Well, i am not a bike enthusiast but i am interested in buying a bike. Use it often.I was inclined to buy a mountain bike with dual suspension.I have seen bikes at regular malls like Walmart. I am not able to decide on what kind to buy, a front suspension or dual suspension. I just want to ride it with comfort and a bit of speed perhaps!!
Kindly suggest.
Thank you.
2007-09-13 05:55:04 · 7 answers · asked by nakka 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Walmart, Target, ***** etc. are fine retailers, but they are not good bicycle shops. The bicycles they sell will tend to: 1. Be heavy. 2. Have very low end components that will not be reliable. 3. Not be fit to you. In my humble opinion, bikes carried at these stores are not trail worthy.
A good quality, full suspension mountain bike is a joy to take on trails. They provide the best control and speed on rough trails. Unfortunately, a good quality full suspension bike is going to cost a bundle. If you are on a tight budget or don't know if you are going to like mountain biking, I'd recommend going for a front suspension bike (hardtail).
A hardtail is lighter, less complicated, and much less expensive than a full-suspension bike. Unless you decide you want to start racing or doing epic rides, it might be all you ever need.
Your best bet is to go to a local bicycle shop and discuss how you want to ride and your budget. With luck, they will have several bicycles for you to try. If there is a nearby trail, you can try both a hardtail and a full suspension bike and see which suits you better. As well, a good bicycle store will take the time and effort to make the bicycle fit you perfectly and will adjust it for you after a couple on months.
Now is generally a good time to buy a bike. Stores are getting in their 2008 stock and will be looking to move older models out.
Hope this helps you with your decision.
2007-09-13 08:28:15 · answer #1 · answered by sfr1224 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't buy a full suspension rig unless you plan on spending over a $1000. Anything less than a $1000 isn't going to have a good rear suspension anyways and it just adds unwanted weight to the bike. Try to avoid Wal-mart if you can. Those bikes are ok if you only plan on riding once a month or a couple times a year, but if you plan on riding a couple times a week....go to a local bike shop. Plan on spending anywhere from $350 on up. Check out the Jamis Coda or the Fuji Absolute Lx at the links below.
2007-09-13 13:11:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My advice is get it cheap or free. I go out on the night before trash collection and look for bikes. I find them too, from time to time, and there's no law against stealing trash in my country (U.S. Supreme Court "California v. Greenburg").
Often people throw bikes away when they have some minor problem you can fix easily. Second hand stores often have bikes for sale cheap.
Don't pay a lot for a bike. A cheap one will get you there, same as an expensive one will, and they'll both get stolen soon enough.
I have a ten speed road bike, a mountain bike with a spring in the middle, and I had an old-fashioned three-speed that got stolen recently. You need a bike to get you where you're going. It doesn't matter much which kind of bike.
2007-09-13 14:18:54 · answer #3 · answered by The Bird 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The other answers above are correct. Unless you are doing a very specific type of riding, a full suspension ride is not needed. Regarding Walmart...I would not buy a bike there. Bikes at these big box stores are often of lesser quality and assembled by stock room staff. Working in a bike shop I cannot tell you how many toy store bikes we had to reassemble for customer. There goes your savings.
2007-09-13 14:13:09 · answer #4 · answered by Jay P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Save the money you would spend getting full suspension bike at a mall (or wal-mart) and go to a bike store where they can help you find a front-suspension bike that will really fit you needs. You'll know it's quality, it will be what you need and usually when you by the bike from them they'll give you a discount on tune ups.
2007-09-13 14:17:58 · answer #5 · answered by guitarstar85 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to get a dual suspension. You don't say where you'll ride but I'll assume just basic street riding. A Wal Mart dual would likely be the worst selection you could possibly make. Aside from kids thinking they're cool I have no idea why they are sold or bought. For tooling around on the street front suspension isn't needed either.
2007-09-13 13:05:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
look on craigslist to try to find a used bike. just one within the last few years. never buy a department store bike man. never
2007-09-13 14:55:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋