Mountain Biking - I need help from the know it alls finding a bike!

I'm 18 years old looking to get into some sweet mountain biking! I got about a month before i can do that so i have that long to find a bike. I need your help! I've looked everywhere and theres too dang many to choose from, which isn't a bad thing.
From what i understand there are two types for XC/downhill/mountain riding goodness: FS (full suspension) and Hardtail. I've done a little bit of homework and i'm leaning towards FS. The problem is that they're so expensive! Local stores have great bikes (Mostly "Giant" brand) but they're all over 1000 dollars for FS. Help me find the bike or even answer some questions that newbies ask! My budget is around 700 dollars or less. Thanks- Daniel

Go with a hardtail.

..... Help me find the bike or even answer some questions that newbies ask! My budget is around 700 dollars or less. Thanks- Daniel

Hey Daniel, welcome to mountain biking, i would love to help you answer all your questions.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/67259-Please-Read-Before-asking-Question-MTB-FAQ.

$700 will get a nice entry level Specialized 29er hardtail, with tax includedd depending on your area. The $1000 Yukon is really not all that great, and has a few minor yet enjoyment killing flaws. It's also just about as heavy as the steel framed bottom of the line Boulder model.,,,,BD

$700, have you went to second-hand market around city

The problem is that they're so expensive!

Yeah, Daniel, I know the feeling. I say the same thing every time I go to order a part for one of my own bikes. Currency fluctuations and tariff changes have done a real number on bicycle and part pricing these past few years.

If you're willing to risk mail-order, you could look at an outfit like airborne.com. I happen to like their 29er hardtails. (I am less enthusiastic about their full-suspension models). Buying sight-unseen is risky though, because you don't really know what frame size to buy or how the bike will feel when you actually get on it and ride it.

You mention Giant at your local stores. Giant is a good brand. I bought two Giant hardtails for my kids as they were growing up. I felt like I got very good value for my money. Giant is one of the few brands to actually manufacture their own frames. They are one of the largest frame manufacturers in the world. Other brands like Specialized and Trek do not make their own product. Giant does.

Good luck! Ridiing is a lot of fun and comes with many health benefits. When you do buy a bike, it will be money well-spent.

I thought Merida and Ideal made most of Specialized's frames, and only some by Giant? Either way it's still made to their specs and not Giants. Giant had their own problems last year, with the Anthem recall. Just saying no manufacturer is perfect. Giant makes their own frames, so they can offer a little more product for lesss money.,,,,BD

I thought Merida and Ideal made most of Specialized's frames, ...

You are correct. I phrased that couple of sentences poorly. In general, Giant makes a lot of frames for other brands. I was not intending to link Giant specifically to either Specialized or Trek.

I am fairly certain that Merida owns 50% (or more?) of Specialized, and thus probably makes most of the frames.

If there is an REI close to you check out the Marin's, Scott's and for the price range Novara. You can also go to REI.com/outlet and find new bikes from 2010 to 2011. Sometimes you can grab something 50% off. Idaho rocks for Mountain biking. How bout trout fishing, do any of that. I like to find trout ponds on my bike.

the sad truth around here is that the know it alls left for the season. You are left with us goobs!

Any FS bike that is not over $1000 will most likely fail you if you are riding on anything halfway rough. even then 1k for a FS is the lower end. unless it is used and you choose well you might find a FS for 1000.

Idaho rocks for Mountain biking.Ya but he's in the 'other' Idaho - - the one that looks like Kansas but with more Mormons.

Have a look at Kona fire mountain, thats a great bike for the money. A front shock that works, and disk brakes, and it'd be brand new. Check the reviews on the web.

A used 5-6 year old FS will be likely be you best deal, at least in 26" since they seem to have almost no resale after the 29er craze hit. We just sold a traded in Jamis Dakar XC for $450 + tax. Not the lightest bike in the world, but spec'd a LOT better than a Yukon. If you don't want a 29er FS, the market is flooding with 26" high end stuff right now, and the prices will only get better.,,,,BD

Kansas...shudder. The only time I was ever there I was dumb enough to wear a very unusual tie dye shirt, shorts, and sandals. A big crew cut Hwy Patrol officer pretty much told me to my face that if I wasn't hauling pot, that I was at least carryng some for personal use. I was driving a fully loaded conversion luxo van. I passed all the BS attempts to make me nervous with flying colors, and I was sent on my way with a "warning" for 71 in a 70. That's probably the last time I will ever go there...

I have been riding hard tail bikes for over 30 years - lightweight - stripped to the essentials - light quick responsive ... and they will beat your brains out!

I bought a 2008 Trance (Giant) X2 full suspension bike a couple months ago. I love it - I can climb better and descent much better.. I paid $1000 for it but had to supply seat and pedals. The bike is a joy to ride and I am not nearly as sore after several hours of tough single track.

But - my Specialized Stumpjumper hardtail is still my preferred bike in tight and twisty single track where responsiveness and agility is most important. When riding in the real tight stuff where there are no big drops, rock gardens and no fast really bumpy roads - I like the hardtail better.

You can get a good FS bike for less than a thousand if you wait and watch. I watched Craig's List for a month and was looking at the bike 2 hours after the ad first appeared.

Try to do a lot of riding on FS and hard tail and see which you like.

For $700, to go FS you'll have to go used, as has been said. BUt a word of caution, I wouldn't go much over 5 or 6 years old. There were quite a few technology upgrades around 2005-2006 timeframe that make a substantial difference in the rear suspension of these bikes. I just sold a 2003 Stumpjumper to move up to a much newer model (07). The handling is vastly improved.