Mountain Biking - Tried out...

One of my friends has a giant boulder, and i road it around for awhile and it seemed pretty nice, and i look online at the price and its like 240 dollars...what would be better on a bike in the 300 dollar range like the hardrock sport, and some of the treks. i mean it seems nice already, what would be better on the more expensive bikes.

anyone?

Almost nothing. The Giant is a good entry level bike.

I think that the differences between most brands at this price point boil down to the color and the fit. The forks that are on a Specialized vs. a Trek are about the same. The Shimano components vs. the Sram are nearly the same.

The only significant difference is the frame geometry. You really need to test ride them as each manufacturer feels their geometry is optimum. But, since we are all built differently, one manuf. bike will feel better to you than me.

ic, i guess that makes sence. so pretty much your paying for a nicer frame and maybe paying for the better brand name.

Almost nothing. The Giant is a good entry level bike.

I think that the differences between most brands at this price point boil down to the color and the fit. The forks that are on a Specialized vs. a Trek are about the same. The Shimano components vs. the Sram are nearly the same.

The only significant difference is the frame geometry. You really need to test ride them as each manufacturer feels their geometry is optimum. But, since we are all built differently, one manuf. bike will feel better to you than me.

Normally I'd agree but when you look at the specs for the individual bikes, there are some major differences. (Specialized (http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12278&bikeTab=techspec), Trek (http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1014600&f=19), Giant (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?model=11391))

For the extra $100 of the Hardrock Sport, you get a better fork (100mm travel vs 75mm and 63mm), better gearing (42/32/22 vs 48/38/28 and an 11-34 cassette vs a 13-32), a better handlebar, an alloy stem and slightly better wheels.

If you actually want to ride off-road, the lower gearing is worth the extra cost alone. I don't think there's going to be that much difference between the weights of the bikes but at least the Hardrock has less steel bits than the other two and that's a start towards a lighter bike.

Even though the Hardrock is the more expensive of the trio, I think it's a better value.

If you like the Giants, have you considered going up 1 level in thier lineup to the Rincon?

I have a soft spot for rincons, owned an early 90's incarnation, and i have never seen a bike take as much beating as that bike did and come back for more. I treated it like crap and it just never quit. Giant make good bikes.

yes, i had a giant mountain bike for my first mountain bike, but without front suspension...moving onto second and i think i might want another.