PingerFicker

Hey everyone, this is my first post. I recently moved to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and friends have really gotten me into mountain biking. I currently own a GT hardtail mountain bike that was purchased about 5 years ago that has seen better days after the last few trips. I'm a bigger guy @ 5'11" and 235 lbs, and am looking to upgrade to a good bike that I can develop my skills on.

I'm looking into getting a bike around the $600-$800 range, but maybe a little more which means I'll probably be looking more at hardtails, considering f/s bikes aren't that great in that price range. I would like to have disc brakes, tubeless tires and gripshift shifters on the bike.

I was just wondering if you all could reccomend a few bikes in that price range that would suit me? Also, is there anything in purchasing a bike that I should take into account for weight considerations?

Thanks,
Chris

junkyard

What type of riding do you find yourself leaning towards (XC, downhill, etc.)?

Many of the XC hardtails in the Kona line are looking a bit beefier in recent years. Something like the Blast or Cinder Cone would fall in the $600 - $800 range, I believe. I'm not sure if 235 lbs. puts you in the clydesdale class... if so, Kona has the Hoss, though it may be out of your price range. I wouldn't limit yourself to Kona, however. Consider the offerings from Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Gary Fisher, Giant, etc. as well.

If you're more interested in riding something other than XC, ignore my post.

PingerFicker

most likely I'll be doing cross country stuff.

Breitling

i'd take a look at the konas and specialized rockhopper and hardrock and some bikes from the gary fisher bigg'ns line like the bitter and the mullet. one of my friends who's a clydesdale has a bitter and he loves it.