Mountain Biking - Good entry level mountain bike??

I am new the site, and have a few questions I was hoping some more experienced riders can help answer.

I am looking to purchase an entry level mountain bike (preferably under $300.00). I am planning on using it 75% of the time on bike paths, etc. and the remaining 25% of the time on trials.

I have gone out to a few differnt bike stores and I think I have decided on either the Raleigh Mojave 2.0 or the Specialized Hardrock XC.

Does anyone have any comments, thoughts, etc. Has anyone riden either of these two bikes, etc.

Thanks!

Oof, ride both buy the one that feels the best. All major brands spec similar in respective price points. This is especially true of the lowend. If there is a Trek dealer look at the Gary Fisher Mako, it's under $300.

hey thanks. thats kinda what i thought. i googled them both and looked at the reviews, and they were pretty similair.

I just wondered if anyone had an previous experience with either brand, good or bad. Or if there was anything in particulair an entry level consumer should look for.

Thanks!

hey thanks. thats kinda what i thought. i googled them both and looked at the reviews, and they were pretty similair.

I just wondered if anyone had an previous experience with either brand, good or bad. Or if there was anything in particulair an entry level consumer should look for.

Thanks!

One thing you should look for is a good local bike shop. That will help you out a lot in the future.

I am new the site, and have a few questions I was hoping some more experienced riders can help answer.

I am looking to purchase an entry level mountain bike (preferably under $300.00). I am planning on using it 75% of the time on bike paths, etc. and the remaining 25% of the time on trials.

I have gone out to a few differnt bike stores and I think I have decided on either the Raleigh Mojave 2.0 or the Specialized Hardrock XC.

Does anyone have any comments, thoughts, etc. Has anyone riden either of these two bikes, etc.

Thanks!

uhh, yeah, for $300 you'll get, essentially, a walmart bike.....which is very not good:eek:.
Hardrock's suck, ohh and up ur budget and get this: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/ it's got all the basic goodies at a reasonable price....or if ur feeling crazy:rolleyes: and get the yukon: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1280/29353/.


hope this helps:)

Hardrock's suck,

+1

uhh, yeah, for $300 you'll get, essentially, a walmart bike.....which is very not good:eek:.
Hardrock's suck, ohh and up ur budget and get this: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/ it's got all the basic goodies at a reasonable price....or if ur feeling crazy:rolleyes: and get the yukon: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1280/29353/.


hope this helps:)

And you are speaking, you don't even have the bike built.

And you are speaking, you don't even have the bike built.

yeah, well......it's started:o.


:):):)

uhh, yeah, for $300 you'll get, essentially, a walmart bike.....which is very not good:eek:.
Hardrock's suck, ohh and up ur budget and get this: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/ it's got all the basic goodies at a reasonable price....or if ur feeling crazy:rolleyes: and get the yukon: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1280/29353/.


hope this helps:)

Really, an upgrade? Considering that the OP is going to be riding on bike paths for 75% of the time, and likely riding mildly technical trails for the remaining 25%, I think the Hardrock will do fine. I'm not recommending it over the Raleigh because I've never ridden that bike, but given what it sounds like he's going to be doing with the bike, I don't think it's necessary to upgrade.

I doubt that the Hardrock will be any fun to ride on the street though.

I wouldn't say Wal-Mart, the parts are a step up, a small single step to be sure but there it is. The model I suggested is a rigid. Any "fork" you get at this level will be more crap than good. I'd take a rigid over SR Suntour and RSTs entry level forks any time. Especially if I were riding mostly on paved paths as this poster mentioned. Purduenurse ride all bikes, choose off of fit. There really is no other consideration at this pricepoint and your experience level. Buy whichever bike(from a reputable bike shop for maximum effect) is going to make you want to ride.

=
Hardrock's suck,
hope this helps:)

Hardrock's do not suck, I just bought a hard rock disk comp and its taken punishment and still looks and feels great. Its a given the spec such as drive train etc isn't great but thats due to the price range. The bottom line is the frame is great and thtas a great start.

uhh, yeah, for $300 you'll get, essentially, a walmart bike.....which is very not good:eek:.
Hardrock's suck, ohh and up ur budget and get this: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/ it's got all the basic goodies at a reasonable price....or if ur feeling crazy:rolleyes: and get the yukon: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1280/29353/.


hope this helps:)

If you have no clue,don't give advice.

Try this one on for size:http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_300HT07.htm
I found them on Ebay at Sporty Mama's bike shop for a little cheaper. I love mine and no problems so far. Two of my co-workers who are WAY more experienced than me bought higher end Motobecanes and love them.

uhh, yeah, for $300 you'll get, essentially, a walmart bike.....which is very not good:eek:.
Hardrock's suck, ohh and up ur budget and get this: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/ it's got all the basic goodies at a reasonable price....or if ur feeling crazy:rolleyes: and get the yukon: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1280/29353/.


hope this helps:)

ever owned a hardrock? I bet there are many riders out there on hardrocks that rock it a lot harder than you do.

I have the Mojave 2.0, also have the Mojave 4.5, both purchased at my local bike shop. It's a decent bike, certainly not a Wal-Mart bike, but you do get what you pay for...lesser grade components. I've put probably 150-200 miles on it this summer at the local trails and it's holding up just fine. I'll probably upgrade next spring, but that's simply because I spend most of my time riding singletrack. If you're going to spend 75% of you time on paved trails, it will be just fine.

The best advice I can give, ride the two and see which one feels best.

giant ftw. I think giant makes great bikes for the money. I have an anthem 2, and when i need a new bike it will probably be another giant.

If you have no clue,don't give advice.

I have a clue....I've tried the hardrock (the comp one) many times, and maybe it's just me but i hate the feel, the weight, the fork, and the whole setups pretty sh***y. It's simple really - hardrocks suck hard:eek:!

I have a clue....I've tried the hardrock (the comp one) many times, and maybe it's just me but i hate the feel, the weight, the fork, and the whole setups pretty sh***y. It's simple really - hardrocks suck hard:eek:!

I don't really put a lot into what you like and what you don't.If you would read what the OP wants to do with the bike then you would have a clue. The HR would work fine.To compare the HR to a walmart bike only shows once again how clueless you really are.

I don't really put a lot into what you like and what you don't.If you would read what the OP wants to do with the bike then you would have a clue. The HR would work fine.To compare the HR to a walmart bike only shows once again how clueless you really are.

once AGAIN, it's just my experience, no one has to listen to me, and there really isn't a whole lot of difference between a 'high end' ($3-400) canadian tire/walmart bike and the $360 hardrock sport.........

http://www.productwiki.com/2006-specialized-hardrock-sport/

look:eek:! dual disc brakes - only $200,: http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-Bikes.jsp?selection=listingDetails&page=ty&lang=null&assetId=17262&imageId=22230&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=51&categoryId=282:rolleyes::rolleyes:

once AGAIN, it's just my experience, no one has to listen to me, and there really isn't a whole lot of difference between a 'high end' ($3-400) canadian tire/walmart bike and the $360 hardrock sport.........

http://www.productwiki.com/2006-specialized-hardrock-sport/

look:eek:! dual disc brakes - only $200,: http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/storelocator/Canada-Bikes.jsp?selection=listingDetails&page=ty&lang=null&assetId=17262&imageId=22230&suggestedItem=&priceType=1&page=null&departmentId=51&categoryId=282:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Wow....

Oh, I get it. In order for it to be a good bike, it has to be some unholy hybrid of bmx bikes and mountain bikes. Enter: Giant STP

I have a clue....I've tried the hardrock (the comp one) many times, and maybe it's just me but i hate the feel, the weight, the fork, and the whole setups pretty sh***y. It's simple really - hardrocks suck hard:eek:!

So you don't like the weight or the feel, so it's a ****ty bike? How about a more tactful approach, such as, personally, I don't care for the Hardrock's weight and feel, instead of labeling it as a ****ty bike. I'm sure there are just as many who don't like the weight and feel of your beloved Giant. Does that make it a ****ty bike?

The Hardrock is a quality entry level bike. The service and advice you'll receive at a good LBS is priceless.

So you don't like the weight or the feel, so it's a ****ty bike? How about a more tactful approach, such as, personally, I don't care for the Hardrock's weight and feel, instead of labeling it as a ****ty bike. I'm sure there are just as many who don't like the weight and feel of your beloved Giant. Does that make it a ****ty bike?

well...i just hate it, so I try find a different way to let it go:p.

and for the last (seriously) time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it's pp.

The Hardrock is a quality entry level bike. The service and advice you'll receive at a good LBS is priceless.

true dat (except for the bolded part), that's hilarious:D:D.

= hardrocks suck hard:eek:!

-1
s my d

true dat (except for the bolded part), that's hilarious:D:D.

You're just trolling now....just as in the other thread where your Hardrock sucks comments are not backed up with any useful reasoning behind your logic. Good for you, you're a Giant fan. It doesn't mean that people riding bikes other than Giant's are riding pieces of junk. It's a matter of preference.....take your fanboy talk to the video game forums.

You're just trolling now....just as in the other thread where your Hardrock sucks comments are not backed up with any useful reasoning behind your logic. Good for you, you're a Giant fan. It doesn't mean that people riding bikes other than Giant's are riding pieces of junk. It's a matter of preference.....take your fanboy talk to the video game forums.

no, i don't like all giant stuff, and i also like alot of Kona's, KHS's, the P. series from specialized, and a whole bunch of norcos.

And no.

You'll be satisfied with the Mojave 2.0. I have a Raleigh M20 which is the 2004 model of that bike and after 3 years of hard use and around 300 miles at least its holding up great. This winter its getting a Rock Shox fork, a FSA pig headset, and some other small things. I ride a lot of road, bike paths, and trails and it suits me great. It is not a wal-mart bike, I have a wal-mart bike and the Raleigh is light years ahead of it. I think you'll like it.

Diamondback anybody? Diamondback is know for good value at the entry level, I just moved up from a D Back Wildwood to a Felt Q720, one of the shuttle services in Damascus Va uses Wildwoods for use on the Va Creeper trail, they have proven to be pretty durable, I liked mine fine, I just wanted to get further off the path and needed a better bike.

Raleigh is Diamondback's parent company, so there both the same stuff pretty much. If you want to go Diamondback get the outlook, its about the same as the Mojave 2.0.

My friend rides a Raleigh Mojave 2.0, And I've swapped bikes for a day to try it from time to time and find myself wondering why I didnt buy the same bike as my entry level. I started with a 07 Diamond Back Response Sport (Strong Box) I loved the look of the frame. the Raleigh came with on the fly lockable forks and 27 speed, Mine came with RST shocks (non-lock) & 24 speed. Other than that both had pretty similar components. Both have been ridden everywhere, although I've gone pretty big air after Major mods to my bike since the purchase. (08 Fox Float rls 32's, Thompson stem & seat post, Azonic cross-bar handle-bars, Truvative ($100)pedals, New Shimano 132 hollow ti seat, Mavic rims, Kenda kevlar tires. just to name a few... )

Anyways to simplify it the Raleigh Mojave 2.0 is the way to go it's a great starter bike for the price!! You will enjoy it!

Truvative ($100)pedals

wow .. much better than the truvative ($50) pedals

purduenurse - Buy the one that feels most comfortable. As many have said, at this pricepoint, there are not many differences in the level of components. Also, do yourself a favor and ignore MulletArgyleman. He who knows the least often says the most.

I have a clue....I've tried the hardrock (the comp one) many times, and maybe it's just me but i hate the feel, the weight, the fork, and the whole setups pretty sh***y. It's simple really - hardrocks suck hard:eek:!

So It's important for a bike to feel good to you, but you don't reccomend the best feel to the OP? He should just blindly buy the giant because you like it best.
Awesome!

I bought a 07 Specialized Hardrock XC on closeout for $275, which is their bottom of the line hardtail bike. I have never had any problems with it. It definately does not compare with a $500-$600 bike, because they have more expensive components. The frame however is really great. It is over a pound lighter than any of the other bikes in its class. Also, the Specialized has a very nice seat for an entry level bike. The only thing I didn't like was the grip shifters, but I changed them out after a month and now I am very happy!! You will no be unhappy!