I've never owned one but it looks like a good bike and I am familiar with REI. In your price range their are so many good hardtails with premium brand names that have better resale when your done with it. A Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc is only about $499, and that extra money could go for a new york lock or some gear. Giant Ranier is good too but a little pricey. If you really want to fall off rocks the Specialized P1 or P2. Giant and Trek both make full suspension bikes for under $500. The Giant has the better shock but I've never ridden it. Trek builds a lot of hardtail for the dollar. Navaro is OK bike but people think it's XMart due to the name and only want to pay $40 for it unless they're really know bikes. Have fun.