I am having a hard time choosing between the Trek 4500 and the 4500 Disc.
I am just getting back into mtbing after a four year delay during college. Back in high school I had a Trek 830 xc, which I basically just tore up, rode down & through anything my buddies and I could find. The bike was never very good and four years at the 'rents house during college made the bike even worse. While taking my bike into the LBS to get a tune up and fixed up so that I could ride the bike to work, I remembered how much I use to have and decided to get back into mtbing and biking in general (gas prices aren't hurting the decision either, but not a factor in riding bike to work or wanting to get back into biking).

So, before I go and spend thousands that I don't have yet, I want to get a reasonable beginner bike and better than the Trek that I have. I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Trek 4500 or 4500 Disc. I have been reading other threads about whether or not to get disc brakes, but I still can't decide if I should shell out the extra cash for disc brakes that aren't that great anyway, according to what I read (4500 Disc comes with the Shimano 495, mechanical disc w/alloy levers brakeset).

I am 6' 175# and would like to do some (10%) street riding, mostly (60%) dirt-trail (crushed limestsone, etc..)and some (30%) good ol' rough, mountain trail riding. I am not sure if it is a factor but I do ride in the snow as well, mostly I will probably use the old afore-mentioned Trek 830 becuase of salt and rust issues, but the new bike will surely see some pretty powder (just more time cleaning up the bike when I am done!).

Thanks for any advice and if you are thinking of another bike that you think would be way better for me in the $500ish range let me know and I'll check it out.

My LBS GearWest has the bikes for $449 and $549, each $50 cheaper than Trek suggests.

http://gearwestbike.com/site/showite...ory&Catalog=39

http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Moun...inum/Index.php