Can you please post some websites I can go to? Also, here is where I am going to purchas the bike: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2141953&cp=2367824.713103.1892903 . Can you please choose which one you would purchase? Thanks!
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I think you are looking for an all terrain bike, or ATB rather than a mountain bike. Let me explain…
A mountain bike or MTB is made for use ONLY on trails and off roads. In fact, mountain bikers usually take their bikes on their car to trails to ride, never to see the road. The minimum price for a REAL mountain bike is around $800.00.
An ATB is intended for occasional on road and off road on smoother trails like fire roads or stuff like that rather than “picking” through a boulder field. They are priced anywhere from $250 on up.
All this being said, you must keep in mind that the Dick’s website is NOT run by Dick’s and the bikes you see online are not necessarily what you will see in the stores. I recommend you GO to one of their stores and choose a Diamondback Response or Diamondback Sorrento. They are both solid bikes for the money and better equipped than some other brands (like Trek) for the same money.
Generally, when looking for an ATB in this price range, look for the following: NO disc brakes, Shimano Acera (or better) derailleurs, SRAM or RockShox front shocks (no rear shocks- too heavy and poorly made at this price), GripShift or Shimano trigger shifters.
**EDIT**
When I stated NO disc brakes, I didn’t mean to imply that the brand is NO, but that you should not get a bike with discs at this price range.
Trek is a great bike and is made in all levels road,hybrids downhill,& mtn. But you should go to a bike shop, not DICKs or walmart. they can Help you pick out the bike thats right for you(style,size,and Price!) they also can tell you some local riding spots for mtn biking…. fyi there is a huge differance between trail riding, singletrack,& downhill, all are associated W/ mtn-biking…
For under $300 think used.
Best value for your money at that level.
A $300 bike would last two rides the way we ride. No offense intended but a dose of reality.
It all depends on what what kind of riding you want to do and how long you want your bike to last. I would suggest not going to Dick’s to buy your bike. They have a very poor selection of marginally acceptable bikes, and I have yet to see somebody at Dick’s very knowledgable about bikes. Also, do not buy a bike online. You have no idea what you are getting and you will likely have to assemble part of the bike. Unless you know what you are doing, leave that to a professional. My suggestion: go to a local bike shop where they can figure out what type of bike you want, and then will put you in a good bike.
EDIT: I checked all the bikes listed on your website and I would hightly suggest not to get any of those. They do not come in any different sizes, and unless you are between 5′11″ and 6′1″, these bikes WILL NOT fit you correctly. Even if you are that height, you are very limited in your selection. If you get a full suspension bike for under 300 dollars, you are not getting a good bike.
If money is an issue and you only can afford 300 dollars, in a short time, (months or even weeks), several things will go wrong with your bike and you will be spending more money just to fix the problems. You can get an entry-level name brand bike (Trek, Speciallized, Cannondale, Giant, etc.) at a local bike shop for around 300 dollars and you will be much happier with the purchase.