Mountain Biking - getting started

Hi,
New to this forum. I've been a d1 rower for two years, but I'm looking for something new. I'm in the bike market and had some questions. I want to spend about 500, maybe 600 for the right reasons. I saw some great sales on K2 and iron horse bikes. Any recommendations?

Also, I'm interested to learn more about the different types of off-road events. I should probably pick the right bike for the right event, no? Where can I find thorough information?

Total noob, throw something at me : )

K2s are, for the most part, solid values in an entry-level pricepoint. They are Taiwanese-manufacture frame (what isn't these days?) imported and assembled by K2 (the ski folks) headquartered on Vashon Island right here in the state of Washington. Their lower-end full-suspension stuff has been suspect in the past (almost department-store-ey sometimes) but their hardtails have been OK values (and some downright burly - -like the old Brass Monkies) REI carries them a lot (another Washiington-based company)

Iron Horse is another price-pointed brand that is hit-and-miss depending on whether it is sold in a big-box store or a local bike shop. Iron Horse is headquartered on the East Coast and that does make a difference depending on where you are; IHs tend to be set up (geometry-wise,etc.) more suited to their native East Coast (tight woods, lots of rooty, rocky trails, etc.), whereas K2s, etc. seem to be more West-coast riding-style oriented (a bit more wide-open, slacker geometry type preferences). It may depend to some degree on where you are located which might more generally suit your particular needs.

I've spoken in a lot of generics but I hope this helps some anyway. Other people can probably fill in the blanks with more specifics.

Interesting. I am on the east coast, so Iron Horse may be a better choice. Their sales are 30-42% off. So for 500-600 I'd be getting close to 1k. What do you think of the iron horse yakusa aniki?

http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id.8045/.f?sc=7&category=55

What other brands should I look at?

or the yakuza bakuto? http://www.rscycle.com/s.nl/it.A/id.8090/.f?sc=7&category=56

You never really said what type of riding you plan on doing? The hardtail bike has better components, but it is built for freeride. the site your visiting has XC or cross country trail bikes also. The Zed 4.0 is a great XC bike at a good price. I would stay away from full suspension in that price range but their deal of the week on the K2 apache is decent if you can fork out a little more coin!

Well, I think I've settled on a hard tail. I like trials. That's something I could get into for fun. I haven't made up my mind as to what type of even I might want to compete in...something fast and intense. I miss 2k boat races : ( What would you recommend? I haven't really found a complete list of possibilities

No, I can't fork over more than 600. I do like the zed 4.0. :love: xc sounds like long distance though, I've never raced anything over 6k, and even then I lose interest without music lol

I'm stuck between the yakuza bakuto and the zed 4.0.

I will also use this bike to get around campus. I'm thinking I'm limited to the range of events I can participate in by my price range. Maybe I'll appreciate xc more than long rows as the scenery is slightly better than staring at an angry little man for the duration.

you might find the K2 better for XC. The freeride oriented Ironhorse will weigh more and with slacker geometry.

hmmm, good point. I guess the hard tail isn't great for downhill anyway. I'd have to save up way more for that event. I'll give xc a try. K2 it is.

Thank you all for your help!!!