Mountain Biking - $300 and under bike

This question is probably asked hundreds of times but um.

Can you guys suggest a bike for riding to class and around the city in poorly maintained urban environment.

Also will be used for urban aggressive/recreation riding. light trail riding.

I'm thinking i'd like a hard trail

I once had a giant Sedona (2005). but would prefer something with a slightly more aggressive riding orientation

reason for the price is college and i wont really abuse it or jump or anything. just something i can have fun on

If that pricepoint is firm, your best bet is a used bike on Craigslist. If you can stretch it though, here are some places to start. However, I'm not 100% sure what you're asking for.

If this is the case:

Also will be used for urban aggressive/recreation riding. light trail riding.
Keep an eye on eBay for a DMR Drone. It's a little 24" chromoly rigid DJ. I can't remember what I paid for mine or whether it was under $300, but it was pretty cheap, and I see them pop up every so often. Not the best for trail riding, but fantastic for urban and it works just fine for short commutes. You'd want to keep the Sedona for stuff longer than a couple miles though.

But, if this is the case:

i wont really abuse it or jump or anything. just something i can have fun on
You might be happier with a normal entry level recreational mountain bike (Specialized Hardrock, Trek 3500, Giant Boulder SE, Fisher Mako, etc). They're all a little over $300, but a 2008 closeout might do it. Will be a much better trail bike and commuter than the Drone, but not nearly as good for urban.

One last possibility is going with something that's still good for trail riding, but burlier than a recreational bike in case you do want to do some urban stuff. Most bikes like that, though, will cost a little bit more money. The cheapest one I can think of that's marketed to fit that criteria is the Specialized P.1 All Mountain...though I've never even seen that bike in person. Slightly more expensive, but also a little nicer and a possibility if you can find on closeout or used, would be something like a Jamis Komodo or GT Chucker.

thanks for the great and detailed info!

yeah i'm gonna just spend more. it'd be better in the long wrong. i'll probably just waste the money on something non-productive anyway. lol

yeah my bad for the conflicting info. I plan to do more just plain fun riding. like dirt roads and paths. up and down hills, gravel. and and bike paths and cobblestones in the historic district.

and the also the basic riding in the street to and from class and riding over curbs and parking lots and grass.
though Ive always preferred the geometry and ride of a mountain bike

(my bro got my sedona stolen) lol

hmm the Chucker 3.0 is looking pretty nice and seems just like something i would want

now just to convince my self to spend that much if , lol

i also checked out the Boulder SE. i had been looking that for a while too. though it is cheaper. i wonder if would enjoy it after a while of owning it. plus it looks a tad bit cheap. though i know giant makes quality bikes.