Mountain Biking - What's the best mtb on the cheap?

so i don't have a big budget for a new bike. so i'd like to know what's a nice mtb that will last me a long time and take some upgrades later on, but not break the bank?

bump

What exactly do you call breaking the bank? I just got a Fisher Pirahna for $600 that I thought was a fairly good deal but it all depends on the budget.

don't be a d-bag, he was actually looking for help.

as for looking for a bike I would recomend something along the lines of a Specialized Stumpjumper or something along those lines, good quality and can be quite affordable

Unbeatable...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000DZM3NE/sz-category363-20/ref%3Dnosim/103-4101933-6111842

i forgot to mention i already have a pacific ds2 (don't laugh at me!). i'm hoping to move a step up if possible.

What exactly do you call breaking the bank?

ideally $300 and below.

Unbeatable...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000DZM3NE/sz-category363-20/ref%3Dnosim/103-4101933-6111842

You're not serious are you? FS bikes under a grand USD aren't usually worth taking a look at and this one is especially bad..

don't be a d-bag, he was actually looking for help.

as for looking for a bike I would recomend something along the lines of a Specialized Stumpjumper or something along those lines, good quality and can be quite affordable

I assume you're talking about used ones? New ones are around $1,200 and up aren't they? The specialized Hardrock is $360 and Fisher makes some that are cheaper like the Mako and Tarpon I believe. The Boulder SE from Giant is under $300.

Hardrock is pretty much unbeatable. My friend has been beating the crap out of his for the last 2 years and it still runs...

I owuld go with checking out a Specialized Hardrock, my friend has one too, as MattP said, my friend has beat the crap out of it for as long as I can remember, good bike.

Specialized Hardrock?

Check this link (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=3050) out. I think that it could be the ticket.

Go to your LBS and ride some of their used bikes. Get an idea of what feels comfortable to you and take it from there.

specialzed hardrocks were MADE to beat the **** out of, and still roll.

yah, i jsut got a '05 hardrock on sale for $300...

without rambling, all i can say is... perfect

Cheapest entry level bikes so far I have come across are the Hardrock Sport (very strong and agressive) the Gary Fisher Wahoo (less agressive but better ride to me) I think almost every major brand has a bike in this catagory give or take 100$ I just so happen to be mostly torn between GF and Specialized as they seem to be the best for the money.

If you can strech your budget you will find within the next 200$ you will get alot more bike.

I went from looking at the Hardrock Sport to a Rockhopper (big improment) and from the Wahoo to the Piranha (again big improment) buying abit more bike upfront keeps you from haiving to toss all the cheap parts for upgrades so soon and will overall make you more happy with the bike (more riding) Its like buying a cheap car you have to fix every week, or a more expensive smooth riding car upfront it may be more expenisve but in the long run it may be cheaper and you will be more happy with it.

Thats my personal opinon anyways.

Defintly stay away from dual suspension at that price range, and stay away from disk breaks.

Check out www.ibexbikes.com

I got some good advise for you, just got back from the LBS and they got 2 Wahoo's in (gary fisher) at 430MSRP its probably the chepest you will find a good bike, and when I say good I mean great bike. I liked it better than the Rockhopper and Hardrock Sport, great shifting, great feel, balance, comfort, and price.

You may find it much less than 430 since thats the MSRP.

I am thinking about getting one of those instead of the pricier Marlin/Piranha since it felt so good to me and use that money to upgrade things more specific to what I want (bash guard, clipless pedals ect)

If you can take one of these out for a spin I definitly would.

Nothing to laugh at ...
I loves mines.

Just out of curiousity, how many screen names have you gone through now?

Used hardtail.
Bikes deprecate fast.

The Boulder SE from Giant is under $300.

I've ridden a Giant Boulder SE and was pleased with it. It may not be the best or have all the fancy names on it, but if you sent it back in time 5 years or so, the people there would have LOVED it. If they would have loved it then, why can't we at least like it now.

You may find it much less than 430 since thats the MSRP.

Gotta agree on all your points. I have been researching entry level MTBs as well and have settled on the Wahoo as well. This is a great entry level bike for the price. My LBS has it for $389.

Unbeatable...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000DZM3NE/sz-category363-20/ref%3Dnosim/103-4101933-6111842
That bike is flippen sweet! I bet you could take this one off bigger jumps, mabye get like 3 feet.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000BGJOIC.16._SCLZZZZZZZ_SS384_.jpg

Gotta agree on all your points. I have been researching entry level MTBs as well and have settled on the Wahoo as well. This is a great entry level bike for the price. My LBS has it for $389

Thats great! I am unlucky there are are only 3 LBS that sell "real" bikes and a few lesser used private owned places that sell fixed up walmart bikes.

Of these 3 places all 3 of them sell at FULL MSRP, so I have to pay full retail for it, they will give me a break on accesories like helmet/gloves, they will work on the Trek's some for me but the Gary Fisher they say they just cant move the price on.

I think I will be getting the Marlin, just one step up from the Wahoo for the better brakes and a few better components but looks like avalibility is low and they dont have any in stock ( I think due to the 07's coming soon) so I may get the wahoo, may get it as cheap as you since if they get the 07's in the 06's get reduced.

Wish me luck.