Cannondale Prophet 4 Mountain Bike
 

Just looking for a bit of feedback on Mountain bikes. I have two of these on hold for me for pickup this afternoon, and I just want to make sure I am buying the right bikes:

http://mikesbikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=1130

I should say buying the right bikes for a newbie to mountain biking. Looking for something that will hold up for 20 years, and the lifetime warranties plus all the good gadgets on this bike have me sold I think.

-S

I have a Cannondale mtb, though not as heavy-duty looking as that. Mine is more in between all-around and mtb status. Mine only has foreward shocks, not rear. Anyway, mine rides very well, and I like it alot. I have only had it since January so I can't vouch for it lasting 20 years, but I've heard they are very durable and reliable.

Sorry that I couldn't be more helpful.

-Jamie

*Edit* - This is my rig: http://mikesbikes.com/itemdetails.cf...gId=39&id=1126 I haven't taken it off-road yet (it's rather hard to find off-road in NYC...), but I've ridden around Central Park and it's a great bike on the road.

Hey - anything helps. Good to hear you like it! :up: I'm off to go road test this thing and I'll probably be coming home with it.

-S

I think I need a new seat for this thing. Man that thing is hard and my butt hurts!

-S :dead:

I know what you're talking about! I got a really nice Trek mountain bike last summer and boy does that seat hurt! Took it out for a little spin today to check out the new pool that the park district put in and even after a short one-two mile trip I was aching badly. :nope:

Love the bike though! :lol:

I hear ya! But when I take the seat out, the thing weighs in at absolutely nothing! So do I really want the extra weight of a softer seat? :damn:

-S

Just don't go by people of middle eastern origin and ask them if they like your Prophet.:)

Are you looking for a bike just to

a. get around town once in a while?
b. exercise?
c. hard core mountain biking?

Probably a combination would best describe it.

My problem is, I went into the bike shop not even expecting to buy a bike, and when I started looking at them, I figured I'd spend about $1K and be done with it. Well, as of last night, I think I'm over $7K, (picked up a yakima bike rack that plugs into my Land Rovers hitch, + locks for it, + gloves, + new helmets, etc.) and rising. Why didn't anyone warn me? There is a whole wardrobe that goes along with this stuff too! Tonight I am picking up some SIMI shoes (Add $150 + for that easy) that clip into the pedals (not sure i like the idea of being locked into the pedals offroad, but I am told they are easy to step out of when needed). Picking up the second bike too, but its a drive to go get that one, so I will have to try out my new Yakima bike rack. Anyway, I don't see an end yet. Is there an end to bike accesories?

-S

When I lived in Vermont I did some mountain biking, but mostly rode around town, along the shore of Lake Champlain, and through the parks.

I might suggest going with a used bike first. You should be able to get a decent used bike for $250. If you find you totally love it, you can upgrade your bike then. But if you find you are just riding around town, or find hardcore mountain biking a little rough, you haven't spent a whole boatload of money.

Its too late. I would have loved to spend only $250. The problem is - I'm a sucker for technology and a $250 bike doesn't have cool things like vented disc brakes! But what I didn't anticipate is spending any more than say $4,000. I'm way over that already.

-S