Mountain Biking - What bike would you purchase from this list

I am looking entry level with best stock specs. Will be doing light MB and prefer front-suspension. I will be putting in about 21-30 miles a week on it 3-5 of which will be off-road. I am limited on cash and all bikes listed I can find shipped and built for under $500. I have tested the Marin and like it but don't know much on reliability but because I am not an avid MTBer I want the best stock because I won't really giving the bike significant wear and tear.

Here are the bikes I'm looking at. All 2008 models

Marin Bolinas Ridge - http://www.marinbikes.com/2008/us/bikes/specs_bolinas_ridge.php

Specialized HR XC - http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=08HardrockXC

Cannondale F7 - http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/cusa/model-8FS7.html

Raleigh Mojave 5.0 - http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/mountain/mojave-50/?page=specs

Jamis Trail X3 - http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08trailx3.html#

Can get all of these for under $500 which would you prefer and why


Thanks for the help everyone.

I won't be able to test run all these bikes but the supplier has a 15 day return policy so I will use that time to test.

Anyway you can do the footwork and post links to the bikes so we can look at the specs...

You'll get more responses that way.

thanks for the help I will edit now

Links now up

I can give you a comment on the Hardrock, cuz I got an 03.

Handling 10 Fantastic
Performance 8 Quick but a little heavy
Toughness 10+ this is one tough bike(Frame) 1050 miles of torture
Comfort Minus 3 It rides too rough for th dirt, and on the road it rides,,,too rough.
I converted mine to a utility bike and use it to pull trailers, a lot.

The only thing I wish to change is the front suspension, it vibrates my hands to sleep.

If you want tough this is your bike, if you want comfort, it ain't.

I heard the same thing about the comfort on the Cannondale too. Comfort is a legit concern with the mileage. What about the components strictly. Any one stand out from the crowd

I own a Marin Hawk Hill and it's a great all-around bike. I wasn't too sure about Marin when I bought this bike, but I did some research and it's a great company and they make great bikes. The Hawk Hill has a little better specs than the Bolinas Ridge as it has Deore components, but I actually got it for $390 shipped from Sierra Trading Post 2 years ago. Unfortunately they don't have any in stock right now. I'd definitely consider the Marin as it's an awesome frame with decent components at a great price.

The raleigh is the only one (i think) with Alivio shifters...the rest have EF-50s i think. if you are just looking at best componets raleighs generally offer more for your money

Jamis

appreciate the help everyone. I am very new and I'm very inexperienced with how particular components ride. So far no body has agreed on what big is best stock. I will ride them all but want to save my own time in shipping and returning by just picking maybe the best two as from stock parts. Thanks again.

I can only comment on what I have and that's a Trek 4300 Disk. It's very much like the Hard Rock from what I've read. MSRP is $530 but I got mine for $459+ tax. I've only had it about a week but I've been riding the crap out of it and I love it.

I'd take the jamis over all those.....

Giant Rincon $420





http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/1260/29299/

I am new to MTb as well. I purchased a new 07' Specialized Hardrock 2 months ago. After getting my butt in bike shape, I have enjoyed the bike very much. I paid much less the $500. Yes! It handles the trails well.

I bought a Trek 4300 non disc about a month ago that I try very hard to ride daily. I love that bike.. It doesnt have the disc brakes, but I have read that the disc brakes on the lower end bikes supplement cheaper components to make up for the added cost of the discs.

I paid about $450 for my bike, but then I bought some road tires for it for $40, plus a $20 helmet. so all in all I got about $520 into it. The original tires were fine, but I am mostly on pavement. And the road tires really did make a huge improvement in my overall speed.

Would I buy the bike again? Definitely.

I like my 4300 non disc as well. I currently only have about 70 miles on it, but it's a very nice ride, especially compared to my road bike.

Specialized or Cannondale I had both brands older upper end bikes and enjoyed them greatly. Specialized seemed to have really good seating postion.

I'd opt for the Marin, very nice frame. I started on a marin and love the thing,, I shopped around and it was just comfortable..

Of your list, all I would even consider would be the Marin and the Jamis; I would pick them in that order, too.

That said, Giant is a fine choice, too; don't forget Haro, though.