Build my own?
 

I am new to mountain biking and was considering building my own mountain bike from scratch, or possibly getting a fully built one. My intrests are something like a XC Hardtail, which can handle small drops, and maybe be taken to some of the big eastern mountains (NH/Vermont) for a little downhill. Anything come to mind?

Price range of: 300-850 in total

Possibly looking for a Specialized rockhopper/ Kona caldera type, or something with a little more spring or downhill ability.

Thanks.

E

Building a bike from scratch is much more expensive than just buying a whole bike outright. Unless you hunt ebay and various retaillers for thier best deals, but that can take a while.

The advantage with building your own bike from scratch is that you can spec it exactly how you want.

You'll hit 350-800 in no time when you buy your frame/fork.

Your best bet would to buy all the stuff already put toghter and then build onto that once the money keeps coming availble.

Frame
 

Any good Frames, Forks come to mind?

Also, are the western mountains more extreme than the eastern, Nh for example, ones?

Just so you know you can get a much nicer bike in your price range by buying it complete. I really wouldn't recommend building your own bike with a budget of under $1,500 to $2,000. Most of the bikes I build up end up being at least $4,000.

If you are determined to build your own then check ebay. You also might want to check out either leader frames or the new sette from pricepoint. Good luck though, a "good" frame and a "good" fork are going to put you at the high end of your budget.

Oh, if you are real determined I know where you could get a good deal on an Ellsworth Enlightenment frame. ;)

so where can I find this deal?

I replied to your e-mail about it.

You could buy a frame and then a build kit. Might still cost more though.

Good question. For mountain biking probably not. I have ridden a lot in massachusetts. and pennsylvania and those trails are pretty steep, and rocky. The trails I have ridden in oregon are actually less extreme in my opinion. If you were talking about high altitude climbing, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, then yes, western mountains are more extreme.