[Murfdawg]

Any opinions on what would be a good starter racing bike?

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[dminor]

For what kind of racing?

[Murfdawg]

Sorry, mountain bike racing...

[apclassic9]

ok, cross country racing or downhill racing?

[Murfdawg]

cross country

[apclassic9]

Ok, depending upon your budget, of course, look for a reasonable priced hardtail with disk brakes. All of the entry level hardtails people talk about in the MTB forum would probably suffice. The more you pay, the lighter the bike, the better the components. I'd lean toward a Hardrock Comp, personally, but that's because both my kids started out that way.

[salsa]

go to a local bike shop and talk to them

[apclassic9]

go to a local bike shop and talk to them

He started with a Specialized Rock Hard (kid's MTB), and moved up to a Hardrock comp.:D

[pelotonracer]

He started with a Specialized Rock Hard

Uh oh... I think your kid might misunderstand... :)

[CrankshaftYQX]

Hardrocks are awesome. The Giant Yukon, Rainier, or Iguana may also be something to look into for hardtails with disc brakes.

[Nickds7]

I test rode one hardrock.. I ended up getting the Giant Yukon... It is a great bike and really tough. but honestly the Hardrocks, yukons, and rainiers are all great bikes so just test ride them all and choose one.

[Chilllaxin006]

iron horse maverick 5.5, $350 disk brakes and marzocchi susp.

[BluesDawg]

I'm about to finish my first season of racing today. I have a Rockhopper Comp. To me the better frame and fork compared to a Hard Rock meant more than disk brakes.