Mountain Biking - Newbie: Which Bike??

I'm new to mountain biking and looking forward to getting into it this summer. I'm torn between two bikes, but am open to all suggestions. I'm looking for a hardtail that I can mount a baby seat to for trips to the park, and remove it for more agressive trails. Imagine I'll be starting on canel paths, fire trails and lighter hills, and trails.

From my research to date, it I like the Trek 4500 and the Specialized Hardrock Comp. I was also looking at the trek 4300, but thought the better fork and components were worth the step up.

So.......What should I buy??????????

I'm dieing to get out there and ride off road.

Component-wise they're basically the same bike. Try them both out and go with the one that FEELS better. Feel is more important than price or components, but not by much.

Yikes. That's what I was afraid someone would say. I've ridden both and the "feel" is very close to me. Hence my dilemma.

It's good advice, I know, and ultimitely it's my decision, but any other thoughts out there would be appreciated...

Then go with the better deal Grasshopper.

Which one looks nicer? Hey, I'm shallow! ;)

I like the look of the Trek, IMO. I was out on the market not too long ago and these two were among those that I looked at. I also looked at the Giant Iguana (which is more $$$), a Raleigh M60, and some Marins.

Which did you select

my friend got the 4500 due to great reviews and good value. i rode it the other day and i most thoroughly disliked the geometry of the bike (granted, it was an inch smaller than what i'm used to riding) because it was much too upright. cruising on the street it was comfortable but as soon there was the slightest uphill i felt like my body was falling backwards. had quite a time getting up hills even though his bike had 24speeds and i was riding my two SS's.

i'd go with chi's possible bikes, the m60 was great when i test rode it at a shop with my friend (who got the 4500). the iguana is also worthy i think. for me, it makes sense to spend a little more cash and get something really worthy. can pick up quite a hardtail for ~$600 these days.

I had a 4500 and the bike was bulletproof. Matter of fact I liked the frame so much that I upgraded all the components to XT (thanks to LBS discount). 5000 miles later and still no problems.

i'd like to second that the 4500 is bulletproof. albeit the geometry (which is personal preferance anyway) i abuse the sh** out of my friend's 4500 =]. indeed a tough bike that stops at nothing.

Thanks for the input, and pls keep it coming. I'm going to do a few more test rides this week. Still split btwn the 4500--whick I'm really beginning to lean toward--and the hardrock comp. Hear what you are saying about the more expenive bikes but was really hoping to stay around $400

I got a used Trek 7000 instead. :p It had the frame geometry I wanted. The 4500 and most of the bikes in that price range all have a short top tube, making the rider position upright ... I like it a little more bent down, like a road bike.

If I had done it though, I would've gotten the Trek 4500 Lava black, coz of the cool paint.

I've got a 4500 right now and have been happy with it. I've not been uncomfortable with the geometry, but I intend at some time to take out some of the steerer tube spacers and maybe get a longer stem to see how much that improves my climbing.

does anybody know if the hardrock has similar geometry as the 4500? btw if you are looking to get a specialized, i'd rather get a base model rockhopper over a hardrock... not sure how much more it cost though, but a friend picked up a rockhopper from the last year for 500.

So how different is the trek's geometry vrs Specialized? Any thoughts?

I couldn't say. I've ridden the hardrock, but it was long ago before I had ever owned a decent bike. I don't recall being uncomfortable on it, but I remember having trouble keeping the front down on one of the climbs. What did you think of the geometry? If you can't compare the two side by side, try comparing the geometry of higher priced bikes in the shop. Might help you figure out what your personal preferences are.

The Hardrock is more geared towards urban ridingthan pure XC riding. If you can pony up the extra bucks, the Rockhopper A1 is a much better frame. It's last year's Stumpjumper frame, though it uses their A1 alloy as opposed to the M2.