Mountain Biking - Can someone guide me?

I have always loved riding motocross bikes. Recently to get in shape, I have been riding on the road 5 miles to some pretty rough trails, riding 2-3 miles of trails, then riding home. I am riding an old Trek with no suspension and my wrists are shot. I am looking for a 21 speed hardtail with some good front forks. I would like to spend around 350-400 but 500 is my limit cause i need to buy a car sometime soon.
.

Look at a specialized hardrock.
It's decently speced.
But for 500, you cant expect to get a really good fork, as they can cost over 500 themselves.

well, i guess i dont need a really good fork. i just want something better than hardnose i guess.

I have been looking at the Giant Rincon with disc brakes, and the Diamondback Response Sport

Giant makes some pretty good bikes.

Go used

Go used

Good advice if the OP knows a little about what he's looking for. The new '09 hardrocks are really neat looking bikes. I think I'll take one in orange.

Good advice if the OP knows a little about what he's looking for. The new '09 hardrocks are really neat looking bikes. I think I'll take one in orange.^^ Uh-oh . . . 66 has been KTM-ized too.

for $500, your better off getting a bike that doesn't have disc brakes

for $500, your better off getting a bike that doesn't have disc brakes

Wrong!

http://www.konaworld.com/08_firemountain_w.htm

Wrong!

http://www.konaworld.com/08_firemountain_w.htm

That was a useful bit of advice. The disc brakes on most $500 bikes are trash. The one you linked to:



Brakes Hayes MX4 Mechanical

That was a useful bit of advice. The disc brakes on most $500 bikes are trash. The one you linked to:

Not sure if that was a compliment or sarcasm. The MX4 isnt a bad brake considering its OEM. Id prefer that over some crappy Tektro rim brake.

Not sure if that was a compliment or sarcasm. The MX4 isnt a bad brake considering its OEM. Id prefer that over some crappy Tektro rim brake.

Most entry level bikes with disc brakes sacrifice quality from other components to have disc brakes. I'd rather take a bike with decent V brakes at that price.

If you ride motocross you'll know that great equipment costs $$$. That said, you can still have fun on an inexpensive bike.

I'd look for closeouts on 07 models if you're not comfortable shopping used.

disc brakes have their advantages and disadvantages to name a few advantages: If the wheel is not completley true/ somewhat bent you dont have to worry bout the brakes rubbing, They are a good investment if you can afford good ones getem they last awhile.
Now for some disadvantages: The disc brakes on most $500 bikes are trash if you don't go for good brakes aka hayes stroker or juicy or some hydraulic ones then you are better off getting standard calipers. Taking care of them if they are slightly misaligned is a pain in the @$$. The pads are expensive. If you get hydraulic brakes the bleeding process is expensive.
But as said earlier you are better off getting a better bike than discs cuz the shop i work at we make fun of those people who buy the bike for the disc brakes and don't realize what they sacraficed for the appeal.

And Remember you are just starting if you want to upgrade you can most good entry level mountain bikes have adapters for discs.

Best of luck

Ok. A few more questions.
1) If I got the Hardrock Sport without the disc brakes, what would i be sacrificing, I mean, I have ridden my whole life w/o disc brakes, and i havent had any problems.
2) Should I get the Hardrock Sport, or the Sport Disc?

EDIT: I just realized that their site is only showing the 07 models :/

One thing about your wrecked wrists. You might want to move you controls so they are pointing a little more downward. I had the problem with messed up wrists because my controls were parallel to the ground and when going downhill out of the saddle my wrists were bent and would hurt a lot. With the controls pointed downward more your wrists aren't bent it takes a lot of stress off of them. Not saying you don't need front suspension that will help your wrists.

As far as a new bike. Your budget is a little low if you want a good bike. I'd say hold off for now and save up. GET DISKS. I have them and will never look back. You will be very happy with their ability to stop your bike.

disc brakes have their advantages and disadvantages to name a few advantages: If the wheel is not completley true/ somewhat bent you dont have to worry bout the brakes rubbing, They are a good investment if you can afford good ones getem they last awhile.
Now for some disadvantages: The disc brakes on most $500 bikes are trash if you don't go for good brakes aka hayes stroker or juicy or some hydraulic ones then you are better off getting standard calipers. Taking care of them if they are slightly misaligned is a pain in the @$$. The pads are expensive. If you get hydraulic brakes the bleeding process is expensive.
But as said earlier you are better off getting a better bike than discs cuz the shop i work at we make fun of those people who buy the bike for the disc brakes and don't realize what they sacraficed for the appeal.

And Remember you are just starting if you want to upgrade you can most good entry level mountain bikes have adapters for discs.

Best of luck

I hope I don't wind up in your shop if thats the kind of "awesome" advice you give out.

Ok. A few more questions.
1) If I got the Hardrock Sport without the disc brakes, what would i be sacrificing, I mean, I have ridden my whole life w/o disc brakes, and i havent had any problems.
2) Should I get the Hardrock Sport, or the Sport Disc?

EDIT: I just realized that their site is only showing the 07 models :/

Take this from a person who bought the Hardrock sport disc: get the model without disc brakes.

The Shimano disc brakes on the sport disc version are crap, they're not adjustable, and difficult to keep from squealing and rubbing.

disc brakes have their advantages and disadvantages to name a few advantages: If the wheel is not completley true/ somewhat bent you dont have to worry bout the brakes rubbing, They are a good investment if you can afford good ones getem they last awhile.
Now for some disadvantages: The disc brakes on most $500 bikes are trash if you don't go for good brakes aka hayes stroker or juicy or some hydraulic ones then you are better off getting standard calipers. Taking care of them if they are slightly misaligned is a pain in the @$$. The pads are expensive. If you get hydraulic brakes the bleeding process is expensive.
But as said earlier you are better off getting a better bike than discs cuz the shop i work at we make fun of those people who buy the bike for the disc brakes and don't realize what they sacraficed for the appeal.

And Remember you are just starting if you want to upgrade you can most good entry level mountain bikes have adapters for discs.

Best of luck


I dont know whats more funny.....the fact that you work at a bike shop or that your comment is simply nonsensical.

how many under $500 bikes have your ridden? do they all perform equally? what constitutes crap? what do the Original Poster need?

throwing around names like Stroker and Avid Juicy do not make you sound smart. It makes you sound inexperienced.

finally and this is not entirely directed to you......many new members have been doing this.....guess its summer so all the kids are out of school....so its expected........

You dont have to give your opinion every time you come across a thread, even though, you dont have any (or very little) knowledge about the subject being discussed. its not a requirement to be a member.

Recently to get in shape, I have been riding on the road 5 miles to some pretty rough trails, riding 2-3 miles of trails, then riding home.
.

It is hard to comment about what bike will fit your need without knowing what you mean by pretty rough trails. but if you are riding 2-3 miles of average XC trails (no drops, jumps, stunts etc), any decent mountain bike brake will work just fine, especially if you buy a bike from a reputed manufacturer. Also, how the brakes are tuned up has a lot to do with how they will perform. So, if you buy a $500 bike from a reputed bike store who has some knowledgeable mechanics (unlike some you have already come across, here) you should be fine.

Thanks for all the advice guys. To sherpaPeak, the trails are not rough now that i think about it. No huge jumps or drops. Just alot of rocks that really give you arm pump. I am going to the local shop to grab a few parts for the current bike seeing that i dont have the money for a new bike quite yet. I am going to talk to the guy there, and look at some bikes. I'll give an update