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Mountain bike for $500 ish

#2
ArmyJerry said:
Looking to gain some leg strength and and stamina without breaking the bank or having to wear faggot leotards in some gym full of leotard wearing fucksticks.
Click to expand...

You could also find a smaller gym run by old school muscle heads that is devoted to lifting lots of heavy blocks of metal while grunting as needed.
If they have a very small "cardio" section and a very large weights & weight driven machines section, that's a good clue.

Working with weights and weighted machines will help you get a lot of strength and stamina quickly.
Find a good personal trainer to have regular sessions with, that knows their stuff well and has a good degree in it and they will be able to help you push yourself as hard as you can go, safely and without injuring or straining yourself. Getting the exact positions and mechanics right is probably the initially most challenging part.
 
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#7
cornhusker86 said:
I bought a mountain bike in Kitzingen. Took it up Can Do mtn. one time. On the way back I was haulin the mail and blew out a tire. Had to carry the bitch all the way back to Harvey. Sold it the next day... :LOL:
Click to expand...

Carry a patch kit, a spare tube or two, a pump, a chain repair kit and a couple tools and you can be back on your way pretty quick.
 
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#9
AJ

Lots of stuff out there.
I will be honest. Bikes are like firearms and scopes. Cheap dont buy much. It will screw up at the worst time (under pressure of hard pedal strokes) and you will be pissed.
Go buy a $100 cruiser at walmart. Ride a lot. Find hills (if there are any near you) and ride twice.

Lots of ways to get strength. Weighted exercise is key.
Otherwise you best wear spandex and get a roadbike...... ???

Do some weights. Short cardio. Eat well.
Make love to your wife 5-8x/week.
You will outlive Methuselah.

Talk to @THEIS. He is an old fart too (see @Threadcutter308, I harass em all) and is crazy fit. And lives kinda close(ish) part of the time.
 
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#10
Palmetto-Pride said:
Bikes are like scopes most are made in the same factory with a different sticker slapped on them pick one that you think is purdy, but I would go for the MIL version over the MOA.........
Click to expand...

This is pretty much true. Local bike shops will carry basically the same levels of bikes of different brands etc. You could go the used ebay/craigslist route and pick up something like a steel framed Trek 800 series-basic indestructible no frills rig.
 
#14
Lots of good used bikes out there.
Most will need some maintenance which could begin around $60 or so and go up from there depending on whether derailleur cables need replacing or not. Old bikes usually need fresh brake pads as a minimum.
Check your local shop for prices. Getting a used bike up and running properly can cost as much as $200.

A new bike for 5 bills has a warranty and will usually include free adjustments for the first year to include a tune up after about six months.
For proper braking and shifting you'll need that because the cables will stretch.
The $500 bike will also have various frame sizes so you actually get a bike that has the correct fit.
The shop will also set the seat height and reach for you for free.

If you buy a walmart special, you'll get a bike assembled by some unknown idiot and they rarely shift or brake properly. The components are junk and don't last.
Also, the cheap bike has the seat directly above the pedals and they are hard to ride. They are also one size fits no-one.
Try working on one to get it to operate properly and you'll see why you shouldn't own one.

At the price points, both bikes will be made in China. However, the small shop supports small local businesses, whereas the other is Walmart.
 
#15
Hi,

Leg strength and stamina....just keep that one simple.

Squats
Romanian Squats
Front Squats
Goblet Squats
Stairs

Also...if you ever get serious into fitness up in your area...skip the gyms in your area and go direct to the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute and discuss the Tactical Officer Fitness Program.

Sincerely,
Theis
 
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#16
@Mike Casselton

You make good points. My comment on the cruiser was a bit tongue in cheek.
One will get strong as hell riding one. And it will suck.
Im unsure of the used market in AJs neck of the woods. Come visit your boys in occupied CO and I can send you to a good local shop near my place. Where i do my bike business.

A properly fitted and tuned bike is a blast.

Thanks for tuning in @THEIS. I know you are serious as all about it and would point AJ in a good direction locally.

Come hike some 14ers with a specific pace in mind and a 40 lb ruck. That along with all the granola eatin stinky hippies should motivate you toward more fitness and buying more ammo....
 
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#18
Craigs list. Tons of good used Mtn bikes.
They will be 300-400 range.

Go hike some steep hills at pace
Squats for reps 15-20 range
Lunges

Take your time and do lengthy warm up and post stretch.
Wear good shoes
 
#19
powdahound76 said:
I will be honest. Bikes are like firearms and scopes. Cheap dont buy much.
Click to expand...

WORD.

I'm pretty far from a bike snob, but I wouldn't consider buying a mountain bike that wasn't full suspension (especially if you're old, helps the back), and tubeless tires.

Also, fuck squats and lunges. Just squat like you're about to sit, then just hold that pose until your legs turn to jello. Should only take a few minutes and it's easier on your knees. Same with lunges.
 
#20
I used to telemark ski a lot. Like 110 days a year a lot. All day.

A buddy told me to get into shape, subscribe to the Wall Street Journal and do a wall squat every AM to read it.

Lots o ways.
Dont wrench your back and have to take 6 months off.......
Thats where I am starting from as of last week. Ran 3 miles at 11 min miles..... this old and fat stuff is for the birds. Training hard begins now. Running a 9min/mile marathon next year before 40........
 
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#21
THEIS said:
Hi,

Leg strength and stamina....just keep that one simple.

Squats
Romanian Squats
Front Squats
Goblet Squats
Stairs

Also...if you ever get serious into fitness up in your area...skip the gyms in your area and go direct to the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute and discuss the Tactical Officer Fitness Program.

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
Or simply do the wheel barrel with a shankie!
 
#22
Hi,

Or drive down to O Athletik in Rice Military area and do the 40x40x40.

40 degree incline/decline
40 foot high
40 trips---sprint up/bear crawl down

7092691


Sincerely,
Theis
 
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#23
Hit up Craig's list for used bikes, I'm still riding my old GT idrive team, maybe next year a new Ellsworth will make it this way.

I miss the western mountain trails, but there are some fun places in North Texas to ride, one of the guys we ride with says there are some good places east of Houston, ill ask him the name of the place. Austin has a bunch of fun places too.
 
#24
Find a great bike shop. If they tell you that you have to have a hard seat and wear the fag padded shorts, can't put a kick stand on it, etc, you need to walk out. I'm not a hard core rider. I have a GT Outback. 8 gears on the back, 3 on the front. Yes, I use all 24 gears. You want trigger shifters. The bike shop chick said disc brakes are only for folks who bend a lot of wheels, so I got the regular brakes.
 
#28
Go to the nearest high school stadium, put 1.5 times the weight you normally carry in you're pack. Alternate going up backwards and forwards. Hiking poles help.
If you ride a bicycle you will end up sipping apple flavored beer with the boys down at the Velvet Hammer! Wearing leotards.....
 
#34
29er was my suggestion as well. Check out Jenson USA. You can usually find some of last years models for half price or less. The one you listed has a nice set of features for under 800. Not a bad deal at all.
 
#37
If you are not going to trail ride skip the mountain bike design.

I have an older Cannondale MB from when they were made in the USA, thing is painted to look like a P47 - raw aluminum with black and white stripes and fake rivets - the mil look caught me and it replaced the Cannondale I had bought in 1988 - Heidelberg PX.

But Cannondale builds in China now and they can suck a dick.

Love my bike for its utility but most of my riding is with the family usually on some sort of asphalt bike trail. Would have been better off with a road bike but still I like the fact my MB can do if I want to.

I biked for exercise at one point.

It was an exercise I threw in my rotation to keep the muscles guessing. I was swimming, running, roller blading and biking at the time for aerobics.

In order to actually get exercise on the bike I found I had to be going at well better than 80 percent and you had to put the time/miles in.

I wouldnt be able to do the same workout today because the bike path I rode on has become so crowded it would be dangerous/impossible for me to ride at the speeds I was doing in order to get a workout.

If you plan on biking as a dedicated exercise account for needing time and an area where you can safely push yourself.

If you plan on biking as a once in a while thing that Mrs(Mr?)Armyjerry accompanies you on than that bike would be fine but Id opt for one built for comfort - higher handle bars so you are not hunched over carry weight on your forearms and ass bone.
 
#39
Check out Bikes Direct. They'll have some decent deals. I have a couple friends who have purchased from them and are happy. They're not going to give you the same performance or life as a seven grand Yeti, but if you just looking to log some miles, more than satisfactory.
 
#40
The seats mentioned by Rthur are a bit harsh.
“They feel like sitting on the small end of a baseball bat with a doily for padding.”
A quote from my oldest brothers high school speech about said seats from circa 1992. Quite true still.

Your ischial tuberosities will ache in ways you didnt know were possible on a racing type seat.
Builds character.
 
#41
powdahound76 said:
The seats mentioned by Rthur are a bit harsh.
“They feel like sitting on the small end of a baseball bat with a doily for padding.”
A quote from my oldest brothers high school speech about said seats from circa 1992. Quite true still.

Your ischial tuberosities will ache in ways you didnt know were possible on a racing type seat.
Builds character.
Click to expand...
We called it the "break in period"
It felt like you started your period after 2 weeks of punishment.

R
 
#43
pmclaine said:
If you are not going to trail ride skip the mountain bike design.
Click to expand...

Agreed, but...

I did the road bike thing for years, but the highways and byways became too dangerous for me (Florida leads the country in cycling deaths). When I decided to take it up again, I starting researching. I now needed to compensate for a ruptured disc so I went with a full suspension MTB. I have paths that include enough grades I can maintain 80-85 percent heartrate for one to two hours. YMMV

Jerry, got to get some of those shorts. Bet they would look good on ya.

Cycle Shorts.jpg
 
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#44
ArmyJerry said:
.....have not rode a pedal bike since my Schwinn Continental 10 speed in the 70's
Click to expand...

After all your motorcycle muscle memory accumulation.......first time you get on a pedal bike you will feel so fucked up having the front wheel right under the bars with no fork rake and no weight to push.

When I was riding the MC alot than would get on the pedal bike, Id almost kill myself within the first mile from putting in to much steering input on the relatively weightless front end.

After a mile Id figure it out and lose the feeling I was riding tubes of aluminum that weigh nothing.
 
#45
ArmyJerry said:
Looking to gain some leg strength and and stamina without breaking the bank or having to wear faggot leotards in some gym full of leotard wearing fucksticks.

Got my eye on this bike, have not rode a pedal bike since my Schwinn Continental 10 speed in the 70's

shop.visitbicycleworld.com

Giant Talon 2 - Bicycle World Texas | Six Locations!

shop.visitbicycleworld.com shop.visitbicycleworld.com
Click to expand...

It is a pretty nice ride. GIANT makes pretty nice bikes across a large price range. The only thing you may want to reconsider is not buying a hardtail. A rear shock is a pretty nice add but done right will increase the price by $200-300.

Make sure the front fork can be locked out as well. If the front fork don't have a lockout, buy a different model
 
#46
EddieNFL said:
Agreed, but...

I did the road bike thing for years, but the highways and byways became too dangerous for me (Florida leads the country in cycling deaths). When I decided to take it up again, I starting researching. I now needed to compensate for a ruptured disc so I went with a full suspension MTB. I have paths that include enough grades I can maintain 80-85 percent heartrate for one to two hours. YMMV

Jerry, got to get some of those shorts. Bet they would look good on ya.

View attachment 7092819
Click to expand...


R
 
#47
I like a hard tail because I do more road and a little trail. The shocks will eat up some of your pedaling power if you can't lock them out. If you do all road, a road bike is way faster than a mountain bike.
 
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#48
EddieNFL said:
Agreed, but...

I did the road bike thing for years, but the highways and byways became too dangerous for me (Florida leads the country in cycling deaths). When I decided to take it up again, I starting researching. I now needed to compensate for a ruptured disc so I went with a full suspension MTB. I have paths that include enough grades I can maintain 80-85 percent heartrate for one to two hours. YMMV

Jerry, got to get some of those shorts. Bet they would look good on ya.

View attachment 7092819
Click to expand...


Keep in mind all that suspension reduces rider input.

Doesnt really matter if the objective is excercise but if you are touring/wanting to get somewhere the shocks suck up your energy.

I lock out my fronts 99 percent of the time.

For your points though, yes Mtn bike is a solution that allows what may not otherwise be possible.
 
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#49
I mountain bike for exercise myself pretty regularly. 20-30 miles a pop 2-3x a week. I mix it up and throw in mountain bike trails and trail riding in those 20-30 miles. My area is limited so the goal is getting my time down. 25miles is 2hr 15min. Well up until I found out I had to have shoulder surgery. My ass is getting fat over here recovering, and I doubt the Doc is letting me back on my bike for another 7-8 months....grrr

Anyway, I had an older Cannondale which was ok but mountain biking with my buddies it just didnt cut it. Technology has come a long way. Disc brakes is huge flying down a steep mountain and your tires/rims are wet I found out the hard way with my old Cannondale... lol I picked up a brand new prior years model Trek X Caliber 7 29er for like $700 at a local bike shop. I road it for 1 week, then replaced a bunch of parts. Got rid of the front sprockets and went with a single 32 tooth RaceFace chainring up front and a Shimano XTR 11 speed cassette in the rear and XTR shifter/rear derailer to make a 1x11. Swapped the tires out for some Continental Trail Kings 2.2cc which are the best tires Ive ever owned. Night and day difference on the trails when climbing, especially when you have a little mud involved. Put some Race Face lock on grips on and thought I was done. I fought the clip ins for a LONG time going with straight pedals with spikes....My shins loved them...haha. I finally made the switch to Shimano XTR Trail SPD clip in pedals and Shimano shoes and havent looked back. Its amazing how much more power you have climbing and can climb in a lower gear with clip ins.

I dont wear all the spandex shit and was against wearing anything other than shorts and a t shirt from the get go. Once you start riding for any extended period or frequency you find out right away shorts and a t shirt WILL NOT cut it. Unless you have a vagina between your legs and a numb ass made of steel...... Padded bike shorts are a 100% must, a) to keep your package tight and not hanging between your legs and b) to save your ass from extreme pain, unless thats your thing......

I wear padded bike shorts under a pair of quick dry EMS, Orvis, Kuhl, etc. shorts and a quick dry shirt with a small Camelback Crux 1.5L with a spare tube, Fix It sticks kit and a hand pump.. Youll wish you had those things when your 10 miles back in the woods and blow a tire and have to walk that thing out.
 
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