Need mountain bike recommendation.

[captain spaulding]

So I gave away a 80's Japanese mountain bike when I moved, but really want to get a bike to ride so I am wondering what a decent quality and priced mountain bike you guys recommend. I will not be able to afford one for quite some time, but am trying to get ahead on the game. Max I would probably spend would be $300. I know that's not much in the mountain bike world, but it would be all I could afford to spend (eventually) on a bike.

[captain spaulding]

I also need the rundown on suspensions and proper height and such. Basically any and all info I need to make a proper decision.

[mrynnr]

Capt, if you visit a bicycle shop they usually have you get on the bike and adjust the seats to the proper height. Are you planning on ordering online or buying locally?

[captain spaulding]

Capt, if you visit a bicycle shop they usually have you get on the bike and adjust the seats to the proper height. Are you planning on ordering online or buying locally?

Well i'm hoping to get the bike I gave away back first. Fingers crossed.

If that is not a option I will hit the flea markets and garage sales.

If that does not pan out I am open to both online order or local buying.

[captain spaulding]

Well my buddy actually still had the bike and I drove out and got it today. Its a Miyata-610. I believe this style bike is called a road bike. Please correct em if I am wrong.


NOT MY PICTURE.

[Higgins617]

Indeed a road bike, and a rather nice vintage one at that. If it fits you and feels nice you have a more than competent ride on your hands. Newer doesn't always mean better.

[captain spaulding]

Indeed a road bike, and a rather nice vintage one at that. If it fits you and feels nice you have a more than competent ride on your hands. Newer doesn't always mean better.

I like vintage stuff. 

I am going to get some new tubes and possibly tires and put her back together.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Very classy road bike you've got there mate

Sent from my K013 using Tapatalk

[captain spaulding]

So I got the tires pumped up, seat lower as low as it will go and took off the foot straps.

It rides alright, but seems as something is not quite right with changing gears, but it does work. The brakes are constantly (slightly) rubbing on the rim while riding when no pressure on the brake is being applied. The tires started to go flat after the first ride, but that was expected. They could quite possibly be the original tubes from 1985 for all I know. I need to take it in to the shop to get new tubes and tires, but I cannot fit it in my car. I could take the tires off again and just take those, but I would like them to give the whole bike a once over. Not exactly sure what I am going to do, but at the very least I will get some new tubes and tires.

One thing I really wanted to do was have my dog run next to me while I ride, but being that it is a road bike and the angle I have to be in to ride the bike it is not a option as there is no way I could hold a leash and ride at the same time. I also have a bad back so the slouching over angle I have to be in is very uncomfortable and I am not tall enough to sit straight up and still reach the handle bars. The bike is definitely to tall and the handle bars are to far away for me. I can ride it for the time being, but I will definitely have to get something else better suited for my height.

[buck]

Those skinny wheels are only suitable for asphalt and concrete, you knew that right?

I tried to take my bike like that on a dirt jogging trail and it went flat quickly.  There are hybrid or intermediate type bikes that are sometimes called (beach) cruisers.  Good for street or trails.  Tires are in between mountain bike knobbies and smooth skinny street tires.

[captain spaulding]

Those skinny wheels are only suitable for asphalt and concrete, you knew that right?

I tried to take my bike like that on a dirt jogging trail and it went flat quickly.  There are hybrid or intermediate type bikes that are sometimes called (beach) cruisers.  Good for street or trails.  Tires are in between mountain bike knobbies and smooth skinny street tires.

Yes I know this. 

 

[SAKnight]

I don't know too much about the situation, or how far off the fit is on the bike, but I do know ten speeds. One very common "mod", which certainly changes the seating stance, is if you were to take the handlebars, loosen them, and spin them about 180 degrees. Instead of the bar curling down and toward you, it'll go up and away, more reminiscent of an old three speed shaped handlebar (bit your have to disconnect it and flip it around, so that the bars curled up *and* toward you for that.

Like I said, you may not be into it at all, but it's a really easy way to raise the bars on those to ride them more normally

As far as shifting and brakes,  have you sent a bunch of wd40 down the cables? It helps a lot. Or especially if you have penetrant oil (I prefer wd as it will get on me working on a bicycle, and better that than kroil).

If the wheels are quick release like the ones in the picture, tracking the wheels off, and throwing the frame on something in the trunk (bag, cardboard, something to catch dirt/grease), with the wheels on top should be easy as pie to bring it somewhere. Though they can be heavy, my old univega is over 40lbs.

Well, I've rambled enough, I just love me some ten speeds. Best bicycle there is. Tough as nails, cheap as dirt. Never paid more than$10-20

[captain spaulding]

Looking at a Nashbar AT-1. Any thoughts?



http://www.amazon.com/Nashbar-AT1-Mountain-Bike-21/dp/B00CLGDAFI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435471049&sr=8-1&keywords=nashbar+at1

[Zed]

Your miyata looks like a touring bike,longer wheelbase,rack/mudguard fixings,and canterlever type brakes, triple ring,very nice  if i had $300 to spend on a mtb i would check out gumtree etc,i picked up my cannondale jekyll for £160 and its near mint,was a €2000 bike originally 

[buck]

It's really a function of how rough a trail to you plan to ride on.  If you could tell us that we could start to narrow it down.  That bike should work on all but the rockiest trails (which we have here in Austin).

I hope I didn't (and don't) sound patronizing.

[captain spaulding]

It's really a function of how rough a trail to you plan to ride on.  If you could tell us that we could start to narrow it down.  That bike should work on all but the rockiest trails (which we have here in Austin).

I hope I didn't (and don't) sound patronizing.

I'm not going to be doing any trail riding with it. It's just for around town riding.

[Zed]

It's really a function of how rough a trail to you plan to ride on.  If you could tell us that we could start to narrow it down.  That bike should work on all but the rockiest trails (which we have here in Austin).

I hope I didn't (and don't) sound patronizing.

I'm not going to be doing any trail riding with it. It's just for around town riding.

if it was me,i would get some nice mudguards and racks on your miyata,but if you want another bike and not riding off road,i would look at hybrids 

[captain spaulding]

It's really a function of how rough a trail to you plan to ride on.  If you could tell us that we could start to narrow it down.  That bike should work on all but the rockiest trails (which we have here in Austin).

I hope I didn't (and don't) sound patronizing.

I'm not going to be doing any trail riding with it. It's just for around town riding.

if it was me,i would get some nice mudguards and racks on your miyata,but if you want another bike and not riding off road,i would look at hybrids 

I already ordered the Nashbar AT1. It should be great for all my needs.

Pertaining to the Miyata. I went to replace the tubes and the tires literally just disintegrated as I assume they were the originals from 1985. The wheels are not true so to get new tires, tubes, and the rims trued it would cost me around $100 - $120 which is more than the bike is really worth. I might just do tubes and tires and say screw the truing to have a backup bike.

[Zed]

It's really a function of how rough a trail to you plan to ride on.  If you could tell us that we could start to narrow it down.  That bike should work on all but the rockiest trails (which we have here in Austin).

I hope I didn't (and don't) sound patronizing.

I'm not going to be doing any trail riding with it. It's just for around town riding.I

if it was me,i would get some nice mudguards and racks on your miyata,but if you want another bike and not riding off road,i would look at hybrids 

I already ordered the Nashbar AT1. It should be great for all my needs.

Pertaining to the Miyata. I went to replace the tubes and the tires literally just disintegrated as I assume they were the originals from 1985. The wheels are not true so to get new tires, tubes, and the rims trued it would cost me around $100 - $120 which is more than the bike is really worth. I might just do tubes and tires and say screw the truing to have a backup bike.

you could true the wheels yourself, its not that hard,check ebay for tires and tubes as can get good deals,actually that miyata cleaned up is a good bike,what tubing is it 

[captain spaulding]

It's really a function of how rough a trail to you plan to ride on.  If you could tell us that we could start to narrow it down.  That bike should work on all but the rockiest trails (which we have here in Austin).

I hope I didn't (and don't) sound patronizing.

I'm not going to be doing any trail riding with it. It's just for around town riding.I

if it was me,i would get some nice mudguards and racks on your miyata,but if you want another bike and not riding off road,i would look at hybrids 

I already ordered the Nashbar AT1. It should be great for all my needs.

Pertaining to the Miyata. I went to replace the tubes and the tires literally just disintegrated as I assume they were the originals from 1985. The wheels are not true so to get new tires, tubes, and the rims trued it would cost me around $100 - $120 which is more than the bike is really worth. I might just do tubes and tires and say screw the truing to have a backup bike.

you could true the wheels yourself, its not that hard,check ebay for tires and tubes as can get good deals,actually that miyata cleaned up is a good bike,what tubing is it 

Yea I was thinking about truing it myself. I need the spoke keys though.

Tubing is 27 X 1/8 (or 1/4).

[captain spaulding]

When truing is clockwise on the spokes loosening?

[Zed]

When truing is clockwise on the spokes loosening?

think so  i kind of do it automatically, yes 27x1/4 sounds right for age,some nice gumwalls would look age correct 

[captain spaulding]

When truing is clockwise on the spokes loosening?

think so  i kind of do it automatically, yes 27x1/4 sounds right for age,some nice gumwalls would look age correct 

That's what it had on it, but I would go all black with the replacement.

I want to get a light brown leather seat for the all black Nashbar.

[ToolJoe]

If you are going to keep the Miyata, i'd throw some tires on it with tread like the Panaracer Pasela:
http://www.panaracer.com/urban.php

Also, throw some new tubes on it.

If you are going to go with the Nashbar, if you are going to just riding around town, i'd throw some tires that don't have knobs on them.

[Zed]

When truing is clockwise on the spokes loosening?

think so  i kind of do it automatically, yes 27x1/4 sounds right for age,some nice gumwalls would look age correct 

That's what it had on it, but I would go all black with the replacement.

I want to get a light brown leather seat for the all black Nashbar.

possibly gumwalls arexa Europaean thing 

those paselas look good,continental make very good tires,i used there kevlars on my old touring bike,they was bomb proof 

[captain spaulding]

I just put some new tires on the Miyata. Not even sure what brand. They were the only tires they had that would fit the rim. I could of went gumwalls (in the same tire) but decided not to.

I adjusted the derailleur as it had shifted positions over time I assume. The bike needs a tune up badly as the brakes barely work and it is having trouble shifting properly. I might take it to the shop for a tune up, but not any time soon. The Nashbar will be my main ride and I just needed the Miyata in decent riding shape as a backup which it is now.