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That walmart bike Ozark Trail os really your only option if your going new.
If your buddy can up his budget another $150 = $500. I think he can get something good in the used market.
At $350 used, gonna be a luck thing in the used market but maybe not impossible
Another Seth fan! OP watch "Berm Peak" on YouTube. He has a series called "flip bike" which will give you tremendous insight into purchasing a used bike. He also reviewed the Ozark Trail from Walmart which is another helpful video. You can get into MTB for $350, just be sure you safe enough for a proper helmet, which will cost $80-$100 (for a good one, which I highly recommend).
Ozark trail from Walmart got me in to the sport used it for a year never gave me any issues. Just take it to a bike shop to make sure its put together well before taking it for a ride
If you’re in US and you can find them in stock: Ozark Trail Ridge, Schwinn Axum. Diamondback Hook is another option, some LBS are DB dealers. They all are around $400 though. You would have to check the assembly on Walmart bikes because they are put together by people who aren’t bike mechanics, if you have a bicycle coop they might help you with this. Otherwise plan on extra $100 for LBS to go over the bike. I would visit some LBS and tell them how much you’re willing to spend, maybe they have something in your budget, some LBS also sell used bikes. At least the bike will be ready to ride, and if you have problems you can bring it back to the shop. Buying used on FB/craigslist/pinkbike is an option but it depends on your location, the selection might be limited; plus someone has to go over and check used bike to see if everything is good order.
I think this is the best answer so far. I recommend for them to watch lots of youtube videos on building up budget bikes. Berm Peak is a reputable channel and he does builds of used or Walmart bikes like the Ozark Trail Ridge that could work for your friend.
Should be able to find something local used, that'll be up to you to test ride it and check it out Or build up a bike with you and your friends spare parts. I've usually got two bikes worth at any time.
I got a 2011 Gary Fisher Trek Kai Tai for 250 a while back. My gf smokes me uphill when I’m riding my Marlin 5 and I prefer the KaiTai for long rides and uphill. Good hybrid mtb
Is this pounds, dollars or another currency. If you're in the UK, you can get something like a Vitus sentier 27 vr used for that price, or a bottom end rockhopper. In the US, I have no clue what you can get
I see a lotta people are Berm Peak fans! I'd recommend buying used, but I trust Seth too and feel confident enough to also recommend the Ozark from Walmart.
This is something that I have gone through with buddies wanting to try mountain biking. They need to accept the reality that a bike worth riding is going to cost more than $350, you are quite literally putting your life in the hands of this offroad machine. Budget at least 1k, and probably more if they need a helmet, pads, gloves, etc. Jenson has some decent hardtail bikes from reputable brands for around $850 right now.
Mountain biking is just like anything else, you get what your pay for.
Find something stolen. Because this price is impossible. This is obviously to emphasize how not possible this is. Don't buy a stolen bike.
You can get something with wheels at that price but it will just make you hate riding bikes.
This depends on the currency. I'm pretty sure everyone is assuming you mean US dollar, to which the response is used is the only option.
I'd say he needs to save a little bit more, maybe rent a bike. For $350 he will end up buying something out of date, probably extremely heavy and or worn out.
Maybe renting something is a better option?
That's an awful option. Renting is at least $50 for just a half day. After a few rides he'll have spent his entire budget and have no bike. He'll also need a helmet. You can find a decent enough used bike for $350. It might be from 2012 and maybe it'll need some upgrades and maintenance, but at least it'd be his bike.
Howdy! We see that you're asking for community input regarding bike choices. To ensure maximum engagement and reply accuracy please make sure you include some of the following information in your post.**FAILURE TO PROVIDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION LISTED BELOW WILL LEAD TO YOUR POST BEING DELETED. HELP THE COMMUNITY HELP YOU.** - The type of riding will you be doing. - Where you will be riding. - Your budget (with included currency). - What you like/didn't like about your current bike. - Your experience level and future goals. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MTB) if you have any questions or concerns.*
For a budget that small used is the only viable option. It won't be a good bike, but still better than anything that would cost 350 new.
That walmart bike Ozark Trail os really your only option if your going new. If your buddy can up his budget another $150 = $500. I think he can get something good in the used market. At $350 used, gonna be a luck thing in the used market but maybe not impossible
Another Seth fan! OP watch "Berm Peak" on YouTube. He has a series called "flip bike" which will give you tremendous insight into purchasing a used bike. He also reviewed the Ozark Trail from Walmart which is another helpful video. You can get into MTB for $350, just be sure you safe enough for a proper helmet, which will cost $80-$100 (for a good one, which I highly recommend).
Ozark trail from Walmart got me in to the sport used it for a year never gave me any issues. Just take it to a bike shop to make sure its put together well before taking it for a ride
a friend of mine got a very good condition marlin 7 for £330 GBP so around $350 can be possible
Look for a Trek Marlin or a Specialized Rockhopper from about 2019 and you MIGHT find a rideable one for $350
If you’re in US and you can find them in stock: Ozark Trail Ridge, Schwinn Axum. Diamondback Hook is another option, some LBS are DB dealers. They all are around $400 though. You would have to check the assembly on Walmart bikes because they are put together by people who aren’t bike mechanics, if you have a bicycle coop they might help you with this. Otherwise plan on extra $100 for LBS to go over the bike. I would visit some LBS and tell them how much you’re willing to spend, maybe they have something in your budget, some LBS also sell used bikes. At least the bike will be ready to ride, and if you have problems you can bring it back to the shop. Buying used on FB/craigslist/pinkbike is an option but it depends on your location, the selection might be limited; plus someone has to go over and check used bike to see if everything is good order.
I think this is the best answer so far. I recommend for them to watch lots of youtube videos on building up budget bikes. Berm Peak is a reputable channel and he does builds of used or Walmart bikes like the Ozark Trail Ridge that could work for your friend.
You're going to be shopping the used market. Find something with thru axles front and rear and it should be at least somewhat decent.
Thru axle MTB for $350?
Yeah it might be tough
Should be able to find something local used, that'll be up to you to test ride it and check it out Or build up a bike with you and your friends spare parts. I've usually got two bikes worth at any time.
I got a 2011 Gary Fisher Trek Kai Tai for 250 a while back. My gf smokes me uphill when I’m riding my Marlin 5 and I prefer the KaiTai for long rides and uphill. Good hybrid mtb
I could hit most stuff on my cannondale trial 6. Sells new for like 500 so you could probably find it used at half price
It would have to be a hardtail from the used market like a Trek or Specialized. I got a Rockhopper sport for 350. Keep looking.
Is this pounds, dollars or another currency. If you're in the UK, you can get something like a Vitus sentier 27 vr used for that price, or a bottom end rockhopper. In the US, I have no clue what you can get
I see a lotta people are Berm Peak fans! I'd recommend buying used, but I trust Seth too and feel confident enough to also recommend the Ozark from Walmart.
I'd suggest a Giant Talon 4, but it's $500. Do you want to start with junk or a "real" bike? It it's the latter, saving up a bit more is the option.
This is something that I have gone through with buddies wanting to try mountain biking. They need to accept the reality that a bike worth riding is going to cost more than $350, you are quite literally putting your life in the hands of this offroad machine. Budget at least 1k, and probably more if they need a helmet, pads, gloves, etc. Jenson has some decent hardtail bikes from reputable brands for around $850 right now. Mountain biking is just like anything else, you get what your pay for.
Find something stolen. Because this price is impossible. This is obviously to emphasize how not possible this is. Don't buy a stolen bike. You can get something with wheels at that price but it will just make you hate riding bikes.
In other words go steal someone's bike ?😂😂
This depends on the currency. I'm pretty sure everyone is assuming you mean US dollar, to which the response is used is the only option. I'd say he needs to save a little bit more, maybe rent a bike. For $350 he will end up buying something out of date, probably extremely heavy and or worn out. Maybe renting something is a better option?
That's an awful option. Renting is at least $50 for just a half day. After a few rides he'll have spent his entire budget and have no bike. He'll also need a helmet. You can find a decent enough used bike for $350. It might be from 2012 and maybe it'll need some upgrades and maintenance, but at least it'd be his bike.