Mountain Biking - PLEASE HELP! New Rider Needs Advice!!!

I'm a novice mountain biker. I had a cheap bike about a year ago that I used for a while, but I'm ready to buy a new bike. I'll mostly be riding off-road trails with medium difficultly terrain...nothing too fancy.

Can somebody please recommend a bike that would be a good entry level bike, definitely under $500?

Thanks,
Matt

I'm a novice mountain biker. I had a cheap bike about a year ago that I used for a while, but I'm ready to buy a new bike. I'll mostly be riding off-road trails with medium difficultly terrain...nothing too fancy.

Can somebody please recommend a bike that would be a good entry level bike, definitely under $500?

Thanks,
Matt

Hi and welcome. You came to the right place.

First off, by medium difficulty what do you mean? Are you referring to distance, drops or technical difficulty.

Second of all, for around $500 you are definitely looking at one of several hardtails offered by many companies. You are looking at:

Trek 4300 (someone correct me, I think this is the one)
Specialized Hardrock
Kona Blast
Gary Fischer (not sure what exact model)
More

The key is to find our local bike shop (LBS) and talk to them there. Ask to test ride the bikes and make sure they fit you well. At the $500 pricepoint you are looking at little difference in component level (not fantastic but not terrible) but what will differ is how the bike feels to you.

Go to your LBS (or 2 or 3), try out the bikes, come back with your short list and we'll give you more feedback.

At the sticky at the top, you'll find a lot of helpful info.

Second of all, for around $500 you are definitely looking at one of several hardtails offered by many companies. You are looking at:

Gary Fischer (not sure what exact model)


That would be the Marlin....

From past experiences, 4300 is nice.

K2 Zed Sport Bike '06

Does anyone have any advice on this bike???