Mountain Biking - Tax return bike.

So Im a total noob when it comes to picking out a bike. I just turned 22, and I thought since Ill be getting my tax return in a few weeks id spoil myself and get back on a bike. I have no idea on what i should get. Ill have a budget of about $700. I was looking at something like this http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Mountain/Hardtail/Trail-SL/Details/2685-1FS5JBLK2-TRAIL-5 if anyone has any suggestions on something to start out with, that would be great!

So Im a total noob when it comes to picking out a bike. I just turned 22, and I thought since Ill be getting my tax return in a few weeks id spoil myself and get back on a bike. I have no idea on what i should get. Ill have a budget of about $700. I was looking at something like this http://www.cannondale.com/usa/usaeng/Products/Bikes/Mountain/Hardtail/Trail-SL/Details/2685-1FS5JBLK2-TRAIL-5 if anyone has any suggestions on something to start out with, that would be great!


Honestly buy a used bike on ebay. If you want a new bike check out bikesdirect.com. They have awful marketing, the site looks like crap, but the deals are unreal. I have 3 bikes from them over the past 5 years - otherwise no affiliation.

I think the bike you linked to looks good. I'd caution a newbie from buying on Ebay. If you're patient and you know what you want, you can get a great deal, but there are always plenty of others out there who are also patient and knowledgable. You sometimes have to be patient, knowledgable, and lucky.

I'd suggest finding a good local bike shop and buying from them. If you live in a market with more than one, go shopping in all of them. Consider buying from the place with the best vibe, friendliest, most helpful staff, who seem like they're interested in meeting your needs, not just selling you something. A good shop will support what they sell by doing an after-break-in tuneup, examining any possible malfunctions for free, even doing minor adjustments for free. I like to patronize them so they'll stay in business. A shop in my little town closed its doors and it was a hardship on me (I had to drive much further to get to a shop, which I didn't like as much.)

I agree about checking out Ebay, there are some good deals! But also don't rule out some clearance 2010 bikes at your LBS. I just picked up my 2010 Fuji 29er Pro for $675 brand new!! Retail was over $1200