Welcome to the IHoP

[Julian 641]

my mother and i went to Fogo de Chao... It is a brazillian grill... and it was FUCKING AMAZING!. It was like a buffet of meat and amazingness 42$ a person isn't too bad either everything was really really really good.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

my mother and i went to Fogo de Chao... It is a brazillian grill... and it was FUCKING AMAZING!. It was like a buffet of meat and amazingness 42$ a person isn't too bad either everything was really really really good.

I went there this year, it was the only time I have had red meat all year.

[Penguin4x4 1,761]

Sooo...pressure brake bleeders (read: Motive Products Power Bleeder), yay or nay?

[MKader17 332]

21" seems big.

Why hardtail?

Why front suspension?

etc...

ie, goals, budget, what you like you've ridden and so on

I rode the 19" and the 21" and the 21" just felt better. Either one i can adjust to my height and either on I could stand over.

Hard tail because they are cheaper and I would rather put money into components than rear suspension. (seems like my legs are good "rear" suspension)

Front suspension because they don't make mountain bikes with out them anymore.

Goals:

Found out there are some trails around College Station and I want to go hit them up or go ride it where ever. Take it to the deer lease and go have fun tearing it up. Mountain biking seems a bit more social than road biking.

Also will be doing a tandem ride/run event next year and need a descent mountain bike for it. I used a Specialized Expedition last year, the shitty twist shifters sucked and it really killed the experience. Not to mention the ergos of the bike sucked (as its more of a hybrid). Honestly, I feel a mountain bike with descent shifters (read anything better than the twist shifters) would make me plenty happy.

Budget - 400-600

Only bikes I've ever road are the ones I tried at the shop today. They were all Specialized Hardrock's with discs (19"/ 21"/ 21" w/29" Tires)

The only problem I have buying used is that the selection generally is not good around here and it seems people are proud enough that new bikes are worth it. The best selection is in Houston, I don't live there anymore, and even if its available in the area I am really busy and taking the time to search for the bike and drive to see it and maybe not buy it it a lot. Also, I still don't feel like I could truly pick apart a used bike well enough to know if its a good deal or not

[MKader17 332]

Also, on the newer model bikes anything above entry level has discs now

[Penguin4x4 1,761]

Sooo...pressure brake bleeders (read: Motive Products Power Bleeder), yay or nay?

I honestly don't mind doing it the old fashioned way; most importantly I want to do it the right way

[///M5 2,833]

I went there this year, it was the only time I have had red meat all year.

I feel sorry for you.

Last night alone I had venison, buffalo, beef, & duck. To go with it we ate some rabbit, quail, and whitefish.

[cheese20323 13]

you fit in a Ferrari?

This one, first time for everything. Sales guy said 6'5 was the limit, but no problem leg, steering wheel wise. The rear window support pad did touch my head, but it wasn't bad.

Dude how tall are you?

At least 6'8.

He actually fit in my Cobra quite well. Better than my brother-in-law and he's only 6'4.

at least..I imagine him as Yao Ming now..dude kick back on the milk.

[///M5 2,833]

I rode the 19" and the 21" and the 21" just felt better. Either one i can adjust to my height and either on I could stand over.

NEVER size a bike based on stand over

Hard tail because they are cheaper and I would rather put money into components than rear suspension. (seems like my legs are good "rear" suspension)

At your budget even front suspension isn't affordable new. Not even close, just crap at that price.

Front suspension because they don't make mountain bikes with out them anymore.

You obviously have shit for shops

Found out there are some trails around College Station and I want to go hit them up or go ride it where ever. Take it to the deer lease and go have fun tearing it up. Mountain biking seems a bit more social than road biking.

Also will be doing a tandem ride/run event next year and need a descent mountain bike for it. I used a Specialized Expedition last year, the shitty twist shifters sucked and it really killed the experience. Not to mention the ergos of the bike sucked (as its more of a hybrid). Honestly, I feel a mountain bike with descent shifters (read anything better than the twist shifters) would make me plenty happy.

Sweet, definitely rip the trails.

Shitty shifters are shitty no matter what the type. I've got some you'd think shift like butter. Did some consulting with SRAM when they were a really small company.

Budget - 400-600

Only bikes I've ever road are the ones I tried at the shop today. They were all Specialized Hardrock's with discs (19"/ 21"/ 21" w/29" Tires)

The only problem I have buying used is that the selection generally is not good around here and it seems people are proud enough that new bikes are worth it. The best selection is in Houston, I don't live there anymore, and even if its available in the area I am really busy and taking the time to search for the bike and drive to see it and maybe not buy it it a lot. Also, I still don't feel like I could truly pick apart a used bike well enough to know if its a good deal or not

You CAN'T afford new, in fact you can barely afford a used one. If you truly want to mt. bike, new and less than $1200 will really piss you off fast.

First step in finding used is to determine what fits you. In your size there are hundreds of used options and once you know what fits you do not need to ride it first. You are super easy to fit...once you know your top tube length and seat to pedal length. Yes you need more to fine tune, but that will get you close. Go to a shop that measures for custom frames and have them fit you on a bike in the $1000 range and ride it. Have them tell you what about it fits well and not. Until then you shouldn't even put a dime into a bike.

[///M5 2,833]

you fit in a Ferrari?

This one, first time for everything. Sales guy said 6'5 was the limit, but no problem leg, steering wheel wise. The rear window support pad did touch my head, but it wasn't bad.

Dude how tall are you?

At least 6'8.

He actually fit in my Cobra quite well. Better than my brother-in-law and he's only 6'4.

at least..I imagine him as Yao Ming now..dude kick back on the milk.

Except that I am the height of guards in the NBA NOT centers.

[Acidburn 10]

Sooo...pressure brake bleeders (read: Motive Products Power Bleeder), yay or nay?

make sure you get one that seals the pressurized air off from the break fluid

[MKader17 332]

NEVER size a bike based on stand over

I didn't. I just said the stand over for both frames worked for me. the 21" felt more comfortable while riding.

At your budget even front suspension isn't affordable new. Not even close, just crap at that price.

You obviously have shit for shops

I'd like to see some examples of some honest to goodness production mountain bikes with no front suspension

First step in finding used is to determine what fits you. In your size there are hundreds of used options and once you know what fits you do not need to ride it first. You are super easy to fit...once you know your top tube length and seat to pedal length. Yes you need more to fine tune, but that will get you close. Go to a shop that measures for custom frames and have them fit you on a bike in the $1000 range and ride it. Have them tell you what about it fits well and not. Until then you shouldn't even put a dime into a bike.

Definitely wouldn't know a place that measures for custom frames. Also don't know if I would want to waste someone's time being fitting for a bike when I'm not going to buy one in the price range.

Would you mind posting any models that may fit the criteria (even if its minny craigslist)

[Julian 641]

Sean should know a lot about bikes living in MN

nearly everyone does in MN, lots of bike theft too.

[Julian 641]

[Julian 641]

[The enD 467]

What a dickhead.

[Duran 387]

[Adrian_D 520]

8:41 AM, and its...49F

woohoo its finally fall

Eff fall and winter.

Yep on the fall, lets get right to the snow. Bring it on. Going to be big time this year according to the weather dipshits.

I wouldn't mind a winter with lots of snow though

[Adrian_D 520]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIqw4k2fDr8

a video of Adrian "working"

LOL, good one Peng

[Adrian_D 520]

Chrysler is obviously stupid...they want $20 for a quart of power steering fluid...

[nem 2,019]

Costume ideas for you, chicken mask and a bag full of lollipops.

[///M5 2,833]

Definitely wouldn't know a place that measures for custom frames. Also don't know if I would want to waste someone's time being fitting for a bike when I'm not going to buy one in the price range.

Seriously? Half our bike shops do if not more. If they don't you really haven't been to a bike shop yet

I'd like to see some examples of some honest to goodness production mountain bikes with no front suspension

Tons of options, perhaps not new. Problem with your budget and new is you can barely get a shock, a seat, a neck and bars for your budget. Entry level comp sets also eat your whole budget.

Would you mind posting any models that may fit the criteria (even if its minny craigslist)

Fit is first ALWAYS. Then components and then frame.

Also don't know if I would want to waste someone's time being fitting for a bike when I'm not going to buy one in the price range.

They won't custom fit you for free, not what I asked. But you should go to a shop that can as they will understand fit when putting you on a stock bike. If you go in at $500 they won't take you seriously though as no one who works in the bike shop will even think that is a bike. As for wasting their time, use the bike shop that you "waste" their time for all your service and they will be fine. They have nearly NO margin on bikes, but make serious dough on parts, service, and accessories. I buy all my accessories local, but would never buy a bike that way. Even flat out told bike shops that and they appreciate the honesty, understand and agree. Of course if you have no fit experience you cannot do it on your own, thus why I want you to be fit by someone who knows a shit before we find you a bike for <$600 used that will work for you.

[///M5 2,833]

Figure out your size, then we can figure out others that are sized similarly and then we go off to SearchTempest and peruse CL nationally.

Just as an FYI for your budget understanding. Fit is BY FAR the most important thing. To be "fit" to a bike is usually around $300. I'd rather have a bike that fits than need to be fitted. Using your own judgement is frightening as well if you are coming from road and going to Mountain. Complete different feeling.

[///M5 2,833]

If you want to search for used bikes locally that could work, search for component sets and not makes Mucho easier.

And again, I'd definitely shy away from aluminum in a hardtail. There may be exceptions, but everyone I've ridden rides like a stiff painful pos.

[///M5 2,833]

This is how we do it in MN.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Kickoff-into-40-mile-per-hour-wind-travels-backw?urn=highschool-281103