you can get a good solid bike for that price easy. There is a big difference between the $500 and the $800 range so if you can actually afford an $800 I'd start looking there. I have a Gary Fisher Tassajara and I can't say anything bad about it. I freakin' love it and it's about $650, so you can do better than that if you want. Look around, check specialized and giant too, they make good bikes. Be sure to ride the Tass though, I love the geometry but some hate it.