Mountain Bike Help

matadorCE · 07-21-2004, 04:17 PM

For those that are into mountain biking, I would appreciate some help in deciding to buy this mountain bike. I'm a n00b when it comes to mountain bike stuff. Basically my gf's classmate is selling this bike for less than half of the retail price:
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/ful...is&bike=Marlin

My only experience with a Fisher Marlin was a couple of years ago when my college roommate had one, and it sure beat the hell out the Sears-bought bike that I used to ride in around campus LMAO

Now I hardly ever ride a bike anymore (maybe I could take it up again), so this bike would probably be overkill for me but for the $150-$200 this person is looking to sell the bike I'm thinking "why not?" LOL

Any feedback on this brand/model? Anything in particular I should look for/be aware? I don't want to end up buying a beat-up pos.

zack_280 · 07-21-2004, 06:44 PM

Well, I did the same thing you did when I was in college. (a whopping 2 yrs ago) I rode the bike like 2 times and then I bought a $50 road bike from the same guy. I got a lot more use out of it. Basically, if you want to ride on the road, get a road bike. If you want to (no, if you are going to) ride off-road, get the mtn. bike.

Basically what I'm saying is that this is a good deal, but at the same time if you don't use it, it's a waste of money. It's like an eskimo getting a good deal on a window unit a/c for his igloo.

Check the action of the gears and the height of the bike. If it doesn't fit you, it's also a waste of money. If the derailleurs are out of whack, or you need a new chain or both, it can set you back another $50-$100. Also keep in mind that you will have to service the bike about once a year which will cost about $35-$50 to maintain ride-ability.

zack_280 · 07-21-2004, 06:45 PM

P.S. Also check the brakes and make sure they are working properly.

AcidRatRacing · 07-22-2004, 04:57 AM

Gary Fisher makes a great bike (actually made by Trek). I've had a Mamba for about 7 years now and it's still going strong. I'm 200 lbs.+ and I have beat the snot out of it. I agree with Zac...Two important notes: make sure the bike fits you, if it's not comfortable you won't ride it as much. Second, take care of it, a professional tune-up once a year is probably good enough if you don't ride excessively. Keep it clean and well lubed and you'll be fine. If you are going to do most of your riding on pavement or hardpack, switch the tires to a hybrid type, smooth in the middle with a few knobbies on the edges. Makes for a more controlled ride on the street.

matadorCE · 07-22-2004, 11:04 AM

I've gotten a little more info on the bike and looks like the bike will be too small for me (it's 15.5" and I'm 5'10") so it looks like that's a no-go.

I appreciate the advice though, the last bike I bought cost me around $45 at Wal-Mart since I needed something to get aroud campus after the bike I bought as a freshman got stolen. LOL

crashsti · 07-23-2004, 08:27 AM

i work with a guy who wanted to get into bicycling to lose some weight. he said he did'nt need a mountain bike because he would'nt be riding off-road. he insisted on getting a road bike. saying he would really just be cruising around town and getting some exercise at the same time. well, i let him ride my racing bike and he decided to get a mountain bike for the more upright riding position and also for the increased durability and also the fatter tires are less prone to punctures and pinch flats. Look into a Cyclocross bike if you want something that can go both ways. much cooler than a hybrid, basically a beefed up road bike.

Goose · 07-23-2004, 10:01 PM

I've had a GF for 5 years, I love it. Hybrids are a great idea...

crashsti · 07-24-2004, 10:13 AM

Quote:

I've had a GF for 5 years, I love it. Hybrids are a great idea...

if you mean the hybrids that look like a mountain bike and a road bike hooked up and had a baby than i'd have to disagree with you. most bike companies make Hybrids, popular with older folk and very casual riders. if he has any desire to actually do some riding that surpasses commuting than he'd be better off leaning towards an actual mountain bike. i'm not suggesting Full On Downhill but a hard tail mountain bike combined with a short travel front fork is hard to beat for recreation. you just have to watch the tire selection. avoiding the gnarly mud tires and gravitating towards a cross country type tire. .

Goose · 07-24-2004, 10:46 PM

I was actually referring to the tire selection, a good hybrid tire is ideal for an individual not sure what the ultimate use for the bike is going to be. I also lean toward a hard tail, and a seeat post suspension for city riding.
( clearly I didn't read the previous post well

working nights

check post time

Jules · 07-25-2004, 09:20 AM

I have a Trek 930 hardtail mountain bike I bought new about 6 years ago. I used the bike a few times a week for some pretty medium level trail riding and rode it like that for about 6-8 months until my buddy shattered his ankle on a ride. He never went back to off road riding so I pretty much stopped as well except for a few rides with my wife and another friend. The bike hung in my garage for a couple years with very occasional usage until I started using it to commute to work. I have a road bike that I started using but found the mtb to be more comfortable and less prone to blowouts so I put a set of road tires on it and used it for commuting for about a year. I highly recommend a mtb for road use with the right tire.

BTW-Don't buy Performance brand tires or tubes. They suck, especially their road tires. I blew them off the rims twice.

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07-21-2004, 04:17 PM	#1
matadorCE Grassroots STI Racer Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: TX Posts: 512 IWSTI Addict since: Jul 2003	For those that are into mountain biking, I would appreciate some help in deciding to buy this mountain bike. I'm a n00b when it comes to mountain bike stuff. Basically my gf's classmate is selling this bike for less than half of the retail price: http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/ful...is&bike=Marlin My only experience with a Fisher Marlin was a couple of years ago when my college roommate had one, and it sure beat the hell out the Sears-bought bike that I used to ride in around campus LMAO Now I hardly ever ride a bike anymore (maybe I could take it up again), so this bike would probably be overkill for me but for the $150-$200 this person is looking to sell the bike I'm thinking "why not?" LOL Any feedback on this brand/model? Anything in particular I should look for/be aware? I don't want to end up buying a beat-up pos.

07-21-2004, 06:44 PM	#2
zack_280 Junior STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Tennessee Posts: 117 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2003	Well, I did the same thing you did when I was in college. (a whopping 2 yrs ago) I rode the bike like 2 times and then I bought a $50 road bike from the same guy. I got a lot more use out of it. Basically, if you want to ride on the road, get a road bike. If you want to (no, if you are going to) ride off-road, get the mtn. bike. Basically what I'm saying is that this is a good deal, but at the same time if you don't use it, it's a waste of money. It's like an eskimo getting a good deal on a window unit a/c for his igloo. Check the action of the gears and the height of the bike. If it doesn't fit you, it's also a waste of money. If the derailleurs are out of whack, or you need a new chain or both, it can set you back another $50-$100. Also keep in mind that you will have to service the bike about once a year which will cost about $35-$50 to maintain ride-ability.

07-21-2004, 06:45 PM	#3
zack_280 Junior STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Tennessee Posts: 117 IWSTI Addict since: Jun 2003	P.S. Also check the brakes and make sure they are working properly.

07-22-2004, 04:57 AM	#4
AcidRatRacing Amateur STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Car: 05 Aspen White WRX S Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 42 IWSTI Addict since: May 2004	Gary Fisher makes a great bike (actually made by Trek). I've had a Mamba for about 7 years now and it's still going strong. I'm 200 lbs.+ and I have beat the snot out of it. I agree with Zac...Two important notes: make sure the bike fits you, if it's not comfortable you won't ride it as much. Second, take care of it, a professional tune-up once a year is probably good enough if you don't ride excessively. Keep it clean and well lubed and you'll be fine. If you are going to do most of your riding on pavement or hardpack, switch the tires to a hybrid type, smooth in the middle with a few knobbies on the edges. Makes for a more controlled ride on the street.

07-22-2004, 11:04 AM	#5
matadorCE Grassroots STI Racer Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: TX Posts: 512 IWSTI Addict since: Jul 2003	I've gotten a little more info on the bike and looks like the bike will be too small for me (it's 15.5" and I'm 5'10") so it looks like that's a no-go. I appreciate the advice though, the last bike I bought cost me around $45 at Wal-Mart since I needed something to get aroud campus after the bike I bought as a freshman got stolen. LOL

07-23-2004, 08:27 AM	#6
crashsti Spec C Club Feedback Score: 0 reviews Fav Mod: stockboy Location: massachusetts Posts: 1,629 IWSTI Addict since: Sep 2003	i work with a guy who wanted to get into bicycling to lose some weight. he said he did'nt need a mountain bike because he would'nt be riding off-road. he insisted on getting a road bike. saying he would really just be cruising around town and getting some exercise at the same time. well, i let him ride my racing bike and he decided to get a mountain bike for the more upright riding position and also for the increased durability and also the fatter tires are less prone to punctures and pinch flats. Look into a Cyclocross bike if you want something that can go both ways. much cooler than a hybrid, basically a beefed up road bike.

07-23-2004, 10:01 PM	#7
Goose Senior STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA Posts: 363 IWSTI Addict since: Feb 2003	I've had a GF for 5 years, I love it. Hybrids are a great idea...

07-24-2004, 10:46 PM	#9
Goose Senior STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA Posts: 363 IWSTI Addict since: Feb 2003	I was actually referring to the tire selection, a good hybrid tire is ideal for an individual not sure what the ultimate use for the bike is going to be. I also lean toward a hard tail, and a seeat post suspension for city riding. ( clearly I didn't read the previous post well working nights check post time

07-25-2004, 09:20 AM	#10
Jules Senior STI Driver Feedback Score: 0 reviews Car: Surfing, cars and computers Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 349 IWSTI Addict since: Jul 2004	I have a Trek 930 hardtail mountain bike I bought new about 6 years ago. I used the bike a few times a week for some pretty medium level trail riding and rode it like that for about 6-8 months until my buddy shattered his ankle on a ride. He never went back to off road riding so I pretty much stopped as well except for a few rides with my wife and another friend. The bike hung in my garage for a couple years with very occasional usage until I started using it to commute to work. I have a road bike that I started using but found the mtb to be more comfortable and less prone to blowouts so I put a set of road tires on it and used it for commuting for about a year. I highly recommend a mtb for road use with the right tire. BTW-Don't buy Performance brand tires or tubes. They suck, especially their road tires. I blew them off the rims twice.