Mountain Biking - Which bike under 500.00

Which bike under 500 (maybe a little over but between 500-600) should i buy? I have a trek 3900 and its too small, its a alpha, older model, and its just gotten to small for me. Please post suggestions, not just brands. I'm REALLY REALLY looking for a bike that has disc brakes, that would be really nice as well. I'll be doing a lot of trail riding, and mountain biking, but i can't decide whether to get a Hard tail or a Full suspension bike. Please post your suggestion, I'll greatly appreciate it.

Hardrock Sport Disc. (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45759&eid=4340&gold_ses=) Just go to your nearest Specialized store and pick one up, coz it is equal to, or better, than anything else out there for the price and you won't be disappointed. Don't bother with full suspension under $1000.

thanks man. anyone else?

go to a bike shop and check out what they got. test ride, test ride. test ride. very few knowledgeable are going to respond to this thread, since there are so many of these threads posted.

oh and READ THIS!!!!! (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=67259)

http://www.target.com/Huffy-Cyclone-Mountain-Bike-Black/dp/B001JILR4A/ref=sc_qi_detailbutton?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=0C3MMHRWA7DXGDHQW3YV&pf_rd_p=465357931&pf_rd_i=B001JILR4A&pf_rd_s=bottom-6&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=5101

I second the Specialized Hardrock...killer hardtail for the money. I have an 09 and it is a blast to ride when not riding the FS. With the 2010s coming out, you should be able to get a Hardrock Comp disc for around $500 or less

http://www.watsonfx.com/hardrock.jpg

nice bike, I'll probably get one, but keep telling me what you guys have/recommend. the guy who suggested the target bike.. :notamused:

I chose a Moto Fantom trail over the hardrock and trek.

go to a bike shop and check out what they got. test ride, test ride. test ride.
+1

Most of the bikes around that price range will have similar components. They will, however, have slightly different geometry, which will make them fit differently, and means that some of them will feel better than others. Most of the major bike companies will have a bike at that price point. And check out '09 closeouts because you may find a deal.

Thank you both. Still open to more ideas!

Thank you both. Still open to more ideas!

I will say that your question has been answered above about as completely as it ever is, almost all the threads like this say the same thing time after time after time.

1) Do not buy a throw-away bike such as ANY bike from a 'big box' store- find a Local Bike Store that you like.

2) If you are able, test ride A LOT of bikes and see how you like them.

3) The one bike brand that comes up quite often when answering your particular question is: Specialized. A really nice bike is the Specialized Hardrock as posted above.

nice bike, I'll probably get one, but keep telling me what you guys have/recommend. the guy who suggested the target bike.. :notamused:

the funny thing is that target actually has one of the better equipped bikes for the price. the forge sawback (http://www.target.com/Men%E2%80%99s-Forge-Sawback-Mountain-Dirt/dp/B001RTKDPU/sr=1-4/qid=1252565664/ref=sr_1_4/181-6341837-4054155?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&rh=k%3Aforge%20bike&page=1) is better equipped than most entry level bikes out there. only problem is that it is an online purchase only...so cant test ride it.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/7ht_600.jpg

$449

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm

+1 for the Motobecane...

I got the 600HT this week and it's solid. It's also my 3rd bike from Bikes Direct and I've never had a problem with them. If you need to find your size, go test out the Rockhoppers... they're pretty much the same geometry.

What I ride & am pleased with.

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/2280/32123/

I second the Specialized Hardrock...killer hardtail for the money. I have an 09 and it is a blast to ride when not riding the FS. With the 2010s coming out, you should be able to get a Hardrock Comp disc for around $500 or less

http://www.watsonfx.com/hardrock.jpg

This bike is awesome, I'd go with this one

+1 on test rides!

I also have a Gary Fisher Wahoo which is roughly the same price point. Both are decent bikes for the money. The Wahoo has 100mm front forks (compared to 85mm on the Hardrock) and slightly better components in my opinion. On paper alone, I would go with the Wahoo, but I much prefer the Hardrock as it just “feels” right to me. Do your research, get a ton of information and then ride a bunch of bikes!

Bought my daughter an Ibex Alpine for $500 a few weeks ago. Online sales only, like bikesdirect, but without the "eww" factor that bikesdirect bikes seem to bring to some people.

The Alpine is a really nice bike. Well made powdercoated frame, with a component selection generally better than anything else at that price range. I was looking at the Hardrock for her, but ended up at IBEX. If you are uncomfortable buying online, the Hardrock is a nice bike. Not sure IBEX has any Alpines left right now -- if not, you're out of luck until next spring.

Hardrock!

The hardrock is a kick ass bike, defo worth the money.

Thanks to everyone who is posting in here and helping me out, i've read and considered all of them, i am thinking more on the Specialized Hardrock side though, but can i get specialized colors? (none of the other colors really turn me on)

I am also interested in this bike. Anyone know about how much it weighs?

thanks,
Randy

FWIW, I have a Giant Yukon '08 with disc brakes. I got it from my LBS for $450. It's nothing fancy, but for a noob like me, it's taken a lot of knocks/spills/over the handlebars/tumbles/you name it.

Thanks to everyone who is posting in here and helping me out, i've read and considered all of them, i am thinking more on the Specialized Hardrock side though, but can i get specialized colors? (none of the other colors really turn me on)

I Think you have to pick your own bike, What fits, is what u sit. I like the hardrock too, but I can't tell over the internet if it fits you, and neither can any other enthusiastic bike forum members. Please don't listen to me or any one else on the internet. Go to a local bike shop and try every bike within a few inches either way of your recommended size:thumb:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/7ht_600.jpg

$449

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_700HT.htm

why on EARTH would you suggest a good-as-dead 26" hardtail????!!!
haven't you been reading the crap you posted lately?
he'd be throwing away his money on this outdated technology!!!!!!
shame on you!!!

Well He is a newb asking about Entry level, WE gotta save something for prom night, can't give it all up too soon. Heck The mods would call us trashy!

why on EARTH would you suggest a good-as-dead 26" hardtail????!!!
haven't you been reading the crap you posted lately?
he'd be throwing away his money on this outdated technology!!!!!!
shame on you!!!

True dat. Here's the true ticket to the future: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=583072
But shh...don't let anyone know we're telling you industry secrets! And look for an '09 closeout model. I hear the design hasn't changed one bit.

The Hardrock comes in whatever colors are listed on the Specialized website. You can view any of their color options to see what it looks like on the bike. http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...drock&eid=4340 (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=10Hardrock&eid=4340)
Don't discount other bikes at that price point though. You may find that they fit you better, and therefore ride better, than the Hardrock. Going into a bike shop dead set on a certain model is a good way to end up with a bike that you're not happy with.

Randy, the Hardrock weighs quite a bit. If you're looking for a weight weenie bike, that ain't it. That doesn't make it a bad bike, it's just not light.

EDIT to fix link

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=10Hardrock&eid=4340

I just bought a 2010 Giant Rincon. Most places sell it for $499. I had to get some better gripping tires for the trails, but other than that, I love this bike. It was between the Giant Rincon or the Cannondale F8 disc. The Giant fit me better. Find you a bike shop and go try out the different sizes. Each bike is in the $499 range. Good hunting.