Mountain Biking - Need quick help on decent MTB for around 350!

First a note: Since I live in Holland where we pay with Euro's, the prices you see in this post with an "E" in front are the price I pay here (can't find the proper font). To prevent any confusion as well as to give you US guys more insight in the costs, I've put an conversion to US dollars next to them.

Anyway, I'm going to buy an MTB for my brother very soon, probably even tomorrow, and I need quick help in choosing one. He's mostly a recreative rider and not to serious about off-roading. A casual rider, you could say. He also doesn't really ride a lot, maybe two or three times per month but because of this season he will probably ride more often (like 2 times a week or so). His riding is 80% pavement / 20% off-road. Anyway, I want to get him an MTB for around E300 ($362), with E350 ($423) being the maximum. Yes, yes, I know. In that price range I'm stuck to Altus and other lower components, RST 191 and InSync forks, etc. etc. But that really doesn't matter right now. :)

I've been looking around a bit and this is what I've come up with so far: Trek 3700 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/3700.jsp) (E329, $379), Gary Fisher Tarpon (http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=classic&bike=Tarpon) ($??) and Giant Boulder (http://www.giant-bicycle.com/nl/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=2004&bikesection=8790&range=106&model=10010) (Dutch AluxX version, E359, $434). With the Trek and the GF I might get 30% off of a 2003 model from an LBS but I'm not sure. I can't seem to find my Kona catalogue right know and I don't have time to check their site so if anyone knows of a suitable Kona, please let me know. I've also been thinking about the Giant Rincon (http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?dealerid=&dealercountry=&lYear=2004&bikesection=8841&range=145&model=10764) (E399, $482) and Trek 4100 (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4100.jsp) (E379, $458) but unless I can get a good deal on a 2003 model they're out of the picture (unless you guys come up with a really really good reason :) ). If you guys know of any other brands, please let me know asap.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

http://trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4300.jsp

How about this ?

http://www.alansfamilybikeshop.com/WebPages/Bike%20Info%20Pages/04%20Haro/04%20V3.htm

http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=24814&lsubcat_id=7599&lcat_id=7604&referpage=

http://www.getawaybikes.com/Detail.cfm?Categoryid=87&BrandID=11&ProductID=1165&CFID=3742446&CFTOKEN=93991429#

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=BI701A02

Some decent bike from a few well-known companies.

EDIT: Sorry, I forgot about the currency conversion! Im not sure of the price of these bikes in euros.

Jkittlesen, I've been looking at the 4300 but the price is a little too high (E449, $545).

Forum*rider, thanks for the links. The Haro and Iron Horse look nice but the brands are kind off rare here so availability will be much less (compared to Trek, Giant and GF). The Hardrock looks appealing, might have to check it out in the shop.

Anyone else have some thoughts?

Those are all good bikes. Fit is critical. Go test ride as many as you can. Buy the one that is the most comfortable. Price is secondary!

L8R

When I was working at a shop two summers ago, I was impressed with the Kona Fire Mountain for value. I recall it was just over $400(US) at the time. May be worth taking a look.

Right know I'm in favor of the Giant Rincon. It's 8-speed, has an adjustable Suntour XC-60 fork, Alivio derailleur, EZ-fire Plus shifters and it comes in black as well (the NL model) which my brother will probably like. :) It's E399 / $489. Just a bit above the budget but I think it will be worth it. Anyway, I'm off to some bike shops. In the mean time you guys can keep the replies coming, it may take me a day to finally decide.

Since you're in Europe and can get some stuff we can't over here, have you checked out brands like ScottUSA (http://www.scottusa.com/eubike.php). Yes. It's ironic that ScottUSA no longer actually markets their bike products in the USA. However, I have heard rumours that they might be returning to this side of the pond. The Yecora (http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=4830) and the Montana (http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=4831) look to be in the ballpark of bikes you seem to be considering.

Thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated!

I've been checking out some bikes in the store and looked at the specs of other bikes in that price range and decided it's going to be the Giant Rincon SE (Dutch Special Edition). It has better specs then the Trek 4100, such as Alivio/Acera derailleurs (instead of Acera/Altus), Suntour XC-60 fork with adjustable pre-load (instead of InSync 320 which is not adjustable) and is 8-speed instead of 7-speed, all for just a mere E20 in price. It also has 32 (very) positive reviews with an average rate of 4.4 out of 5 at MTBR.com. Plus it's shiney black so that's a good reason too. :) I'm going to pick it up today. I really need the bike before Whitsuntide because he's likely going to ride then and I can't keep lying to him (I didn't tell him about the snapped frame yet). The plan is to put the Rincon in place off the old bike, then when we pick up the bikes to go for a ride, he's in for a big surprise. Can't wait. :)

Well I've bought the Rincon (a week ago now) and my brother has been on it a couple of times so far. The first thing he said when he saw it was "where is my bike?". :rolleyes: I told him about the features of the new bike and why it's much better then the previous, etc. He starts to like it now. I've also ridden on it and I must say that it's a really nice bike! It's much lighter then the old bike (which was steel) and even though the fork is basic it smooths gaps and potholes, etc. considerably. It's also much much easier to go up or off curbs. :) I thought the front derailleur was Acera but turns out to be CO50 so that's much likely the first thing that get's upgraded. I also don't know if the rims are double-wall, I've send an e-mail to Giant asking. Not that it would really matter but I just want to know. :) The seat is nice too. It's soft, giving a feel like you have a suspension post and it has center cut-away. All in all it's very nice bike that I would recommend to anyone who wants a nice bike to start with MTB but doesn't want to shell out big bucks, or to anyone who wants to upgrade from an old steel frame bike. ;) Again, many thanks to you guys for the help in my quest.

Oh and for those who haven't seen it, this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=494002#post494002) explains why I needed to get my brother a new bike in such a hurry. :D

Devinci Coyote: http://www.devinci.com/english/sportmountainbikes2004.html

I dunno if it's available in the Netherlands or not.

Edit: oops I'm too late.