletrack, it was guys like this that totally put me off.  Nothing like being a newbie, navigating between rocks and having someone fly past you and nudge you *just so* (ditto log bridges, babyheads, etc)  ... oh, and te all-out slamming. Hated that crap, too. 

  That's the bike I had, but I spray painted the frame matte black and used a dremel to sand the black away into these neat blue tiger stripes.  Was a nice bike  but too small for me frame-wise.  Didn't stop me from doing a 40mi livestrong ride on it tho

Rocking-M, if you want to ride in a way that'll be gentle to your knees, etc, go to a shop and get fitted for something either like the Kona Dew (utilitarian but lighter weight)  or a road bike.  once you leave the road, you start using your knees as shock absorbers.

[upperlake04]

  Are you out of the wheelchair yet Roberto?   

[heffay]

ok, if that's a race... they need more categorization!

thanks kit and biker for weighing in w/ your opinion even after others said they think its ok... i still think careening down a single track and nearly taking most everyone else out, is not ok just because there is an excuse me or merci.  politeness isn't an excuse for in-sanity or jeopardizing other peoples' lives.

[Rocking-M]

  Are you out of the wheelchair yet Roberto?   

wheelchair, I was never in a wheelchair Dave. I'm not off of the crutches yet and their
as bad as a chair I'd say. 

[upperlake04]

 Sorry RM   Might I suggest a bike suitable for a convalescent gentleman of your years? 

[Frankenkit]

  Are you out of the wheelchair yet Roberto?   

wheelchair, I was never in a wheelchair Dave. I'm not off of the crutches yet and their
as bad as a chair I'd say. 

Really? When I was on crutches last year, I had the best upper body work out *every day*! 

(actually I hated it like hell, but what can ya do?)

[Rocking-M]

  Are you out of the wheelchair yet Roberto?   

wheelchair, I was never in a wheelchair Dave. I'm not off of the crutches yet and their
as bad as a chair I'd say. 

Really? When I was on crutches last year, I had the best upper body work out *every day*! 

(actually I hated it like hell, but what can ya do?)

That's what I say, I come home in the afternoons and do bar dips and curls and a bit of overhead
presses. When this is over I'll look like a gorilla on a peg leg.

I'm just ignoring old Dave.