what's a good first mountain bike?

Question

i'm 5' 10" 190 lbs. and fairly athletic. what's a good first bike for around $1,000?

Answer 1

Well, 1,000 will get you a nice hardtail, which is a very good way to start riding. A hardtail will teach you how to ride better and is easier to mantain. It's very important that a bike fits you, and it's good to go to a bike shop (sometimes refered as LBS or Local Bike Shop). They can help you find a bike that fits you, rather than trying to sell you the first bike they have. If a bike doesn't fit you, it doesn't matter what else it has or anything else.

One thing that you didn't post is which type of riding you want to do. Most start with XC riding, which is relatively easy terrain, but long distances. On this bikes, weight is very important.

If you want to do more aggresive riding, you enter what is often refered to 'all mountain', which is going up to have fun going down. Here, strength start gaining more points rather than weight, but still weight is important.

Downhill involves usually having someone to take you to the top of the trail and go down, down, down. Bikes are a lot different than on the previous ones. Strength is very important, but this bikes usually weight a lot more important than weight.

Freeride is jumps and stunts. Bikes are also very tought (or tougher than DH bikes), but they are expected to be peddaled sometimes.

Answer 2

For a tall mountain biker---its best to go to some reputable mountain bike ( or road bike if you prefer----) dealer. There are cool online bike dealers ( Wheel World.com ,Jensonusa.com,cambriabikes.com,etc.) who have sweet bikes from Giant,Seven,Specialized,Rocky Mountain,Iron Horse,Intense,Ellsworth ( from novice front suspension bikes to the most eye-catching freeride killer rigs!). Its best you read great cycling mags---BICYCLING,Mountain Bike Action,BIKE, Road Bike Action, and read the reviews of bikes so you won't get a lemon kinda machine. Take your time in selecting and make sure you get a warranty.

Answer 3

I'm partial to Cannondale. I'd check into the Rush.