I own one of these "$500 Bikes" and was able to have Raiyn explain some things to me regaurding disk brakes to V-brakes, etc, etc and I value his opinion a lot.

What I want to mention is that some know I race ATV's and have for about 6 years. I race a 2000 model quad, which is considered outdated, old and a POS. MY racing buddies ask me all the time why I still ride such a dinosaur and that I should upgrade. MY reply is why should I?? I like the feel of it, I have no problems handing out azz's to the "Newer and faster Quads" it would be a waste of money. Now I have lots of upgrades to the bike that help it not be so Old and such a POS which does help.

We have a race class called "The Stock Class" The quads are kept stock just like you buy them at the store and race them. Some of these guys are faster than me, even though I have $2,000 worth of shocks and $1,500 worth of motor upgrades to make me faster, but yet these guys just flat out are better riders than me and hit the rough terrain just as hard but they are just better riders.

Moral of the story and I think this applies to Mountain bikes too. It's 90% rider and 10% bike. I think lots of people don't know how to ride, maintain and are flat out ignorant and in turn put down a good quality bike because of those reasons. It also makes some feel superior to state they own such and such bike that cost mom and dad $8,000.

How many people brought their new bike home and rechecked all nuts and bolts, air in the tires, adjusted the handlebars, lever positions, lever tension so that you don't pull them to the grips but can lightly touch them and stop********** I did and think the brakes on my bike work exceptionally well. They lock the tires up and stop me when I need to be stopped. I understand the wear and tear of the drive train will suffer the most and quality parts really shine in this area, also in the crank area. Jim bob for example did nothing but ride and has to come to a public forum stating his bike is a POS and it needs to be better. Probably didn't realize a tire was flat or the brake levers need adjusted so a public display of how bad his new $500 bike is in order. I will upgrade my bike over time and it'll be looked at like a dinosaur one day too. But man oh man the feeling you get passing someone on a bigger and better bike will have you grinning from ear to ear.....

Don't believe the hype that you read on any type of forums, most are personal opinions and most opinions come from those who keep their head rested firmly in their azzz. Be happy you have a $500 bike and ride the piss out of it. I"m 32 and feel like my Trek 4300 is the best bike in the world, when it's far from it.