Mountain biking

FitToHunt

Active Member
Been wanting to pick this sport up for years. Honestly, it can get a little overwhelming shopping for a bike though. You set your budget at say $500, but then go talk to guys at different bike shops and they make it seem like you'd be wasting your time to spend anything less than a grand... Oh well, just need to pull the trigger on one this spring
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
3,667
Ohio
Fit,
I hear your issue. I finally took the plunge on a mid-range mountain bike this past summer and absolutely love it! You won't be disappointed. Honestly, I would spend at lease $750 or more to get a nicer bike that will hold up and last.

Been wanting to pick this sport up for years. Honestly, it can get a little overwhelming shopping for a bike though. You set your budget at say $500, but then go talk to guys at different bike shops and they make it seem like you'd be wasting your time to spend anything less than a grand... Oh well, just need to pull the trigger on one this spring
 

micropterus79

Active Member
Jun 19, 2014
220
0
San Tan Valley, AZ
Fit,
I hear your issue. I finally took the plunge on a mid-range mountain bike this past summer and absolutely love it! You won't be disappointed. Honestly, I would spend at lease $750 or more to get a nicer bike that will hold up and last.
I've never hunted on a bike but have ridden a lot of trails but this idea is really interesting. Mountain bikes are expensive; I have never owned one that I was really happy with (have had two) and the last one I thrashed just riding it back and forth from campus. The town I lived in did not have bike lanes and the curb hopping just picked it apart; derailer broke, cog teeth wore out, etc...and that was within a year of daily rides. It was a Giant that cost around $500. If was going to grab one for hunting, I would go as high end I could go.

I guess that extra $250-300 is what seperates a bike that will function well in the mountains versus one that really wont.
 

tim

Veteran member
Jun 4, 2011
2,423
1,072
north idaho
micro

add another 0 to each of your numbers, forwhat I consider decent mountain bikes atleast. and that is not high end bikes either. this style of bike is not cheap, there is no denying that.
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
3,667
Ohio
True, what I was referencing was just trail riding and old logging roads and such.
If I were to use it for hunting and biking out west on dialing basis, then the cost in considerably more.
 

FitToHunt

Active Member
I remember the guy at the Bike shop was trying to talk me into a 29er' since Im a bigger guy (6'3,260#). Anybody with thoughts on that for the type of trails we'd be riding to hunt?

I do love the idea of getting a little trailer too for packing gear/meat in and out.
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
3,667
Ohio
I'm 5' 9" and I ride a 29. It comes down to frame size for the size of the bike not the tire size.
Tim could explain it better.
 

micropterus79

Active Member
Jun 19, 2014
220
0
San Tan Valley, AZ
micro

add another 0 to each of your numbers, forwhat I consider decent mountain bikes atleast. and that is not high end bikes either. this style of bike is not cheap, there is no denying that.
Agreed! That $250 to 300 is ON TOP of a bike that would already cost 600-700. Totally agree. If I ever buy another bike, It won't be until I can comfortably drop at least a grand on it.

I thought about building my own at one point; I think you will get a better bike per unit cost but dang, having the time and space plus the eqiupment to do that is also expensive!

Gotta be honest, I am starting envy you bike hunters a little!
 

dustin ray

Veteran member
Oct 23, 2011
1,256
1,049
Alta Loma CA
I look at bikes like optics you get what you pay for. I started off on a $700 bike it was great until i rode a real mountain bike then bought a stump jumper FSR rode the rims off it. I should off bought a new one but i thought id rebuild my stump jumper all new XT brakes SRAM XX1, 11-speed, Fox 34 150mm ctd , industry nine wheel set. The money iv spent i could of bought bran new iv learned that you can't build a top end bike cheaper then you can buy one but thats ok its fun and you learn alot. Mountain biking has become a obsession that i truly injoy its like the race that never ends. Its not how much you spend its about getting on the trail and having some fun i had just as much fun on my first bike as i do now just faster an longer. im saving $ for a new bike just for endurance races 6 and 12 hr this is it http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/stumpjumper-fsr/sworks-stumpjumper-fsr-29
 

Don K

Very Active Member
Sep 10, 2011
664
22
Northern Illinois
Wow, that looks nice.

Learned a lot reading this thread and I didn't know you could spend as much on a bike as you could a side by side UTV.
 

tim

Veteran member
Jun 4, 2011
2,423
1,072
north idaho
bikes are like anything. the sky is the limit.

wheel size is a very lengthy debate. and a lot of bike forums have the discussions. mtbr.com is one where you can find more than you want. but basically the 26 was the standard. 29 came out and this wheel size does roll over obstacles better and is faster but not neccesarily quicker. the 27.5 came out which essentially bridges the jap. for hunting purposes make sure wheel size bike fits wheel size trailer. if you where getting into mtn biking seriously I would look at the 27.5 and the 29. it just seems the way the bike industry is going.