UPDATE:
Hey all! Thanks for all the help with this! I ended up ordering a Dawes Haymaker 1200 on Sunday, expected to receive it Friday, and got it today. Other than the front brakes, I put it all together pretty quickly.

Rode it for a few miles this evening, including down a couple flights of stairs, and all was good! Really enjoying it, and I'm glad to be back on a bike!

I'll try to remember to update this in a couple of weeks to let you know how its working. Maybe I'll include some videos too. Thanks again!

(Ignore the mess )



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Hey all!

I fully understand that "you get what you pay for", particularly when it comes to mountain bikes, but I really want to get more into mountain biking, and I think I'm a little beyond Walmart bikes. I used to bike a lot when I was younger, and I tore up those Walmart bikes pretty quickly.

However, I really don't have the money (poor college student) for an expensive MTB, and was wondering if there are any solid entry level mountain bikes for $350 or less? I know its a stretch, but I really can't go beyond that. I have looked on Craigslist, and I haven't found anything yet, but I will keep looking.

Is something like this (Diamondback 2012 Response) or this (Diamondback 2012 Sorrento) viable?
I've also been looking at the '12 Trek 820 and the Jamis Trail X1 (local bike shop has this for ~$350).

Are any of these a viable choice for an entry level MTB? Any other suggestions?

Thanks for your time!