Mountain Biking - Recommend me a mountain bike

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a mountain bike and need some guidance. I am pretty sure I want to get a hardtail, and my budget is around $750, although I won't mind upping that a little bit if I know I am getting much better parts for a little more. I do not know much about mountain bike componentry, but I do know that I would like to get disc brakes, a mid-level front fork and at least mid-level components.

With that said, I have done a little bit of looking at the LBSs here, and the bikes that I can find in this price range all seem to have low-end components and a low-end front fork (Rock Shox Dart 1/2). Is this going to be the norm in this price range, or are there other places that I should be looking at? If it matters, I have quite a bit of tools, do my own maintenance on all my road bikes and don't mind turning a wrench.

Thanks in advance.

-Fikret

If you don't mind doing your own work, you could buy online.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_comp08.htm

Thanks for that link. Like I said before, I don't know much about mountain bike componentry; how do the components on that bike rate, and would they hold up well to frequent trail riding? How about the frame?

I have also been looking at a few used bikes locally and came across this for $650:

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/00/cusa/model-0FS2S.html

Is this a good deal? Also, am I better off getting a bike with more modern, but mid-level components to keep it within budget, or a older used bike like this that appears to have (based on what I have found) fairly high-end components?

Thanks.

I wouldn't get he cannondale. It was a high end race bie in its day, but the headshocks have to be serviced by cannondale, and I'd only want one if it were covered by warranty, which it won't be if you buy used.

You *may* have to up your budget to get a mid level for (tora-recon level) but on the other hand, that's a good thing to focus on. Worry about the fork, frame, and brakes, then drivetrain.

You could get the upper level hardroc and a tora and still be within budget. You'd have abombproof frame, decent brakes (BB5) and ok drivetrain.

As far as mountain bike drivetrain components go, are there discernable differences in functionality between low-level and mid-level components, or are the differences mainly in weight? Also, is there a minimum component level that I should look for when it comes to brakes, fork, groupset, etc..?

Thanks.

Deore or X5 IMO is the lowest you should go as far as drive train goes. Try to stay away from Shimano mech disc brakes, or budget money to replace them. Most stuff in that price range will have at least deore/X5 and will probably have some kind of avid mech brakes.

Thanks guys. Here are two bikes that I am starting to like; which one do you guys think would be a better purchase?

Giant XTC 2 + aftermarket Rock Shox Tora (around $850):

http://flyingfishbikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=5085

or

Cannondale F4 (I have found this bike for $850 at a local LBS):

http://flyingfishbikes.com/itemdetails.cfm?sort=brandasc&id=5178

Thanks.

The cannondale has better components in general, but the fork is not as durable as a tora would be. If you are riding trails that are in general smooth with not to many drops, go with the C'dale, if not get the XTC and tora.

Ewww headshocks..

I will go give them a test ride this week (although the Anthem will have the stock Rockshox Dart on it) and see what happens.

Does Cannondale not warranty their Headshok for life?