I only have $650 to spend...
 

Hey,

I'm looking at new bikes for myself, and I only have $650 to spend. I've been avidly searching around town and on the internet, and I've narrowed the field to Specialized Rockhopper Disc, Trek 6000 and Gary Fisher Piranha. I am relatively new to mountain biking, so I was just wondering what people had to say about these bikes and others in this price range in general.

Thanks!

All good bikes for the money. Buy the one that you like the best.

I was in the same position, choosing between the Trek 6000 and the Rockhopper Disc.

I ended up getting the Trek 6000 about a month ago for $599. She's pretty dope; I'm very satisfied. She's actually in the shop for the weekend for her 30-day tune-up...

It has better components than the Rockhopper Disc, and about the same as the GF (except the Trek has Deore front derailleur, versus the GF's Alivio). If looks are an issue, I think the brushed aluminum on the 6000 makes it by far the best looking of the three.

I'm biased because I just bought one, but I'm definitely digging the Trek 6000.

Check out Iron Horse too. I went from a RockHopper (great bike) to a IH Warrior Expert. It has Avid BB5 disc brakes, SRAM X7 levers/derailers, Marzocchi shock, WTB wheelset...picked it up at PerformanceBike for under $500. on sale. Check them out at www.rscycle.com The build quality on my bike is superb and very happy with it. One of the best bang-for-the-buck bikes available. Test ride everything you can...fit is everything.

Send me $200 and buy a Specialized Hard Rock with what's left over.

Don't listen to this guy. He's trying to take you for a ride. Send me the full $650 in small bills and I'll do the shopping for you. I know a guy who knows a guy who has a few bikes that may have fallen off of a truck.

lol

I like the Fisher

I'd get the Trek.

Have you tried looking at used bikes? I think buying one from the want adds or a place like Craigslist.com could make your $650 go a whole lot farther. My recommendation would be to try to buy a descent bike, but not something super fancy--perhaps something like an older Trek or specialized hardrock and save the rest of the $ for buying good clothing, shoes, tires ect.

Slightly used Stumpjumer, Kula Deluxe, Trek 8000 or other similar hardtail would get you a lot for $650. I saved about half by buying slightly used. It does make it a lot more difficult to wade through what you are buying and took a lot of research as well a leap of faith, so finding the best LBS reduces the risk/.

what do you guys think about used cannondale hardtail, like F400 or F5, are they any good?
will one be able to find them within the price range?
I'm in the same situation as well and I'd also like to start with a hardtail.

I second the used bike vote. A friend of mine recently picked up a Kona Stinky Dee-Lux for 700ish, which is a far cry from new bikes in that price range.

For new bikes, I'd take a look at Ibex bikes. I like recommending them cuz they've worked well for me, and not many people seem to know about them. http://ibexbikes.com/Bikes-Hub-MTB.html

..it's all about the quality/rice ratio ;)

With that budget... which is a decent budget for a bike, I'd look into a used bike off of Craigslist. You'll get more bang for your buck if you give it enough time. I found my bike on CL a while back for $600. $1800 new and I still LOVE the thing.... 27.5 lbs full suspension Stumpjumper. But, Rockhoppers kick ass too, that gets my vote out of your choices.