ATOT Mountain bikers, need advice

[mafia]

Here is what's up. I ride at least 14 miles per week on a forest trail. I do it for exercise and for the fact that it's pretty cool to escape the tarmac jungle where most of us live in. Anyways, I've been riding a Mongoose that I bought about 6 years ago, and it's now falling apart. The gears aren't changing well, the seat keeps falling, the frame makes loud noises when under pressure (example going up steep hill) and the overall ride quality is horrible, especially when on these long trips. I bought it when I was in High School and payed like $400 at the time thinking it was a good bike. I never really used it much, and never used it for long trips until I started riding the trails recently. I feel this bike is not suited for 20+ mile trips. I would like suggestions on good quality mountain bikes that would work well for long trips on rough terrain. Also, preferably ones manufactured in USA/Canada or some European country, because if I'm going to be spending of money on a bike, it better not be Chinese made (like my Mongoose).

 

[_Rick_]

What's your budget and intended mileage per year?

 

[FleshLight]

You will have to spend at least $1k on the frame alone if you want a made in the USA frame. All of the major component manufacturers are also made in Taiwan/China so you'll have to fork out at least another $1k for a boutique group. As for the wheels, Chris King hubs and Enve rims are made in the USA and you can figure at least $2k for them. All in all, you are looking at a $4k+ bike at minimum.

If you weren't serious about "made in usa", I would recommend this:
http://www.jensonusa.com/Cross-Country-Mountain-Bikes/Focus-Black-Forest-29-20-Bike-2011

 

[Meghan54]

First, realize the largest bike maker in the world, Giant, manufacturers almost exclusively in China, including their TdF team frames. So, while China is mostly universally derided because of quality, it is possible to buy Chinese made products and obtain a quality product. (You own a computer, don't you?)

Second, you will be faced with much more cost associated with American made frames, a la Trek, Specialized, Litespeed, Klein, etc.

Third, you're going to be way better off locating a reputable bike shop near you to see what's available locally vs. trying to get something shipped from anywhere. And potentially, you'll get "better" service from your LBS going this route.

Decide what type of riding you want to do, decide on a budget, then go looking. Lots of boutique frames, but will the boutique group be there 5 years down the road for warranty service? Heck, even the big brands are slowly disappearing or getting absorbed into conglomerates.....Schwinn and Cannondale being two most notable.
(And even then, there are the dept. store bikes you see everywhere--Schwinn, Mongoose for two examples---that are cheap, and then bike store versions of the same names. Ever watch X Games? Mongoose bmx frames here and there, and I assure you they didn't buy them from Wal-Mart.)

And you don't have to spend $1k on a frame only to get US made. A fallacy some like to trumpet. And unless you want to spend more than necessary, don't try to piece a bike together, you'll lose financially in the end. You may get a component or two of your liking, but you cannot compete with Trek, Specialized, or any other major manufacturer with price for gruppos vs. doing it yourself.
Good luck.

 

[thedarkwolf]

http://www.airbornebicycles.com/
Those guys have some of the better deals out there and yes their frames are made in China just like nearly everybody else. They range from $600 to $$$$$.

http://www.jensonusa.com/
They have a bunch of last year model bikes ATM and some of those are pretty good deals.

Without a price range or telling us if you want a hard tail or full suspension it is kind of hard to recommend much. If you do want a full suspension bike you are going to be more in the $$$$ range to get anything decent. Entry level full suspension bikes tend to suck.

 

[brainhulk]

Here's the made in usa list
http://oldglorymtb.com/mountain-bikes-made-in-america/

Here's what I would buy from that list
Turner 5 spot
Ellsworth epiphany
Intense carbine
Ventana

 

[Dirigible]

Without a price range or telling us if you want a hard tail or full suspension it is kind of hard to recommend much. If you do want a full suspension bike you are going to be more in the $$$$ range to get anything decent. Entry level full suspension bikes tend to suck.

Exactly. What bike type do you want? There are lots of USA hardtail frame builders. Far fewer full suspension.

If you want a full suspension bike made in the USA, consider a used Turner or Ventana. A used Turner is a high quality bike and you can get a 2008 or older for far cheaper than new, since that was before their current DW link frames. Full bike with decent components sometimes go for under $1500. Still pricy but much less so.

Hardtail will be cheaper. Made outside the USA will be cheaper. Lots of bikes made outside the USA are quality.

 

[JulesMaximus]

First, realize the largest bike maker in the world, Giant, manufacturers almost exclusively in China, including their TdF team frames. So, while China is mostly universally derided because of quality, it is possible to buy Chinese made products and obtain a quality product. (You own a computer, don't you?)

Second, you will be faced with much more cost associated with American made frames, a la Trek, Specialized, Litespeed, Klein, etc.

Third, you're going to be way better off locating a reputable bike shop near you to see what's available locally vs. trying to get something shipped from anywhere. And potentially, you'll get "better" service from your LBS going this route.

Decide what type of riding you want to do, decide on a budget, then go looking. Lots of boutique frames, but will the boutique group be there 5 years down the road for warranty service? Heck, even the big brands are slowly disappearing or getting absorbed into conglomerates.....Schwinn and Cannondale being two most notable.
(And even then, there are the dept. store bikes you see everywhere--Schwinn, Mongoose for two examples---that are cheap, and then bike store versions of the same names. Ever watch X Games? Mongoose bmx frames here and there, and I assure you they didn't buy them from Wal-Mart.)

And you don't have to spend $1k on a frame only to get US made. A fallacy some like to trumpet. And unless you want to spend more than necessary, don't try to piece a bike together, you'll lose financially in the end. You may get a component or two of your liking, but you cannot compete with Trek, Specialized, or any other major manufacturer with price for gruppos vs. doing it yourself.
Good luck.

With the exception of Litespeed, none of those brands are made in the USA.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

My last two Treks have been made in China. Although I don't particularly like that I've had no quality issues. The bike tends to be up to the task much more than I have been. When I get back in tip top shape and busting out super long mileage at high speeds I'll probably look for something more high end. For a guy looking to ride 14 miles a week no way I'd fork over big money for a bike.

 

[PricklyPete]

My Gary Fischer (now owned by Trek) was made in the USA. It is about 3 years old now. I believe some Trek bikes are made in the USA. I'm specifically referring to the frame, the components are mostly made in Asia.

 

[aleckz]

If you have a budget of $1500 or so I would look into the Specialized Rockhopper (there are 3 versions): http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopperpro29

Or the Cannondale Trail SL2: http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/mountain/hardtail/trail-sl/trail-sl-2

Both bikes are around the same specs, great for riding single track.

 

[alkemyst]

If you have a budget of $1500 or so I would look into the Specialized Rockhopper (there are 3 versions): http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopperpro29

Or the Cannondale Trail SL2: http://www.cannondale.com/2013/bikes/mountain/hardtail/trail-sl/trail-sl-2

Both bikes are around the same specs, great for riding single track.

Or buy one a year old at the model swap and pay $750 for that bike. If you need too, put antoher $750 in upgrades + the parts resell value into it.

Profit.

 

[RossMAN]

Have you checked Craigslist? Make sure it's not stolen.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3979699672.html

 

[UglyCasanova]

I would ask this question here.

 

[natto fire]

Second the Craigslist suggestion. Last bike I had I got off Craigslist. Was an '06 Ellsworth Epiphany, and hands down the best bike I have ever ridden. Had to sell it when I moved back here and that bike was overkill for Ohio anyways.

Gonna have to post your budget, but agree also agree that bike shops, or even coops if you have them are good places to get ideas. The bike shop I went to in Santa Fe was very helpful for me, even though I bought the bike off of Craigslist.

 

[Ksyder]

Also, preferably ones manufactured in USA/Canada or some European country, because if I'm going to be spending of money on a bike, it better not be Chinese made (like my Mongoose).

The fact that it is chinese made isn't the problem, the fact that it is a $400 Mongoose bike is.

I have one of the last mountain bikes from Cannondale that was made in the US. Thats only the frame. The rest of the bike is normal chinese components like everything else.

I'll also add the stereotypical bikesdirect.com recommendation if you want the most bike for the money. The mtb bikes are pretty well spec'd for the price point there.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

You guys im in the market for new road bike, not a mountain bike. Could you please post some good road bike suggestions in the 2000-3000 range

 

[mafia]

What's your budget and intended mileage per year?

I'll say 1k or under for a used bike. Mileage, not really sure. A lot I guess lol

Here's the made in usa list
http://oldglorymtb.com/mountain-bikes-made-in-america/

Here's what I would buy from that list
Turner 5 spot
Ellsworth epiphany
Intense carbine
Ventana

Wow, those are some nice bikes. Unfortunately, too expensive for me. Though I wouldn't mind snatching a used one if I got a good deal. I just don't want to end up buying a stolen one.

Exactly. What bike type do you want? There are lots of USA hardtail frame builders. Far fewer full suspension.

If you want a full suspension bike made in the USA, consider a used Turner or Ventana. A used Turner is a high quality bike and you can get a 2008 or older for far cheaper than new, since that was before their current DW link frames. Full bike with decent components sometimes go for under $1500. Still pricy but much less so.

Hardtail will be cheaper. Made outside the USA will be cheaper. Lots of bikes made outside the USA are quality.

The thing is, If I'm going to spending a pretty penny on a bike, I wouldn't feel satisfied with my purchase if it was made in China. I don't see a justification to paying more than 1k for a Chinese made bike even if they are good quality. Maybe it's just me.

Second the Craigslist suggestion. Last bike I had I got off Craigslist. Was an '06 Ellsworth Epiphany, and hands down the best bike I have ever ridden. Had to sell it when I moved back here and that bike was overkill for Ohio anyways.

Gonna have to post your budget, but agree also agree that bike shops, or even coops if you have them are good places to get ideas. The bike shop I went to in Santa Fe was very helpful for me, even though I bought the bike off of Craigslist.

I'll think I will visit the local bike shop and see what they have. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 

[mafia]

http://www.jensonusa.com/
They have a bunch of last year model bikes ATM and some of those are pretty good deals.

Without a price range or telling us if you want a hard tail or full suspension it is kind of hard to recommend much. If you do want a full suspension bike you are going to be more in the $$$$ range to get anything decent. Entry level full suspension bikes tend to suck.

Are the Jenson bikes frame's made in the USA? I would obviously prefer a full suspension, but if I can't afford that then I will be okay with a hard tail. Aluminum construction would be preferred over steel. Also, do suspension bikes require more maintenance?

 

[Dirigible]

Are the Jenson bikes frame's made in the USA? I would obviously prefer a full suspension, but if I can't afford that then I will be okay with a hard tail. Aluminum construction would be preferred over steel. Also, do suspension bikes require more maintenance?

You are severely limiting your options with a fairly low budget and your made in USA requirement. If you want to stay $1k or less, I strongly suggest a non-USA bike frame. There are lots of good ones. And i say that as someone who owns two mtn bikes, both frames made in the usa.

 

[Dirigible]

Oh, to answer your question: full suspension frames do require more maintenance. There are frame pivots and the rear shock. Pivots usually have ball bearings, which need periodic cleaning and replacing. It shouldn't be needed often. The rear shocks these days rarely need maintenance, but they do need some.

Turners have bushings with zerk fittings for the frame pivots. You need to add grease regularly, but they need replacement much less frequently than most bearings in other frames.

 

[GasX]

Want a made in America bike? Not going to happen. You could come close, but break out your wallet and expect it to be a whole lot lighter...

Road Bike Discussion: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/general-cycling-discussion/made-america-possible-270419.html

Mountain Bike Discussion: http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=99599&p=673381#p673381

 

[Homerboy]

want built in the USA? I have one of these

http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/...hwinn&model=Homegrown+USA+Racing#.UgGx5G2o6wJ