I am planning to buy this bike for my bf for Christmas...just as a beginner mountain bike...I have a friend who is an avid mountain biker (she has done the Death Ride) and she has a bike she is going to sell me, but my BF does not have one so I am going to get the Jeep Cherokee Classic Full Suspension Bike with the aluminum frame, long travel suspension fork, and so on and so forth.

INFO HERE (http://www.mountain-bikes-now.com/2004_cherokee_classic.htm)

Any suggestions? Comments?

Thanks..

The Jeep bikes are not too slick in my experience, just a trumped up version of the same junker you see at Wal Mart. That bike will have a ton of pedal induced suspension bob (bounce), and the front shock is basically a pogo stick on the front (no dampening) I believe that they are pretty darn heavy too. It might be fun to tool around the neighborhood on, but would be miserable to ride on the trail.

Since you are willing to spend more than a couple hundred dollars for a beginner bike, I'd suggest hitting up your local bike shop. Not a big box store, but a real-deal bike shop.

For about the same price as that bike you just showed, you can get a much nicer bike. Better construction, components, and a better feeling ride. I would think that you may be able to find a 2004 model closeout and get even more bike for your money. Trek, Specialized, Kona, all make good bikes. You really should take your boyfriend with you to get this bike. Maybe an IOU in his gift from you. Get help from the pro's at the bike shop in selecting a bike that fits his body shape (height, weight, etc) and what he thinks his riding style may be. Having a bike that fits properly is key to having a good time riding it. Another bonus to buying a bike at a shop, is that you should get free tune-ups on it for a long time.

Cycling is fun, and having equipment that fits properly makes it even more fun. Don't forget your most important piece of equipment - a properly fitting helmet for each of you guys!

I am planning to buy this bike for my bf for Christmas...just as a beginner mountain bike...I have a friend who is an avid mountain biker (she has done the Death Ride) and she has a bike she is going to sell me, but my BF does not have one so I am going to get the Jeep Cherokee Classic Full Suspension Bike with the aluminum frame, long travel suspension fork, and so on and so forth.

INFO HERE (http://www.mountain-bikes-now.com/2004_cherokee_classic.htm)

Any suggestions? Comments?

Thanks..
Your friend must be pretty hardcore if she's done the Death Ride on a mountain bike! Go to mtbr.com and look at the bikes there. They'll have every brand you can think of plus thier classifieds are great. my .02

What Gummi Bear said. I dont think its worth the money. Go to a local bike shop and talk to them. They should be able to help you out. And you will get way more bike for the money. Your BF is a luckey guy!

for that price point, stick to the national brands and you'll get more for your dolalr. Jeep has nothing to do with that bike but for some dough from the lic. agreement. POS!