12-29-2010, 02:27 PM
yes, performance durability and reliability are noticably better on better parts. at the low end of bikes where the margins are already thin, an extra $300 does get you a much better bike.
Spend as much as you can afford on a bike BUT, as Ive always said, buy whatever gets you out on the trail!
a few good ('real') mountain bike trails in the area, especially for beginners and intermediates. lake fairfax/difficult run in reston, wakefield in annandale, laurel hill and fountainhead in lorton. It will take you a while to master fountainhead.
there is also the county connector trail that is mostly smooth gravel but i wouldnt call it mountain biking.
Then out by harrisonburg and further west in WV there is lots of stellar big mountain riding. As challenging as you want it to be.
an hour drive up into MD gets you into the mountains, either gambrill/watershed or patapsco park. good challenging riding there too.
Spend as much as you can afford on a bike BUT, as Ive always said, buy whatever gets you out on the trail!
a few good ('real') mountain bike trails in the area, especially for beginners and intermediates. lake fairfax/difficult run in reston, wakefield in annandale, laurel hill and fountainhead in lorton. It will take you a while to master fountainhead.
there is also the county connector trail that is mostly smooth gravel but i wouldnt call it mountain biking.
Then out by harrisonburg and further west in WV there is lots of stellar big mountain riding. As challenging as you want it to be.
an hour drive up into MD gets you into the mountains, either gambrill/watershed or patapsco park. good challenging riding there too.