miatabear

As far as bikes go there is a broad range of "beginner bikes" and it greatly depends on what riding style you are going to do. If you are just looking for cross country riding the type of bike you will use will be greatly different than a downhill bike. Personally I really like all mountain style bikes as you can still pedal them up hill without much difficulty and they also are able to do downhill. I have a Santa Cruz nomad and that style bike is perfect for just about everything. My suggestion to find a good bike that fits you and is comfortable is to go demo bikes until you find the right match.

 

As far as where to go riding there are tons of trails around the Bay that offer a riding style for everything and unless you are somewhere with big built features there are ways around most jumps or features if you aren't feeling up to them.

Cool thanks. I am not too familiar with mountain bikes so I thought I'd ask. I have worked with fixed bikes/track bikes when I was in college though. I had couple Fuji feathers, Bianchi Super Pista, and Surly Steamroller. Now I am deciding if I should get a road bike or a mountain bike...but from the videos you guys be posting...it looks dangerous lol

Anyone here ridden steel hardtails? Curious what the feedback is on them. I am looking at the On-One 456 frame, which looks pretty sweet.

What's a good beginner bike and where is a place I can ride so that I don't break any bones?