Urban rig

Anyone have any suggestions for a decent urban-type bike (bashguard, preferably disks, hardtail or rigid) at a reasonable price? Around $500 would be ideal, but that might be dreaming for a new one.

Just noticing that in the 2 weeks since I started to play around with this kind of stuff - and, I mean, the stuff I'm doing now is nothing at all really - my beater bike (12+ year old Trek 820 rigid) is starting to age quickly. The rear brakes don't hold very well, the chainring made contact with concrete when I hopped my front wheel up on something that was about 16" or so, I have to tighten down the head tube before every ride, the pedals are plastic and have no traction, the crank arms might be plastic too (is this possible - sure look like, but I haven't really investigated) and I was looking yesterday at the attachment between the rear triangle and the seat post, and it's pretty, how you say, girly.

Guessing that between new brakes (which will never equal discs), pedals, head set, bashring, this would probably put me up in the $150+ range and I'm not sure it's worth it. Bike still has to be versatile enough for me to ride it around campus, but I could probably go with a single ring up front.

Any of this sound reasonable? e-bay?

mtbr.com and dirtworld.com both have a lot of high end stuff, but also some of what you are looking for.

any of Specialized's P series bikes would fit the bill, they start around $550 and go up from there. but a sleeper is the Specialized Hardrock comp at $510 msrp. for a beater/commuter/play bike it's a deal. i would link to Specialized's site, but the links never work with their cookie set up. the bikes are easy enough to find on there.

a lot of other decently large manufacturer's are offering pre-packaged urban/dj bikes these days. Marin has a few, Cannondale has one or two and Kona has maybe three or four. i think they are all definitely under a grand.

You could go with the P1 single speed, and upgrade the fork when you can. Thats what I'm thinking of picking up.

pinkbike buy and sell

This is always a good place to start. There are a bunch of P3 and p2 frames and full bikes. Make sure there are no cracks under the BB shell though. Ask for pics. I would not buy anything with any dents whatsoever if you are going to be doing urban. Some kid might say "it is a tiny dent, it doesn't affect it at all" whatever, don't buy it.

Other options:
Kona scrap or stuff, norco 125, 250, 4hun, sasquatch etc.

Good luck

the p bikes rock!

Here's my suggestion. Go to the Soul Cycles web site (www.ridesoul.com). Fill out an application for level 2 sponsorship. No racing or competitive background is required.

Soul currently offers the Titan hardtail, and will soon have an MX frame. Either of these frames would make a good urban beater. Plus, with a sponsorship you get any frame for way below retail, and you get killer prices on parts and components when you buy a frame from them. Currently the Titan frame is $195 shipped, so you can only imagine how inexpensive it is with the "sponsorship". I'm seriously considering a Titan for myself just cause the price is too good to pass up.

Incidentally, they've got an FS freeride frame coming out later this year or next season that's pushing the $700 pricepoint, retail.

Quote:

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Originally posted by bagtagley
Here's my suggestion. Go to the Soul Cycles web site (www.ridesoul.com). Fill out an application for level 2 sponsorship. No racing or competitive background is required.

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Damn, you must be under 118.... count me out

Quote:

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Originally posted by crashnburn'd
Damn, you must be under 118.... count me out

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que?

Edit: hmm, interesting. Man, you're old.

For a new bike, spending $500 dollars is pretty much throwing your money away. Definately dig a little deeper and you will get a good bike and it won't brake the first day out. Bagtag has a good idea. I was looking at Soul Cycles on ebay back in March when I decided I needed a new, good rig. Well I can say that I now have the level 2 sponsorship, but haven't put it to use yet. But I can say they got gear for dirt cheap and are a sweet company do be associated with. They sent me a free allen tool just for sending them my street address. If you like urban go for the P series Specialized for the price it is the only thing close for the money you want to spend. I almost got one of those 2 years ago when I raced for school, we were sponsored by Specialized, it was pimp. Well good luck there is a ton of sweet rigs out there. Just not too many are affordable.

fond, what is the price for the frame with the level 2 setup? I'm thinking of picking one up.