Mountain Biking - Looking for a New Bike....HELP!!!

I have recently gotten back into mountain biking, and I am looking to get an new mountain bike.

My old mountain bike, which I still have, is a 1993 22" Cannondale M2000, which came standard equipted with ALL Ritchey Logic Comp and Shimano XT derailer, shifters(the old above the bar shifters), and gears (front crank is by Ritchy); if you have followed mountain biking for a long time, this was the last bike year than Cannondale made without placing all of that CODA stuff on.

It is quite a machine, but I was looking to replacing the rims, which are warped, and a few other upgrades, such as front suspension, which has me questioning if I should purchase a newer bike.

I have decided that I was going to spend between $1,000 to $1,500, but I am really open on the bike manufacture. I am still from the old school and I like XC hard tails. Additionally, I was only looking at Cannondales, such as the F600 or F800, but a local shop told me they are NOWHERE near the quality during the early-1990's. So, I was just looking for some input and some recomendations, and the some brand which are producing a quality product. My riding style is on hills where you need to be able to climb.

Thanks, any input would be appreciated.

Specialized Stumpjumper might fit your needs nicely. Give 'er a look.

Gary Fisher Big Sur is another bike in that price range that would be worth checking out. You are going to have many nice bikes in that range to consider. Ride as many as you can and get the one that you feel most comfortable on.

Kona has on their website prices, so check them out. Good frames and decent componentry. I'm going to be buying their Fire Mountain as I don't have a huge wad to spend and it's the best bike for the price of about 650 Can.

Their other bikes that will run into the category of 1000 to 1500 are pretty sweet.

Oh, and the fire mountain comes with the only butted frame for the price range that I'm looking at.

Definitely recommend the Kona Range, and the Cannondale, and the Bianchi, and the-----, Your choice is limitless, but do look at the Kona's

http://www.konaworld.com/kw_index.cfm

In your price range, good frame, good components... can't really go wrong.

Just make sure to look at all your options before you buy a bike and don't try to be persuaded by performance from 10 years ago.

I almost purchased the wrong bike until I came to these forums. I had made up my mind and was debating between two relatively obscure Canadian companies. Others recommended Kona and Norco, and now I'm going with the Kona as it's the sweetest deal for the price.

Er... that link should have been to this bike, not the Hoss.

http://www.konaworld.com/kw_index.cfm

Kona uses frames. You will have a hard time linking to a singular bike

what bike are you looking at?

BTW congrats on changing your mine...Norco and Kona will kick ass...

If you're thinking high end Kona you might want to check out Rocky Mountain. Once you get into the 2K CDN range the Rockies have similar value... and more panache! ;) If I was in the market this year the 2004 Hammer (http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2004/steel/hammer.aspx) looks like a winner for 1300 USD, 2K CDN.

For the lower range I found Rocky Mountain a lot more expensive for minor differences that weren't really worth the money.

jamis makes cool steel xc hardtails... dakota xc for 1300

In the price range you've listed, the choices are many!

Cannondale probably makes one of the top ten XC race bikes. If you're into racing then Cannondale should be on your short list of bikes.

Each manufacturer has their own idea as to what is optimum for racing. You really just need to visit a lot of your local shops and learn what's hot again.

L8R

I have recently gotten back into mountain biking, and I am looking to get an new mountain bike.

My old mountain bike, which I still have, is a 1993 22" Cannondale M2000, which came standard equipted with ALL Ritchey Logic Comp and Shimano XT derailer, shifters(the old above the bar shifters), and gears (front crank is by Ritchy); if you have followed mountain biking for a long time, this was the last bike year than Cannondale made without placing all of that CODA stuff on.

It is quite a machine, but I was looking to replacing the rims, which are warped, and a few other upgrades, such as front suspension, which has me questioning if I should purchase a newer bike.

I have decided that I was going to spend between $1,000 to $1,500, but I am really open on the bike manufacture. I am still from the old school and I like XC hard tails. Additionally, I was only looking at Cannondales, such as the F600 or F800, but a local shop told me they are NOWHERE near the quality during the early-1990's. So, I was just looking for some input and some recomendations, and the some brand which are producing a quality product. My riding style is on hills where you need to be able to climb.

Thanks, any input would be appreciated.

I would also look at the Jamis Dakota XC. It is hard to beat for the money.