I am going mountain bike shopping!! Now that I make money I am looking to buy a REAL mountain bike, not one of those SportMart brands.
I know a bit about mountain biking, I know that Fischer and Norco are pretty respectable. What are some others?
I'm looking for a bike that could handle some moderately advanced bike trails. I'm no expert, so I won't be taking it off 7foot jumps or speeding downhill at 150KM/h. I want something that can handle long all-terrain rides. I'm going to be doing some long races during the summer (40-60K) that cover flat terrain as well as hills/rough trails and I want a bike that can survive the trails but isn't a giant monster that I can't take on long flat rides.
Also I'm a female in my 20s, about 5"8, I love the Norco bikes but would they come in a size that would fit me? I don't like the "female brand" bikes because they generally don't have all the specs I would like!
Any suggestions?
PS. I'm NOT looking strictly for a 'downhill bike' with all the shocks and gadgets...i usually just rent those when I go downhill biking.
THANKS!!
I know a bit about mountain biking, I know that Fischer and Norco are pretty respectable. What are some others?
I'm looking for a bike that could handle some moderately advanced bike trails. I'm no expert, so I won't be taking it off 7foot jumps or speeding downhill at 150KM/h. I want something that can handle long all-terrain rides. I'm going to be doing some long races during the summer (40-60K) that cover flat terrain as well as hills/rough trails and I want a bike that can survive the trails but isn't a giant monster that I can't take on long flat rides.
Also I'm a female in my 20s, about 5"8, I love the Norco bikes but would they come in a size that would fit me? I don't like the "female brand" bikes because they generally don't have all the specs I would like!
Any suggestions?
PS. I'm NOT looking strictly for a 'downhill bike' with all the shocks and gadgets...i usually just rent those when I go downhill biking.
THANKS!!