Low end mountain bikes.....

[Kitsune06]

the shifting problems are all adjustment issues, but as a basemodel 'hopper owner, yeah, it's all just as upgradeable as anything else. I don't remember what the naked frame weighs, but you can change out pretty much everything around said frame... and 'Hoppers are pretty sturdy little bikes. Mine is mostly stock yet, but you could lighten her up significantly by getting better rims/wheels, handlebars, maybe seatpost/seat, cranks, tires, etc... Deore came on my model ('03) and it's served me pretty well... and it's still relatively pricey.

[Trek420]

Bottom of the line GT, but I got Mavic Crossride wheels, much better and lighter

[southtxrider]

Ok, I put the Treks down as possibilities (I've rode one of them and liked it but it's the only one I've ridden so no real basis of comparison)

Yes, rideaway is local to me and I did visit them when looking for road bikes - they had a specialized I loved, but it ws $1600 and just more than I could afford or wanted to spend on my first bike.

Anyway I went on their site and found these:

http://rideawaybicycles.com/itemdeta...ogId=39&id=560

http://rideawaybicycles.com/itemdeta...ogId=39&id=558

Is aluminum definitely the way to go? (no rust, lighter) If so that knocks out the first one. Is there any other specifics you can advise me to look for and need for my first, occasional, easy riding mountain bike? I know the V brakes, but anything else - it helps when I don't feel so dumb walking in the shop! LOL

Thanks !!!!!

[Trek420]

southtxrider "Is aluminum definitely the way to go? (no rust, lighter) If so that knocks out the first one."

Uh, look under my name, see that sub-heading "steel is real" at this price range steel will be heavy but ride quality may be better.

Same shop, try something like this if it fits.

http://rideawaybicycles.com/itemdeta...ogId=39&id=584

Unless you ride in a skirt there may be no reason for you to have a "step through: frame And even if you do with a skort you'd be fine.

This kind of frame geometry would be better and may be available in the Giant.

"it helps when I don't feel so dumb walking in the shop! LOL"

Don't feel dumb, and that's one of the signs of a good shop that they answer your questions.

[xeney]

My husband thought my wheels and also my tires might be a big chunk of the weight -- he's going to swap our wheels on the next ride to see if I can feel a difference. He is very excited that I had fun yesterday so I think I might be getting mountain bike components for Christmas. Awesome.

Steel: his mountain bike is a relatively ancient steel Bianchi that he is never tempted to replace because it is so much lighter than, for instance, my bike. It was pretty low-end, I think, when he bought it ten years ago, but he just keeps upgrading it and I sure couldn't find anything as nice that I could afford when I was looking. (He offered to build up this frame for me but it doesn't come in my size.)

Thanks for the feedback ... I think what I will do is keep riding this one for the next couple of months and get a better feel for what I would like to upgrade/replace, and if it seems like what I want to upgrade and replace immediately is going to be in the $500 range, then I will buy a new bike. Because at least around here, a used/excellent condition Rockhopper can be sold for almost what you paid for it.