Mountain Biking - beginners questions

I am starting to get into mountain biking and I am going to get my first bike. I have about a $250-$300 budget.. Any help would be greatly apreciated..
I have been looking on e-bay as just shoping around.
Kinda thinking the Mongoose 26-inch XR 200 Bike looks nice.. as well as this <<<this one>>> (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27947&item=3675373226&rd=1 )
Also I am about 6 foot and 220 lbs what size bike do I need? :rolleyes:

Spend some time reading these posts. We get this question asked about 3x per day. The answers are always the same!

A. What type of riding do you plan to do? XC (cross-county, FR (Freeride), DJ (Dirt Jumping), DH (Downhill), Urban (FR in the city), ....etc.

B. Go visit your LBS (Local Bike Shop) and test ride as many different brands that you can. We can tell you what WE like, but you really need to decide for yourself.

C. Spend as much as you can initially. You can quickly outgrow an inexpensive bike. It's cheaper to buy a bike with the components already on it vs. upgrading later.

D. Remember, have FUN, it's not about the bike it's about the RIDE! I can have just as much fun on my $500 bike as my $4500 bike!

E. Ask a lot of questions. Even though we've answered them before, we're a helpful bunch.

F. Unwritten rule: You MUST post a picture of your new bike when you get it. We prefer mud on the bike, if your ugly mug is included, you'd better be muddy too and smiling! This may be a bit morbid, but bloody shots are good too as long as they come with a good story (true or make believe).

G. Welcome to the forums.

L8R
Da Nut!

I am going to be doing mostly just reg trail riding with some down hill.
does anyone have any ideas for my budget for a bike between $250 and $300?

www.specialized.com
www.fisherbikes.com
www.harobikes.com
www.k2bike.com
www.giant-bicycle.com
www.trekbikes.com

Seriously, the $300 pricepoint is highly competitive and all the bikes are pretty much equal. The differences will be minimal. The biggest differences will the geometries and the color!

L8R

www.specialized.com
www.fisherbikes.com
www.harobikes.com
www.k2bike.com
www.giant-bicycle.com
www.trekbikes.com

Seriously, the $300 pricepoint is highly competitive and all the bikes are pretty much equal. The differences will be minimal. The biggest differences will the geometries and the color!

L8R

If you're doing downhill, the Specialized Hardrock comp might fit your bill. It has a geometry set up for good crotch clearance.

BTW, if you're going to do downhill, you should seriously consider disc brakes. That will get you up to the $400-$500 unless you go for the Iron Horse.

DH to a newbie is NOT what I would consider DH, No Offense!

But DH to me is a Chair lift to the top, a 40 lb bike with 9 inches of suspension front and rear, full body armour and a full faced helmet. DOWN ONLY!

But yes, the Hardrock is a great bike. I'm a big fan of Specialized bikes!

L8R

DH to a newbie is NOT what I would consider DH, No Offense!

But DH to me is a Chair lift to the top, a 40 lb bike with 9 inches of suspension front and rear, full body armour and a full faced helmet. DOWN ONLY!

But yes, the Hardrock is a great bike. I'm a big fan of Specialized bikes!

L8R

Hardrock Sport for sure... best bang for the buck in the pricerange IMHO.

Hardrock Sport for sure... best bang for the buck in the pricerange IMHO.

yeah, i had a hard rock comp. very nice bike for the price. can't beat it IMO. i recommend the Comp if you can afford it for the disc brakes

With a $250-$300 budget you should definitely consider used. There are alot of excellent deals out there because alot of bike nuts always have to buy a new bike every year to have the latest and greatest. It doesn't matter about the bike it matters about the experience. Do not use ebay for this, You will pay very high prices for shipping and you don't get to test ride. Go through www.craigslist.org or a local classified news source. www.mtbreview has reviews on older bikes, Good deals are everywhere.

Isnt the hardrock comp to beefy. Wouldnt the hardrock XC fit his needs more? Looks like the rockhoppers little brother.

im thinking of buyign a Hardrock.. its hte 2003 hardrock Pro, but with Manitou Magnum fork...

how much is this bike worth paying for?

Isnt the hardrock comp to beefy. Wouldnt the hardrock XC fit his needs more? Looks like the rockhoppers little brother.

The XC is more XC oriented (duh) but the big drawback is its a 7spd rear... not upgradable to 8/9spd really.

DH to a newbie is NOT what I would consider DH, No Offense!

But DH to me is a Chair lift to the top, a 40 lb bike with 9 inches of suspension front and rear, full body armour and a full faced helmet. DOWN ONLY!

But yes, the Hardrock is a great bike. I'm a big fan of Specialized bikes!

L8R

9 and 9...wowsers bit bike. :D...

9 and 9...wowsers bit bike. :D...

You know what I mean!!!! 9 rear, 8 front!

L8R

Isnt the hardrock comp to beefy. Wouldnt the hardrock XC fit his needs more? Looks like the rockhoppers little brother.

nah, the comp is very light for its strength. the disc brakes that come with the comp will weigh more than the difference in frames, and i think the discs are very much worth it. plus youre getting a marzocchi fork instead of an RST. oh yeah, the comp is also 8 speed.