Hello folks,

Long version (skip to the bottom for the short version!): I've been off bikes for about a decade now due to some lung problems. I think I finally have them sorted out to the point that I can do some light riding again. When I stopped, I had been doing nearly anything goes singletrack. No big hit downhill stuff but pretty much any singletrack I could find within a few hours drive from Bakersfield.

I was riding a Cannondale Killer V that I bought new around 1992 I think. Over the years I had upgraded everything on it and really liked the bike. It was a tiny bit too small for me and I can't recall if it was a 17 or 19 frame size but I'm just under 5'11" so guessing it was a 17.

I sold the old cannondale (very stupid) years ago when it looked like my pipes wouldn't allow me to do anything. I'm now really heavy (285lbs) and looking for a bike to invest in. I've looked around town and just don't have a good feeling from the local shops. It just seems like they either don't know what they're talking about (ie their story changes while looking at bikes) or they just flat out seem like used car sales guys (no offense meant really, just couldn't come up with something else).

Short version: Can someone help me out a bit? Where to buy and what?

I live out in the orchards off Brekinridge here in Bakersfield so first few weeks would be light foothills and then single track ASAP. 5'10+", 285lbs, out of shape but a MTB lover. Average torso, legs (33 inseam) 39 years old. I care more about the frame than anything else due to my weight and the fact that I can upgrade comps over time. Budget = Max of $600. I don't care if it's used or not. I would LOVE to race again but realistically it's not going to happen this season unless it's just for fun (which I will probably do).

Are there any other local forums by the way? Not that I don't like this site, it's really nice. Just not a lot of traffic. ;) Looking forward to seeing some of you guys at Keys in a few weeks.

Action Sports really is ok? Both times I went in there I had a pretty bad experience. Made me leery of them. The guys at Finish Line were pretty good one day and pretty creepy and sell sell sell the second time but they were the ones that I bought my last bik from in the 90's at the old store. I'll give Action Sports a try again and ask for Sam since I am interested in the P1, especially if I can find a deal on a 2009 maybe.

Thank you for the information. Hopefully I'll get to hear some stuff at Keyesville as well.

Update? Did you get a bike and are you out there riding? I hope so.

Good deal. Good luck w/your bike search. You'll find a good match sooner or later.

You were in casts for 7 months?! Holy crap. Mine sounds wimpy compared to yours. I won't get a cast at all since they put the titanium rod in. Can't put weight on mine for first 6 weeks, then slowly more and more as time goes on. Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

Eric has been loving his 29er, it might be worth looking into for a HT bike. Are you talking about the Specialized P1? Isn't that more of a dirt jumping bike? If so, you'd be better off with a Hardrock. I'm the same height as you, and we can go between sizes on bikes. At the upper end for a medium, lower end for a large. It all depends on your preferences, but I ride a large Stumpjumper. I think Action Sports is probably the best shop in town for an all around variety, as others have mentioned you should probably talk to Sam, though Dave is also a helpful guy. Good luck bike shopping, there are tons of options out there.

My Gary FIsher RIG is absolutely awesome. I love it!!!!! I'm 5' 9" and riding a 17.5" (Med) and it fits like a glove. The nice thing about the RIG is that it can be converted to a fgeared bike. The chain adjustment is on the BB. Word of caution...... If you want to go tubeless look out for a painful process. The Bontrager rims are "tubeless ready" I ordered Bontrager specific rim strips a few weeks ago and .................................................Still waiting! They make 29er slime tubes so I reccomend those until you get your tubeless setup. Like I'm some sort of "expert" hahahahahaha.