Best sub $400 mountain bike?

[Kipper is King]

I'm a student on a budget, and I need a bike that I would mostly ride around town on pavement, but I would like to be able to do some easy riding around Fish Creek Park and C.O.P. as well.

As tempted as I am by the Trek 3500 Disk ($480 at Cyclepath) http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes...ies/3500_disc/, it is a bit out of my price range.

This deal at Canadian Tire caught my eye,
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/cc...l#.U2rwe_ldUpg
but I'm worried about an 18inch frame being too short for me. I am 6'4".

Any opinions or any other suggestions? I know very little about bikes.

[flylock shox]

At that price range I'd aim for something without front suspension. Ups the overall quality of the bike, and doesn't sound like you'll be doing anything that really needs it.

[Southside]

The Trek is a nice ride, I bought one last year. At your height, you want the 21" frame. 18 is too small. If you can fit it into your budget, get the Trek.

[Timbo]

Sport Chek has a sale on now.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

We're getting on of these for my son for about $50 less than the Trek at B&P
http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/...torm/storm-63/

For my wife and I, we just went to costco. $200 for something like your ccm. The hardest riding I'll ever do is up a curb and don't care about brands so cheaped out on ours. If you are going to go cheap, consider that too.

[Temporary_User]

What do you ultimately want this bike for? You've sort of listed 3 different things that I would suggest 3 different bikes for.
1) Riding on pavement
2) Riding around Fish Creek Park
3) Riding C.O.P.

[Redliner]

Don't buy a bike from Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire if you can avoid it. Bikes from big-box stores are made with crappy components and put together by teenage kids working for minimum wage who have a marginal understanding of what they are doing. If you intend to actually ride the bike, you'll probably have trouble with something like the CCM.

You will get more for your money buying from a local bike store, although you might have a tough time getting under the $400 mark. It's not impossible though - try looking for last-years models on clearance. The Bike Shop has the 2013 Specialized Hardrock for $399 right now - they're out of your size but there may be other deals like that out there. If the Trek 3500 is too expensive but you like the brand, look at the Trek 820. Should be right in the $400 range. You'll probably be giving up the disc brakes, but for the riding you're planning on doing V-brakes should be fine. The nice thing about buying from an LBS is they'll usually include some kind of service package with the bike. Calgary Cycle & Pure Cycle include lifetime free tune-ups. No limit - as many as you need, for as long as you own the bike. Try getting that from Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire.

If the LBS route isn't going to work, even Sport Chek has some decent bikes these days. They sell GT and Jamis now and I think they had a decent GT for right around 400 bucks as well. Good luck!

[Northendzone]

As mentioned above stay away from a bike with a suspension fork, you 'll get a better overall bike.

If you buy a $400 bike, taking it to COP will likely not be enjoyable for you.....I am sure you can rent a bike there that is more suited for the terrain.......

A $400 bike is meant for easy cruising not heavy duty bruising......

Forgot to mention that you may want to have a look at the classifieds at pinkbike.com. You may get more bang for your buck by going with previously enjoyed......

[Dion]

Buy from a bike shop if you can. They will make sure the bike is put together properly and will give you the best advice based on your riding needs.

[calgarywinning]

Also, consider a used a used bike. Best time to buy, in the fall. Although, you can still get great value if your patient.

I think your height may require a purchase, however, buying anything from the big box stores is short term gain for long term pain!

[Canehdianman]

I too would be interested in a sub/mountain bike.

[DFO]

I'd also suggest checking pinkbike classifieds - might be able to find a decent bike there instead of a $400 POS from C Tire or Sport Chek.

[CRXguy]

Also in the market for a new bike for both my wife and I. She's using her spending account at work but we'd like to keep it under $600 each still. Mostly pathway riding since our kids won't be trail riding anytime soon.

I was at Cycle Path yesterday and was also looking at the Trek 3500 disk and Giant Rove 2 for my wife.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/...2/17635/73465/

When buying, is there room to negotiate or do we pay what it's listed at? The Trek was $489 I think and the Giant was $649. Is there one shop that's good for service over the others? Service prices seem to be the same comparing across the shops in Calgary.

Thanks.

[Temporary_User]

If you are sticking with riding on pavement the majority of the time there is no need for any kind of shock system. It will slow you down. It is one more thing that requires maintenance and knowledge.
2nd to that is disc brakes. I have no idea why these cheaper bikes are now including disk brakes. They are great and stop quick, but it's a newer more expensive technology, and they are harder to maintain/replace when the time comes.

[polak]

I'll echo what everyone else said and agree that for $400 you're not going to be getting much of a bike for COP or any "off the beaten path" riding. If you plan on sticking to marked trails and pavement $400 will do fine though. Doubt there is much of a difference in bikes around that price range though, just get the type of bike that fits what you want to do most. Cruising pavement and city streets or light trail riding.

$400 isn't much for a bike.

[bossy22]

http://www.bowcycleclassifieds.com/custom-made/

I've always had a fondness for the Humu
http://www.bowcycleclassifieds.com/k...kunuku-apua-a/

[Tron_fdc]

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/

I've had great success on there.

[Bill Bumface]

The best $400 mountain bike is absolutely a used bike.

Anything you get new for that price will either frustrate you and discourage you from riding or break.

[Johnny199r]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

The best $400 mountain bike is absolutely a used bike.

Anything you get new for that price will either frustrate you and discourage you from riding or break.

This^

For a decent mountain bike (hardtail) you're looking at the $600 range.

[pylon]

I am helping a guy I work with select a bike right now. The magic number seems to be around $900 for a front susp hard tail, to get into the durable 5+ years of enjoyment range. I know it seems like a bike is a bike. But you will actually save yourself money in the long run if you buy a 9-1100 bike, and get 5+ solid years of use, over something that is half the price, that you'll end up replacing in a year.

I am not a huge mountain guy, but my 2008 trek 6000 has been ultra durable and reliable. I paid 950 for it, and added about 400 worth of unnecessary upgrades over the years. With or without them, the bike still has at least 10 years left in it. All I have replaced is a chain, and a rim that got bent out of sheer stupidity on my part.