I’m about 5’2", 120lbs. I just moved to Montana and started getting into mountain biking. I’m looking for advice on a good quality but inexpensive bike. I don’t know if I need suspension, But I know I need disk brakes. Do I need a women specific? Should I buy used? I’m not sure what else I should be looking for. I want to spend under 0. Any suggestions on brands, where to buy, what to look for, brands deff not to get. . . will be appreciated.
Any of the bikes from a shop will be good, stay away from Walmart and department store bikes. Google " bike shops + your zip " each manufacture will have a bike in your price range. Look at the hard tail bikes. Look around for something used on the local ebay or Craig’s list you don’t need a Women’s specific bike but it may feel just a little better. Measure your inseam from your crotch to the floor and use 59% of that for a frame. You want a 2-4 inch clearance when standing over it.
Trek, Giant, Fuji, Specialized, Raleigh, Jamis, are just a few to look at.
Aloha, At that price range I would buy a good used bike off Craigslist or a 2009 from a dealer, speaking of dealers August is when the 2011 models start showing up so may get a good deal on a 2010. Disk Brakes are nice but in your price range and for your Weight the troubles you will have with cheap mechanical disk brakes you may want to rethink buying a Little bit older bike 06/07 with a good rim brake and better Components. most bikes are coming out with disk brakes right now and the cheap ones have inferior pads, the rotors warp and you spend more time working on your bike than ridding it. With the Components I get the best group you can and don’t worry about 24,27,30 or 20 speeds.At your level you want notice the difference of 20 – 30spds but you will noticed the difference of cheap vs good Quality Components. when I started ridding my 1st mt bike it had 15spds and I had a lot of fun on that old girl. Have fun, be safe and be blessed.SDG
Good brakes are necessary, but it isn’t true that disc brakes are always better. Top end v-brakes work better and are lighter than cheap mechanical disc brakes. You will need front suspension for riding off road, but your budget won’t allow you to buy a dual suspension bike that will be good quality. You can do well buying used, but you have to know enough about bikes to tell if the bike you are looking at is good quality, and the right size. Brands don’t mean all that much, at a given price, most bikes are similar in quality. What is most important is finding a bike that fits well, depending on your body proportions, a woman’s specific design could be right, or not. The most important decision in buying a bike is to find the best store to buy it from
Diamondback Response Sport Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
* Hardtail 26-inch mountain bike with aluminum all-mountain frame
* Spinner Edge 120mm suspension fork; 8-speed trigger shifters
* SRAM ISO-Flow crank set with replaceable chain rings; WTB Pure V sport saddle
* Hayes mechanical disc brakes with 6-inch rotors; double-wall rims
* Available in 14-, 16-, 18-, 20, or 22-inch frames; comes in white or dirty blue color