Mountain Biking - Which bike is better?

I've been doing some consumer research to decipher which mountain bike I should buy. I would like to start riding XC/Trail and entering some races from time to time just for fun, but I'm not sure which one of these bikes offers the best bang for the buck for my purposes. I don't really care if it's HT or FS (so please don't debate that here). I just want the best quality bike for the price so I can upgrade as I get more competitive without having to purchase a whole new ride. Which one of these bikes do you guys suggest I get:

Kona Cinder Cone
http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=333&parentid=253

Norco Rival
http://www.norco.com/ts/pass/norco06usa/templates/bike_model.php?lang=en&loc=fs&sloc=ad&tabloc=1&id=rival&col=black

Iron Horse Maverick Elite Performance Exclusive
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=21236

Specialized Hardrock Comp Disc
http://bikemart.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=1874

Thank you very much for your help! I'll remember your names when I'm on the podium. :)

The best bet would be to ride all of your choices and see what fits best. After that you can see if you have any favorites. Parts can be replaced down the line but the geometry can only be changed so much.

The best bet would be to ride all of your choices and see what fits best. After that you can see if you have any favorites. Parts can be replaced down the line but the geometry can only be changed so much.
I totally agree

For durability, I'd probably say the Norco Rival.

I would love to ride them, but there is only one good bike shop in my area and the only bike out of these four that they carry is the Specialized. So, I'm kind of at the mercy of a half-blind internet purchase. Although, I completely agree with you, and I wish I could ride them first. That would be an excellent way to make my decision...Thanks ninja turtle & 6800.;)

I would remove the Iron Horse from my list like that!, its simply not worth it. The rest all have similar specs (almost the same) so I guess go with whatever fits you best. BTW, your link LINKS to a Kona Blast. If I was buying blind I´d probably go with the Kona or maybe the Hardrock because it has SRAM but even then I would reconsider as the Norco looks great too.

Flip a coin maybe? Its not like the difference will be huge, even geometry is similar on those bikes (the rival and HR look almost the same). Also take in mind price, warranty and stuff like that.

All good/decent entry level bikes. Ride them all, buy the one that fits the best. If you can't decide between two. Buy the one with the better fork.

All these bikes are pretty much the same, the components are all about equal. The frames are all about equal. The forks are all about equal.

The differences? Geometries and Paint color.

Fit should be your first criteria. Then the fork because it will be the first thing you'll want to upgrade. Then color.

If it's your first bike you should really try to ride before you buy and not get it off the internet but to each his own.

Thanks for the heads-up, Chone. I fixed it. I did mean the Cinder Cone, btw.

Also, thank you all for being so receptive and helpful.
I would much rather get suggestions from knowledgeable people than from someone just trying to make a sale, ya know?

And, I think I knew to strike the Iron Horse off the list. I think I just liked the way it looked.

So, the Iron Horse is out,
and I have one vote for the Norco thus far.

Anyone else care to share your opinion?

without looking at the numbers, the norco's geometry seems more agressive than the kona or the spec, looks like highest bb of the 3. If you're looking to expand your style to some jumps, that geometry would suit best. personally i like the kona.

Thanks Funky.

So, that's 2 votes for the Norco
and 1 vote for the Kona.

Anyone else care to assist?

If all bikes fit well, then i would go with the Norco. I like Kona and Specialized, but the Norco looks like the better bike. Always test ride before you go out and buy!

I would say the Cinder Cone. I know someone with a Rival, and he hates it now cuase its heavy and crappy parts.

My vote is for the Cinder Cone. I ride an 05 Cone, and i think it's a great bike. I know that Kona downspec'ed the 06 models, so the components are a bit cheaper, but you do get the beefier tubing. Kona's are built to take anything, so it should last you a long time too.

Either the Cinder Cone or the Hardrock.

Right on! Thanks fellas...

That's 2 votes for the Norco,
3 votes for the Kona,
and 2 consollation votes for the Specialized.

I think at this point I'm going to have to go ride the Kona and Specialized, because these were the only ones that I could find at a LBS within 30 miles of me. I'll give special consideration to the Cinder Cone.

Thank you all again very much. Since I'm so new to this MTB thing, you'll probably see me on these forums asking a question from time to time.

Until then....