What is a good mountain bike for a beginner?

Question

I'm going to start riding bike trails with my boyfriend (who is really good at it and has a great bike). I need to be able to keep up with him.

I'm 5'3" and weigh 105. What's a good bike for me?

Answer 1

Roberto is right about the WSD(women specific design) because of your height. Depending on what your price range is you have various models to chose from. Under 700 you have the Trek 4500 or even the 6000. Giant has the Iguana and the Boulder. Specialized has the Rockhopper. Under 1000, you have the entry level full suspension bikes, though, i will say, it is better to get a really good hardtail as opposed to a crappy full suspension. If you are willing to spend more than 1200, you can get the giant trance 4 which is a pretty nice xc/trail bike or the trek fuel ex 4-6. Go to a bike shop, talk to the salesman. Do some research before you go there though. Check out www.mtbr.com and see how the models rate. This site lets the actual users not the companies rate the bikes and components.

Answer 2

A good bike is one that fits your body and your budget. Visit a few of your local bike shops and test ride the bikes in your price range. You should test at least five bikes before you buy (even if you go back to buy the first one you tested- try out some others to make sure!). Once you ride a few you'll get a feel for what you like. Try a couple that are too small and too big so you know what kind of feel to avoid.

Mountain bike magazine just published their 2007 buyer's guide which includes some entry-level models. Also, this is the time of year for bike swaps and spring bike sales- a good time to buy. You may find some '06 models on clearance still floating around.

Front suspension is pretty much the standard these days, there are some entry bikes with full suspension but they tend to be pricier and heavier. A good cross-country style hardtail (front suspension only) with an aluminum frame should suit you well. Try some with rim brakes, some with discs brakes- and remember minor things like seats and pedals can be easily switched out by the bike shop.

Answer 3

go to Dick's or Sports Authority and pick out a bike you like with around a 15" frame. the bikes they carry there are much better quality than chain store crap and they are still fairly inexpensive. if your bf is as good as you say he is, then take him with you when you buy a bike and he should be able to tell a good bike from a bad one.

if your riding trails, then get a mountain bike, not a comfort or a hybrid. buying a hardtail frame will keep the cost down also. DO NOT pay less than $300 or you can expect it to fall apart quickly. be prepared to fork out $350-700 for one of their bikes, unless you want to spend some quality time with your bf and your bike.

Answer 4

As others said before me, try several bikes at bike shops. At your height and weight, try to test some WSD (Women Specific Design) bikes. For taller women, WSD is not a big deal, but probably at your height it is.

It doesn't have to be a WSD, but it's good to see them and how they fit. Even if it's not a WSD, the shop might do something to make you fit better.

Here's a link from Titus site that explain a bit about this.

http://www.titusti.com/07/fit.html

Most probably, this bikes will be above your budget, but it's a good read, anyway.

I think you should look at hardtails (bikes with only front suspension), because they will be lighter and have better components for the price. If you're budget is above 1,500 bucks probably you could look at some full suspension bikes, like Santa Cruz Juliana (http://santacruzbikes.com/juliana/).

Both Titus and Santa Cruz are very high level bikes, and you don't need them, they are just some examples.

Try to look for some light tires (probably you can cut a deal with the shop to swap some).

Answer 5

You probably need to get something between a size 13" to 15". If you don't want to spend too much, Gary Fisher have good bikes in the low end. You might want to take a look at bikesdirect.com. Practice riding for a couple weeks or so before riding with your boyfriend. Draft behind me and let him block the wind for you. When he gets tired, leave him and kick his ***.

Answer 6

go to your local bike shop(s) and check out the different level bikes in the price range that fits you...
try Trek, KHS, Specialized, and Giant

Answer 7

one that fits properly and fits your budget too. your b/f should be helping you since he's so good at it.