max3333
I have a 8 year old son who wants a "mountain bike" for his birthday. I would like to purchase a pair of bikes for myself and him to use. I have 15 acres of property that I would like to use these bikes on. It is mostly flat grassland but there is rough terrain and some 10 to 15-foot hills to ride over. These bikes will not be used on the street. Any suggestions on what type and brand of bikes for beginners(adult and kid)that can be purchased reasonably? For occasional use that can take a beating? Thanks for any suggestions.
Answer
For this terrain, one would suggest a "Double Boinger" or in other words, a full suspension mountain bike.
These can be quite expensive, so one may substitute a "regular" mountain bike, also called a hardtail. These have front shocks and no rear suspension, and they cost a lot less.
Make up the difference by using a springer saddle or a suspension seatpost. Either seatpost or springer saddle will cost about $20 each bike, so this method is far less expensive than a "Double Boinger" style.
At the $20 price range, the springer saddle is more reliable technology, and they were once considered a "required" part of the enjoyment of cycling. Bike shops have quite a variety and so does www.bikepartsusa.com and amazon.com. Avoid the "Web Spring" or "Mattress" variety and just go with the easy and simple two steel spring or two rubber spring sort to get some very enjoyable results.
While it is best to purchase your bikes from a real bike store, Schwinn and Diamondback will always give you usable quality bikes with name brand components at every price point. So, if you get a very cheap bike, do make sure it is one of those two brands. These can be found at Target in a limited selection of size ranges, but if you're taller than 5'10" then its off to the bike store with you. ;)
Lower priced options exist, but will cost you a great deal in repairs and lost enjoyment.
IMPORTANT: The point of sizing is to get a bike that makes you WANT to go cycling. Don't settle for less than that.
IMPORTANT: In any case, make certain that the rear derailer has the name "Shimano" or the name "SRAM" printed directly on it.
For your son. Get him as large a bike as he can stand over with at least an inch "clearance" to the top tube. It is not important if he can reach the ground from the seat, as that's not correct seat adjustment anyway--legs need to straighten fully when pedaling. Just make sure that he can stand over it and that it doesn't look like a toy.
For you, the same sizing applies, but for a different reason. Make sure that the bike is large enough to give you a comfortable reach for the handlebars.
While it is possible to re-size (UP) the $139 Schwinn mountain bike, the cost of the stem riser adapter and stronger seat post, plus installation, may inflate the price of the bike up to a bike-store-bike price, and you might as well just get the right size to start with. That's why I said that if you're over 5'10" then you really do need to go to the bike store. A Diamondback, Raliegh, or Schwinn dealer can still get you a good price.
For this terrain, one would suggest a "Double Boinger" or in other words, a full suspension mountain bike.
These can be quite expensive, so one may substitute a "regular" mountain bike, also called a hardtail. These have front shocks and no rear suspension, and they cost a lot less.
Make up the difference by using a springer saddle or a suspension seatpost. Either seatpost or springer saddle will cost about $20 each bike, so this method is far less expensive than a "Double Boinger" style.
At the $20 price range, the springer saddle is more reliable technology, and they were once considered a "required" part of the enjoyment of cycling. Bike shops have quite a variety and so does www.bikepartsusa.com and amazon.com. Avoid the "Web Spring" or "Mattress" variety and just go with the easy and simple two steel spring or two rubber spring sort to get some very enjoyable results.
While it is best to purchase your bikes from a real bike store, Schwinn and Diamondback will always give you usable quality bikes with name brand components at every price point. So, if you get a very cheap bike, do make sure it is one of those two brands. These can be found at Target in a limited selection of size ranges, but if you're taller than 5'10" then its off to the bike store with you. ;)
Lower priced options exist, but will cost you a great deal in repairs and lost enjoyment.
IMPORTANT: The point of sizing is to get a bike that makes you WANT to go cycling. Don't settle for less than that.
IMPORTANT: In any case, make certain that the rear derailer has the name "Shimano" or the name "SRAM" printed directly on it.
For your son. Get him as large a bike as he can stand over with at least an inch "clearance" to the top tube. It is not important if he can reach the ground from the seat, as that's not correct seat adjustment anyway--legs need to straighten fully when pedaling. Just make sure that he can stand over it and that it doesn't look like a toy.
For you, the same sizing applies, but for a different reason. Make sure that the bike is large enough to give you a comfortable reach for the handlebars.
While it is possible to re-size (UP) the $139 Schwinn mountain bike, the cost of the stem riser adapter and stronger seat post, plus installation, may inflate the price of the bike up to a bike-store-bike price, and you might as well just get the right size to start with. That's why I said that if you're over 5'10" then you really do need to go to the bike store. A Diamondback, Raliegh, or Schwinn dealer can still get you a good price.
Kona Stinky full suspention mountain bike under $600?
i really want a Kona Stinky full suspention mountain bike!!! i need it under $600! i really want 1 by christmas! is there anyone out there that know where i can get 1 or that has 1 that can put on ebay or craigslist and send me the link! THANKSSSSS
i know alot of people think that it is better to have hardtail but i do alot of jumps and i need a full suspention!
oh and whem i do get 1 is there anyway to get the suspention any better? THANKS EVERYBODY!
(would be nice 2 see a picture of it before i buy it!)
i dont have very mant details about it but heres a pic of which 1 i want https://www.skikirkwood.com/e-commerce/Images/lg/20495.jpg
if u find 1 like this in my price rang let me know!
oh and i want 1 a little bigger that 21'
http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2008/stinky/2008-stinky-big.jpg
i want an XXL 17" frame and full suspention! heres a pic of the design i want "2008 Kona Stinky AIr"
Answer
On ebay, you'll want to be careful buying a bike like that. If you're looking for a Stinky for $600, that's going to be a "well used" bike. You're better off checking out sites like pinkbike or mtbr and searching their buy/sell forums to get a bike from someone on there imo.
As for making the suspension better... what do you mean exactly? You havent even ridden the bike yet... or bought it for that matter. You have no idea what shock is coming on the bike... If you're really concerned with "better" suspension, the Stinky may not be the bike for you. They're very basic suspension designs, they call it a faux bar or a 'walking' four bar design but it's basically a single pivot with a linkage system to control shock actuation and leverage ratios. I actually own a Stinky Supreme (http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3605003/) and they're loads of fun with very rider friendly geometry and they feel good at speed but they arent exactly what you'd call a high-tech suspension at all. Depending on what shock comes on the bike you get, about all you can do is upgrade the it... If you want a top knotch suspension system, you'll be much happier with VPP bikes like the Maestro equipped Giants or DW-Link, Delta Link, or Santa Cruz/Intense VPP.
Here's a link to a search of the Pinkbike buy/sell DH/FR bikes for 'stinky'...
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?q=stinky&category=1&pmin=&pmax=®ion=3
Edit- That's a Stinky 24... That's a Stinky with less travel and 24" tires; basically a downhill bike for kids that arent quite big enough for a 26" mountain bike yet. There's a nine year-old riping it up on one in this video here http://www.pinkbike.com/video/96658/
How old are you? Unless you're still pretty young I'd recommend going with a full size Stinky.
On ebay, you'll want to be careful buying a bike like that. If you're looking for a Stinky for $600, that's going to be a "well used" bike. You're better off checking out sites like pinkbike or mtbr and searching their buy/sell forums to get a bike from someone on there imo.
As for making the suspension better... what do you mean exactly? You havent even ridden the bike yet... or bought it for that matter. You have no idea what shock is coming on the bike... If you're really concerned with "better" suspension, the Stinky may not be the bike for you. They're very basic suspension designs, they call it a faux bar or a 'walking' four bar design but it's basically a single pivot with a linkage system to control shock actuation and leverage ratios. I actually own a Stinky Supreme (http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3605003/) and they're loads of fun with very rider friendly geometry and they feel good at speed but they arent exactly what you'd call a high-tech suspension at all. Depending on what shock comes on the bike you get, about all you can do is upgrade the it... If you want a top knotch suspension system, you'll be much happier with VPP bikes like the Maestro equipped Giants or DW-Link, Delta Link, or Santa Cruz/Intense VPP.
Here's a link to a search of the Pinkbike buy/sell DH/FR bikes for 'stinky'...
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?q=stinky&category=1&pmin=&pmax=®ion=3
Edit- That's a Stinky 24... That's a Stinky with less travel and 24" tires; basically a downhill bike for kids that arent quite big enough for a 26" mountain bike yet. There's a nine year-old riping it up on one in this video here http://www.pinkbike.com/video/96658/
How old are you? Unless you're still pretty young I'd recommend going with a full size Stinky.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment