Conference noted::bicycle

    
    Hi,
    I consider my self a "Big Guy" (240 ish). I took up cycling to lose a
    bit of weight, First bike was a Kona Fire Mountain, problem was it took
    me so much effort to get up the Hills I was determined to have Fun on the
    decents! Result.. Taco'ed Wheels Bent Forks etc.. I decided the only
    solution was suspension. Bought my self a Pro-Flex 750. A great Bike,
    no more bent bits, I've had the bike 3 years with no problems.
    
    I know this is now considered a High end Bike, but in the UK I,ve seen
    the Advertised second hand for the cost of a Low end new bike.
    
    One for you to consider.
    
    Martin
    

    
    
    
    Jeff, all the brands you mentioned make good bikes and el cheapos too. 
          So it all depends on the model aswell. I personaly would write off
          Schwinn ;-) 
          Giant, becuase they make their own frames, for the same money
          you will end up with slightly better componants. 
          Most of the higher end Mongoose mountain bikes are now aluminum 
          frames, I am not sure how they will hold up to a heavy rider. 
          Whatever you decide, you should not just go for the name. Quite 
          frankly on the low end and mid range major differences that you 
          see is cosmetics. 
          Make sure its a good frame, all of the bikes you mentioned have
          life time garuntee on their frames. also make sure you get good
          wheels, on a lower end you might have to upgrade. and I say
          even a beginer suspension fork is better than none. 
    
          Other than that you should ride them all and see which one feels 
          better. A test drive is better than anyone elses recommendation.
    
          Shaw                                 

Thanks.  I was looking in the $350 range.

The Mongoose Sycamore lacks a sealed bottom bracket.

The Giant Yukon doesn't have the apparently-standard hardened 
alloy Arraya rims.

The Trek is a little more expensive and seems to have a more
"elastic" frame.  It flexes noticably.

All three have full CrMo frames except the mongoose which has 
only a CrMo main frame and fork.

If the rims on the Giant would stand up to my weight (around 280
these days) it seems to be the best deal.

The suspended models are a bit out of my price range.

    
    I've a Giant ATX Sedona and my "hardened alloy Arraya rims" bend as well.
    I true them about every other month or so. I really am pretty merciless
    on the bike but I like the Giant , it's a good value for the money.
    
    " I was looking in the $350 range."
    If this is it then I'd go with a used bike, of a higher quality.
    The bikes in the $350 range are pretty wimpy which would'nt matter that 
    much for some people but in your case it mightn't be a very good 
    investment.
    
    If you look at 2 bikes side by side, you'll see that the $350-$400 bike is
    a lot less rugged than a $500 bike. So if you're looking for something
    more rugged, then $350. isn't going to buy you that much in that category. 
    I've recently been shopping for mountain bikes, We did happen to take a 
    look at a Giant Yukon and from what I recall, I noticed that the frame 
    tubing is of a smaller diameter moreso like a cross bike than the mtn 
    bike frames. If the wheels are your only concern with the Yukon I'd 
    consider it as long as it's rims were alloy and the same width as that of 
    the Arayas.The frames shouldn't bend/break and they're guaranteed.
     
    I find alot of the bicycle market is so brand name oriented. A good frame
    is key, many of the other components pretty much function the same it's
    the weight/price that varies. Also keep in mind that they can be upgraded 
    later if desired.
    The bigger tires and rims on the mountain bikes are designed to absorb 
    more weight ,you might make sure to keep the tires pumped up a bit higher 
    in order to compensate for the additional weight.  
                                           
    

    My son and I were in the market for mountain bikes this year and we
    looked at many of the brands you mention.  After several weeks of
    shopping, we settled on Cannondale M400's.  I am 6' 9" and weigh 250
    lbs and was cautious about AL frames.  After about 100 miles on the
    C-dale, I am impressed with the frame and its stiffness.  My road bike
    is steel and I can feel a difference.  I would recommend the C-dale. 
    Its a bit more expensive ($550), but I felt it was worth the extra $$. 
    The components were decent for a beginning Mt bike, rims and tires were
    good and I've got a good bikeshop to deal with for problems.  
    
    
    ...Tom

It must be nice to have that kind of money to throw around.

$350 is going to be a *big* stretch for me.

    It wasn't easy to accumulate nor part with the money.  Both my son (age
    15) and I were saving since last October and managed to pull the
    necessary $$$ together.  Since it wasn't a small investment, we wanted
    to be sure we got value and the C-dale seemed the best solution.
    
    You might also look for 1993 leftovers.  When we were shopping in late
    March, there was a fair selection of 1993 bikes, fairly well equiped,
    for $50 to $70 less then the current year's models.  The supply is
    likley more limited now, but shopping around may uncover a bargain.
    
    ...Tom

I think I've settled on a Trek 830.  I'm not sure that it's a '94 because
the 94 catalog says it has Weinmann rims and the ones I say had Arraya.

Anyhow it's $41 below MSRP, has everything I think I need and the shop
(Gamache's Cyclery in Fitchburg) seems to have their act together.

Thanks all for the input.

Savings unfortunately is not a concept I'm very familiar with.  I'm just
trying to fit this investment in between crises.  If I don't find some
kind of enjoyable exercise soon I'm going to be in sheep dit.

    I second your choice of the Cannondale M400.  It is a VERY nice bike
    for the money.  If I could figure out what to do with it, I'd buy an
    M400.  I just don't think I'd be off-road enough for it to pay.
    
    Now don't all you 130 pounders that bought $350 bikes and love them
    jump on my case - the requirements for a 250+ pound rider are a lot 
    more rigid than for you folks.  BUT:
    
    With only $350 to spend I'd agree with the advice to see if you can't
    find a previous year's model, or a good used bike.  Either will give
    you a better unit than a low-end model of this year.  I looked at
    several mountain bikes earlier this year and the $300-400 ones were
    indeed not very rugged feeling.  And the components on most were very
    low quality too - Altus 10 and Alivio just don't have the feel (and I
    don't think the longevity) of the Deore DX or XT and certainly not of
    the Ultegra 600s.

    
    We happened to try the C-dales last and low and behold, ended up buying
    a leftover 93 M500 for under $600., I couldn't pass it up !
    Excellent machine, a little stiff though I've found on the trails
    compared to my steel Giant ATX Sedona. But very responsive.
    
    Good Luck with your new Trek ! I hope you enjoy riding as much as we do !
    
    

I did it.  Got a Trek 830, a Trek Radar computer and a Trek Micro helmet for
$440 from Gamache.

Having a blast !  

I rode 8 miles in the rain on abandoned railroad right-of-ways, on rt 202
and in Lake Dennison state park before supper last night, and liked it !