Mountain Biking - ive narrowed it down, whats the best buy

i am looking for a bike that will hual me around down and take me on some medium trails every now and then. my choices are
1) diamondback sorento, 21 speed, hardtail comes in at $269
2) diamnond back response, 24 speed, hardtail $319
3) Haro V series V2 hardtail $289
4) K2 attack without discs, FS $349
5) my personall favorite the specialized hardrock, hardtail $329

what i want to know is what is the best bike for the money. im no extreme rider but i like to take jumps every now and then and i also like to commute on my bike. i also will do some light down hill, No big drops 1- 1.5 foot tops, and thats about it. i made a thread earlier but i have widened my horizons thanks, also the diamond back sorento is my target price range but i am considering stretching

I'd definately go for #5, the Specialized Hardrock, it's great, and probably your best bet out of the choices you mentioned.
If you want to ask anything specific about the Hardrock feel free to add me to MSN (blackbelt_gabor@hotmail.com), send me a PM or simply ask in this thread.

I definitely agree with Drunken Chicken, go with the hardrock.

Vote #3 for the Hardrock.

yeah, choosing specialized in this roundup is the wisest move.

well i went and purchased my first real moutain bike, 05 specialized hardrock sport, silcer with a little red. for 330. i hope i didnt get hosed but if i did the guys at the bike shop were great and have been very helpful on my other biking needs so props to shilo cyclery, i think there name is. any ways i cant wait to really try it out on some jumps and trails thanks for all the help everyone

well i went and purchased my first real moutain bike, 05 specialized hardrock sport, silcer with a little red. for 330. i hope i didnt get hosed but if i did the guys at the bike shop were great and have been very helpful on my other biking needs so props to shilo cyclery, i think there name is. any ways i cant wait to really try it out on some jumps and trails thanks for all the help everyone
Very nice, and you're welcome. ;) As for the price, 330 dollars, you're lucky, here in Spain a Hardrock Sport is 425 euros (around 550 dollars?).
When you can, post some pics of your new ride. :)

sure will i am going on an 18 mile road trip today were starting in oregon and riding the 5 mile bridge or however long it is over to washington and back it will be fun on a good bike.

hey i just now read your sig you have almost the exact bike i have. i dont know the color of yours but thats cool.

hey i just now read your sig you have almost the exact bike i have. i dont know the color of yours but thats cool.
Hehe. :) My Hardrock is black (not matte black, but the flat black one).

hardrock. i wouldn't ride anything FS for under 800. the specialized would actually be worth fixing/upgrading when things go bad/ wear out. not so much on the others.

Notch up another one for the Hardrock. Excellent bike.

sweet good to know i made a good choice. i wasnt worried arfter todays bike ride. it was sweet. than i took it home and built a small jump and was floored with ohow it performed for such a cheap price compared to others. the only problem i had was one time when i stopped the rear brake locked up and i couldnt get started again. so i pulled off one pad and continued the last 3 mile leg. its a great bike. thanls again

sweet good to know i made a good choice. i wasnt worried arfter todays bike ride. it was sweet. than i took it home and built a small jump and was floored with ohow it performed for such a cheap price compared to others. the only problem i had was one time when i stopped the rear brake locked up and i couldnt get started again. so i pulled off one pad and continued the last 3 mile leg. its a great bike. thanls again
Good to hear you're having fun. :D As for the pads, try www.parktool.com for repair tips, it's a great site.