Mountain Biking - Best mountain bike for $1000 or under?

Hey all. If anyone here can help I'm looking for a two new mountain bikes for me and my girl. We like trail riding, and the bikes we've been using are about spent. We're looking to spend $1000 or less per bike. Any help would be appreciated. We just started looking today, and at one place they offered us two KHS xc304's for $700 a piece, or xc504's for $950 a piece, but we really don't know what we're looking for, or what is quality and what isn't.

Again, any recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Some advice, look on mtbr.com, there are some really good deals

Go with Giant rather then KHS. I have found Giant to be a better company and if there are any problems they stand behind what they sell, very good customer support. Take a look at the Iguana. It is a very good bike and wont cost you a grip of cash.

Considering that it's now my business to sell Giant, :D buy from them, dirtbikedude is right.

If you like longer top tube geometry, which gives you a more hunched down pose when you ride (I like it, IMO), consider the Trek 6700.

Originally posted by Raiyn
Considering that it's now my business to sell Giant, :D buy from them, dirtbikedude is right.

What a conflict of interests! FSR's biggest proponent working for the enemy!

Originally posted by DiL
What a conflict of interests! FSR's biggest proponent working for the enemy!

That may be true but giant is still better than khs...:)...

If Raiyn's not going to pitch in for Specialized, I will. Check out the Rockhoppers for this year (same frame as last year's Stumpjumper only made with a different alloy) or see if you can get a deal on last year's Stumpy.

Originally posted by DiL
What a conflict of interests! FSR's biggest proponent working for the enemy! Tell me about it. I was wearing my Specialized T-shirt while assembling a Gary Fisher in a Giant Shop today ain't that just a kick in the teeth. :D

Originally posted by Waldo
If Raiyn's not going to pitch in for Specialized, I will. Check out the Rockhoppers for this year (same frame as last year's Stumpjumper only made with a different alloy) or see if you can get a deal on last year's Stumpy. I know I'm quite happy with mine. :D One thing that I will mention STAY AWAY FROM FULL SUSPENSION UNDER $1000. You won't like the results.

Thanks for the help thus far. Ok, couple more questions. I have a 96 or 97 Specialized Ground Control now, not the FSR but the A1 or AIM, from what I've gathered surfing around. I've riden the bike rather hard, but really it's still in pretty good shape. The front shocks and rear shock need to be replaced, and it needs some general upgrading. The rear shock is my concern. Do you think it will be possible to find a replacement shock for that? Also I'm not sure if that is or was a decent bike, is it worth putting money into ungrading it?

Again, thank you all very much for your timely, informative replies.

Guys and girls may need different shaped bikes (the height/length ratio). Generally girls need a shorter bike than the same size guy. Dont assume you will both need the same manufacturer or model, check out different makes to see which one has the right feel.

May I reccomend you look at the Iron Horse Rogue.

I'm not set on getting both of us the exact same bike...in fact as I continue to shop it seems that I will be able to get her a decent bike for a little less, and...well maybe spend a little more on my selfish butt..hehehe.
Here's what I've got so far:
Hardtails-
1) Giant Iguana-looked nice, $429
2) Giant Rainier SE-This bike seemed very nice for the money. Had hydraulic disk brakes, Marchozzi front fork, and Shimano Deore components-$549.95
3) Kona Caldra- $900, seemed nice

FS bikes:
I know I was advised to stay away for FS bikes for under $1000, but I looked at plenty of different ones at varying prices. Here's what was available and what I liked. I would like to get another FS bike for myself
1) Specialized Epic M4- had comp skares front sus., $1899
2)Giant NRS3-$1099
3) Specialized Hardrock Uno-$650
4) Giant Warp D3-$549
5) Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ $1299
6) Trek Fuel-$749
8) Jamis Dakar Sport-$999- Like the color scheme. Components weren't the best, but everything seemed easily upgradeable which I like alot. To my "out of the loop" eye this bike stuck out as a good value that could be pounded til parts break, then upgraded easily with quality accessories

Still looking, I'm pretty set on not spending for than 2k for both bikes.

Opinions and advice is greatly appreciated, even if it's to say "you're a dumb ass". Thanks for all the help thus far, and I have looked into every suggestion made. I've listed the above bikes because they're the only ones I could find in stores locally and actually fee. Again, thanks to all of you for your help.

The Trek fuel is a great bike. The value for the money is very worth it in my opinion. And, you'll have a nice base with which to upgrade components if you so desire. I'm a Cannondale snob myself, but think Trek makes a very nice product.

BTT

Originally posted by Titan157
BTT

huh?

BTT... Back To Top,

For more feedback, so the thread doesn't get lost. Thanks

$550 for a Rainier? That sounds like a pretty good deal.
I would advise away from the Giant Warp. It's an older, single pivot design that is not nearly as efficient as the NRS. From what I've heard (no personal experience) your diagnosis of the Jamis Dakar Sport may be right on the money, but a hardtail is still probably the way to go for the under $1000 range.

A Giant Ranier for for under $600?? I'd be all over that!

I'm trying to decide between an Iguana disc and a Ranier.

Yea, the Rainier seems like a good choice for the money, I do believe that I'll go get that for her...now I just have to decide on what to get for myself????

Thanks for the help thus far. This is the most active Mountain Bike forum I've found. Anyone else know of any other active forums? Also, since I"m going to spend about 600 on her I guess that leaves me with about 1400 for myself, if that broadens the selection suggestions. Thanks again all.

www.ridemonkey.com is active but with many pros and semi pros. Either tha or engineers so the conversations can sometime stray :D
www.nsmb.com very active but north shore specific
www.pinkbike.com bunch of kids

Thats it for me. :)

A little OT, but this is to answer browndog's comment. The Rainier is probably two steps above the Iguana disc. They kept the price the same as the regular Iguana by lowering the specs on the other stuff, most notably that overly-squishy Manitou Six fork. It also has Hayes mechanical disc brakes, which unlike Avids or the Hayes hydraulics, are not well liked for their power or reliability. Definitely go with the Rainier, which has the much loved Avid disc brakes, or the regular Iguana, which has a decent set of direct-pull brakes that are not at all lacking in power.
Oh yeah, Titan, the Rainier comes stock with clipless pedals, which she'll need cleats to ride with, or she can replace them with ordinary platforms depending on taste.

I have a Gary Fisher Tassajara and am quite happy with it. I suggest you give it a look.

OK, I'm pretty set on the Rainier for her. I've been batting around what to get for myself. I wanted to spend 2k for both bikes originally. With the amount to be spent on her locked, I had about 1400 left, however the more I look the more I like the Santa Cruz superlight. SO,....I"ve quickly jumped around another 700 to around 2100. That will still leave me with a bike that's nicely equipped but easily ungradeable as fundage becomes available to do so.

Might want to check out the Yeti Kokopelli. Just as light as the Superlight. If you can find a deal on last year's AS-R it's actually lighter than the Superlight. Big fan of the ride quality on these bikes as well.

I wanted to look at a Yeti, unfortunately there are no dealers in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana, so they're kinda out of the loop. Did look at the Gary Fisher Tassajara yesterday. It was very nice. If I buy my bike from the one store I will probably get the girls version for her. If I get it from another I will get her the Rainier.
Thanks your help and input all.

Well, took the plunge yesterday, ordered Santa Cruz superlight with disc brakes and the anodized finish. Should be here within the week. Thanks to all for help.

Wow that's a big plunge. :D I'm sure you'll love the bike! Wish I had one ...

Yeah, I did ok on it though, out the door for 2000 and change. If you're gonna go, go big right. Actually it just seemed like everything I wanted was 2k-3500, so I actually came in on the low end of the scale, but still spent a bit more than I had originally planned on.

Pics when you get it!! What color, btw?

Will do on the pics. I got the anodized blue. It was tough to chose on the color. Hope I like the anodized finish.

Tell us how the santa cruz's ride. Im having a crisis over whether to get a Heckler or a Rocky Mountain Edge/Slayer. Any opinions? The RM is very efficient however I have never ridden a Heckler. I can get both frames for around 400 or so and need some help. Thanks
BYron

Supergo.com has a few 2002 bikes on sale:

Bianchi Denali: $699
Bianchi Superbee: $869
Bianchi Grizzly: $1099

They also have some 2002 Iron Horses and K2s for under $1000. I don't know how good these bikes are, but they prices are very good right now. Maybe someone else can comment on the quality of these bikes.

- Matt

The anodized finish is supposed to be lighter than the powdercoat finish. :confused: It's also not glossy, like powdercoat, so it doesn't "shine" ... but I have a Trek that has a matte finish and it looks pretty good ... nice change from the usual "paint."

Titan -- your instincts are correct on the Jamis. Trust in the Force.

johnbigbooty,

Yeah, everyone keeps saying you can't get a good FS bike for under a thousand, but that Jamis looked pretty decent. If I wouldn't have had room in the budget for the superlight that probably would have been my choice. Ultimately I had the money, I liked that the Santa Cruz is made in the US and not Taiwant like that Jamis, and I felt that if I hadn't gotten the Santa Cruz I would have been kicking my own A$$ before long. So the anodized superlight will be here within 5 days....I've taken the plunge, no turning back now.