Ok, so i'm up for a new bike. the one i've got is a department store bike, and has served me well (that is, when it wasn't broken). 2003 Mongoose Intake, stock, in case you care.

Here's what i do:
-Primarily light trails
-The roads i ride are really beat up, so they're pretty much light trails by themselves...
-Maybe twice a week, i go do a larger/longer/tougher trail.
-Perhaps once or twice a month i will do some serious trail riding.

Here's what i'd like:
-Full suspension mountain bike (please, please don't tell me i could do better with a hardtail because 1. you're not going to change my mind and 2. a hardtail isn't what i want. so please, instead of posting a hardtail suggestion, just stick to the fs bikes)
-Preferably disc brakes, but they aren't necessary (i've always had problems with rim brakes....and it damn nearly killed me today...)
-I'd really like something that can take a decent beating.....i'm not gonna go kill the thing, but it should at least be able to handle moderate trail riding...)

I'm willing to put out:
Well, my parents said they'd put up $600 for a bike. There's the $600 figure. But they also said that if i throw in some cash, they'd give $500. THE MOST i would be willing to add would be $400. (and for $900, this bike better have everything i want....). So, if you add my $400 to my parents' $500, that's $900. MY MAXIMUM PRICE CEILING!

Also:
-I don't want to make any upgrades....at all. this thing better work stock.
-I posted this thread because a user got flamed for doing the same in the $500 mtb thread....
-Like i said i'm not about to change my opinion....so please don't try (pretty please ?)
-Please don't flame me either. it's been a rough week....and i'm totally not in the mood...

Many, many thanks in advance for any insight you can/will provide. It's been drilled into my skull that you can't get a decent FS bike for less than $1000, but $900 is pretty close, and i'll settle with last years model if it'll save me cash. (Also, i don't entirely believe the above sentiment ;))

Thanks again, Chris :)

EDIT: screw it. it ain't worth the complaints, i'll just get a damn hardtail. got any suggestions for those? and for $600-$900 it BETTER have disc brakes.....

got this for $550, marked down from $800... last years model, you could get this years for $819, called rocket comp... http://www.tooya.jp/main/04'schwinn%20rocket%202.html

looks pretty good. granted, i know little about components, but if it works....

also, how is it? have you repaired it a lot, etc. ?

its a good bike, i have only had it a few days now, but there havent been any problems, no complaints so far, i havent had it long enough to judge though

The base model FSRxc from Specialized is pretty nice... the parts aren't the greatest, but they should work. Since you're set on getting a bike that's not super for your intended use, costs more than its hardtail counterpart, and won't be a lot of fun to ride on the road... have fun.

look at the haro extreme line. they have beefy frames with disk brakes like you requested and you can find the x1 or even x2 in your price range.

Get a hardtail. http://www.xboxaddict.com/forums/ima...ilies/haha.gif

What he said.

What he said too. Your riding profile doesn't require a FS.

What he said, he said, he said. ;)

You are making a mistake by being so absolute on the softail decision. That's like saying that you want to do some Baha dune riding, but you have your mind set on a Ferrari and no one's gonna change your mind.

You will get inferior components if you think you "need" a full suspension bike in the $600.00 range. Your money is really better spent on a hardtail. You will get much better components on a $600 - $900 hardtail, then you will on an equally priced full suspension bike.

Get a GAry fisher Tass with Disk Brakes and a really nice pair of lycra shorts if you want a soft tail. :)

What I said he she may or may not have said.

Like Shane says you simply won't get a good FS bike for less than £1000, where as you can get a good HT bike with good components. I'm looking to get an FS bike myself in the next few months, I know that I'll have to spend upwards of £1500 to get the kind of bike I'm after.

just get a hard tail. You'll go faster and have more fun.

why don't you just let him buy a "crappy" fs.he apperently doesn't want to get expert opinion.

yo chris, i know you said not to talk about Hardtails, but just listen... Full suspension is really not what you want... You are only doing light riding, and even with the hard riding, a hardtail can take the beating. Full suspension take alot to keep up and stuff. They are also harder to ride, having to push down harder as you ride. you dont have to listen to me, i only work at a bike shop and stuff... I just want to let you know what i think. and there really isnt anything wrong is XC bikes either... but its up to you.

Well, I'm not a bike snob, but I do ride a full scandium XTR Salsa Caballero and a K2 Evo with high-end parts, each over $2000. So I understand what quality is.

But I am impressed as hell that Ironhorse is offering some long travel bikes this year for cheap cheap cheap. Low-end parts and high weights, but their value as a beginner's bike cannot be overestimated. Their "all-mountain" offering, the "Iron Horse Warrior Pro", has 5 inches of travel, and can be had at Supergo for only $799...
http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?L...7&lcat_id=7604

Their "Freeride" offering, the "Yakuza Aniki" has 7 inches of travel and is likewise $799...
http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?L...7&lcat_id=7604

I'm actually thinking of getting one as a "buddy" bike, or as a spare for when one of my other bikes is undergoing upgrades/repairs. With the additrion of a platform shock, and some lightening in the wheels/tires department, these could actually be nice bikes!

Just my $0.02.

i really don't know why i bother sometimes....unbelieveable....

:D

No problem... i did get flamed in the other thread. I guess people would rather flame a newb then help one out. :rolleyes: :D

C.H.R.I.S

OK - believe this:

Run - do not walk - to Walmart and pick out the shiniest bike you can that has the biggest rear shock on it.

Also - take a clothes pin with you - you will want to make sure that it fits nicely to the seat stays so when you clip a hockey card to it, it ends up making that really cool "tick-tick-tick-tick" sound.

We assume you came on this site to ask questions and get advice. Obviously, we are not going to be able to help you. I direct your attention to the nearest Walmart employee who would be more than happy to put you on a new bike today.

Attention K-Mart shoppers......

Unless you go second-hand, forget about $600-$900 FS. I suppose you would like a new BMW M5 for 20 grand also?

sorry guys, but do you ever get the feeling that everyone is against you, and everywhere you go, you get nothing but complaints ?

Fine. I'll get a hardtail....i'm THAT tired of arguing with people. obviously i'll never get what i want in life, whether it be the job, the girl or the bike (all 3 of which i tried for, but have had no success with so far....)

anyway....you'll have to excuse my desperation.....my situation has been less than ideal lately.

so it looks like i'm getting a hardtail.....might as well open this up to suggestions on those as well.....but be warned, for $900, it better have competent components. i'm tired of spending money for repairs on parts that shouldn't have broken in the first place.....and for $600-$900 on a hardtail, it MUST have disc brakes. that point is not arguable WHATSOEVER. ain't no way i'll blow $900 on a hardtail with v brakes....

That'd be great if you've got one....? ;)

its not like people are against you ,they are just refering to facts .
1st . fact you won't get a good new fs for that money
2nd. fact the describtion of you riding only leaves one conclusion ,get a hard tail.
nobody is against you ,but if you ask for peoples opinion expect them to speak the truth,isn't that what you actually want ?
check out the rockhopper comp disc,good brakes ,decent fork ,over all good parts and frame.

Sure, I fix computers ************ so for me it's called work.
Don't give up on the full susp. idea yet, why not go second-hand off of eBay? There is another way, find a last-years model at a shop and see if you can get a brake on the price.

Best of luck, I hope things look up for you.

What if it comes with V-brakes, but is disc ready, and you can buy them another time?

i considered this/am considering it. but a few things have me perplexed....

1. shipping can't be cheap on a thing like that....
2. with something like this, what are the odds that i'm going to buy something, and break it a week later ? (that is my worst fear)
3. well, no. 2 pretty much sums up all the little details....


also, i have yet to test ride, which i plan to do next weekend at a store called bikeway....

depends....if it's a $900 bike, i'm fairly sure i want disc brakes on it when i buy it. but if it's a $600, $700 bike, i could probably add them later....