UrbnAttck232

Within the next week I need to go get a bike to help me get to and around campus quicker. I'm in college so I'm on a budget (about $300) and I want to get a good quality hardtail. I plan on using it to get to my classes, and want to try some trials or urban assault style riding. Just basically gettin up on and/or jumping tables and benches around campus, and maybe later some grinds and wall rides. I don't really think I'll be doing any huge jumps or drops or anything like that if it makes a difference. I've been researching a little bit but I need some input on what would be a good bike for what I want to do with it. I was looking at the Giant Rincon, and the Diamond Back response. Are these decent bikes, and would they work/hold up for what I wanna do with them??? Also I plan on saving and modding it as I go along, would I be able to add disc brakes, new bars, etc... to both of these??? If you guys know of anything thats in my price range that would be better than these help me out, I'm kinda clueless right now Thanks.

lata Wes

tFUnK

if you buy a new bike chances are they will be disc compatible frames (even lower end bikes) as well has have disc compatible forks. this may be the way to go if you plan to heavily mod the bike in the future.

another route would be to buy used. you can pick up a very decent hardtail used for around $300, but then you might not have a disc compatible frame/fork and this may be troublesome in the long run. but this way you get the most bike for the money in the short term at least.

depending on where you live, www.craigslist.org classifieds sections may be of help.

oxygen_77

look into getting a 2003 Kona Scab. I just saw one at a bike shop in Seattle and it was really nice! Check it out at www.konaworld.com (make sure to click on 2003 bikes) I think you could probably find one for about $400.00

UrbnAttck232

After looking a little more I really like this bike https://bicyclewarehouse.com/site/ite...=39&sort=Price Is specialized a good brand??? I haven't really had a bike in a couple years, and the bikes I had when I was a kid were always walmart specials That Kona looks pretty nice, my friend has a Kona and he really likes it. I'll see if I can find a local dealer. There a shop about 2 blocks away from where I live that sells specialized, so thats a plus. Just so that I'll know what are some high quality brands and what are a few that I should steer clear of?

oxygen_77

I testrode a Specialized Hardrock like what you had a link to a couple of months ago... I liked it, but I wouldn't go with it over the Kona scab if you're going to do any rough urban riding. The Hardrock is an aluminum frame whereas the 2003 Scab is a cromoly frame. The aluminum is more prone to stress fractures due to the inflexibility of aluminum. Also, I like the Scab more for trials simply because it comes with a rigid fork. Either way though, I think you'll be ok... just make sure to test ride the bike sufficiently before you buy it. Good luck!

Maelstrom 

There is no scab this year. The shred is the cheapest bike in that style.

oxygen_77

Hey maelstrom... I think you missed where I said a 2003 Scab in my post...

Cornish_Rdr_UK

i own a specialized hardrock, although it is a higher model that the one your looking at, some good bike brands are kona, specialized, Gt and Giant. DOnt just look for the best brands though as if you look around
you can find better deals, ask your bike shop about what they would suggest, they will give you a few more ideas.

mindbogger

I think hes just telling the guy that if he wants a scab...he will hafta look for a 2003 but if he wants something similar to the scab thats 2004 model...he should look for a shred