Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Has anyone bought a hummer mountain bike? I am in the market to get a nice bike and wondered if this was a good one on par with some of the other mountain bikes in the price range.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Frankly, I'd steer away from it. There's been some reports that the folding mechanism lock gets rounded out and eventually fails.

I personally like the more well known (and well abused) bikes from brands like K2, Cannondale, GT, and others.

What type of mountain biking do you do/want to do? That (along with body type) governs what type of bike you get.

I, for example, use a K2 EVO swingarm frame that's set up for a moderate downhill type courses. I use this mainly because a guy my size (5' 11" and 260 lbs) will kill most soft tail bikes...especially the rear shock/spring and the front forks. I've already killed 2 rear springs...and I'm on a heavily upgraded third spring.

Or, for those who like lighter bikes, you can always go with a hard tail (no rear shock). My wife's Cannondale is a hard tail with a shock seat post. Of course, Cannondale makes great women's frames and my petite girl likes the lighter bike.

Wanna do tricks? Then you want what's known as a Freeride bike. You'd get at least a good 5-6 inches of wheel travel (huge for a mountain bike) with these.

So - what do you want to do with the bike?

-Steve

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

I'm certainly no expert on Hummers, but I do know bikes.

The Hummer bike is crap if you want to do any real mountain biking. If you're into the PhilD/Street Queen scene, it's fine. Get a Specialized, Giant, or Trek of you want a trailworthy bike that won't kill your wallet. You're going to need to spend $500 to get a decent low-end hardtail or $800 to get a decent full suspension.

When your ready for the big time, get one of these. :D I've got 3000 miles in this year and I can't say enough about the Yeti 575.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

:giggling:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

I concur the Hummer bike is a trinket. I ride a Gary Fisher Mullet....cool name, bike is a tank.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Hahahahahahahahahhaha!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, PhilD and Vixen!" :giggling: :giggling: :giggling:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Mountain Bikes are like religion, everyone thinks theirs is the best. There are many brands and each brand sells Econo Boxes and Corvettes with a ton of in-between models. My advice would be to find a Local Bike shop, A real bike shop not Wal-Mart or Sports Athority and take a few bikes out for a spin and then let your ass and wallet make your decision. Buying from a REAL SHOP will insure the bike is properly set up for you and was put together correctly. In addition you will have a place to buy upgrades get service when necessary as well as make some new friends to ride with. As for the Hummer Bike...If you do buy it, dont take it off road! It's kinda like a Jeep in that it looks capable but if you do it you'll break something, Could be the bike, you or both and when you are on a mountain bike it could be your neck that gets broken ;) :D

P.S. Klein Rocks

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

I thought there were two versions of the Hummer mountain bike, a cheap one that was sold by Sam's Club and a *real* version sold through the dealerships?

Anyway to tell the difference if there is one?

I've got a Haro Vector hardtail and have ridden it pretty much in the stock set-up since 95'. The only additions are a pair of Kevlar combo tires that do well on the street and a front bar set up with a little more lift.

This time of year is a great time to shop at bike shops, most are having clearance sales depending on your part of the country and pulling in holiday inventory.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Having one didn't make you sound like a fairy, but saying "prancing" did.:giggling: :giggling:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

The bike isn't that bad for a non-serious rider....especially if you get one as a door prize at a Hummer Happening!

:jump:

I did have to buy the bike bag, kickstand, and folding pedals for it though.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Now I'm not pointing fingers or anything but, geez having an expensive bike like that and all those miles, does that kind of make you a "leaf licker"?:giggling: :DWhat? did I say that out loud?

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Does "big time" mean no pedals??:dancingbanana:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

3000 miles?!?! That thing isn't worth jack-crap anymore and you're over your mileage warranty. Sheeezzz...

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

thanks for all the replies everyone... To answer your question Beastmaster, basically we have a ton of "rails to trails" trails around the western pa area, some are improved and some are just the old rail beds with the rails and ties removed. so they vary from smooth to damn bumpy.

Right now i have a cheap ass dunham's special, cost me all of about $130 bucks. Suffice it to say, it has no suspension, the seat sucks and the main problem, being 6'4" tall i have to ride all hunched over....and it kills my lower back. Not to mention with no suspension it shakes my kanucks off.

So i was thinking of upgrading to a good bike and wanted to know everyones opinions. I am not going to do off road trail blazing with it, but need a sturdy machine to pedal around the trails on....i weigh 240 pounds...

I am going to stop by the local cycle shop (gatto's for those local to me) and see what they have. I think they sell some of the brands you all have mentioned....

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

I wanted to buy a mountain bike and considered the HUMMER bike but after much research i found that for the money, alot better bike could be had. I decided to spend more (799) and get a Specialized Rockhopper Disc and I LOVE it!

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

When you buy bike at the high end of the price range, they come without pedals. It is assume that you're pretty into biking and have your own preference for a certain type of pedal (Speedplay for me). Same with the road bikes.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Just shows what I know.....nada

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

At your height/weight, you need to be fitted to a proper frame size. All major manufacturers (Gary Fisher/Haro/GT/Specialized/K2/Cannondale/others that I'm missing) all have XL sized frames for tall blokes like you. It's good to see you go to a good bike shop - they will fit you and 99% of them will let you test ride them before you buy.

Good Luck!
-Steve

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

wonder if we could do this with wheels, you know sell the car without them (bike without pedals) and then charge for the wheels.:dancingbanana:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Steve,

Thanks much for the advice. Stopped in to get a tube for my kids bike and was looking at a few of the Specialized ones. Nice bikes. Didnt have time to really engage the salesman though and get the low down on them. Since I am reported to be a hard person to buy xmas gifts for by my wife...i am thinking that a nice bike would fit the list just right.

Again, thanks for the advice and tips.

Mike

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Cannondales are very nice. My dad has a specialized and a mongoose. Basicly any entry level bike from a bike shop will get you something to get your feet wet on. I suggest not getting the lowest model, but getting one that's a level or two up from that. You'll typically get a much better bike for a little bit of money reguarding components, weight, tires, etc.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

I was going to buy the Hummer bike but couldn't see myself spending that much money so bought a Mongoose instead. Hope to get it within a week or two.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

guess the ole theory is true for bikes...you get what you pay for....so if i drop about $500 i'll get a good bike then.....right?

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Yes....kinda, It's been years since I was in College and Working at a Shop but I still ride and I have a friend who owns a shop. The high end bike world can be confusing. let me provide a little information. $500 or there about will get you into a entry level high end bike. I know that sounds like a contradiction but it's true. At that price point you get a Great Frame, often it's the same frame as used on a given companies' bikes retailing for $1000 to $1200. The difference comes in the level of the parts used to build the bike out. I.E. The Headset, Stem, Handlebar, Brakes, Brake levers, Shifter set, Derailleurs, Bottom Bracket, Crankset, Pedals, Seat Post, Seat, Hubs, Spokes, Wheels, Tires, Tubes ... ect. All of these Items come in a multitude of types and Price points. With many available in Exotic Metals to reduce weight and In the bike world Lighter means More Money! Ti is used extensively for many parts and Ti is big bucks. It can get really silly, I have to confess that I have a wheelset built out with Titanium Spokes. I digress, Anyway the big Part providers are Shimano and Sram and they have Part groups that are used to build these bikes. If I remember correctly there were 3 or 4 price/performance tiers with Shimano they fell as follows - Deore, LX, XT and XTR. $500 used to get you a Great frame and a mix of the Deore and LX components. I started like this and as I wore out group parts I would upgrade. Gee.... kinda sounds familiar don't it :shhh: dont tell our significant others :D :D ....Anyway long story short, $500 is a good starting point. It will get you good equipment and onto the trails, Ride Several in the parking lot at the shop and choose what feels best to you. Then its off to aftermarket world and figuring out what to replace first to shave a pound off the bike so it's easier to climb a hill. Just my .02 cents worth :dancingbanana: BTW: I did finally figure out that the easiest way to climb the hill in was in my H2 with a Corona in the beverage holder. Wisdom does come with age :D :D :D :jump:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

dont forget the lime for the Corona..... Threw back quite a few Corona's at the PGH Buffett concert.....

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Would never forget the lime... lime in a corona is manditory :beerchug:

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Spent 10 days ending last saturday on Cape Hatteras put away about 5 cases of Corona (and 30 limes) and got turned on to Modelo I think I like it better than Corona.

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

hmm...never tried Modelo....never heard of it actually. similar to a Corona taste? we usually hit the margarita's on vacation...we mix up a big ole bucket and swilling them down on the beach...gotta love it!

Re: Hummer Mountain Bike
 

Actually Modelo and Corona come from the same Brewery, To me Modelo seems to have a little cleaner after taste. Margaritas are a Good Thing! Google "Daiquiri Wacker" :beerchug: