Mountain Biking Advice

I might consider 3-5k for a top level recumbent (more metal and components), but not for a bike I'm going to beat up.

ICE VTX:

 

I get out on avg 3 days a week. It's my main form of cardio and I love it.

Some good advice here. I agree with recommendations to look for a good used hardtail with a suspension fork. More bang for your buck, less maintenance, and less to worry about. Over the past few years the trends have moved away from what was the standard for years, 26" mountain bike wheels, and on to 27.5", 29", plus wheels, fat wheels etc. This means, if you can find smoking deals on what was a cutting edge bike just a few years back, simply because it's got 26" wheels, and that's not what is in demand now.

Don't forget to get a decent helmet

 

and knee pads.

Im going to disagree a little bit on the hard tail. If you want to get into it then the hardtail route is the way to go, but if you get really hooked your going to want a fs bike. Why buy two? Id try it out on a rental or loan for a few times on a variety of trails and if you really like it get a good FS bike USED on pinkbike.

 

You can have fun surfing or riding any board/ bike you have, but you get what you pay for. The difference in a $300 vs $3000 bike is night and day. Maybe not just riding around the yard but take it to Pisgah or Dupont and I promise you will not have fun on a $400 hardtail.

 

Third degree separated left shoulder in 1987. Re-injured same 2013.
After all that surfing this Sept./Oct. that SOB aches all day and night. It crunches and grinds some days worse than others but every time I pull a handful of water it is there.
I curse those damn dirtbikes daily.
Just remember the next time you try to send it or forget to pay close attention: you crash hard enough it will affect your surfing.
But I reckon that is why it's so fun....one greasy root away from disaster...and medical bills...right?

Party on adreno junkies..

https://youtu.be/TaHbuaED5Tw

 

grade 3 last year

 

If i were getting into this type of biking, I'd consult with Pump.
Seriously.

Pump knows. Pump would go.

 

Grade 2 with a side of fractured ribs 2 yrs ago

 

Surprising amount of good advice here. I'd add that if your budget is $300, you won't get much and if someone does not take you somewhere good, you will think mountain biking is road riding on ****ty bikes. Which is not true.
I got my girlfriend her first trail going bike and actually bought a nicer bike (and new) than what I have in some ways. Reason is that I think she will like riding it much more with good brakes, smooth suspension and something that she just likes..rather than me plopping her on a piece of **** and "what, you don't like it, you suck"

Buy a hard tail because good hard tail is same money is a s ****ty full suspension. Research what there is to ride close to you, and what sort of terrain. If I was full time in south jerz, I probably wouldn't even bother but would double down my dirt bike game and really ride my 250 a lot more. I cannot imagine MTB there much.

Where are trails? There are apps, MTB project and trail forks. Download them and look, not all is there but it will give you an idea.

If you have to drive to surf, there is probably some good mountain biking.
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Finally, there is a reason those two sports (of sort,) are close together. It is similar fun and both are affected by weather and in constant change (trails don't look the same year after year).