Mountain Biking - Entry level trail bike between $400-$600?

I'm looking for an off the rack entry level trail bike for between $400 & $600. I want a hard tail and something that can be upgraded at a later date. any suggestions?
I live in a small town with one LBS, he sells GT and KHS. I've never heard of KHS bought i thought i remembered hearing that GT wasn't very good. So if i don't get it locally any brand suggested is fine.
Also is sizing as important with mountian bikes as it is with road bikes?
Thanks

Specialized Hardrock

+1 on the Hardrock. I picked up a Hardrock Comp Disc for a buddy for $550. It's a very good bike. Probably can do with a better front fork later tho. But some nicer forks cost as much as the bike so..

was just checking out the specialized web site the hard rock does look kinda nice :). where did you find a comp disc for $550? that sounds like a great price.

KHS seems to be a good brand, from what I see at their site. For around 550$ you can get a decent beginner bike.

+1 for the Hardrock if you find one.

KHS makes some very nice bike, however, they seem a little on the pricey side. At the $400-600. range, I would go for a Rockhopper base model...solid bike, strong wheelset, proven frame, and certainly worthy of any componet upgrade when/if you wear it out. Another bike I love (had one, gave it to my nephew) is the Marin Hawk Hill, v-brake model. Check out www.sierratradingpost.com. They run $410. for the 2005 models. Marin makes an excellent bike with top notch fit/finish. Good luck and let us know what you find. Test rides will steer you to the one for you.

Check out Performance Bikes (http://www.performancebike.com/index.cfm?siteID=seTNsP%2FFHcI-3toG%2FhgQNFpZ%2AoMoYYTo9g). I just got a flyer in the mail from them and there are some nicely equiped bikes, which are right in your range.

I bought my Hardrock in 98 and I still ride it every day, All kinds of woodsy trails with dropoffs and roots, Sandy hills with stumps and a few Jumps and it has never complained. I am just now 8 years later building a new bike. Hardrock is a great starter bike and will take what you dish out even when your nolonger a starter. Good luck ;)

The Marin Bolinas Ridge is nice if it's available in your area. i absolutely love mine.

the marins are really nice bikes also, my girlfriend has a pioneer trail. really good bang for the buck and I was looking at a nail trail. really nice then I decided to stick with specialized. The marin line is really really nice though.

watch ebay ive seen some realy nice bikes sell for under 600

watch ebay ive seen some realy nice bikes sell for under 600

yea that's true, but you have to camp it 7days a week and deals only come once a full moon. you can get a hardrock sport disk for $550 (including tax). and they make great entry mtb.

If this is your first bike, I highly recommend going to your LBS and sizing up different bikes before buying ANYTHING. Then once you've gotten a feel for the ride, you can buy blindly.

One you might be able to find and would be a good option would be a Raleigh Mojave 5.0 or 8.0. Ones in the lower part of your price range, one's in the higher, but both are certainly great bikes for the money, I would argue a better buy than the Specialized Hardrock or Rockhopper in your price range. The Hardrock is a nice bike, but it is definately heavy, due to it's design as a 'do all beater.' The Raleigh is more of a trail bike and will have a different ride feel, closer to that of, say, a Rockhopper. The Rockhopper is a definate XC style bike. My personal reccomendation is to ride a few models and see what you like the feel of... that's going to matter more than what any of us say.

KHS makes some very nice bike, however, they seem a little on the pricey side. At the $400-600. range, I would go for a Rockhopper base model...solid bike, strong wheelset, proven frame, and certainly worthy of any componet upgrade when/if you wear it out. Another bike I love (had one, gave it to my nephew) is the Marin Hawk Hill, v-brake model. Check out www.sierratradingpost.com. They run $410. for the 2005 models. Marin makes an excellent bike with top notch fit/finish. Good luck and let us know what you find. Test rides will steer you to the one for you.


HEADS UP...SIerratradingpost has a 20% off discount going on this weekend...makes the Hawk Hill price out at $328. Awesome deal on a solid bike. The Hawk Hill uses the same frame set as their top of line hard tail. It appears they are almost sold out and only have the 18.5" size now. Good luck.

If this is your first bike, I highly recommend going to your LBS and sizing up different bikes before buying ANYTHING. Then once you've gotten a feel for the ride, you can buy blindly.


perhaps but make sure there's a return policy, i got sized up on a trek and tried a gary fisher of the same size and it felt really bad. actually i tried a few sizes up and down and didn't like any of them. they all felt awkward.

There's nothing wrong with Gt's.