Bike recommendation.

[EuroJoe]

slim pickings on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rocky-Mountain-...ewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item414a2039b3

 

[Christophe Noel]

I think $1000 gives you ample options. You can get a nice rigid Surly Karate Monkey built up for abut $1200. For sub $1000, I'd open up the options for aluminum bikes like a Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29er or the Felt Nine Comp in my opinion looks slick for the money. I bet the 21.5 Felt might be in the range of fit you need. I think Trailsurfer has the Felt Nine Solo and likes it well enough. He had nothing but nice things to say about it.

I think you could get mired in materials and possibly miss out on a good bike. Bike dorks like me (and many here) will tend to wax poetic about the velvety neuance of this material or that, but the reality is, if you buy it and ride it, you'll very likely be more than just fine. I've owned everything from Carbon to even cast magnesium....CAST magnesium. Getting out on a quality bike is really what counts and there's a flood of super capable $1000-$1200 that will do the trick, aluminum or no. You might also look at the Redline D660 for a budget option.

 

[Corey]

Here is a new one I saw yesternight on page 26-27 of the new issue of Mountain Bike Action.
http://www.khsbicycles.com/02_six-fifty-606_10.htm

Sixfifty606

MSRP: $1199 • COLORS: Gloss Red w/Whie Panels• SIZES: S, M, L, XL

They say it is better than a 26" tire, and better handling than a 29" tire.
First I have heard of this size tire.

This is a hardtail too.

2010 SixFifty606 our first 650B wheel bicycle.
This is the future of mountain biking.
All the agility of a 26" wheel, with the speed of a 29" wheel provides.
This is your next bike!

 

[trailsurfer]

Specialized Comp Rockhopper 29er.

 

[Desolation]

I think $1000 gives you ample options. You can get a nice rigid Surly Karate Monkey built up for abut $1200. For sub $1000, I'd open up the options for aluminum bikes like a Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29er or the Felt Nine Comp in my opinion looks slick for the money. I bet the 21.5 Felt might be in the range of fit you need. I think Trailsurfer has the Felt Nine Solo and likes it well enough. He had nothing but nice things to say about it.

I think you could get mired in materials and possibly miss out on a good bike. Bike dorks like me (and many here) will tend to wax poetic about the velvety neuance of this material or that, but the reality is, if you buy it and ride it, you'll very likely be more than just fine. I've owned everything from Carbon to even cast magnesium....CAST magnesium. Getting out on a quality bike is really what counts and there's a flood of super capable $1000-$1200 that will do the trick, aluminum or no. You might also look at the Redline D660 for a budget option.

Yes, I easily get caught in the material trap! Machinist/Fabricator/Machine Design background. It is funny though, the components I just fit in to two categories, works and overpriced.
I need to go ride a bunch which is how I settled on my 26 I threw out the budget and rode everything and at the end of that weekend I went past this shop, stopped, rode, and bought. That frame was the best I had ridden and it was 1/3rd the Cannondale price, I had decided on!