Who knows about Mountain Bikes?? And Mountain Biking!?
463998
For $200, this pretty much limits you to a used bike.  Find a club, a shop, or other place that might have some classified ads.\n\nYou probably want a hardtail.  Decent rear suspension is expensive and is only needed for fairly extreme downhills.\n\nLook for a bike with v-brakes and aluminum rims.  The most important feature is a frame that fits.\n\nYou can start off wearing sneakers and gym shorts but you'll probably want to get some bike shorts.  Always wear a helmet.  Trees and rocks are hard.
448304
There are a number of great women's specific mountain bikes out there. Trek's WSD Series (Women's Specific Design) and the Santa Cruz Juliana are 2 top brands that come to mind.
232523
Gary Fisher mountain bikes or Trek mountain bikes would I say. Just have a look at some options from these two brands.
708894
Try looking into a Trek Madone.  I have a friend who bought his Madone 5.2 a couple months ago and he loves it.\n\nI just bought my Fuji Roubaix Pro a month ago and love it.\n\nMy girlfriend bought her Specialized Dolce Comp two weeks ago and she loves it.\n\nOther than that, check out the Trek, Fuji, Cannondale, Lightspeed websites.  Be sure that you get minimum components of Shimano 105s (or even better, the Shimano Ultegras)\n\nCheck http://www.performancebike.com/\n\nThey're trying to unload their 2006 inventory and selling them all at a really good price.\n\nHappy hunting!
701221
Well, you can try \nwww.mtbr.com\nforums.mtbr.com\n\nMountain bike review has a lot of info on different stuff, and the forum section is nice and (most) people are helpfull.
1020136
That bike is not bad, and it is good that you are deciding against disc brakes...\n\nAnyway, I prefer Specialized.
1111577
Racer bikes or road bikes---choose TREK, LITESPEED,Colnago or Giant.In mountain bikes----get ROCKY MOUNTAIN, Titus, Santa Cruz or Ellsworth. Select if you intend for cross-country, freeriding, trail-riding, or downhill slamming---the bikes have their specific features that cater to the rider's prowess.
26881
First off, I know that I’m going to get tarred and feathered for this and no, I don’t care about getting ten points for the best answer, so don’t feel bad about hating me.\n\nThe answer is this:  Farm and Fleet, Shopko, Walmart, Kmart, heck, anywhere.  \n\nYou don’t need a great bike, or a great pair of cycling sunglasses, or skin-tight, silky shorts (you especially don’t need the shorts!)  Mountain Biking is about attitude (go ahead and correct me if I’m wrong.).  You go out there to cliff hang and skid sideways down 45-degree hills, not to glide on a shiny chrome cloud wearing spandex. You ride rugged, you dress rugged, and you beat up your bike (I call this “breaking it in”)  You’re smart for looking for discounted bikes, I wouldn’t pay $500 for something I don’t want, need, or will be replacing in two years.  Besides, you’re only as good as your equipment is bad.
555142
The Schwinn hardtail mountain bike from Wal-Mart is very inexpensive, has good quality shifting, good components, and is one of the few very inexpensive bikes that I could possibly praise in this way.  It does have front suspension that is suitable for mild trails and a cushy ride in the city.  This represens a well done $139 product.    \n\nHowever, a trip to the bike shop might be more educational and much more fun.  There's something special about a real bike-store-bike.  ;)  \n\nLast time, I bought an all-alloy 7 speed crusier, and it turned out to be a tad faster than my road bike.  I was so very surprised!    \n\nRevo-shift/grip shift isn't bad, and it is nicer than the SIS lever shift.\n\nIf you're looking in the "inexpensive" market, DO read the brand name from the rear derailer to make sure that it says "Shimano" or "SRAM" and never "Falcon".  That will save you a lot of money despite the tiny additional price.
291496
...get the Specialized... just my opinion from an old cyclist. ...and remember!  Old cyclists never die, they just lose their bearings!
1163831
There is an incredible number of boutique brands out there, and they make some incredible stuff. Moots, Seven, Ellsworth, Turner, Calfee, DeRosa, etc. There are also brands that are high-quality, but not quite boutique...your Look, Colnago, Ibis, Indy Fab. Then you get into upper-tier brands that make quality stuff, but pop 'em out by the zillions (Trek and its subsidiaries, Specialized, etc.) Finally, you get to the Fuji, Raleigh, GT, Mongoose and other stuff you find at Performance Bike. There's stuff below that, too. \n\nI've found the happy medium with Lemond for road bikes, and Gary Fisher for mountain bikes. They're owned by Trek and the models I ride are made in the U.S. Lots of bike for the buck.
486262
Daniel H has set out the case brilliantly for the true revival in bikes for people (instead of the recent trend in making us humans conform to the high techery in the bikes).\n\nBut bikes are back because of the rising oil prices, combined at last, with the realisation that we can't keep putting all that carbon monoxide into the air just to go to the paper shop. \n\nBikes are back because people are learning they offer the all-round best exercise workout, they're fun, they're companionable and they let you see bits of the World you miss by car (and even on foot).\n\nBikes are back because the quality and sheer variety of modern bikes is extraordinary. They need hardly any maintenance, they don't rust anymore, they're not messy and they're easy to live with.\n\nLike Daniel I am really pleased to see the re-emergence of gear hubs - the new geration models are fantastic (my wife has a city bike fitted with a Shimano Nexus - its excellent).\n\nBUT - you asked is the sport of cycling dying. In short No. Sadly though, the old days of club racing seem to be over at the Sunday amateur level. Its all about big events and corporate sponsorship. Nevertheless, we're seeing new velodromes being built (that means big investment) and massive sponsorship in the big road racing teams. In Europe cycling is a passion second only to football (quite right too, I may be cycling mad, but football is close to God). \n\nCycle sport is not dying ... its changing.
71662
There's a Widow Maker Mountain Bike Hill Climb, Saturday, August 26, 2006, 10:00AM, at Snowbird -- \ninfo available at http://www.sports-am.com/events/index577.htm\n\n(I found it via a Google search)
572101
I have not ridden that trip, but I do think it may be worth your while to check into Adventure Cycling.  What you are talking about is pretty much what they do.\n\nGood luck and hope this helps you.
12912
I live in a city too, ostensibly.  A few years ago, the bike I chose was exactly that, a light mountain bike.  I chose a Haro Escape.  It's expensive (good-quality) enough that I don't feat pot-holes and our crazy streets here.  Cheap enough I recognize its weaknesses and don't sweat (too much) when I lock it up to grab a video or soda on my routes.
517534
I dont know a whole lot about dirt bikes, but there was an article on consumerreports.com that said the following. Hope it helps!\n\nBikes\nWhether you plan to hit the road or the trail, you'll get more bike for your buck than ever before.\n\nIf you're planning to buy a bike, chances are your new ride will have an aluminum frame, even if the bike costs less than $500. It might even have disc brakes or 27 gears. These features, once found only on more expensive bikes, bring the benefits of lighter weight, better braking in sloppy conditions, and more efficient pedaling to cyclists with a modest budget.\n\nHigher-priced bikes are getting better, too. The best of the $1,000-and-up models in our most recent tests had the shock absorption and handling previously found only on bikes costing two or three times as much.\n\nWhichever bike you choose, there's good reason to buy it from one of the nation's 5,300 bike shops, rather than from a department store or toy store. And you don't have to spend a fortune. We found fine choices for pavement rides that cost less than $300 and very good bikes for off-road cycling for $440. The bikes for serious trail riding cost $1,000 or more.\n\n\nWHAT'S AVAILABLE\n\nBrands include Bianchi, Cannondale, Diamondback, Fuji, Gary Fisher, Giant, GT, Iron Horse, Jamis, Klein, Landrider, LeMond, Mongoose, Raleigh, Schwinn, Specialized, and Trek.\n\nFull-suspension mountain bikes. These bikes are best for rough terrain with steep slopes. You'll get a shock-absorbing suspension fork and rear-suspension frame, which provide the best control and comfort on the roughest terrain. Most have 27 speeds and 26-inch wheels. All have wide, knobby tires; narrow or moderate-width saddle; and flat or riser handlebars.\n\nPrince range: $1,000 to more than $4,000.\n\nFront-suspension mountain bikes. These bikes are best for less-rugged off-road trails. You'll get a shock-absorbing suspension fork and rigid frame, fine for tamer trails. These bikes need less maintenance and are more efficient on smooth terrain than full suspension mountain bikes. Most have 24 or 27 speeds; 26-inch wheels; wide, knobby tires; narrow or moderately wide saddle; and flat or riser handlebars.\n\nPrice range: $400 to more than $2,000.\n\nHybrid bikes. These bikes are best for moderate-speed riding on pavement and smooth dirt paths. A cross between comfort and road bikes, most hybrids have a shock-absorbing suspension fork and seatpost; 24 speeds; 700C wheels (a designation from the French system, indicating size and width; it's about 27-inch); midwidth, fairly smooth tires; moderately wide saddle; and riser handlebars.\n\nPrice range: $400 to more than $500.\n\nComfort bikes. These bikes are best for casual cycling on pavement and smooth dirt paths. Most comfort bikes have a shock-absorbing suspension fork and seatpost; 21 speeds; 26-inch wheels; wide, relatively smooth tires; wide saddle; and riser handlebars. Generally have most upright riding position, which casual riders often find most comfortable.\n\nPrice range: $250 to more than $400.\n\nRoad bikes. These bikes are best for fast and/or long distance rides on pavement. Most have a lightweight frame with no suspension; 18 to 30 speeds; 700C wheels (about 27-inch); narrow, smooth tires; narrow saddle; and drop handlebars. The bent-over riding position reduces wind resistance at higher speeds, while the narrower seat facilitates pedaling.\n\nPrice range: $500 to more than $3,000.\n\n\nIMPORTANT FEATURES\n\nBrakes. Long-arm cantilever brakes (V-brakes or linear-pull brakes) are fine for most uses. For rough, sloppy terrain, go with disc brakes, which will spare your wheel rims from the abrasion of muddy braking. Some bikes are sold with your choice of brakes. Discs add $100 or more. You can retrofit some bikes with discs; ask at the bike shop.\n\nHandlebars. High-rise handlebars let you sit fairly upright. With low-rise and flat handlebars, you lean forward.
938643
Vintage Bicycle Discussion Area\nVintage Lightweights\nVINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHTS:   1970's Japanese Racer\nPosted by J.T. on 7/30/2004 at  1:12:04 AM \nI bought a race/road bike from a thrift store the other day. It has been repainted and I don't know who made the bike. It is a ten-speed with multiple Sun Tour components. It has a Shimano 333 Stem Shifter and Shimano 27" Wheels. The brakes, handle bars and front derailer are diacompe. There was foam padding on the handle bars but I replaced it with tape. When I removed the padding there were two inscriptions. On the left hand bar there was an ivy wreath. Inside the wreath it says "Japan Champion". On the right hand bar it says "KB". Anyone know wjo made the bike?\nby: 67.5.136.119 \n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nNavigation: \n  oldroads.com \n    Top of Vintage Lightweights Discussion Area \n      First message in this thread \n\n        Replies:\n       RE:VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHTS:   1970's Japanese Racer posted by JONathan on 7/30/2004 at 6:14:51 AM \n Not too much to go on. Fins, gills and scales...what kind of fish is it? If you have names for the cranks, wheels (hubs and rims) and freewheel type and make, the field could be narrowed a bit. The higher quality Japanese imports from the '70's were: Fuji; Miyata; Nishiki; Univega (Nishiki); Centurion; Bridgestone; Panasonic; and a host of branded Schwinns. The assumption is US imports. Canada had several others. Sekine comes to mind.\nPost a picture of the frame so the lug work and seat-stays are discernable. This can be matched up with known models for a good guess. The alloy "Champion" bars indicate a good quality bike. There were other quality rides, such as Kobe and Nakamura, etc., but these were fewer, at least from my experiences spotting VLW's. A serial number can be useful as gifferent makes had different number schemes and location on the frame.\nGood luck, JONathan\nNote: Sounds like a great commuter bike; the more generic looking the better, IMHO. Even lousy paint protects against rust. \nby: 67.118.246.240  \n\n       S/N, please posted by John E on 7/30/2004 at 2:34:23 PM \n In addition to more details on components and lug details, please post the serial number. Kawamura, Nishiki's framebuilder, punched S/Ns such as KS78091 (my 1971 American Eagle Semi-Pro) on the bottom of the BB shell. \n\nThe 333 indicates lower-end early 1970s Shimano components. I am guessing your bike weighs about 15kilos=33lbs. A lighter weight would indicate something better and/or newer.\nby: 66.185.168.82  \n\n       RE:VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHTS:   1970's Japanese Racer posted by J.T. on 7/30/2004 at 5:28:19 PM \n The crankset has the same KB inscribed on it. The s/n is under the crankset, KS70120\nby: 67.5.140.46  \n\n       RE:RE:VINTAGE LIGHTWEIGHTS:   1970's Japanese Racer posted by JONathan on 7/30/2004 at 8:05:51 PM \n How about "Kabuki Bridegstone"? I have a Kabuki that is made by Bridegstone. One way to see is to check the lugs for magnetic response. They used Al lugs and thermal bonding, way ahead of the times. I would check mine for serial number, but it is second tier location. Another thing is to look for "integral derailer hanger" and check for forged dropouts. This would make it a keeper, for sure.\nUnless it was a Schwinn "varsity" with its unique construction, the identification of the myriad look-alikes is tough without decals and/or stickers. Unless there is a specific serial number provenance. Have you given it the test ride? The better bikes ride better, so you could then narrow it down to maybe a dozen makes.\nGood luck and happy rides,\nJONathan\nby: 67.118.246.2  \n\n       Nishiki posted by J.T. on 7/30/2004 at 8:21:46 PM \n Doing some of my own research I stumbled upon the Nishiki logo. The square with a stripe through it in the middle of the logo is inscribed next to