Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Mountain Bike Questions? Sinster 6.5 29" buy?

Thinking about picking up an Iron Horse Sinster 6.5 from Wally-world. But it has been 30 years since owning a bike, not even.sure tbe Sinster 6.5 is the right direction/bike?

Enyone have/use mountain bikes as training/conditioning (i can always use some cardo) and access vehicles?

Eny pictures and ideas on how to deck-out a mountain bike for field use?

Local Wally-world has a couple Sinster 6.5s for $399.00 , admitting a lack of bike familiarity, seems a solid starter bike. And not a $couple-grand bike.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Iron-Horse-29-Men-s-Sinister-6.5-Mountain-Bike/19582537



Thanks in advance for the input!

I have an old 21 speed mountain bike, havent rode that dang thing since '96, if yer like me, you best replace that hot-dog bun of a seat for something triangular and padded with a couple big springs under it.

Gunner

Gunner,

From what I hear of you, that bike would look more like a popsicle stick with two black rubber handles than a mountain bike! And that was a compliment btw!

Bob

LOL, mine has a big comfortable seat and mudgrips.

Gunner

JUnk bike, no support.

Google the bike name.

NOT the old IRON Horse co which went bankrupt

NOT the SINISTER bike company that makes FANTASTIC bikes

JUST a knockoff with two otherwise good names in the title

Save your $$

IMHO

http://www.bigboxbikes.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=945&start=30

Spend a little more for a hard tail from a bike store. It will be put together right, have better parts and may even be worth something if you want to get rid of it.

I'm gonna go out to the shop and see what kind of bike mine is, I do remember it's blue and yellow and has 'three letters' in it's brand name.

Gunner

Three letters... KHS?

OOPS, four letters, 'TREK' 850, and it's a TSOB. <G>

Gunner

Go to a dedicated bike shop and buy used. More bang for the buck.

I use a bike every year when I bow hunt elk. Closed logging roads can get me far away from the crowds.

My mountain bike is garbage, looking to upgrade before September.

K,

You should plan on spending close to $1000 for a front supspension only bike from a reputable company, like Specialized, Trek, or Giant. You will not find a full suspension bike worth using for less than about $1500. It's a clear case of get what you pay for. Giant may well be your best choice for an entry level bike at an afordable price. Yes, good bike prices are obscene.

This Rockhopper would be as low as I'd go quality wise

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopperpro29

You might try a good bike shop and enquire about a used MTB, you get much better quality that way. If you are going to ride seriously you DO NOT want a fat seat with springs, that's a sure way to end up with monkeybutt

This my ride that I bought in 07 and have put thousands of hard miles on, it's a 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert.

I bought my haro brand new for not much more than that. Definitely skip the Walmart crap, especially in this case.

Rule of thumb: Never buy a bike that you can get at Walmart, Kmart, etc. Stick with Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, etc. For the same $ or less, you can get a good bike off Craigslist.

I looked for 6 months for a used bike- no could find! I went to the bike stores. a CHINESE made bike was $750 for something decent. After talking to several people, I bought a Motobecane (Taiwan) from bikes direct.com (I think). It is a hard tail with a lockout rockshox, hyraulic disk brakes, nice alloy frame and pretty nice Sram Shimano components. My wife bought hers at Walmart- night and day difference.

My bike was $700 and stacks up well against the $1400 Trek from the local bike store.

It took me 30 minutes to put mine together and set it up. I ride an hour to hour and a half every day. Shifts perfectly, has great frame geometry and everyone raves about bikesdirect customer service if you have a problem.

Do NOT get a full suspension bike unless you plan on doing a bunch of downhill and stuff. A hardtail is the way to go. I just wish I had someone to ride with me!

Skip it. You can get a decent Trek for $500 to $700 if you shop around. You will be much happier in the long run.

The bike you linked to will be falling apart in a year or less if you ride it to any degree.

My son has a $100 Walmart bike who's axle broke and the most he did was going off curbs.

stay away from Walmart! Hit up your LBS (local bike shop) and get a decent bike. Along with a decent bike, you'll often get free tune ups and such when you buy from a LBS. If you feel comfortable working on your own bike look at Craigslist or Pinkbike. You can get killer deals on used bikes. My very first bike was about in your budget range and had 1000's of miles on it. Have since moved on to a full suspension because of a love for more technical and knarly terrain! I cruise this Cannondale now.

And a GT single Speed....


And always wear the appropriate safety gear. ALWAYS weara helmet and I like to wear gloves. And if you ride wear there are alot of rocks... SHINGUARDS!


Be warned, it can be as bad as being a rife loony! Multiple bikes, always tinkering with stuff... My excuse is that the GT is my "travel" bike it has been to Iraq and now sits in my room here in Qatar. Of course if you are really cool, you get a fatbike like bcolorado!

Nice rock-rash! Thank you for your service!

Thanks for all the input, the Wally-world bike looked like it had a lot to offer, glad I asked. I would have rode it home all ready.

Called just shy of a dozen bike shops so far. Not a used 29er in any bike shops.
But like here, a lot of good help.



Trek and Specialized has a lot of dealer coverage close. Giant is also represented fairly close.

I am glad I seen the Wally-world bike, the 29" tires caught my eye from a ways away, and sparked a new interest in mountain bikes.

Just realized you are in Colorado, no shortage of places to buy bikes! I reside in Colorado Springs myself, when not out of the country.

This getting closer?

http://www.marinbikes.com/2012/bike_specs.php?serialnum=2194&Alpine_Trail_29er

Would this in a 17" fit and perform well for someone 5' 10" and 210#s ?

Seems more gears then I need, but I like tbe idea of hydraulic-brakes.

There is a like-new Alpine with a couple up-grades for around $600.00

And again, thanks for the help!