Mountain Biking - Entry Mountain Biker | 3 Choices, help me choose!

I'm looking at any entry level mountain bike; used mostly on paved, gravel, dirt roads, with minimal (if any) serious off road riding. With the help of local bike shops, and this forum, here are the 3 I can to choose from (all in my price range of about $400). I know the forks on all three models are not the greatest; but once again this is just an entry level bike.

Trek 4300
http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2008/large/4300_orangesilver.jpg

Specialized Hardrock Disc
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2007/bikes/HR_Sport_Disc_GL_Org_Strpe.jpg

Giant Rincon Disc
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/_upload_us/bikes/models/zooms/2008/Rincon-Anthracite-Black.jpg

(I am interested in used bikes, but I cannot find a good deal on craigslist; if anybody in the Southeast Michigan area knows of where I can go to find some used bikes, please let me know)

ha, that's easy:p - get the rincon.

once again.....hardrocks suck:eek:.

ha, that's easy:p - get the rincon.

once again.....hardrocks suck:eek:.

I'll go ahead and tell Smashy and Lowcel to PM me with a warning......Quit being a freaking ****** quit giving stupid advice. How old are you again.....14?

To the OP,try to ride all three of those bikes and see which one you like best. They will all suit your needs. Another thing to look at is the shop you buy it from. A good shop means a lot.

I'll go ahead and tell Smashy and Lowcel to PM me with a warning......Quit being a freaking ****** quit giving stupid advice. How old are you again.....14?

To the OP,try to ride all three of those bikes and see which one you like best. They will all suit your needs. Another thing to look at is the shop you buy it from. A good shop means a lot.

geeze.....it's just my experience and personal preference - calm down.

+1 66... i would say it depends on what you want to do with it, how much you weigh, etc.
if you're a heavier rider, for instance, none of those shocks are gonna work well.
i would stick with trying to go used with that price range. but then again, that's my opinion.

geeze.....it's just my experience and personal preference - calm down.

Have you ever owned a Hardrock?

I rode a trek like that the other day and hated it, i'd check out the giant if it were me.

geeze.....it's just my experience and personal preference - calm down.

If you are really going to give out serious advise on BF you should read what the OP post. You telling the OP not to give the HR a look is as stupid as me telling him to get a bike like my Bullit.Just becuse I like it does not mean it will fit his needs at all.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41STRPKW4AL._SS400_.jpg

Look what I bought! It's a 2006, but the price was right and the components look good. It's $25 more expensive than the HardRock.

* Rock Shox J1
* Front / Rear Derailleur - Shimano Deore
* Tektro IO mechanical discs

Nothing spec-freaking-tacular, but it competes well with the Rockhopper afaik. I'm happy :D

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41STRPKW4AL._SS400_.jpg

Look what I bought! It's a 2006, but the price was right and the components look good. It's $25 more expensive than the HardRock.

* Rock Shox J1
* Front / Rear Derailleur - Shimano Deore
* Tektro IO mechanical discs

Nothing spec-freaking-tacular, but it competes well with the Rockhopper afaik. I'm happy :D

congrats on choosing your bike. Now go ride! And if you expect to stay around, pics are a requirement.

congrats on choosing your bike. Now go ride! And if you expect to stay around, pics are a requirement.

On me way!

I rode a trek like that the other day and hated it, i'd check out the giant if it were me.

^^^^^^great advice!!

^^^^^^great advice!!

luckily, the OP already bought his bike before he heard this "great advice"

EDIT: To the OP: There are quite a few here who know what they're talking about, and some (like the above), who are 14 year old kids. Stick around for a while and you'll know whose "advice" to ignore.

luckily, the OP already bought his bike before he heard this "great advice"

EDIT: To the OP: There are quite a few here who know what they're talking about, and some (like the above), who are 14 year old kids. Stick around for a while and you'll know whose "advice" to ignore.

I know.

1. Hardrocks are cool.
2. Nice bike OP.
3. poop.

1. Hardrocks are cool.
2. Nice bike OP.
3. poop.

nice:p.

settle down :-) Also anybody notice all of these bikes are made in China?... My car is German, my food is Italian, my water comes from Lake Baikal, but my bike comes from China... *sigh* I didn't see a made in china sticker on it, but I'll have to take a better look. It's been a long day, driving around LBS's in the rain takes a toll. I'm taking a nap. Cheers all and thank you for the help - I spent a good 3 days surfing the forums looking for the right ride.

settle down :-) Also anybody notice all of these bikes are made in China?... My car is German, my food is Italian, my water comes from Lake Baikal, but my bike comes from China... *sigh* I didn't see a made in china sticker on it, but I'll have to take a better look. It's been a long day, driving around LBS's in the rain takes a toll. I'm taking a nap. Cheers all and thank you for the help - I spent a good 3 days surfing the forums looking for the right ride.

most bikes at that price range are. Once you get up there in the price, you start getting USA products.

I'll go ahead and tell Smashy and Lowcel to PM me with a warning......Quit being a freaking ****** quit giving stupid advice. How old are you again.....14?

To the OP,try to ride all three of those bikes and see which one you like best. They will all suit your needs. Another thing to look at is the shop you buy it from. A good shop means a lot.


Not going to warn you over him.

Seriously argylemulletman. Have you ever rode a hardrock? Wait, you never did, so who are you to say that bike sucks without ever trying one.

Not going to warn you over him.

Seriously argylemulletman. Have you ever rode a hardrock? Wait, you never did, so who are you to say that bike sucks without ever trying one.

yes, i have tried a hardrock(several times), i already stated this in another thread, which i guess u happened to skim over - it was a 'hardrock comp' or something like that(??). I certainly wouldn't buy one:eek:.

why does everyone keep calling me '******' and 'stupid', just 'cause the hardrock sucks - imo.:D

why does everyone keep calling me '******' and 'stupid', just 'cause the hardrock sucks - imo.:D

It's not the Hardrock's fault you're a stupid ******:D

I think the Hardrock is the perfect bike for a person who doesn't yet know what he/she wants to do with MTB'ing. I feel like a broken record here, but it's a great trail bike for a beginner. It's not going to win any XC races, but you won't be too far off the heels of your buddies on the XC trail. It's surely not a DJ'er or FR bike, but it's strong enough to do a bit of jumping here and there on the trail so you can "hone your skills" while still having a bike that's tough enough to get you back to the trail head at the end of the day.

When the rider becomes more experienced and decides what kind of MTB'er they have become...then they can buy the "high end" bike that suits their style. Be it a dedicated 4" travel, dinky framed DJ'er, an ultralight XC rig, 7x7 FR rig...or just whatever.

Regarding your UserName...do you ride a Fisher with an Argyle, or do you just wear silly socks with a goofie haircut. Could explain the '******' and 'stupid' thing. (bad joke:D)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41STRPKW4AL._SS400_.jpg

Look what I bought! It's a 2006, but the price was right and the components look good. It's $25 more expensive than the HardRock.

* Rock Shox J1
* Front / Rear Derailleur - Shimano Deore
* Tektro IO mechanical discs

Nothing spec-freaking-tacular, but it competes well with the Rockhopper afaik. I'm happy :D

I like it. I've kinda had a thing for K2 ever since they bought out ProFlex, hahaha. I wanted a Beast soooo bad back in the day.


PICS

It's not the Hardrock's fault you're a stupid ******:D

I think the Hardrock is the perfect bike for a person who doesn't yet know what he/she wants to do with MTB'ing. I feel like a broken record here, but it's a great trail bike for a beginner. It's not going to win any XC races, but you won't be too far off the heels of your buddies on the XC trail. It's surely not a DJ'er or FR bike, but it's strong enough to do a bit of jumping here and there on the trail so you can "hone your skills" while still having a bike that's tough enough to get you back to the trail head at the end of the day.

When the rider becomes more experienced and decides what kind of MTB'er they have become...then they can buy the "high end" bike that suits their style. Be it a dedicated 4" travel, dinky framed DJ'er, an ultralight XC rig, 7x7 FR rig...or just whatever.

Regarding your UserName...do you ride a Fisher with an Argyle, or do you just wear silly socks with a goofie haircut. Could explain the '******' and 'stupid' thing. (bad joke:D)

no kidding, and no i don't have a mullet.. although my hair used to be sorta long back in grade 9, and i chose that username cause it's the best, nothing better:p.

edit: u r a broken record.

yes, i have tried a hardrock(several times), i already stated this in another thread, which i guess u happened to skim over - it was a 'hardrock comp' or something like that(??). I certainly wouldn't buy one:eek:.

why does everyone keep calling me '******' and 'stupid', just 'cause the hardrock sucks - imo.:D

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2714/badpostgc7.jpg