What do you folks think about this bike?

I haven't owned a bike since junior high but I want to get out a bit more and get some more exercise so I'm going to buy a bicycle. I'd prefer to buy a used one which is a year or two old but there just don't seem to be that many good deals on Craig's List so I might just have to bite the bullet and pony up for a new one.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38431

If I could find one used which is only a few years old then I could save around $400 but I can't seem to find one.

Do you really need that much bike? What will you be using it for? After my somewhat nice bike got stolen from the local university I picked up a perfectly good used Schwinn. If I did it again, I'd probably look at bikes at Wal*mart or Target or something. They get you around. They're cheap. And in the unlikely event someone steals it anyway, they're cheap.

I found a shop in La Jolla (about 5 miles away) which is selling a 2009 Specialized Rockhopper comp disc 29 for $800. Normally it is $940 but the 2010 models have come out so they're trying to sell off their 2009s.

Do I need that much bike? That's a good question. I like the Rockhopper because just about every bike magazine for the last four years has named the Rockhopper the best mountain bike under $1000 and the frame is supposed to be up to par with bikes costing twice as much so if I do decide to upgrade parts then at least I have the expensive frame. This is actually not that expensive for a bike shop quality bicycle; I suppose I could buy a Chinese made bike at Walmart for $200-$300 but I really want to buy an American made bike from a well known American brand. Unfortunately that costs money.

I'm going to the bike shop now and if I like it then I'm buying it.

Buy a cheap one so you won't get pissed off at yourself while you're thinking about it leaning against the wall in the the garage, untouched, for several months.

That is a decent bike. It isn't exactly a top of the line frame. They do alter the frames from a bike this price to a bike twice as much. It may be the same design, but the more expensive one will use different lighter materials like carbon fiber or scandium aluminum alloy. Are you planning on just doing cross country ridding? That will be fine for fire roads. I have never ridden a 29er, but I've been told they make it easy to ride over rocks smoother than a normal 26" bike.

Yeah, this bike was made in China, sorry. Only a few companies make their bikes here in the US, those bikes are also way more expensive. You can't get a $1000 complete bike that was made in the US. You can maybe get a frame, but not a complete bike.

I bought a "Next" bike from Walmart for $50 about two years ago. She still works just as fine as day I bought it. (I've only rode it in the summer though)

Well if it gives you pleasure, more power to you.

Ended up not buying it as I want to think about it more. Plus one of the bike shops near me is closed today and tomorrow to go to some trade show or something so I'll make up my mind come Friday.

I need to get out and ride some more. It's just been super hot!!

It was over 100 here today.

Yeah they are at Interbike in Las Vegas. I would love to go to that sometime!!
What other bikes does this shop have? I am personally a huge fan of Cannondale. I love their bikes, I have 2 and plan on my next bike being a Cannondale as well!!

Yes it is hot here in CA right now, even up north!!

Yeah, they also carry Cannondale but honestly San Diego is a big town and I can find dealers for just about any brand. I'd like to get the best bike I can for $800 or less and I think I've found it.

For $500-$600 I can get the same bike but without the disc breaks and with lower level components.

That might be the way to go. Though I notice even a cheap Target bike would cost $400.

Here's some really good (and cheap) bikes that are sold at Walmart!

Check These Out: http://www.walmart.com/search/searc...71.413746 500734.4293906723&tab_value=452_All

You still never answered my question of what kind of riding are you planning on doing? Are you hoping to do long mountain rides, short mountain rides, paths/pavement rides, or what...? That will dictate what kind of bike you should get.

Yeah. If it is primarily a trail riding/exercise/recreation bike, then by all means buy something expensive. If it is significantly a "ride around downtown Lo Jolla" on a Sunday and do some shopping bike, then buy some clunker that no one will want to go to the trouble to steal (but with good low gears, obviously, because it's La Jolla).

I just made a deal to buy this bike: http://ventura.craigslist.org/bik/1391224756.html

It's a 2007 Specialized Rockhopper top of the line model which the guy bought for $1800 new back in 2007. Since then he's gotten married and his wife has had a baby so he's selling some of his stuff off to make some extra cash. He was asking $850 but I talked him down to $650 and he said he'd throw in the a spare set of street tires and the little computer which calculates distances & calorie burn rates, etc...

Over all it looks like a great deal even if I have to drive like three hours to go pick it up. I'm going to be taking a half day tomorrow and driving up to Thousand Oaks. I'm actually really excited because I've been looking and looking for a Rockhopper in my size for almost two months now and this guy says he still has all the books and the original receipt and everything. I originally didn't want the top of the line model but I've checked and nothing but the color has changed on the bike since 2007 and this deal is just to good to pass up.

He's going to send me a bunch of other pictures tonight when he gets off of work and then I'll be leaving around noon tomorrow to go pick it up. Hopefully everything is as advertised.

Mostly mountain bike riding on dirt trails in county parks, state parks, and one of the several local national forests. How long? I'll probably start short and work my way up as I'm not the lithe 19 year old uber fit kid I used to be but still several of my friends own mountain bikes so it should be easy to fit in at least one or two good rides per week.

Lots of people here do buy beach cruisers to ride around on the board walk or just to ride around La Jolla (I live in Mira Mesa which is about five miles inland from La Jolla/Torrey Pines). Still, I'm mostly thinking of riding in the local canyons or in the local mountains. Something to get some fresh air and exercise.

I once worked with a guy that spent $1000 cash for a frame (no tires or gears, no seat, no brakes..nothing)

Says it was made from titanium steel.

I can't comment on that because this isn't the Red Room but I guarantee you it would have been a zinger......

That's not too uncommon. Marin makes a $2,399 titanium frame. I think all Turner frames are over $1000.

^Uh Titanium Steel is very uncommon.

I've only gone on about three rides with the bike but its been great. It came with the 26" wheels instead of the 29" wheels which I really wanted but the price was right and that's really not a huge issue.