I would like to get me and my 10 year old boy a couple mountain bikes and start riding trails. Other than a trip to Walmart which I don't want to do,is there some place ya'll know fairly close to NW Alabama that would sell some better used bikes?

craigslist is worth a shot for this

Also, if you have facebook, check out the "marketplace" for your area. basically a "craigslist for facebook".

Hit a couple of pawn shops maybe?

^^ yup, i've had good luck on CL - esp good for higher end used mtn bikes

Dont count out thrift and antique stores...i got my felt 580 at an antique store..$500 bike and a $150 set of tires..i paid $80 for it an laughed all the way to the house..been an excellent bike

Craigslist and facebook. Also not what it used to be, ebay. I have been looking for a nice 15" MTB frame to build up for my son.

My brother is gone to visit a customer in GA. When he gets back I’ll ask him. He is the mountain bike man. He rides 100 miles a week. He’ll love to talk to you about bikes. He could tell you what to avoid and recommend good starter bikes.

not sure if you have any bike shops nearby, but they usually have a few used bikes on hand. but, as stated above, craigs list will probably net a higher quality bike for less money than you'll spend on a used bike at a bike shop.
walmart bikes used to be the heaviest ones sold and the most inferior quality, aka no fun to ride on trails. I've seen where walmart is supposed to be trying to up their bike cred by selling better quality and some full-suspension bikes. you won't get the service on or knowledge of the bikes at walmart that you will a local bike shop, of course. started on a Giant Iguana, then moved to a Specialized M2 Stumpjumper (favorite but outgrew it) and now on a Trek X-Cal 29'r (that unfortunately just hangs like a bat in my garage most of the year). great exercise (used to ride 10-12 miles a day before I got a real job...now I'm lucky to ride that in a year).

good luck on the search!

That would be cool Fur. I appreciate it buddy. I just want to get us some decent equipment but I can't pay a lot right now and I don't have time to research 3 months into the bike world to know what's any good.

Appreciate the info. We won't be doing any tricks. I'm 51 and he is still fairly new to riding. We just want the right kind of bikes to take off the road,even if it is down a pretty good dirt road.

I got a Trek Merlin I'll sell you. 650 dollar bike in great shape ( because I hardly used it ) , I'd sell for 300 dollars.

About all the bike shops around B'ham have used bikes.

CL and FB Marketplace will likely be your best bet. Also if you shop around you can buy steeply discounted components individually and put together your own bike. Some friends of mine used to do this and saved a bunch of money and built some bad-A bikes. I like buying used for the deals but was able to buy my current one new - got lucky on timing and snagged it when they were trying to clear out the last year's models.

PM to you about a TREK I have.

I have one for you also, If your at least 6' tall.

PM sent for a pair.