Mountain Bike Help

[Strongside]

I'm making a big push to get back into decent-to-good shape in 2013 and I'm going to try to get back into mountain biking/trail riding. I've been out of the loop for so long that I have no idea what I'm looking for in a solid bike. I'm not tall...5'9", so I need an 18"-19" frame. I'm also not wanting to spend a TON of money. If anyone is knowledgable about these things and would like to help out...please do. My budget is about $500-$700.

Thanks homies.

[Bugeater]

Here's mountain biking Pigsknuckle, but to be fair both of these are from late winter where we look our worst.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

That is awesome scenery, great that the kid is out with you too. Had mine hooked when he was young...then he became a teenager and that ended that.

You have some really cool stuff in your area as well, I've been up and down the paved trails from Bella Vista to Springdale, but not all the way to Fayetteville. What I've rode is some of the best anywhere.

There's all kinds of dirt I've yet to have the chance to check out yet as well. Need to get back down that way again soon.

Northwest Arkansas has become absolutely epic as far as the MTB scene (we just hosted the IMBA World Summit). The Walton boys (Tom and Stueart) are sinking insane amounts of money into the trail systems here, and the community is responding. I rode a lot when I was younger. At a certain point, I decided it was crazy to raise my kids here and not raise them riding. Similar to raising kids in Colorado without them doing snow sports. Anyway, loving riding and loving the scene in this area. I'll post up some other rides we've done in our area, though there are an abundance of videos from much more impressive riders than me out there floating around.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Here's mountain biking Pigsknuckle, but to be fair both of these are from late winter where we look our worst.

Awesome! Nice, fast trails.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Northwest Arkansas has become absolutely epic as far as the MTB scene (we just hosted the IMBA World Summit). The Walton boys (Tom and Stueart) are sinking insane amounts of money into the trail systems here, and the community is responding. I rode a lot when I was younger. At a certain point, I decided it was crazy to raise my kids here and not raise them riding. Similar to raising kids in Colorado without them doing snow sports. Anyway, loving riding and loving the scene in this area. I'll post up some other rides we've done in our area, though there are an abundance of videos from much more impressive riders than me out there floating around.

.
Anything you'd recommend when I get back down there? Keep in mind I'm old and #1 priority is not getting hurt. I've seen bits and pieces of the dirt trails and some of it looks pretty intense.

[Bugeater]

Like this...wtf...looks like a trip to the ER waiting for a time to happen.

[lewdog]

Sounds like you need a trip to the Southwest some winter to do some biking.

Neat stuff and cool bike.

[Bugeater]

We ride in the winter up here.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

.
Anything you'd recommend when I get back down there? Keep in mind I'm old and #1 priority is not getting hurt. I've seen bits and pieces of the dirt trails and some of it looks pretty intense.

If you want a nice, long ride that has more of a XC feel with good climbs, but not too technical, Hobbs State Park is really good. Here's some video I shot from there:



The Back 40 Loop is pretty awesome, and it has some features similar to what you posted there, but they're always optional. Here's a good sampling from a ride there:


You probably don't want to do Coler, hah (this guy is from KC, and his channels is great. He posts some great videos of the trails around there):

[booger]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

They're not bad at all. Just a lot of unnecessary weight for that type of surface. That bike basically has two speeds...uphill and downhill.

Yeah I was gonna say that I bet that's not your Ragbria bike

[booger]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

Yes, it's done great. And you can lock it out easily.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...?colorCode=red

I went with this one. In the proper red color I might add! Tried a DS model and a couple different 820s. One I can't remember the model but I liked the marlin 4 the best so I got one

[SAUTO]

yeah thats a good looking bike.

[booger]

It fits the budget I set and gave me a good workout when I road it. The tires are wide enough it's more sturdy feeling to me. Shock was stiffer than the 820 but it could have been the wheels. The 820 had 26 and the one I got has 29" as the only option. The bigger tires felt better for some reason. Most likely due to the lead in my ass!

[NewChief]

Here's some clips from our ride in Costa Rica. People are crazy into cycling here. It's very interesting.

[Buehler445]

Nice looking bike booger. I got a DS 8.3. It's the nicest bike I've owned ever.

Just make sure you get the seat set right. I'd been doing it wrong all these years and it makes a giant impact on the ride.

[booger]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Nice looking bike booger. I got a DS 8.3. It's the nicest bike I've owned ever.

Just make sure you get the seat set right. I'd been doing it wrong all these years and it makes a giant impact on the ride.

Thanks man! I definitely got to get a seat upgrade. My ass and taint are getting sore already. Otherwise it's just a matter of having the seat level isn't that right?