Im sort of new to mountainbiking, and Ive been going on trailrides with some of my friends recently. Ive been riding a Specialized bike of my parents. Its held up pretty well, but my parents dont want me breaking it. Im pretty sure it will break if I keep doing the same stuff with itThe trails here have a lot of little jumps and downhill sections. Theres also a lot of uphill sections/cliimbing My jeep isnt done yet, so my money is pretty tight, so what would you guys do if you were in my place? Name/brand do not matter, and used stuff is fine with me. I just want a solid cheap bike, and Im pretty good with tools and small fabrication. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks
Phineas

check www.mtbr.com classified section. they have tons of stuff for sale. What kind of $$ are you looking to spend? You can get something decent for $500 +.
Like whelin, mountainbiking is not a cheap hobby.;)

there is a shop on line that is willing to make deals with you. I just had them add disk brakes and rims to my bike for a $100.00 and i am still paying what the bike costs if I was to buy it her plus $50 shipping.

http://thebackcountry.net/main.html

just an idea Call and talk directly to mike the owner he is the one to who makes the deals. I have his cell if you cant get him.


Good luck CHUCK

It looks like you live in a college town, the first place to look is the pawn shops . Alot of kids pawn their bikes when their stundent loan money runs out. I found a Trek 8900 at a pawn shop for $175. Another option is to ask your local shops if they have any "left over" bikes , Alot of times you pick up a new bike thats 2-3 years old for a very good price.

If you have the time, I'd build it, I just finished a Specialized Enduro Expert HT, all I can say is SWEEt, the bike retails for $1800 but with running all XT, avid's instead of Hydro brakes, and buying a few items used I built the entire bike for under $1000
but I've done it a little at a time and watched for deals, and bought everything online.

Good luck and happy riding

IF you can find a shop that sells used bikes all tuned up, that's your best bet.