recs on mountain bikes?

[pxmcc]

so, since i was 14, the only bikes i've ever ridden have been Specialized Rockhoppers. tried the Stumpjumper, and found it to be dangerously unstable. the Hardrock is similar to the Rockhopper, except slightly worse in every possible way.

so now, i need to let my Rockhopper go to that great Rockhopper haven in the sky, and quickly. the pedals collapse every time i use any degree of pressure. almost wrecked multiple times. my right quads are black and blue, and i can't even climb hills in Terry Hershey. embarassing af.

so checked CL. nearest Rockhopper for sale is Austin. no can do..

can anyone give me any recs for mountain bikes as good or better than the Rockhopper, under 600 used? much appreciated!

p.s.-sold my car, so now i'm all in on a replacement for my beloved, beat to all hell, Rockhopper..

[tyboy1]

The problem with a used bike is, well they're used. Break down and buy a new one. You will be a lot happier.

[pxmcc]

^^but bikes are aspirational. ppl buy them intending to ride 500 miles/wk., but then they end up as shiny garage ornaments. after my first rockhopper that i bought new at age 14, all my others were bought very lightly used. and all of them have been good for well over 25k miles..

new bikes are for the very rich, or the very "intellectually challenged"..

was that PC enuf..

[Dorian Gray]

I guess I'm one of those "intellectually challenged" ones. I do BMX & would never buy second hand. I'll gladly replace handlebars, pedals, chains, pegs, crank until the frame cracks. Then it's time to rebuild off a new frame.

[pxmcc]

^^maybe ur one of the rich guys, actually..

well i like your optimistic outlook tho. my bike mechanic said my drive train was shot. i didn't ask, but i'm guessing a "fix" would be close to what i paid for it on CL: 180.

i misjudged a seller. he is selling a Cannondale F1000 in perfect shape for 550. i offered 400, and he said nope, 550 firm. so i'll try again tomorrow. his bike was flawless. i got an extra 30 miles in all for nothing over a lousy 150 lol.

[pxmcc]

ended up buying the Cannondale F1000 for 550. it's super light and fast, with minimal wear and tear. i'm stoked.

[pxmcc]

i forgot how fun it is to ride a fast bike. i was running late to a work gig, so took it up a notch. made it with 5 minutes to spare.
then tonight i'm at starbucks by the galleria flirting with the cute ebony spinner who works the night shift, and it started to drizzle. i checked doppler radar and there was a massive line of thunderstorms moving in from the south. i hate getting everything wet, so i floored it. set a new record for fastest time from the Galleria to the med center. this shit is freakin fun lol..

[bigwill832]

Nice. I haven't ridden in a while and I miss it. When I moved last year, I bought a new bike but it has unfortunately turned into a modern art sculpture sitting in the back room. I rode it twice, and that was only to the grocery store and back each time. Plus it's only got a single sprocket up front. I'm thinking about selling it and getting a new one when I move.

[pxmcc]

^^ya that happens. that's what i mean when i say bikes are aspirational. the bike i bought is old but barely used.
i took a deep dive when i sold my car. now there's no going back lol.

[majorjones]

If you're concerned about spending good money on a NEW bike but you go to Starbucks (I assume routinely) you need to adjust your priorities. MHO

[pxmcc]

Originally Posted by majorjones

If you're concerned about spending good money on a NEW bike but you go to Starbucks (I assume routinely) you need to adjust your priorities. MHO

starbucks is my office. it's cheaper than a 3k a month lease. i order 1 coffee, then get refills at 54 cents a cup. true story.

every so often i get an overpriced double chocolate brownie, not warmed up because i like the texture of the chocolate chunks.

[Dorian Gray]

I was honestly expecting the "use as an office" reason from you
Some of them have decent wifi
I know a guy who works from home but so does his SO
He'll go to Starbucks when he can't tolerate their shit on a giving day

I anxiously await your one month ownership review

[bigwill832]

I can only hang with working at home for so long before I need to go somewhere else to work. To easy to get distracted in the homestead.

PX, how are you liking that bike? I'm thinking about selling mine off and getting a different one. That one you said you got looks alright....but I need an opine on it.

[pxmcc]

the bike was/is incredible. but my luck, less so lol..
on the Hershey Park trail, this dude on a high end road bike passed me up, so i decided to catch him, which i did.

problem was i was doing close to 30 when this little girl on a pink bicycle decided to do a 360 right in the middle of the path. i swerved to avoid her, but i had nowhere to go, so i slammed into a cement pylon holding up BW8. blood everywhere. broke 2 ribs and got kidney bleeds. that night i was too tired and beat up to lock my bike. it appears one of my neighbors stole it. put out a cash reward for an arrest or the return of the bike.

2 lessons:
1. never leave your bike unlocked; and
2. just because you can fly doesn't mean you should..

crazy speed is an asset on roads but a liability on bike trials and offroading.

Originally Posted by bigwill832

I can only hang with working at home for so long before I need to go somewhere else to work. To easy to get distracted in the homestead.

PX, how are you liking that bike? I'm thinking about selling mine off and getting a different one. That one you said you got looks alright....but I need an opine on it.

[bigwill832]

Originally Posted by pxmcc

the bike was/is incredible. but my luck, less so lol..
on the Hershey Park trail, this dude on a high end road bike passed me up, so i decided to catch him, which i did.

problem was i was doing close to 30 when this little girl on a pink bicycle decided to do a 360 right in the middle of the path. i swerved to avoid her, but i had nowhere to go, so i slammed into a cement pylon holding up BW8. blood everywhere. broke 2 ribs and got kidney bleeds. that night i was too tired and beat up to lock my bike. it appears one of my neighbors stole it. put out a cash reward for an arrest or the return of the bike.

2 lessons:
1. never leave your bike unlocked; and
2. just because you can fly doesn't mean you should..

crazy speed is an asset on roads but a liability on bike trials and offroading.

Physics always wins. I learned that one a few times. Did the pillar holding up BW8 feel it?