Mountain Biking - Is my friend getting a good deal?

He's new to MTB, and I'm not into MTB so I can't help him.

He's looking at a 2011 GT Carbon Sport

http://www.pinkbike.com/product/gt/2011-Force-Carbon-Sport/

He can get it for $3k at a LBS near him. I'm not familiar with the LBS.

Also, if you guys have better suggestions please post them here. I know there's already another thread about "3k to spend, what should I get" but it's not very helpful.

Thanks

I would suggest getting something less expensive for someone that is new to the sport. Maybe a hardtail or aluminum framed full-suspension(if he has to go FS). Crashing is inevitable for someone just starting out, and crashing a 3k carbon bike is not my idea of fun - if he has that much disposable income, then go for it.

Case in point: A friend of mine recently got into MTB'ing and since he didn't have a suitable bike to ride, I figured he could try out one of mine - I currently have three 29ers set up. Our 2nd ride out, my buddy crashed and totally bent the lever on my Hope Tech M4 brakeset - that's a $150 lever. So, if he wants to go with that bike, he better have deep pockets.

The best bike would be the one that fits him and his riding style comfortably. Tell him to demo some bikes from the local bike shops - actually rent them and take them to the trail.

Thanks for the detailed response, I'll redirect him here. I also don't think a carbon bike is a good idea when you *will* be crashing on the trails.

Our 2nd ride out, my buddy crashed and totally bent the lever on my Hope Tech M4 brakeset - that's a $150 lever.Reminds me of the time my motorcycle lever broke.The lever itself was only $ 25-30, maybe your lever and not the whole assembly can be replaced ? Fortunately Honda had one in stock as I was in Orlando and lived in Daytona Beach, FL. Just unscrewed it, removed the broken piece and replaced it, then rode it home. Fortunate I didn't have to bleed anything for the hydraulic system to get the new lever to line up. That was back in 1990 or so. Maybe levers are more expensive these days ?

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/819305/

Also researched the M4, just another reason I will never have a hydraulic brake system on a bicycle, my ***hole puckered up when I saw the price of the hydraulic rebuild kit. Brand new it's expensive and to rebuild it down the road ?

http://www.airbomb.com/ItemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=PG%2D42465&MatrixType=2&selelement1=%B60CA
http://www.airbomb.com/itemMatrix.asp?GroupCode=PG-17730&eq=&MatrixType=1&Av=