Mountain Biking - XC around 700-1000

I have done some thinking and decided to save up and up the price range for a bike i would like to get. I am looking into a XC hardtail. What do you guys suggest?

Ive been surfing the web and here is what I have found

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=101&parentid=182#
http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=89&parentid=182
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=05Hardrock

I stay away from the Blast out of those, the other two are better.

wildboer, i too am in the market for a XC hardtail in the same price range. a few that i'm looking at include the Gary Fisher Tassajara Disc and Hoo Koo E Koo and the Trek 6500 and 6700.

this price range is really pushing my wallet to the brink. I am going to have to save for a while to afford it, but i know tat if a settle for less I will not get what I want.

I am leaning toward the lower priced options, The closer to 700 the better.

What are the main component differences between $500 and $700 XC bikes?

What are the main component differences between $500 and $700 XC bikes?

Typically, derailleurs. Possibly some other minor upgrades (brakes, saddles, cranksets).

Check out the Gary Fisher Tassahara. It's a little under $700 and its served me well in three X-Terra races this year.

why the hoss, that isnt a xc specific bike.

The Hoss because Im 6'1" 185 lbs and it says its for larger riders. Plus Im not too strict for an XC bike. Im looking for someting like XC or all-mountain.

Do you sacrifice suspension in between a 500-700 dollar XC bike? What are the quality of the derrailleurs on $500, are they crappy?

I noticed that this bike
{ http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=88&parentid=182 ** has the same suspension as the Blast and still has discs. After more and more research I am leaning toward the $500 range and I will be reading up on the $500 MTB thread.

Do you sacrifice suspension in between a 500-700 dollar XC bike? What are the quality of the derrailleurs on $500, are they crappy?



You should not be considering a full suspension (front and rear) at this pricepoint. You will not be happy. You at the starting point of getting a decent hardtail at the $500 - $700 range. Instead of paying for a crappy rear shock, the money goes into better componentry on a hardtail at this price range. The derailleurs will typically be well above department-store quality, and will probably be in the upper-entry level category (Shimano Alivio/Acera or possibly even LX for example). They are easily upgradeable if/when you feel they are a liability however.

well, yes you do sacrafeice suspension going from 700 down to 500. a 700 dollar bike will have a better fork on it then a 500 dollar bike.(most of the time) i would not get a full suspension at 500. i recently bought a kona with that mz comp fork and it is not that bad, i would love a fox up front though :) it is a little bouncy, but i dont really mind. if also have an lx, it is not all that good but it gets the job done. as for the frame. it is a kona, so you have the peace of mind that you have a really good frame.

I'm considering a hard tails mostly. As far as Kona is concerned the 700 dollar hardtails usually have the same exact fork as the 500 dollar step below.

BUT I wen to the bike shop yesterday and there wasa a left over 2004 Kona Dawg Matic for around 800 I might get that, because its a huge friggin deal.

i was in the same boat and ended up with a jamis dakar. i'm glad i did, because i plan on upgrading as things break, and i'm going to spend a lot more time riding it for fun than in racing. i was also looking at the trek 6500 and giant iguana and rainier, even though the giants seemed a little heavy.

I ended up with a Trek 6700 after testing out a Specialized Rockhopper Comp and the 6700. I don't know whether I made the perfect decision, but regardless, the 6700 is a sweet ride. My next bike may well be the Rockhopper Comp, however, and it sits in the price range you mentioned.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=9589
http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Mountain/Hardtail/Alpha_Aluminum/6700_Disc/index.php
(non disc version is available)

Im still looking at this but the bike shop we go to has a fully suspended Dawg Matic for 800, its mared dow 400 dollars.

i went back to my LBS today and the sales guy was really high on the Cinder Kone. it has Hayes hydrolic disc brakes...but the reviews on them seem to be iffy. i'm wondering if i may be better off going with a Tassajara and adding Avid BB7 or similar discs for about the same price. the 6700 is also still on my short list. i wish i were more compulsive.

I'm considering a hard tails mostly. As far as Kona is concerned the 700 dollar hardtails usually have the same exact fork as the 500 dollar step below.

BUT I wen to the bike shop yesterday and there wasa a left over 2004 Kona Dawg Matic for around 800 I might get that, because its a huge friggin deal.

For general xc, if I could find a new Dog-matic for $800 I wouldn't leave the store without it!

i went back to my LBS today and the sales guy was really high on the Cinder Kone. it has Hayes hydrolic disc brakes...but the reviews on them seem to be iffy. i'm wondering if i may be better off going with a Tassajara and adding Avid BB7 or similar discs for about the same price. the 6700 is also still on my short list. i wish i were more compulsive.

I've test ridden the Cindercone several times and was very impressed with what you get for the money. I don't know how a person could get much more at that price point. Just my opinion. :beer:

Tell that to my parents :mad: Im going to the store tommorrow because I need camping supplies and they sell those too. Hopefully I can convince my dad to buy it for me I will pay him back l8r.