Questions from a bike JONG....

[random]

I’m thinking of getting into mtn biking… and I’m a total JONG when it comes to bikes. Obviously, no one can really tell me what bike to get without having ever met me… but what should I be looking for? I’m thinking I’m more into XC than downhill, but only because last time I went downhill I crashed big, and have since been a little sketched out. So that’s something I’d like to work on. The idea of getting a women’s bike sketches me out too, only because women’s skis usually suck (for me anyway, but I’m 5’10/145lbs, so that could play into things…). Anyway, my point is, as I start my hunt for something to ride, what should I be looking for?

[Telenater]

Rather than being annoying, I'll try to put together a coherent response that might actually be useful.

I think in questions...

1. What kind of riding do you want to do? (you've already answered some of that. XC more than Freeride/DH). Also, consider how much you're going to cross over into other types of riding (do you need a heavier duty XC bike for occasional abusive riding).

2. How much money are you willing to spend? This will set some definite limits on what bike you end up on. Consider buying used bikes to get more bang for your buck.

3. Does the bike fit me physically? Important question, and can override most of the others. I'd not be a good match for an ultralight frame with the kind of riding that I do and my physical size. But, I do well on a slightly burly XC frame and heavy duty components.

4. What upgrade possibilities do I want? Do you want to buy a better frame and upgrade components? Or, do you want to buy a cheaper frame with better components? These result in very different upgrade possiblities.

[altagirl]

Check out the women's forum at MTBR.com. Lots of discussion of womens bikes. To boil it down for you, if you're short/light with small hands, narrow shoulders, etc, you may be better off with a womens-specific bike. They come with thinner narrower handlebars that accomodate narrower grips for smaller hands, shorter cranks, etc. If you're over about 5'5" there's probably no reason to go with a women's model. Women's specific bikes don't suck, but they're virtually all light XC oriented and made for small riders. If you don't want something in that category - get a regular unisex bike.

And beyond that, without knowing your budget it's hard to know what to recommend. How much riding have you done in the past? (Enough to know what you want out of a bike?) Do you like technical XC and want to have fun on the descents or are you more concerned with climbing easily?

edit: just so you know, you can add the women's bars/short cranks, etc onto any bike that fits you, but if you're buying a complete bike it might make sense to get it in one package, plus the women's specific parts or an XS frame may be difficult to find otherwise.

Personally I'm 5'8" and have always just used regular unisex bikes.

[fondigley]

I would recomend a bike with around 4 or 5 inches of front and rear suspension travel. That is about all I can recomend without, knowing your budget, experience/goals, and style you might like. But my recomendation is for an all around mountain bike. Good for cross country riding and light downhilling, just a good all around bike. When you get addicted like most of us, you may get a bike for each specialized style. But till then go for an all mountain bike.

[random]

Awesome! Thanks for the advice, and for taking me seriously! Today is my first day off in awhile, so I’m gonna hit the town and ask annoying questions to sales people.

[random]

After going around and asking what I’m sure are lame questions to the unfortunate sales people at the local shops, I’ve been recommended either the Brodie Fury or Norco Sasquatch . I’ve found several reviews of the Sasquatch, but I’m having a little more trouble finding some beta on the Fury. Does anyone know anything about it?

[crashnburn'd]

The Norco is more of a freeride oriented bike. I have no idea about the Brodie, but looking at the components, it looks like more of an XC bike.

Overall, you're going to get better components on the Brodie. Weight wise, it looks like the Brodie will be lighter, the DJ forks are heavy. I have heard mixed reviews about the EXR forks though.