Any mountain bikers?

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I am looking for a new summer sport, and it sounds like mountain biking might fulfill the requirements (active, outdoors, and with the kind of adrenaline rush you can get from skiing). Anyone bike?

If so, what do I need to know to get started? I live in an area that is great for mountain biking actually and I'm also moving to the Bay Area in a couple months.

Also, I'm going to swing by a bike shop but I know these are not cheap - any recommendations for a good set up that isn't 1) junk; and 2) hideously expensive? I'm small - I think I'd need an XS or S bike (13" or 15").

Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

I haven't in AWHILE, but I used to go any chance I got. Kids aren't exactly mtn biking friendly so it's been awhile. I worked at a bike shop selling the darn things for many years too, so don't buy anything until you talk to me on fb.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I haven't in AWHILE, but I used to go any chance I got. Kids aren't exactly mtn biking friendly so it's been awhile. I worked at a bike shop selling the darn things for many years too, so don't buy anything until you talk to me on fb.

Ooh that's awesome! (that you mtn biked, not the kids not being mtn bike friendly ). Want to go this summer?

And I won't I promise! I probably shouldn't buy actually until I get to CA .. unless I want to haul bike, skis, and possibly golf clubs with me in my car in June (along with numerous assorted household items!)

 

[Haven]

DH is a mountain biker. He takes mountain biking trips with his buddies and really loves it. I'm a big city/suburb cyclist, and I think Bicycling Magazine has great tips for beginners:
http://www.mountainbike.com/beginners

Look up reviews for local shops online and go to whichever shop people love best. If you're still in the area where you studied law, we really like Kozy's. I've had some good experiences at RRB, as well.

Do not feel like you have to spend a lot of money to get started. Invest in good protective gear, but it's fine to buy a low- to mid-range bike. DH rides A LOT and only just got himself into a nicer bike last year, and even than one was only $1,000.

I got a $350 hybrid when I graduated from college in 2002 and I'm STILL riding it! It's a Trek 7100 and I love it. Nothing fancy, but it gets me where I want to go.

Edited to remove city information. I don't want to blow your location if you're trying to remain a mystery!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

DH is a mountain biker. He takes mountain biking trips with his buddies and really loves it. I'm a big city/suburb cyclist, and I think Bicycling Magazine has great tips for beginners:
http://www.mountainbike.com/beginners

Look up reviews for local shops online and go to whichever shop people love best. If you're still in the area where you studied law, we really like Kozy's. I've had some good experiences at RRB, as well.

Do not feel like you have to spend a lot of money to get started. Invest in good protective gear, but it's fine to buy a low- to mid-range bike. DH rides A LOT and only just got himself into a nicer bike last year, and even than one was only $1,000.

I got a $350 hybrid when I graduated from college in 2002 and I'm STILL riding it! It's a Trek 7100 and I love it. Nothing fancy, but it gets me where I want to go.

Edited to remove city information. I don't want to blow your location if you're trying to remain a mystery!

Thanks Haven for the magazine link! I'm going to have to read through that tonight when I get back home.

I definitely don't want to blow a fortune on a bike (yet! I saw what happened with my skis... I did a great job and got great and not expensive beginner skis and within about 5 ski days started demoing and upgraded to some really nice, but way more expensive skis.... ) but I do want it to be good quality to stave off those "I need to upgrade" thoughts

I'm actually not in the same area anymore, so unfortunately can't check out your shop recommendations, but thank you!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I love my Giant--it is a Hybrid. Mountain biking can be a hoot--I love the different terrain (but crossing streams with your bike on your shoulders can be a challenge!).

cheers--Sharon

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Ok so I stopped by a bike shop today (not a local one since I was out of town), and the only bike they had that wasn't super expensive (for me - I'd like to keep it around $500-600), small enough for me (I'm 5'1"), and recommended was the Mika HT Sport Disc. Anyone know anything about it? They said they're going to build up both the 13" and 15" and I can come back and try them both to see which fits better. I'm also going to stop by the local bike stores (there's two in town) tomorrow and see what they have. They quoted me $590 for it.

There was also a Hardrock one but it was way too expensive at $880 - and I saw that they had the Santa Cruz Juliana, which I've heard good things about, but I'm also pretty sure that's going to be out of my range.

Thoughts?