Mountain Biking - Under $350 bike for GF

hey guys.. i'm new here and figured this would be a good place to ask. My girlfriend is going off to college next fall and the campus is kind of big so she wanted to get a mountain bike just to ride around. She wanted to go look at bikes at wal-mart but i dont want her riding a $100 piece of crap from a department store :)

what would you guys suggest for a good beginner bike for her under $350? i had looked at an 03 hardrock for myself earlier this year (didnt end up getting a bike at all) so i suggested we go check them out tomorrow just to see what she thought.

would you guys reccomend any other bikes around/under $350 that would be a good investment?

also.. ive noticed bikes pretty much go for MSRP everywhere, the same prices no matter what.. since the 2004 bikes are coming out now, would any leftover 2003 stock be discounted?

thanks,
nick

I would stay away from Suspension unless you find a deal on a used ht that has suspension. I'd look at what Trek, Giant, or Specialized, or Jamis has to offer.

Yep you will see markdown's on the 2003. Honestly since she is going to be in campus invest in a GOOD lock better yet a good U-lock and cable lock. This will take your cost up a bit, but better then having the bike stolen. How about a hybrid rather then a MTB? Figure save some weight on the bike since you won't need the suspension etc.. and since not as fancy a bike less likely to be stolen.

Id probably say the Specialized Hardrock Feminine.... Im not sure how much it is though :( It will be simlar to the hardrock you saw except it will be built for a woman.

Hey Transparent, that's what I was going to recommend as well.

Here's a link: http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=5971&JServSessionIdroot=74feqembc7.j27004
Not a bad bike for $330, also, don't forget to budget for a helmet and maybe some shorts and some gloves.

L8R

check with your bike shops to see if they are having any sales. you should be able to get an 02 or 03 at a significant discount. a hard rock is a good choice, the trek 820 is pretty cheap. also ask them to swap the tires to slicks if it comes with knobbies. if she's going to be riding over bumpy, cracked paths or up and down curbs, she may like a suspension fork though it's not really necessary. budget for helmet, gloves, and u-lock too (min. $60 for all 3 on sale). A rear storage rack can be very handy for $20 extra. "female specific" bikes aren't necessarily good for all women. make her ride it before buying.

thanks for all the replies guys.. we went down to the lbs and found an 03 hardrock crmo for $240, shes probably gonna pick that up.

my friend has an 02 rockhopper that hes upgraded quite a bit that hes gonna let go for $300 so i think i'm gonna get that instead of an 04 HR sport

If that bike is in good working order then it should be good, it would be a better investment that the HR, as it will take a bit more punishment :D


Look for cracks in the frame, if you see any, i wouldnt buy it..