I am thinking about buying a dual suspension mountain bike to start with mountain biking. Which full suspension bike is best for a starter, while at the same time is durable, has good components, and allows for a smooth ride for about/under 500 dollars. I know there aren’t any very good bikes at this price range but i just want to know which one i could use to start mountain biking.
Currently the two I am looking at are the GMC Topkick, and the Mongoose otero. these two seem pretty solid, but i dont know if there are any other ones out there that are better and/or cheaper.
Go with this Mongoose Otero right here: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25904&subcategory_ID=3050 and stay the hell away from that GMC crap! That GMC is made for Dept stores and what makes you think that a bike that needs to use name recognition from a well known truck would be made all that well? They are absolute JUNK on wheels! Buy this Mongoose anywere you like but just do NOT buy that GMC crap!
There are good bikes for the price, you just have to simplify – throw out the fancy stuff and get better components everywhere else. You don’t need a rear suspension, it just sound cool. They’re designed not for comfort but to help keep the wheels on the ground during hard riding. And I’ll take a good set of cable brakes over a lousy set of hydraulics any day.
There are no good full suspension bikes at this price, but you will find a few decent hard-tails. The fork is the important part, and those are not good on either of those bikes. I spent more than double on my bike and still went with a hard-tail because it’s a better overall bike for the price.
Good global brands include Kona, Giant, Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher, among others. Check out the good brands and you’ll see you can’t really get a full suspension for less than a couple of grand. You’re better off getting a low end hard tail from a good make – The cable disc brakes that you would get on a good bike for that price will outperform the cheapo hydraulics on that mongoose.
This is all assuming you really want to take up mountain biking – either of those are fine to just have fun with around town and hit some trails every now and again.
Make sure you go to a bike store if you want a good bike and support after you buy the bike. No department stores.
that cheap bastard wont give a GMC to anyone
id suggest what the first guy said and go with a good hardtail instead of both these low quality bikes, you will win in the long run, or you will remember what we said once your ‘full suspension’ bike will start falling apart on you
Agree with some of the previous answers that you are not going to get a decent full sus bike for that price but there is a way. The best thing to do is buy last years model or even older for a better deal. Buy some mountain bike magazines and there is some great deals in the back with some bikes 50% off.
I would say that it is better to buy a higher spec hardtail with decent front forks as to upgrade can be costly.