been without for years and looking to get one. figure a few of you guys might be able to point me in the right direction. or just tell me to "go ride a bike"
I am looking for 29er with larger frame 23"ish. I'd like to stay low budget, around $500. not interested in fancy pants bells and whistles.
so aluminum, mech. brakes, hardtail, is fine
any suggestions?

so far, from review research i like
1. vilano blackjack Vilano Blackjack 29er Mountain Bike MTB with 29-Inch Wheels i like this one but don't know if their 20" frame will feel tiny with 36" inseam.

2. diamondback overdrive expert Diamondback Overdrive Expert 29" Mountain Bike | Buy Bikes & Frames, Mountain Bikes, Twenty Niner Online

3. maybe nashbar at29

thoughts on those?
thank you

 

Dusty,

Better deals here on this site... very popular with folks on roadbikereview.com and mbtr.com forum members:

Save Up To 60% Off Road Bikes, Bicycles, Mountain Bikes and Bicycles with Bikesdirect.com, New with full warranties

For example, the 2014 Motobecane 750 Hydraulic Disc offers better Shimano Deore components, hydraulic instead of cable disc brakes, lockout front forks..... hard to beat at the $649.

The caveat is you have to pay shipping, assemble part of the bike yourself and whether the geometry will fit you.

I suggest test riding a few bikes at bike shops to determine your size first. Measure your inseam dimension (bottom of feet to your crotch). Give the bikesdirect.com a shout and they may be able to recommend a proper sized frame for you. You don't want too big of a bike with insufficient standover height. Gotta protect the family jewels when out on a trail riding jaunt.

Good luck in your search for biking riding nirvana!

 

thank you sir.
my searches have taken me to that bikes direct site, but I was unsure of them. I shall look more.I have been trying the mb forum but having little luck with the search features.
my last bikes were 23" and fit fine (been 10+ years ago) thinking, i might find a better deal if i compromise with a smaller frame.
thanks again

 

23" seems huge! A Large frame is usually 19"ish and XL frame usually 21". How tall are you? I'm 6' and ride 19" frame Specialized Stumpy Hardtail. It seems to be easier to find deals on good used bikes in XL frames than Large frames. Try PinkBike or ebay. My next bike will be disc brakes without a doubt.

 

I'm a dwarf I guess. My OLD specialized rock hopper is 15" (it probably is a little too small for me).

 

Save up to 60% off new 29er Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Fantom 29 Expert how do you like this one?
or
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...9_comp_xii.htm
or this fs
Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - 29er Full Suspension Gravity FSX 29ONE

thinking the hardtails^ are better outfitted, but I dunno much.

 

6'6" 36inseam
thanks, that pinkbike site is cool. its like bikebay

 

Yep, you're a big boy! LOL

 

hehe, tell me about it. getting bigger, that's why I am needing a new bike. this spare tire I am growing will soon fit your truck.

 

thanks all, acg had some great input... ( he was like my wife....told me what to get and ....) we got this one.



hate the color/finish, but as it happens.....that won't last long anyway.