which of these 3 mtb's for a beginner?
 

i'm looking for some on a few mtb's i've been looking at to get into the sport. should i go basic w/ the Fuji Nevada - $350, or would it be worth it to a beginner to spend more and go w/ a Raleigh Mojave 8.0 or Giant Iguana - $600. saleperson says i'd be crazy not to spend a little more (big surprise), but would there really be a noticeable difference seeing as how they are still entry level mtbs?

Hi biggsmoothe....
Giant Iguana is a great great bike. i own an early 2000 model. I really enjoy it. and other brand bikes with similar price range cost much higher. I am also trying to get back to MTB. I came across a new online bike store with decent products, I am probably going to buy their Alpine 450. check it out if you want to www.ibex.com

their customer support is phenomenal. aggressive frame geometry. I called them three times now and got every bit of information and support I needed. they offer life time warrenty on their frames and 2 year warrenty on the components. pretty decent.

hope this is helpful ...

thanks, i'll check it out.

I'd say at entry-level there's a massive difference between 350 dollar bikes and 600 dollar bikes. Out of the ones you mentioned I'm not familiar with any so I can't help, sorry.

Giant Iguana vote here.

same I would go with everyone elses suggestions - Giant Iguana

Iguana if you budget allows that much. Even the $350 bike has better specs than the $850 GT Avalanche I started with, so you wouldn't be making a bad choice there. IMO.

anybody have experience with Raleigh products? any thoughts on the Raleigh Mojave 8.0? seems to have decent components for $600.

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?...temid=288&va=0

"anybody have experience with Raleigh products?"

I used to ride a Raleigh M40 (rigid and cro-mo frame) mid to late '90s model. it had some low end components but worked fairly well. I used to use it on campus and some trail riding, nothing serious.

the frame was really great. I crashed it so many times but it was rock solid. I hear that Raleigh has a good raputation all around. it also has some good following in Europe.

I have not ridden Mojave 8.0 yet. but would think that its a decent bike. in terms of the brand name - the are right there.

Generally speaking the difference in most lines between $350 and $600 will be in components. I know that Trek uses the same frame in their $350 bike as they do in their $600 bike. You'll be paying for better: shifters, derailleurs, wheels, fork, cranksets, etc.

Do you need it? Only you can say. I will tell you that the $350 bike will likely do everything that the $600 bike will. Neither will be racers. I have a couple Trek 4300's that i have upgraded over time to get them nearer the $600 price range. I don't think I could tell an ounce of difference by riding them, in terms of performance. Of course I know the various product levels, so I can look at an LX derailleur and know it is better than Alvio. (I have LX on one bike and Alivio on other) THey both shift fine.

So your intuition is partly correct. You are probably going to have the same frame as the cheaper bike and you will still not have XT or XTR level components. The $600 bike will still have what some consider "entry level" stuff on it. Keep in mind that this really doesn't matter what some else thinks!

I am glad I bought the $350 bikes. I have ridden them for thousands of miles and upgraded either what wore out, or what i just got an itch to upgrade.