Mountain Biking - Decent mountain bike under $300 -College Student:

I'm just about to head off to Colby College and I'm looking for suggestions in getting a good mountain bike for casual off road use in the area(its in Waterville, Maine) for under $300. I was looking at the Gary Fisher Wahoo for $333 at Jenson Usa after coupons, but I'd like to go cheaper than that .

Any suggestions?

300 is cutting it a little close for anything that will take much off road use. and in maine, that is a little iffy. mybe you can get a good deal on a slightly used bike.

Giant Boulder SE ($280) or a Trek 3700 ($289.99). Both are good bikes for the price. I prefer the Giant over the Trek but ride them and see which one you like. I wouldn't do to much serious riding with them but if it is to get to class and back and the occasional light trails they will work.

I'm just about to head off to Colby College and I'm looking for suggestions in getting a good mountain bike for casual off road use in the area(its in Waterville, Maine) for under $300. I was looking at the Gary Fisher Wahoo for $333 at Jenson Usa after coupons, but I'd like to go cheaper than that .

Any suggestions?

If you have an REI store near you, you can have it delivered to the store for free pickup.

K2 Zed 2.0 Bike $299

http://www.rei.com/outlet/product/47926294.htm?vcat=OUTLET_SSHP_CYCLING_SA

Also for $299 is the Ibex Alpine 350

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/ALP-350-Details.html

Both bikes have similar specs to the Gary Fisher.

wow thanks for all the quick responses. My last bike was a Mongoose D60r full suspensions. It served me well until it got stolen yesterday, but I'm hoping these bikes are at least a step up.

My LBS had a Specialized Hardrock on sale for $260, but MSRP is around $320, so you probably would be paying a different price. A Giant Yukon or Boulder SE might suit you well.

Which LBS was it? And where? Any more suggestions would be appreciated!:)

300 is a little tough for a serious offroad machine, but id say that the Giant yukon ($470?) is a very capable bike, if you can shell out the 170 $.

300 is a little tough for a serious offroad machine, but id say that the Giant yukon ($470?) is a very capable bike, if you can shell out the 170 $.

wow thanks for all the quick responses. My last bike was a Mongoose D60r full suspensions. It served me well until it got stolen yesterday, but I'm hoping these bikes are at least a step up.

No problem. Remember to post pics of your new rig when you get it.

Giant Boulder SE ($280) or a Trek 3700 ($289.99). Both are good bikes for the price. I prefer the Giant over the Trek but ride them and see which one you like. I wouldn't do to much serious riding with them but if it is to get to class and back and the occasional light trails they will work.

Light riding? I beat the living piss out of my Boulder SE. It's worked flawlessly for a long time now.

My vote goes to the Boulder SE.

thanks, anyone ese have any more suggestions?

Make eBay your friend.

I bought my 2002 Fuji Sunfire on a closeout for 200 bucks even 3 years back.

The Trek 3k series might fit on that tight budget, if not mistaken the 3900 is about $299.

I just picked up a Giant Rincon for $309...less than the GF, still just a hair over your budget, but a definite step up from the Boulder SE...

I just picked up a Giant Rincon for $309...less than the GF, still just a hair over your budget, but a definite step up from the Boulder SE...

Definite step up? lol. They're nearly identicle in every single aspect.

Definite step up? lol. They're nearly identicle in every single aspect.

Let's compare some components....

Boulder SE - C102 FD, Acera RD, 14-34 MegaRange 7-speed cassette, SR Suntour GI100 28/38/48T cranks, Alloy 36H w/Brushed Sidewall rims, nylon pedals, MTB Trail 26 x 2.1" tires.

Rincon - Acera FD, Alivio RD, Shimano HG50 11-30 8-speedT cassette, TruVative ISO Flow 22/32/42T cranks, Alex CR18 36H Double Wall rims, Steel w/resin body pedals, Kenda Blue Groove/Nevegal 26 x 2.1" tires.

If you want to think of that as identical, go ahead - I see it as a step up, and for only a $40 difference in street price.

Definite step up? lol. They're nearly identicle in every single aspect.

Maybe not a huge step up but it offers slightly better mechs and it's an 8 speed vs. the 7 speed of the Boulder. A few other upgraded parts as well.

If the price is just a bit more I'd say it was worth the extra money. To "high end" riders the differences are almost non-existant, but when shopping at the bottom end of the price structure you have to look at the small things. As is common knowledge, it's much cheaper to pay an extra few $$$ for the next bike up the line than to buy the bottom one and upgrade it. And believe me, you're talking to someone that unfortunately knows!

Rincon's here are selling for 380.

I got my Boulder SE for 250.

Yeah, I think I'll take the Boulder. :rolleyes:

Dang that's pricey for a Rincon - suggeasted retail from Giant is only $330 as per their web page - where are you that's price gouging that badly? As I said, Mine was only $309...

Specialized Hardrock Sport is pretty good for around $330 (specialized's list price), a little more than you're looking for, though. a friend also had a good time with his trek 3700 (not sure what it lists at). The Specialized was a little too upright, though, and we had to swap out for a longer stem on the handlebars ($25 for the stem, shop swapped it out for free as part of fitting the bike) before it felt like it really balanced right. In both cases, there's a lot of generic and low-end parts, but it'll get you around pretty well. I've seen both of these bikes do some fairly good (for Iowa) trail work, they just don't do it quite as fast, as comfortably, or as precisely as pricier bikes, all of which can be compensated for (at least on the kinds of trails I ride--no hucking going on here) by the rider's ability.