Mountain Biking - Getting a new bike... €300-500 range

Could anyone be so kind as to help me choose a nice mountain bike? I'm going to be on gravel, country roads, all in all not extremely rough though. I'm looking for a solid and efficient bike. Nice suspension would be a bonus. Unfortunately, where I live (Malta) there isn't that much of a choice.

The local bike dealer gets Orbea bikes only. He showed me an Orbea Sate and it looks nice, has suspension which you can turn on/off, switching between gears looks good, and it has hydraulic breaks. I also lifted it, doesn't feel too heavy. It's at €450 - that's £362 or $562.

There's also another dealer at this site: http://www.magricycles.com/ ... But there aren't any prices. Keep in mind that they may be more expensive here than at your bike store, so try not to aim too high for me ;)

Any suggestions? If there's anyone that has any experience with that bike it would be awesome. Thanks!

Here are the specs for the Orbea bike: http://mountain-bikes.findthebest.com/l/3830/2012-Orbea-Sate

Pretty much run on the lines of 'the more you spend, the better the components' so this Orbea looks OK for the price. A casual glace at the spec sheet shows that it's nothing special, but perhaps that will not matter for the riding you will do. As a bike to get you banging around the trails I'm sure it will be OK.

To put it bluntly, this orbea will be fine for what you do now, but is there scope to do more? You may find yourself upgrading components as your riding changes and you start taking on harder terrain. It's not to say that the orbea won't be able to do harder terrain, it just wont be able to do it as well as some other bikes.

Ride it if they have your size because looks and price is only part of the picture. If it don't 'feel right' then the sale is void.

See if there are any Scott dealers close to you. They make some good bikes and are popular in Europe. Look for an Aspect or Scale. I think you will like them.

And remember, all internet marketing is looking good.

See if there are any Scott dealers close to you. They make some good bikes and are popular in Europe. Look for an Aspect or Scale. I think you will like them.

And remember, all internet marketing is looking good.

Thanks! I found a Scott dealer (not close, but he's in malta hehe) and I will check if he has those models.

I'll make sure I try it out before I buy it. Hope the store dealer lets me.

See if there are any Scott dealers close to you. They make some good bikes and are popular in Europe. Look for an Aspect or Scale. I think you will like them.

And remember, all internet marketing is looking good.

Damn :(

I just wrote to the reseller and got this reply:

Yes we do have aspect and scale in stock

ASPECT 20 699.00 EURO
ASPECT 10 949.00 EURO
SCALE 80 699.00 EURO
SCALE 60 1099.00 EURO

Far too expensive.

Are the specs of this any better? http://www.bicyclestore.com.au/bottecchia-fx-520.html
I can get it at the same price. Thanks!

Sorry the American pricing was in your range. I don't know how to figure the exchange.