ErnieP

I haven't had a mountain bike since I was about 12 years old, but I'm looking to get back on a bike. I'm going to be riding on trails, and also some urban riding. I'd like to find something with disc brakes and a lockout suspension if possible for my price range (~$600).

I've been reading about the:

-Specialized Hard Rock Sport Disc
-Trek Advance
-Trek Marlin

Is there anything else I should be looking at? Something I shouldn't be looking at? Thanks in advance!

ColinL

If you're going to do some urban riding you NEED to buy a 29er. It gives you so much more flexibility in tires.

There's at least one thread here where people are speculating the whole MTB world, even all-mountain bikes, is going to 29ers and the 26" has seen its best days. I don't know about that, but I do know that a 700x35 hybrid tire is going to be a heck of a lot faster and more agile on the street than any 26" tire.

So the Marlin and Advance are there, but I'd get one of the 29er Hardrocks-- $600 or $700.

The more expensive bikes do have meaningful upgrades. If you can swing the Marlin or Hardrock Sport Disc 29er, I'd suggest those. Make sure you test ride them both to figure out little differences and especially frame sizing. In the end I like both bikes. Get the one that you like the LBS better.

If both shops are the same, go deal hunting. A lot of times if they won't move much on the bike, you can get discounts on accessories because you'll need bottle cages, bottles, gloves, helmet and cycling shorts at the least.