I mentioned earlier on this forum that I'm saving up for a mountain bike. Well, I'm still saving, but that doesn't stop me from window shopping
Work schedule at the moment doesn't allow me to go to the LBS, so I'm still looking online. The BD bikes look good, but - I'm not too sure about the mechanical disc brakes. If I buy BD, I have no LBS support - so I would prefer V-brakes. Does anyone know any other online sellers like BD who don't have disc brakes, but are still reasonably decent? Know a few folks who bought BD, and they are happy - but all the BD mountain bikes have disc brakes.
On a related note - does anyone do trail riding on the older, rigid fork mtbs like the steel hardrock/stumpjumpers of the 80s? I saw a really good condition frameset for $100, and it would be fun to build up slowly with parts off ebay - but I suspect it won't really be useful, will it? Point to remember - I'm going to be an awful novice!