Mountain Biking - yet another one...

I know this question seems to be asked in every other thread, but I am new to mountain biking and in need of some advice. I've been doing some research and would like to spend around $600 on a bike. I haven't rode in years and in the past its always been on the road with a wal-mart bike. I really like the Kona Blast but I was wondering if i should maybe be looking at a steel frame bike like the Kona Lava Dome? Other than the frame steel vs. alum. what the difference in the bikes? I dont really know what parts are better than others, but I come from a dirtbike/atv background and its just a matter of time until i try to jump it off something. How much of a differance would the steel or aluminum frame make? Would I be better off going with a Kona Scab or similar bike? How would one of those hardtail "freeride" bike do for XC? I really like the whole XC idea but theres going to be a fair amount of drops and jumps. I dont live really close to any bike shops but ill be going to test ride a few in a week or so. ANY ADVICE OR SUGGESTIONS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME.

How soon are you looking at getting a bike? How stuck are you on a hard tail? And, do you see your self doing more FR type riding or xc?

Aluminum is stiffer and has a much shorter half life. Steel will feel more suptle and have a little more flex and last a lot longer. Kona's warranty is better for steel than Aluminum as well I believe.

Blast - Deore parts (middle range for freeriding but low end for xc), Short fork especially for freeriding at 80 mm. Small wheels for freeriding but great for xc. This is definately a xc bike and is not built for hits. If you plan to jump don't get this. Aluminum material

Lava Dome - Exact same parts but made of steel. For jumping and hits this is a better option than the blast (damn colour is UGLY though :D)

Scab - freeride geometry. Built to take hits. No suspension on fork but great for djing. You could always put a dj3 on it for a couple of hundred more and this bike would kick ass. Lower end drive chain parts with burlier cranks and frame. It is still cheap because f the missing fork and low end parts. This is the type of bike built for hits and replace parts as you go. Strong frame and made of steel so perfect for jumping and is also disc brake ready. Thats a good thing for freeriding if you get into it.

Depending on your focus they ar all good bikes. For my kind of riding (aggro xc, freeriding and dj's) I would get the Scab. That is the only freeride bike you have selected. If you are looking for a good all round bike take a look at the Stuff. The geometry is better suited to xc but it is still slack enough for freeriding and dj's. It is also very stiff and strong (I ride the roast so I speak from experience). Once again the parts are deore which is great replacement level :D

Cheers

in a week or so. im fairly certain I'll get a hard tail because from what I've read you cant get a "good" full suspension bike in my price range. I dont really plan on doing more FR type riding than XC but I dont want to buy a bike that will break or fall apart if i do some drops.

The main part about jumps is learning how to land without damaging the bike or yourself. Pretty much a matter of using your body as a suspension.

Aluminum is stiffer and has a much shorter half life
I think maybe you simply meant service life, Maelstrom. Half life refers to radioactive decay, which aluminum doesn't do. Just thought I'd point that out ;)

Originally posted by iamlucky13
The main part about jumps is learning how to land without damaging the bike or yourself. Pretty much a matter of using your body as a suspension.

I think maybe you simply meant service life, Maelstrom. Half life refers to radioactive decay, which aluminum doesn't do. Just thought I'd point that out ;)

:D...yeah...I just woke up...thanx though haha

But that sure would make for some interesting warranty issues :)

Hey, look at the Specialized P.2 for this year. Good bike for what you've described. I had a 2000 model P.3 and built it up similar to what the new P.2 is. I rode XC (shorter rides) all the time, of course, I was always picking the nastiest lines to try.

Good value too, and a frame worth upgrading as parts break. (and they will if you get into jumping)

L8R