Mountain Biking - Noob here looking to buy a mountain bike

Ok i hope im listing this in the right part of this forums. Neways iam looking to get a mountain bike. I know nothing about them. I picked one out so i want to see what you guys think about it. First off im 5'10 250lbs im guessing that weight and height might have alittle to do when buying a bike. Most of my biking will be on road (very little off road.) The bike im considering buying is the Felt Q520. Out of all the bikes i looked at this was the only one that caught my eye in my price range. I can buy it for around 450$. If anyone else has any other bikes in mind for alittle less or little more let me know please!! For some reason i would prefer a bike with disc brakes. Thanks. :)

To tell you the truth for what your doing disks aren't really needed.
Most manufactures put cheaper parts on the bike to make up for the disks.

im sure i dont need disks but which bikes would you recommend either with disks or without. I know i can save a decent amount of money by getting a bike without discs im guessing.

People are going to hate me as I always say this, but Maybe a trek 3900 or a 4300, or one of the specialized model's
You wont need something to overly beefy as you're riding mostly road I take it.

I just though of this, what about a Trek 820?

Get cyclocross bike. its a road design with better traction on the tires and stronger wheels/frame than normal road bike for off road abuse.

NO, CHEETO!

Anyway, if your doing very little offroad, why not get a hybrid instead? I believe one can be had for <$500, from various manufacturers.

As for a cyclocross bike, I'd recommend against it. It offers mediocre traction on the road, and is pretty much just a road bike anyway. The geometry is pretty much the same, and it use road components and wheels. It's no stronger then a road bike. It's not really meant for anything but Fire Roads an 'cross races. It can't handle the abuse that a MTB or even a hybrid can. Although, you do see some professional 'crossers bunny-hopping on them....

I keep forgetting about those hybrids out there..

I knew someone would say no.
Beat the hell out of my bike today and every things still on it... I think I've broken all the weak/faulty parts already LOL

yesterday i was in a xc race on the santa ana mountain range and i saw a guy racing down the holy jim trail on a cyclocross bike. if you havent riden holy jim its a VERY VERY technical singletrack with hard turns and lots of rocks. i asked him after we got to the botton of that part how it felt and he said bumpy but other than that he said it fel solid. i have riden a cyclocross bike on and off road and i think that would be the perfect bike for you.

I'm surprised he didn't break his bike. Unless he was a VERY good rider, his wheels should have been taco'd.

It's not heard of to ride a 'cross bike in a MTB race as long as the course is smooth. In some cases, it's actually better.

his wheels were fine. it wasnt a smooth course...quite the opposite. long climbs (10+ miles for each climb and same for the decents) i have a fs bike and i thought the dh very bumpy and miserable...

Trek Sport Urban (SU 1.0). Or an Trek 7.2 FX. Or a 4300 if you must have a mountain bike. MTBs ride like tanks compared to roadies, so I named mine Tank.

I'd buy the 7.2 FX if I was in your shoes. It's the coolest hybrid in the price range.

I'd say cyclocross but you'll never find one (new) in your price range.

Good luck, and post pics!

I'm surprised he didn't break his bike. Unless he was a VERY good rider, his wheels should have been taco'd.

It's not heard of to ride a 'cross bike in a MTB race as long as the course is smooth. In some cases, it's actually better.

a well built wheel will do just fine. i see many cross riders out here riding some very tech trails. and, no. these aren't smooth trails by any stretch of the imagination.

As for a cyclocross bike, I'd recommend against it. It offers mediocre traction on the road, and is pretty much just a road bike anyway. The geometry is pretty much the same, and it use road components and wheels. It's no stronger then a road bike. It's not really meant for anything but Fire Roads an 'cross races. It can't handle the abuse that a MTB or even a hybrid can. Although, you do see some professional 'crossers bunny-hopping on them....

If anyone is seriously considering a cyclocross bike, do your own research and disregard the horribly inaccurate advice above. Profail simply does not understand what differentiates cross bikes from pure road bikes, nor what cross bikes can be ridden on, nor the abuse that they can take.

The OP should just stick with a MTB in light of his budget constraints.

If anyone is seriously considering a cyclocross bike, do your own research and disregard the horribly inaccurate advice above. Profail simply does not understand what differentiates cross bikes from pure road bikes, nor what cross bikes can be ridden on, nor the abuse that they can take.

The OP should just stick with a MTB in light of his budget constraints.

+1. Go to your Local bike shop and they will help you get what you need.

Cross bikes are quite strong. I agree that the level of misinformation is through the roof.

At 250lb, in your price range. Take a look at the Specialized Hardrock.

Most anything in that price range is comparable. While the cyclocross conversation has been quite (mis)informative, I think it is unnecessary for the OP's purposes.

Cross bikes can be quite strong. I agree that the level of misinformation is through the roof.

Fixed....

Fixed....

you are quite the ******bag eh?

you are quite the ******bag eh?

Affirmative.

At 250lb, in your price range. Take a look at the Specialized Hardrock.

i second that, hardrocks are well built bikes.

What about checking Craigslist? I bought a practically new GF Tass for under $300. Pedal swap brought me up to $315, and I'm sure that if I wanted, I could put semi-slicks and discs on it for less than you'd spend on that Felt, and it's a slightly nicer bike to boot.

Look into Diamondback as well. Their hardtails stay within a good price range of around $400-600, and the only problem I've had was i stripped the crank arms. The new '08 models fixed that issue with an Octalink bottom bracket. Mine's an '07. But the new '08 models run great. I test rode one at a bike shop last month. And a word of advice, buy from a bike shop. I bought mine from Dick's and got the service to match the name of the store :)