beater MTB reccommendations? - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

11-03-2003, 11:08 AM

The newsgroup is slow, and I'm rather bored, so I thought I'd ask a
longshot ... feel free to ignore if you wish. I'm looking for a mountain
bike to use as a beater around town and occasional offroader that fits
the following criteria:
-Cheap (sub-$400)
-no rear suspension (although I guess the cheap aspect guaranteed this)
-Durable (can take a beating ... there's no way I'm buying a WalMart
special)
-Comes in large frame sizes (I'm a big guy and ride a 64-cm road frame
.... looking for (I guess) a 23-in+ frame)

Any suggestions off the top of anyone's head? Thanks in advance!

--
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11-03-2003, 08:04 PM

Raleigh M40.

Brian

"Brendon M. Troy" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in
message news:bo6cje$eaa$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].rochester.edu...
> The newsgroup is slow, and I'm rather bored, so I thought I'd ask a
> longshot ... feel free to ignore if you wish. I'm looking for a mountain
> bike to use as a beater around town and occasional offroader that fits
> the following criteria:
> -Cheap (sub-$400)
> -no rear suspension (although I guess the cheap aspect guaranteed this)
> -Durable (can take a beating ... there's no way I'm buying a WalMart
> special)
> -Comes in large frame sizes (I'm a big guy and ride a 64-cm road frame
> ... looking for (I guess) a 23-in+ frame)
>
> Any suggestions off the top of anyone's head? Thanks in advance!
>
> --
> (remove spamguard to reply)
>
>

11-04-2003, 02:48 PM

"> Raleigh M40.
>
> Brian

Hey, that's what I have! When both grip shifters broke, I made it a single
speed. Here's a suggestion: see if your city has some kind of Spokes for
Folks or Bikes for Tykes program. Ask the guy in charge if he has any adult
sized bikes that are worthwhile but ugly. Make a donation. They can use
the money for repair parts they actually need and you get a bike that needs
a little work to fix up--a beater bike! Another suggestion--see if the
Police have a bicycle sale every so often. Same thing with colleges nearby.
They might have some bikes that were abandoned. Another suggestion: try a
pawn shop. But, be aware that they want 4 times what they have in the bike:
if they loaned the owner $100, they will ask you for $400 for it! Offer
maybe $120 and see if they take it.

Good luck!

Pat in TX