LukeHooligan
Observer
if you like simple, perhaps this http://allcitycycles.com/bikes/big_block_complete/
Need a bike reccommendation
- Thread starter nwoods
- Start date
elmo_4_vt
Explorer
Take a look at Bikesdirect.com. I know it seems sketchy, but I just got a road bike from there for $599, where something with the level of components from any of the bike store brands would have cost me $1600 min. Just a thought if you're pinching pennies. They have knock-offs of a lot of different style bikes.
Don
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Don
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Jay H
servicedriven.org
The suspension for you that dosnt brake the bank is any rock shox with the solo air. Solo air is bomb proof and ready for even a 400lb rider right out the box. The tora solo air is heavy cheap and incredibly strong.
I think a burly rigid 29er should treat you well. I am thinking GT peace 1, or Redline Mono cog - the mono cog is the bench mark for vale- it has a cult following and you really cant get more bang for the buck.
If your looking to spend more there are some very strong bikes that blurr categories like the santa cruz chameleon the now discontinued kona hoss. The honzo looks like 29er version in many ways. There are a lot of other cool hard tails that are good for some cross country riding, pump tracks, jumps ect ect they just dont come in big enough sizes. Like the DMR stuff or the azonic steel head would be perfect is it were just a bit bigger. If you can find a surly instigator there cool also and come in big sizes.
I think a burly rigid 29er should treat you well. I am thinking GT peace 1, or Redline Mono cog - the mono cog is the bench mark for vale- it has a cult following and you really cant get more bang for the buck.
If your looking to spend more there are some very strong bikes that blurr categories like the santa cruz chameleon the now discontinued kona hoss. The honzo looks like 29er version in many ways. There are a lot of other cool hard tails that are good for some cross country riding, pump tracks, jumps ect ect they just dont come in big enough sizes. Like the DMR stuff or the azonic steel head would be perfect is it were just a bit bigger. If you can find a surly instigator there cool also and come in big sizes.
LukeHooligan
Observer
Jay H: the honzo would indeed be a 29er in the same category as the chameleon with it's short ish read end and relaxed headtube angle, kona list's it in the "gravity" category with their all mountain hardtails and light freeride bikes. And i can't believe i forgot about the peace and the monocog, and my buddy that i always ride with even has a peace multi. either of those would be an excellent choice and you can usually find good deals on the previous year's model. I am also realizing companies should be supporting taller guys, as many things i think of are not made in anything larger than a 21 ish frame size. For example i ride an On One 456 that i built up last winter and they make great stuff for a reasonable price, including several really nice 29ers but none of their stuff comes larger than 20 or 21. I'll also suggest checking out bikes direct as they have an all chromoly rigid 29er for like 350 i think, don't remember how far they go up in size though.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
This.
Bikes are no different from trucks in that no one platform does everything perfectly. I ride roughly 12-15 hours a week, with a goon 9 hours of that on singletrack. While I've ridden a pump track a zillion times, I find it to be fun for about 30 minutes twice a year. That's me. Maybe you'd really dig it. I also think you have to have your riding chops pretty refined to not end up in a pile of bones.
I'd say tackle your fitness objectives first and then reevaluate those desires to get all hucky-gnar-gnar later. If hopping a curb on a Trek 4900 is problematic, dropping into a bowl on even the most perfect of bikes sounds sketchy. Muchas sketchola.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
I ride a pretty bling'ed out custom Spot Brand singlespeed. I swapped bikes with a friend for a day. He had a Redline Monocog Flight. I could by four of his bikes per my one. Was his bike four times less fun? Heck no. That thing was totally awesome for what it was. If I could only have one bike within that price range, I'd look no further than a Monocog Flight.
Nate, I worked in bike shops off and on my whole life and do again these days. I've always told those people lusting for new bikes this: The bike you can ride today is always better than the bike you want to ride tomorrow.
Get out on your bike now.
Nate, I worked in bike shops off and on my whole life and do again these days. I've always told those people lusting for new bikes this: The bike you can ride today is always better than the bike you want to ride tomorrow.
Get out on your bike now.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
I keep trying, but it tosses me off
I love Redlines, grew up lusting over them as a teen, never owned one, though I did score some sweet Redline 3 piece cranks back when they first came out in...I dunno, 1984? I've been trying to steer my kids into Redlines, but all they want is FIT. Whatever. Punks
So I've been looking at the Monocog. Pretty cool. Still not mentally onboard with a single speed though. I'm not in great shape and giving up the mechanical advantage of human ingenuity and gearing seems a bit undesirable at the moment. Granted, I have not ridden any of these yet, I hope to get some saddle time this weekend in various shops around here.
Here is the Monocog Flight. Nice price range, looks like a fun ride
It would certainly be ironic to finally own a Redline bike without Redline cranks though
I also like what I see in the Redline Monobelt 29r, with disk brakes:
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012-monobelt-29er
Are belt drives any good? Back in the day I was known to stretch chains pretty regularly, is that an issue? I couldn't find much in quick perusal of Google on the subject, other than the mfr's site: http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/ They say NO Stretch with the carbon belt
http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/support.php?lang=us
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Wow there are alot of choices. I know nothing about the relative quality of the components listed for all these. For example, here is a ~$600 Raleigh that looks nice?
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/xxix-12/
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/xxix-12/
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
All chains stretch, and all riders stretch chains. Not really a big deal as chains are relatively inexpensive items. Belts are great, but they require their own level of care and feeding. It's mostly about tension and alignment with belts.
The singlespeed thing isn't nearly as hard as it sounds, but should your topography have much in the way of steeps, it can be a little tough on anyone developing their fitness. You don't have to be in great or even good shape to have fun on a SS. Out of shape? Not as much fun.
3konas
Observer
I think the cheapest thing to do is ride what you have. Do what Flounder suggested, get your bike properly fitted from a quality shop. It's possible they can't make it fit you, but then at least you will know. I also would entertain trading out your suspension fork for a quality rigid fork. It's obvious your fork is not up to the task. I have Kona Project 2's on a couple of my bikes, they're strong and relatively inexpensive. I'm sure someone here can recommend others that would work for someone your size. If money's tight and you want to be out riding with your family without going over the bars (more than whats considered normal), maybe go this route until your financial status changes.
), maybe go this route until your financial status changes.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Okay, I test rode a Monocog yesterday. Before I rode that, I rode a Giant Talon 29er XL. I hated the Giant, felt like my center of gravity was directly over the front fork. No stability. This was their biggest frame (22). The only Monocog they had was a 17, way too small, but I wanted to play with it anyway and so they let me. I really, really liked it. Even though it was decidedly too small (my toes rub the front wheel a LOT whenever I turn), the balance was awesome. I felt good on it. First time I felt good on a bike in many many years. Now I start looking at the geometries, to see if I can figure out why I liked it. Much to my dismay, I learn that the Flight and the regular Monocog have different frame geometries despite the same size designations.
Monocog Flight: http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012-monocog-flight-29er
Monocog std: http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012-monocog-29er
Top tube of the Flight is 622, non-FLight is 641, verses the 17 I rode that measures 603. Wheelbase of the 17 is 1079, whereas BOTH the Flight and non-Flight 21" have a wheelbase of 1118, which is why the head angle of the Flight is 71 verses 72 of the non flight. Another big difference, not sure in how it effects feel, is fork offset difers a lot between the Flight and standard.
How on earth can you buy a bike on spec, when the specs are all over the place?
Monocog Flight: http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012-monocog-flight-29er
Monocog std: http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/mtb/2012-monocog-29er
Top tube of the Flight is 622, non-FLight is 641, verses the 17 I rode that measures 603. Wheelbase of the 17 is 1079, whereas BOTH the Flight and non-Flight 21" have a wheelbase of 1118, which is why the head angle of the Flight is 71 verses 72 of the non flight. Another big difference, not sure in how it effects feel, is fork offset difers a lot between the Flight and standard.
How on earth can you buy a bike on spec, when the specs are all over the place?
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
Don't over think the frame geometry differences between like bikes. Fit dimensions are the most important consideration when buying any bike. I see people opt to buy one bike over another because in their mind, they did their due diligence and only X head angles and Y fork trail will do. The reality is, most riders, myself included, can't tell the difference between 71 head angles and 72 head angles.
Mountain bikes are even pretty flexible with regard to fit dimensions. I wouldn't sweat half a centimeter of top tube here or there.
It's also not fair to compare ride qualities of that Giant at 22" to a 17" Redline. You probably didn't feel heavily balanced over the bars on the Redline because it was tiny. I'm 6' and I don't ride a "17. You were probably like a normal sized dude on a kid's bike. Of course you didn't feel heavily positioned over the bars. They were probably at your knees. For proper balance over the bike, you do need to have some portion of your upper body balanced over the bars. You can't sit up like Mary Poppins and expect to have that front tire hold in a turn. You also can't be squatted down bmx style and hope to get any power to the bike for more than a few seconds at a time.
I think you would be best served going to a well respected shop and have them assist you with fitment.
Mountain bikes are even pretty flexible with regard to fit dimensions. I wouldn't sweat half a centimeter of top tube here or there.
It's also not fair to compare ride qualities of that Giant at 22" to a 17" Redline. You probably didn't feel heavily balanced over the bars on the Redline because it was tiny. I'm 6' and I don't ride a "17. You were probably like a normal sized dude on a kid's bike. Of course you didn't feel heavily positioned over the bars. They were probably at your knees. For proper balance over the bike, you do need to have some portion of your upper body balanced over the bars. You can't sit up like Mary Poppins and expect to have that front tire hold in a turn. You also can't be squatted down bmx style and hope to get any power to the bike for more than a few seconds at a time.
I think you would be best served going to a well respected shop and have them assist you with fitment.
Von Petrol
Observer
There are many good bicycle shops in the area like:
Fullerton Bikes in Fullerton
The Path in Tustin
Incycle in San Dimas
Revo in Lake Forrest
You without a doubt need to be on a 29'er!
We have no drop beginner rides on the Fullerton Loop on Thursdays at 6:30pm (lights are needed going into Fall) and Sundays at 8am.
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/
Colen
Fullerton Bikes in Fullerton
The Path in Tustin
Incycle in San Dimas
Revo in Lake Forrest
You without a doubt need to be on a 29'er!
We have no drop beginner rides on the Fullerton Loop on Thursdays at 6:30pm (lights are needed going into Fall) and Sundays at 8am.
http://www.socaltrailriders.org/
Colen
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Thanks Colen. Fullerton Bike Shop was where I spent most of yesterday. My son calls it heaven, but that's because I haven't taken him with me to Epic in Fountain Valley . I feel like I got pretty fair advice at FBS, but selection was limited. Today I went to Rack n Road, and they put me on a completely ordinary uninspiring. Rockhopper LTD 29 that was only twice my budget, but with an enormous 23" frame. I actually felt that the bars were a bit too far forward for me ! It rode okay, but pretty staid. I can't imagine paying $1800 for something that doesn't raise the heartbeat one iota.
I had seen references to The Path elsewhere, but had forgotten. I will try to get there this week. Thanks for the tip.
. I feel like I got pretty fair advice at FBS, but selection was limited. Today I went to Rack n Road, and they put me on a completely ordinary uninspiring. Rockhopper LTD 29 that was only twice my budget, but with an enormous 23" frame. I actually felt that the bars were a bit too far forward for me ! It rode okay, but pretty staid. I can't imagine paying $1800 for something that doesn't raise the heartbeat one iota.I had seen references to The Path elsewhere, but had forgotten. I will try to get there this week. Thanks for the tip.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
Sounds to me like you might be in an all too familiar situation many buyers struggle with. Like most of us, you have practical needs, but non-practical wants. I'd love a Unimog, but I really need a Subaru Outback. I'd get more use out of the Outback, but what a lame ride.
I see this most often with guys lusting after long travel, 45 pound, full suspension bikes. They love the idea of launching off 5 foot drops, or railing turns at 30mph, but the reality is, they could be best served on that yawner of a Rockhopper you tried. I've also sold $8000 time trial bikes to guys who swore up and down that's what they needed for their recreational riding needs only to find out later riding a time trial bike is as enjoyable as riding a donkey.
I'm not saying you should ignore your desire to buy something exotic and exciting. Just know that sometimes the more practical options sometimes provide one thing - more opportunity to actually enjoy riding.
I see this most often with guys lusting after long travel, 45 pound, full suspension bikes. They love the idea of launching off 5 foot drops, or railing turns at 30mph, but the reality is, they could be best served on that yawner of a Rockhopper you tried. I've also sold $8000 time trial bikes to guys who swore up and down that's what they needed for their recreational riding needs only to find out later riding a time trial bike is as enjoyable as riding a donkey.
I'm not saying you should ignore your desire to buy something exotic and exciting. Just know that sometimes the more practical options sometimes provide one thing - more opportunity to actually enjoy riding.