Mountain Biking - best bang for buck for 500$

Im tring to decide if i should sell my trek 820 and get a new bike or find out if its worth upgradeing it. I have at the very most 500$ to spend, and thats after i sell my trek. I was thinking about the ibex alpine 550. here are the specs
http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/2004/ALP-550-Specs.html
Any one heard anything about his bike. It got good reviews. But is there a better buy then this one. At my lbs there really isnt much better in terms of components for the same price as the ibex, and i have no problem ordering online. Thanks for your coments.
Thanks for all your help.

If you don't have a problem ordering online than the Ibex would represent a better value at least on paper, or on this case on your computer screen. Are you positive you don't have a problem ordering online? Have you ordered a bike online before?

I have and don't necessarily regard it as a great experience. I personally would never spend $500 on something that I can't test ride. But that is just me. As far as the Trek 820 goes. Your frame is a High tensile steel w/Cro-Moly seat tube on that bike. I don't see that as something worth upgrading. Others may disagree.

I have emailed a couple IBEX owners on here that both had good opinions of the bike and the company.

I have and don't necessarily regard it as a great experience. I personally would never spend $500 on something that I can't test ride. But that is just me. As far as the Trek 820 goes. Your frame is a High tensile steel w/Cro-Moly seat tube on that bike. I don't see that as something worth upgrading. Others may disagree.

I have emailed a couple IBEX owners on here that both had good opinions of the bike and the company.

I'll agree about the trek not being worth upgrading, but looking at the spec of the Ibex, it doesn't seem too bad. Nothing of top quality there but nothing that I would get rid of straight-away. Problem I have always found with a new bike, is getting the right size. This can only be done by sitting on the bike, and that will not be possible by mail order

I bought an Ibex road bike a few months ago and have been very pleased with it. The components are better quality than for similarly priced bikes in the LBS. A great value. Customer service is goo, too.

well im a tall guy 6'3" and my 820 is 21.5 inch frame or 54cm. So im assuming i should get the 20inch ibex if i do. Is it safe to assume this or are all brand of bikes different? Oh I have read that there is a 30 day satisfaction guarentee on all ibex bikes. So if im not happy with it i just lose my shipping and get my money back.

But other then the ibex what would be another good buy? Or should i just ask my lbs?

For under $500, the Specialized Rockhopper (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6013&JServSessionIdroot=1upz71gehy.j27004) is a good buy. It doesn't come with the disc brakes of the Ibex, but at that price point I'd probably avoid disc brakes anyway. Otherwise specification is pretty close. The Specialized retails for $440, but my LBS sells it for $390 - leaves you a few bucks to spend on any accessories you might need, or perhaps some clipless pedals and shoes.

The Giant Iguana (http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=2004&bikesection=8841&range=145&model=10773) is another good option at this price point, especially if your heart is set on disc brakes.

For this level of bike, I'd be looking for the LBS support (unless you're quite experienced at bike mechanics).

how about buying used? There are usually some great deals on e-bay. Just make sure your buying from someone who has good feedback. I personally don't buy from someone unless they have 98% positive or higher.

i was doing a search and found this thread
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=34699&highlight=iron+horse
the iron horse warrior comp looks nice. Only found 1 review on it though. Did a search for a dealer and theirs one right in a small town out side of the city. ill check it out this weekend.

but the giant iguana and or yukon sounds good too. i know my lbs sells giants.

The Iguana is a step above the Yukon in the areas of drivetrain and fork spec. I know from personal experience that I like the Iggy over the Yukon. (my shop sells them)

i think its silly to purchase a mail-order bike at this price range

unless you're talking about expensive/exotic and reputable bikes such as Habanero, etc... with unanimous praise

at this price point most bikes are roughly level.. 6061 aluminum frame means nothing if it's built crappy (not necessarily saying that the ibex is) and, most imporatntly, if you cant first ride it

Ironhorses are amazing. I have a Desperado, and a friend of mine has an '03 Warrior Disc. Both of us love the bikes we ride .. at least for the price we paid for them :)

At your price-range though, I would stay away from discs.

Yeah, for $500 you'd be better off with some nice V-brakes than discs. I'd recommend the Giant Iguana, too. I have a 2000 model and it's a great bike, especially for the money. The Rockhopper should be a decent choice too, but I haven't really ridden it and I think the Iguana is a slightly better deal.

I would also recommend you go to an LBS if you're paying this much for a complete bike. The support can come in handy.

For under $500, the Specialized Rockhopper (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6013&JServSessionIdroot=1upz71gehy.j27004) is a good buy. It doesn't come with the disc brakes of the Ibex, but at that price point I'd probably avoid disc brakes anyway. Otherwise specification is pretty close. The Specialized retails for $440, but my LBS sells it for $390 - leaves you a few bucks to spend on any accessories you might need, or perhaps some clipless pedals and shoes.


For this level of bike, I'd be looking for the LBS support (unless you're quite experienced at bike mechanics).

Just face it, If you can get a rockhopper at around this price at an lbs, why go further. Mechanical disc brakes are not often effective, so V's will not be a problem. If you are still stuck on the Ibis, Don't look at frame size, as it will vary between manufacturers. Points to look at are Standover height and Top bar length. You have the Trek to judge up against, so you will not be working completely blind on this.
Going to an lbs will give you the necessary backup in case of problems, So look into the Ibis a bit more carefully, but if its right for you, go for it.

thanks for all the responses.
this weekend im going to take a look at the rockhopper and the warrior comp.
Thanks again.