The costco Abajo Peak has ok parts for a start full suspension bike - the seat and tires (WTB) are actually quite good, but I have never heard of the fezzari brand. The best place for mtn bike info is the review section of mtbr.com. The forums can also be pretty informative if you find the right threads
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My current bike is a hardtail and I've ridden them my whole life; in fact, only this bike and my last had any suspension at all! I have never owned an expensive bike before; I think this one I have (Mirzu, "as seen on-playa") cost me about $120 at either K-Mart or Target. The "shock" is better than nothing, but the whole thing is about what you'd expect for ~$100. As in, not much.
So now that I am getting serious about getting into Top Shape(tm), I am trying to get a good FS bike that I can use for several years. Preferably one that costs less than a grand. So far, I hear Kona makes a good product, but gawdDAMN they are expensive for the FS frames! I also hear good things about Specialized and of course Cannondale, but I hear they are $$$$$$$ x 10^3
Thanks to Div and everyone for their comments. You guys are the best!
A good FS bike will last you a long time, and the least expensive frame maker is the one I have - Jamis. Excellent quality, small company, reasonable prices. In order to get a good frame *and* components under $1k, though, you're going to have to get lucky with a clearance sale. A shitty FS is a far worse thing than a good hardtail. I paid about $1.3k for mine after extensive research and shopping around, and it was the best I could do 2 years ago. Hopefully prices have dropped a couple hundred by now for the same level of tech. To get down to $800 or under, you're probably going to have to buy used
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Wow, thanks for the offer! I have a feeling we might take you up on that sometime!
I know people have told me to go rent first to see what I want to buy. Yes, I know that renting a couple of times (say, in Big Bear = $50/per rental = $100), and I know $100 isn't that much, but damn! That's 10% of a $1k bike! I'd almost rather just buy one that I've test ridden around a couple of blocks and hope that I can adapt to it.
Since you mentioned it, what do you think about buying used? I am afraid of cracking a frame because whoever owned the bike before me might have really abused it. But in general, do peole basically stay away from used bikes?
Then again, I'm sure around the South Bay there are quite a few folks who went out and purchased these really expensive bikes, rode them around the boardwalk a few times, and went back to their Krispy Kreme lifestyles. I should watch out for garage sales and the like -- I know that's a long shot, but what the hell, right?
I gotta ask you again - what exactly are you planning to ride this bike on? Are you thinking (a)hardcore downhill trails at Mammoth or (b)local mtn cross-country or (c)mostly just around the streets for exercise
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Well, indeed I bought a season pass for Bear Mtn./Snow Summit back in April, which was good for the remainder of this past season, ALL SUMMER! and next season. So, since my snowboarding buddy (Evan, who came to a Grub n' Beats at your house a few years back) is also my mtb buddy, and ALSO has a pass for Big Bear, I think we're going to be doing some fairly serious downhill stuff this summer (and going forward, once I have a nice ride
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A used bike from an LBS may be tough to find, but check out the classifieds on mtbr.com. I haven't tried Ebay, so I can't be any help there. Much like a used car, you can get a bike shop to evaluate a used bike before you buy it. Or bring Ryan along - he used to work at a bike shop in high school.
And not to bust your bubble on the downhilling, but rumor has it that Summit/Bear is closing all of their trails except the fire roads to mtn bikes. There is talk of some downhill stuff opening up around Baldy, too. Of course, there's plenty of fun (and free) cross-country trails in the LA/OC/SB area, but you have to ride uphill, too. ;)
Hmm -- I am curious where you heard those nasty rumors! ;)
Evan says that last year there were some technical single tracks open last season, in addition to the fire roads you refer to. Also, he said that the winter ski runs are NOT open, due to the grade and thus the liability problems associated with this. :) I don't think I'd be game for going down what is normally a ski run anyways!
Yeah, there are some pretty good trails actually in Palos Verdes. We have horse trails and a couple of hiking/bike trails on the backside that lead down into Portuguese Bend (I've hiked these and they are fun!).
I rode up at Snow Summit last July for the Women Only Weekend mtn bike camp. The fireroads were scenic, but the singletracks were definitely the fun part. I'll be keeping tabs on the forums for reports from people who ride there, but it's not sounding good so far...
If you ever wanna ride in OC, you know where to find us. :)
Wow, that is disappointing to hear! Thanks for the link though -- I'll keep an eye on the thread.
Perhaps there are some good x-country trails up there. I want to ride PV but I think it's dangerous going once you are down on the street (specifically, the last part of PV Drive before you get into the part near the fire station, city hall, etc.).
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My current bike is a hardtail and I've ridden them my whole life; in fact, only this bike and my last had any suspension at all! I have never owned an expensive bike before; I think this one I have (Mirzu, "as seen on-playa") cost me about $120 at either K-Mart or Target. The "shock" is better than nothing, but the whole thing is about what you'd expect for ~$100. As in, not much.
So now that I am getting serious about getting into Top Shape(tm), I am trying to get a good FS bike that I can use for several years. Preferably one that costs less than a grand. So far, I hear Kona makes a good product, but gawdDAMN they are expensive for the FS frames! I also hear good things about Specialized and of course Cannondale, but I hear they are $$$$$$$ x 10^3
Thanks to Div and everyone for their comments. You guys are the best!
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I know people have told me to go rent first to see what I want to buy. Yes, I know that renting a couple of times (say, in Big Bear = $50/per rental = $100), and I know $100 isn't that much, but damn! That's 10% of a $1k bike! I'd almost rather just buy one that I've test ridden around a couple of blocks and hope that I can adapt to it.
Since you mentioned it, what do you think about buying used? I am afraid of cracking a frame because whoever owned the bike before me might have really abused it. But in general, do peole basically stay away from used bikes?
Then again, I'm sure around the South Bay there are quite a few folks who went out and purchased these really expensive bikes, rode them around the boardwalk a few times, and went back to their Krispy Kreme lifestyles. I should watch out for garage sales and the like -- I know that's a long shot, but what the hell, right?
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A used bike from an LBS may be tough to find, but check out the classifieds on mtbr.com. I haven't tried Ebay, so I can't be any help there. Much like a used car, you can get a bike shop to evaluate a used bike before you buy it. Or bring Ryan along - he used to work at a bike shop in high school.
And not to bust your bubble on the downhilling, but rumor has it that Summit/Bear is closing all of their trails except the fire roads to mtn bikes. There is talk of some downhill stuff opening up around Baldy, too. Of course, there's plenty of fun (and free) cross-country trails in the LA/OC/SB area, but you have to ride uphill, too. ;)
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Evan says that last year there were some technical single tracks open last season, in addition to the fire roads you refer to. Also, he said that the winter ski runs are NOT open, due to the grade and thus the liability problems associated with this. :) I don't think I'd be game for going down what is normally a ski run anyways!
Yeah, there are some pretty good trails actually in Palos Verdes. We have horse trails and a couple of hiking/bike trails on the backside that lead down into Portuguese Bend (I've hiked these and they are fun!).
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http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=192188
I rode up at Snow Summit last July for the Women Only Weekend mtn bike camp. The fireroads were scenic, but the singletracks were definitely the fun part. I'll be keeping tabs on the forums for reports from people who ride there, but it's not sounding good so far...
If you ever wanna ride in OC, you know where to find us. :)
Reply
Perhaps there are some good x-country trails up there. I want to ride PV but I think it's dangerous going once you are down on the street (specifically, the last part of PV Drive before you get into the part near the fire station, city hall, etc.).
Reply
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