Hi, I'd like to buy a used mountain bike but I have never owned one. I am a very tall female -- 5' 10" - how do I know what size is right for me. How do I measure? I see different sizes listed 18", 20"k 26" - what do those mean? What should I look for in a used bike? I will only be using the bike for leisure rides in Florida with the local activity club - we actually don't have any mountains where I live. Thanks, Jenifer
Jenifer, The best thing that you can do is to go to a local bike shop or shops and look around, maybe demo the bike. They could fit you and you could test ride a few bikes then you can look on ebay or craigslist for one after you know some things. Also, I think you should look at some comfort bikes or hybrids. They would be better suited for a combination of on and off road riding that doesn't have a whole lot of technical riding like we have up here in the northeast. They'll have a comfy seat and nice ride for leisure bike rides.If you go with a used bike, you should bring it to a shop and have them set you up on it and check everything out.
Jennifer, I don't know if you have found a bike yet or not (and maybe others will ask the same question) so here's my two cents.
There are 4 major types of MTB's. XC (cross country), Trail, All Mountain and Downhill.
The XC's come in all flavors, fully rigid, suspension fork, full suspension, single speed. What is common to the group is that they are the lightest duty MTB that is made. They may be a heavy cheap bike or a light weight expensive bike but they are made for light duty riding . They tend to have steep head tube angles like 70-72 degrees (similar to road bike angles) and will toss you over the bars on a steep descent. But for relatively flat riding and with skill, some mild offroad conditions, they do just fine.
The Trail bikes are a bit heavier, almost all are full suspension. Usually much more expensive than XC's. They have head tube angles from 68 to 70 degrees and can take light jumps and drops and with skill, some pretty gnarly hard core riding.
The All Mountain has a head tube angle around 66 to 68 degrees and can take some pretty big drops and jumps at pretty fast speeds.
The DH bikes are by far the heaviest and have head tube angles around 64 to 66 degrees. You can't break this bike and a jump of 40 feet or more is not uncommon.
Ok, so the most popular group is the XC style bike. In that category you just want to pick out a bike that handles well (gotta ride it for that) and fits you well. The fit is another issue. Some like Fisher Bikes have long top tubes. Not the best idea for females who typically have longer legs and shorter torso's. Short top tubes can mean over the bar crash on downhill unless there is a radical head tube like 70 or 69 degrees. Short top tube and steep head angle means alley ways and flat dirt roads.
Components are not much of an issue. Anything Shimano is fine for MTB's. Shimano dominates the MTB world and a little more money might mean lighter components. A lot more money might mean heavier components (upper end Trail/AM/DH components are expensive and heavy).
Find a bike shop that is really knowledgable and willing to work with you and not just "sell, sell, sell"
XC tends to have 2-4 inch suspension. TR usually around 5-6 inches. AM 5-8 inches and DH sometimes as much as 12 inches on a front with triple crown and 8 on a rear.
XC has quick release forks, anything above that tends to have solid through axles.
Fox has some of the best stuff on the market for control and balance. Marzocci also has a good following. RockShox are very popular in the XC and have moved a bit above that in some applications. If the name of the shock is not listed above, ask a LOT of questions and remember, cheap is bad.
Go ride a Giant Trance X and see how you like it. Maybe a Turner Flux. You might still like Fisher (I do) or the Trek Fuel which is pretty nice.
Used is fine, but one thing that I want to point out is that MTB's are still in a changing technology mode. Road bike geometry is pretty much cast in stone and there are very little major changes in roadie stuff. But MTB changes pretty fast from year to year (like computers). Newer is usually better, especially from the lead companies.
Oh, then once you find your dream bike that rides like well for you, come check ebay for one that is available for peanuts (oh, I didn't just say that, sorry bike stores, we really do want to support the local bike shop).
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