alphaqforever24

Hi all first post here been wanting to get an entry level mountain bike came down to these 2

https://incycle.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=47824

what the diff between this and the hardrock sport?

or

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cliff4700.htm

Dunno why i choose these 2 i guess cause there below $400

Alot of my friends do casual bike runs on the road. Most have road bikes and a few have mtn bikes. Alot of my friends are juss telling me to get a road bike but i want to be able to do mountain biking as well you cant take a road bike on a mountain but u can take a mtn bike both. So i was thinking hybrid at first but alot of people say you cant really go mountain biking with a hybrid. So then i thought of mountain biking but also getting a set of road tires. So most likely i will be on the road most of the time but i want to be able to go on the mountain at times. What do you all think? and suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

mzeffex 

get both. If you can't do that but you will be mountain biking, get a mountain bike. If you don't need to go mtbing, and will just be sticking to road, then get a road bike. You won't find a new decent road bike for under 400 though.

ialex2005i

I was also wondering if it's worth the extra cash to go from the hardrock up to the hardrock sport?

mzeffex 

Better components

ialex2005i

I assumed that, but is it better buy the sport with its better components, or buy the normal one and upgrade myself later on?

gurry

As a rule of thumb, the further up a model line, the better the components. It is always more expensive to upgrade later on. Get the upgrades built-in!

trailrider1

i would get the hardrock sport. that looks nice. and ive heard good things about specalized.

ialex2005i

okay last thing and then I'm done hijacking this thread.

Hardrock Sport
or
Trek 4300

Which would you say is overall the better bike?

Jordan300

I'm a fan of trek, they guarantee their frames for life, i've already replaced one frame for free

junkyard

alphaqforever24 -

If you plan on road biking with your friends who have road bikes, you will be at a severe disadvantage if you are riding a mountain bike with them. I'd suggest getting the right bike for what you intend on doing. If you plan on road biking more often, buy a road bike.

alphaqforever24

i do plan to do mainly road biking but want that option open to also go mountainbiking but dont have the money to buy a rb and a mtn bike so the reason i choose mtn is cause it ride on road and mtn.

lofnsjoke

well then look at a cross bike such as https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cross_cx3.htm.

junkyard

That is fine, just don't expect the guys on road bikes to wait for you.

alphaqforever24

but between the 2 bikes im choosing what do u guys think is better?

lofnsjoke

you have our suggestions.

alphaqforever24

well between these 2 what would be a better choice?

ialex2005i

From those two I would say the hardrock, I personally haven't ever heard of windsor cliff.

alphaqforever24

alot of people have been saying that that windsor has really good components for the price and components are whats important i still cant decide

CCrew

I own one BikesDirect bike. I'd never buy another. Although I'm a big Trek fan, the 4300 is a heavy bike. The 09 Hardrocks are much lighter. I'd go Specialized.

trailrider1

i like the hardrock. but i mtb not road.
felt makes some good starter road bikes my big bro got one for 800 and its nice. but 400 bucks is a little low for a main bike.

bumperm

I realize cost is a major factor, so to keep costs reasonable and still get good quality - - consider buying used on eBay, Craig's list, or in the local newspaper classified. You can get a very high quality bike if you shop wisely and do a bit of research on-line so you know what you're getting.

If you want to buy bike, save a bit more and buy an entry level bike at your LBS. In this economy, expect them to discount off MSRP. -20% is doable on the higher end bikes, but that may be a lot to ask them to discount their lower end stuff . . . as many LBS will adjust the bike for you at least a couple of times during the first year at no charge.

If you buy "entry level" junk at Wally World or big box store, in most cases you'll be throwing your money away ,as parts will fail, break, or the bikes dismal performance will soon leave you wanting something better.

aL1

I'm partial to Specialized.

Spawne32

i also recommend you check out FORGE and OLPRAN bikes for around 260-350, they are great bikes for the money, and i love my olpran. They are built on 6061 aluminum frames with shimano drive train parts, spinner forks, and innova tires as well. The brakes are questionable but nothing a cheap upgrade couldnt solve on mine. My friend just got a FORGE for about 325 and that is also an excellent bike. Im a firm believer that you dont have to spend 4 grand for a bike to have fun. I refuse to spend anymore then 500 ever.

Zephyr11

You don't HAVE to spend that much to have fun, but sometimes it help! *drool* haha

Anyway, if you're road biking with your friends too, go on Craigslist and pick up two $200 bikes, one road, one mountain. Before I bought a road bike, I put in some 50 mile road rides on my hardtail. It sucked. A lot. If nothing else, at least get slicks...because I didn't and took off all my tread. Or look for a cross-bike on Craigslist, which can handle trails that aren't super technical and will be way better on the road than a mountain bike.

Spawne32

you should see the looks i get when im in the bike shop touching the 5000 and up bikes