Hummer Mountain Bike

[Beastmaster]

At your height/weight, you need to be fitted to a proper frame size. All major manufacturers (Gary Fisher/Haro/GT/Specialized/K2/Cannondale/others that I'm missing) all have XL sized frames for tall blokes like you. It's good to see you go to a good bike shop - they will fit you and 99% of them will let you test ride them before you buy.

Good Luck!
-Steve

Originally Posted by mikejr

Right now i have a cheap ass dunham's special, cost me all of about $130 bucks. Suffice it to say, it has no suspension, the seat sucks and the main problem, being 6'4" tall i have to ride all hunched over....and it kills my lower back. Not to mention with no suspension it shakes my kanucks off.

So i was thinking of upgrading to a good bike and wanted to know everyones opinions. I am not going to do off road trail blazing with it, but need a sturdy machine to pedal around the trails on....i weigh 240 pounds...

[Agriv8r]

Originally Posted by CO Hummer

When you buy bike at the high end of the price range, they come without pedals. It is assume that you're pretty into biking and have your own preference for a certain type of pedal (Speedplay for me). Same with the road bikes.

wonder if we could do this with wheels, you know sell the car without them (bike without pedals) and then charge for the wheels.

[mikejr]

Steve,

Thanks much for the advice. Stopped in to get a tube for my kids bike and was looking at a few of the Specialized ones. Nice bikes. Didnt have time to really engage the salesman though and get the low down on them. Since I am reported to be a hard person to buy xmas gifts for by my wife...i am thinking that a nice bike would fit the list just right.

Again, thanks for the advice and tips.

Mike

[blindzebra]

Cannondales are very nice. My dad has a specialized and a mongoose. Basicly any entry level bike from a bike shop will get you something to get your feet wet on. I suggest not getting the lowest model, but getting one that's a level or two up from that. You'll typically get a much better bike for a little bit of money reguarding components, weight, tires, etc.

[Sportsdude]

I was going to buy the Hummer bike but couldn't see myself spending that much money so bought a Mongoose instead. Hope to get it within a week or two.

[mikejr]

guess the ole theory is true for bikes...you get what you pay for....so if i drop about $500 i'll get a good bike then.....right?

[md_sailor]

Yes....kinda, It's been years since I was in College and Working at a Shop but I still ride and I have a friend who owns a shop. The high end bike world can be confusing. let me provide a little information. $500 or there about will get you into a entry level high end bike. I know that sounds like a contradiction but it's true. At that price point you get a Great Frame, often it's the same frame as used on a given companies' bikes retailing for $1000 to $1200. The difference comes in the level of the parts used to build the bike out. I.E. The Headset, Stem, Handlebar, Brakes, Brake levers, Shifter set, Derailleurs, Bottom Bracket, Crankset, Pedals, Seat Post, Seat, Hubs, Spokes, Wheels, Tires, Tubes ... ect. All of these Items come in a multitude of types and Price points. With many available in Exotic Metals to reduce weight and In the bike world Lighter means More Money! Ti is used extensively for many parts and Ti is big bucks. It can get really silly, I have to confess that I have a wheelset built out with Titanium Spokes. I digress, Anyway the big Part providers are Shimano and Sram and they have Part groups that are used to build these bikes. If I remember correctly there were 3 or 4 price/performance tiers with Shimano they fell as follows - Deore, LX, XT and XTR. $500 used to get you a Great frame and a mix of the Deore and LX components. I started like this and as I wore out group parts I would upgrade. Gee.... kinda sounds familiar don't it dont tell our significant others ....Anyway long story short, $500 is a good starting point. It will get you good equipment and onto the trails, Ride Several in the parking lot at the shop and choose what feels best to you. Then its off to aftermarket world and figuring out what to replace first to shave a pound off the bike so it's easier to climb a hill. Just my .02 cents worth BTW: I did finally figure out that the easiest way to climb the hill in was in my H2 with a Corona in the beverage holder. Wisdom does come with age

[mikejr]

dont forget the lime for the Corona..... Threw back quite a few Corona's at the PGH Buffett concert.....

[md_sailor]

Originally Posted by mikejr

dont forget the lime for the Corona..... Threw back quite a few Corona's at the PGH Buffett concert.....

Would never forget the lime... lime in a corona is manditory

[md_sailor]

Spent 10 days ending last saturday on Cape Hatteras put away about 5 cases of Corona (and 30 limes) and got turned on to Modelo I think I like it better than Corona.

[mikejr]

hmm...never tried Modelo....never heard of it actually. similar to a Corona taste? we usually hit the margarita's on vacation...we mix up a big ole bucket and swilling them down on the beach...gotta love it!

[md_sailor]

Actually Modelo and Corona come from the same Brewery, To me Modelo seems to have a little cleaner after taste. Margaritas are a Good Thing! Google "Daiquiri Wacker"