Choose My New Mountain Bike

Dusted off my 15 year old Mongoose last weekend, rode a few miles, and discovered it somehow became quite uncomfortable during its slumber. I've purchased a really nice, wide, supportive, gel-filled, saddle like you'd expect to find on your grandmother's beach cruiser or granddad's FarmAll Cub tractor, and am quite depressed about it. I've also decided to get a 29er to go under it. I'm looking at the 29ers because, at 6'3", I like the space an proportionally larger wheels go with the 21" frame. So 29 it is. I've been out of the game for a long time. When I bought it, my aluminum framed Mongoose was a space ship. Now they're sold at Walmart. Motorcycles had disc brakes and bikes came with bar ends. Etc dot dot dot.

I'm looking at two entry level bikes. One I've heard of. One I haven't. I'm not looking to spend a bunch ~$600. I looked at a Specialized Crosstrail too. The Marlin looks like more bike for the same money. Googling answered some questions, but what say you of these two:

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/gary_fisher_collection/29er_hardtails/marlin/

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/windsor_cliff29comp_xi.htm

Don't get a Windsor. Crosstrails are decent, I've built/sold about a thousand of them but they won't hold up to much more than light gravel use. Look into the Rockhopper 29er, much sturdier if you actually want to go offroad.

the windsor is basicly the same as the fuji without the diamond shaped down tube...

I don't know what you weigh but if it's anything over 200 i'd steer clear of the dart forks... i'm a smidge taller and loved my 29ers... i'd take a look at redlines offerings (d440) steel frame worth upgrading parts and the parts are ok in the mean time (when I got mine I upgraded the front to disc brake and that was about all it needed... which says something for a 300# rider (did kill a few spokes in the corse of a year but never a big deal)... and if it came between a rigid fork vs a dart i'd stick with the rigid fork... you can upgrade down the road...

but no matter what you do... get to a real shop... swing your leg over the saddle and take it for a spin... get the shops imput on fit... I made the mistake when I got back into cycling of figure that because i'm 6'4 i NEEDED a 21" redline... they didn't have em in stock sock... I should have gotten the 19" due to TT length... I managed to fix it with a goofy stem but it was never near as comfortable as the ever so slightly smaller framed surly karate monkey...

also budget for a new lid... and seriously consider clipless pedals... grr this makes me miss my bikes :(

The Windsor definitely has a nicer parts spec than either the GF or the Specialized (and killer kane is spot on, the Specialized is primarily a street bike).

Bikesdirect is super spotty on quality/assembly though. I wrench part time at a local shop (Trek dealer), and have assembled multiple bikes that customers have purchased from bikesdirect. I'm just not impressed. So, if you don't know what you are doing with a bike build (proper adjust of the disc brakes, proper hub adjust, torque specs, etc.), then take the bike to your LBS for them to assemble.

Even though the Windsor has a better parts spec, I know absolutely nothing of that company's quality and warranty practices or bikedirects business/warranty practices.

With both Specialized and Trek, you're likely buying from a local dealer who will provide quality assembly, guarantee his work and offer a free tune up after a break in period. And both are reputable companies who stand behind their products with good warranties.

If you're looking to hit gravel roads and light trail use, the Marlin will be fine. If you're riding off road aggressively and frequently, then save up for a better bike or start looking at used bikes. You'll smoke the drivetrain on the Marlin in a short period of time if you're hammering on it.

I'm repeating what others have said. Your favorite local dealer is as important as the bike itself so if they have some decent models that's what I'd suggest. Killerkane mentioned the Rockhopper 29er, that's what I'm getting next. They play rough here in the desert mountains and the Rockhopper has a good rep out here for a lower priced mtn bike.

I built a 29er out of a crosstrainer so it has it's limitations but has been pretty decent. The Rockhopper feels so much better!

I also wouldn't bother with the Windsor. There's enough cheap, brand-name 29ers available now that you may as well spring for a trusted name. Sure, they probably all come out of the same factory in Taiwan, but the big brands at least back up their product, (and pay close attention to quality control.)

Another to consider is the GT Peace. They come as geared or single-speed, steel frame and a rigid fork as stock. Available in a cool "rasta" colour scheme:

At the end of the day, though...

Hasbro wrote: Your favorite local dealer is as important as the bike itself so if they have some decent models that's what I'd suggest.

I'm about 13 stone and my days of riding anything but light gravel and tarmac are probably over. I'll also be carrying my son with me, so despite him having young and pliable bones, I don't think I'll be bombing down the countryside much. The local shops seem to carry only Specialized and Trek, so I can't test ride anything else. That wouldn't stop me from ordering online as whatever I get will be a better fit than what I have now.

Many Thanks for the responses.

Sounds like you may be a good candidate for a hybrid bike then - no, not a bike with a battery, but a bike that combines the sit-up-straight position of a mountain bike with the thin tires and efficiency of a roadie. At your price point, I think you're looking at Trek 7000 series/ 7.somethingorother fx. Fairly comfy for a 12-mile one way to work, and with all the right mount points for racks/bags/child seats/etc. These bikes will run 700c tires - which are essentially 29er tires in metric, and slightly narrower than a MTB tire.

If I ever get back into cycling I'm buying another Bianchi. I had one growing up and the frame geometry was just perfect for me, 6'1" 185lbs. Hopefully I can find one with a chromoly frame like my old beast, nothing rides like steel.

stay away from Bikes Direct.

I am a Trek guy, (Commute on a Trek Soho Single speed), so I would say get the Gary Fisher

i'll 2nd what the other guy said... look at hybrids of some sort... heck if it's just around the hood and stuff take a serious look (and ride) on some of the pedal forward "cruizer style" bikes... they aren't made for great distances but they are super comfy upright sit-up and beg seating position... then again people tend to buy a bike based on image kind of like cars... a mini-van would do a better job but the SUV or small pick up is chosen because it looks better.. lol

also hop into a few LBS... ask friends and see who likes who... around here we've got several options... good knowledgeable staff at most of em... but "mine" is the one where the shop manager lives to hit the trails and encourages newcomers to come out for the big group rides that happen a few times a week.

Not sure about most shops but the one I use has models that you can rent for the day and the rental fee is applied to your purchase.

I bought the Marlin today. First LBS had my size unassembled. Second could order it - in by the end of April. Third had the 21 and 23 in stock assembled for $30 cheaper than 1 and 2 and is 3 miles from my house. I compared and bought the 21. Now my antique child carrier won't fit the new bike because of the disc brake...

Comfortable, wide, gel filled saddles are decidedly uncomfortable.

Ever sat on the ground? Not that bad.

It is more important for the bones of you ass to be comfortably supported then to have a huge gooey seat. Wide seats make your hips hurt when you pedal for more then a block or 10.

That first sentence will leave scholars debating for ages.

I was, apparently, not-so-obviously exaggerating for effect. Kind of like how I would describe my old seat as a splitting wedge or pointed stick. Although gel-filled, true to the advertising on the label, the new seat is decidedly more comfortable. It's a regular one, a little wider in the back, with gel sides and a bit of a "comfort groove" in the middle.

It is possible that you know more about my backside and the bones therein, I'll give you that one, but speaking for the rest of my body, I have it on good authority that it is quite fond of huge gooey things, seats inclusive. Furthermore, how would the rockin' world go 'round without them?.

PS Although I've not done it myself, I've seen others sit on the ground and they almost always abandon it for the first available chair, gooey or otherwise.

PPS I'll have a go at the new seat since it's already on and I've paid for it.

PPPS I didn't actually mean my old Mongoose was equipped for space travel either.

jk,

Many Thanks