What kind of bike should I buy if I want to begin mountain biking?

goofeylooney: What kind of bike should I buy if I want to begin mountain biking?
I’m a teenage boy looking to start mountain biking/ freeride. I’ve ridden bikes before but I’ve never REALLY been offroad. I want a bike that is capable of going offroad and on the road. Preferably one that is not to cheap. What kind of bike should I get and where?
By “fit” im guessing you mean how comfortable i feel on the bikes? and so i should just go to the shops and browse..see which ones i like?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Bob A
Visit the local bike shops. Fit is very important and all of the manufacturers have a wide price range of bikes to chose from. Google ” bike shops xxxxx ” where xxxxx is your zip code.

Edit:
Fit is the correct size bike for your height and inseam. It has a lot to do with comfort. A good bike shop will help you to get the correct size bike.
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit

Answer by Don
I agree. Check out your local bike shop. Around this time of the year you can get a great deal on 2009 bikes. I got an $ 880 bike for $ 750 about 5 weeks ago. Probably could get a better deal now that the 2010 models are out.

You can probably get a $ 700 bike for around $ 500 if you’re lucky. BUT! don’t let a shop sell you a bike just so they can get rid of it. I’m 5’8″ and I had a shop try to sell me a 19″ Kona for a really good price, but it didn’t fit. That could also happen more this time of the year.

Finally, whatever you do, TEST RIDE. Don’t buy a bike if you’ve never gotten on it.

here’s some models that might work for entry level:
Trek 4300 (might consider the disc brake model)
Specialized Hardrock (again.. consider disc)
Felt Q520
Kona Fire Mountain

Check out the brand’s website and you’ll get a better feel for what you’d be getting with the bike you’re looking at.

Good luck man… it’s a fun sport

Answer by Steve
What is very important is figuring out what kind of riding u’ll be doing and getting a bike made for that. You can get bikes made for downhill, freeride, all mountain, xc, and dirt jump/park. All the full suspension bikes will run u about 1200 and up for a decent one but hardtales will start at about 600