I am looking to purchase a my first mt bike. I am not looking to go ofroad w/ it, just simply to get around town (to cruise). I like the dual suspension bikes, but do not know if i really need that. I basically need some opinion on what bikes are good for what i need. price range =200-275. i went to a bike shop around town and the person at the store was showing me a trek front suspension bike. I don't really know the model name but it was about $250. I will be going to check out another shop first thing tom. morning. Thanks in advance

Bike i saw at the shop looks a lot like this one. very similar https://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...1/DCP_1763.jpg

If you are only going to spend 250, you want to avoid a "dual" suspension bike, it just won't be very good at all. As for the trek he showed you, it's hard to say without information about the model and the components that it comes with. However, Treks generally are good bikes, and if it feels good when you ride it, then it probabily is good.

You wont find anything in a dual suspension bike thats worth buying for under 1000-1200 range but you can get a really good hardtail for that money. For 250 bucks you can get a decent entry level hardtail but would really be entering on something fun for about a hundred more. for short trips to town though what your getting is probably fine as long as its from a bike store and not a toy store.
oh and welcome to the forum, you should read the sticky at the top about picking a bike, good read.

The trek btw is a decent place to start.

Thanks for the info about the trek. Yeah the guy also said they service it for 2 yrs and warranty it for i forget how long. They seem like they know their business but still will go check out the competition and make a decision then. I went to sports authority but i'm just not feeling the bikes they had + were all over $350 and did not look or were as light as the trek

If you're not planning to ever go offroad, you might want to try out a hybrid bike. They use slicker tires so you get much less road resistance which means you can go faster/further with much less effort.

Don't buy bikes from sports authority or sporting goods places. You'll end up with a bike that doesn't fit you and is very low quality for the same money youll spend at a bike shop.

Trek's have a lifetime warranty on the frame, sports stores are the same as toy stores, get your bike from a bike store. trust me on this, and I think everyone on this forum will agree on this one point. sports athority is a "big box" store and most of the people in there dont know the difference between a set of knee pads and a bike.

I'm intrigued...why would you consider a MTB to get around town?, unless you're out on a frontier.

Pushing 2" tires on 26" wheels with a 44T chain ring is a bit of a slog...why not consider a hybrid,,,either comfort or flat bar. They're fast, comfortable...built for asphalt with 28" wheels, narrow tires, and usually 48-52T chain rings.

here's mine

I would avoid a front suspension as well at that price. The suspension fork on a $250 bike will be trash and you don't need it anyway.

Make sure that the frame has threaded eyelets for a luggage rack (+ fenders), this is essential on any grocery-shopping bike. You dont have to fit a rack but if you do, bolt -on style is by far the most secure.

Entry-level hardtail MTBs in the $250 price band are all pretty good, pick your shop first then see what brands they do. Trek is as good as any.
You may be able to do some upgrades when you buy. Look at changing the knobbly off-road tyres to a 1.5" kevlar banded slick. Armadillos and Schwalbe Marathons are highly recomended for tough city bikes.

Budget for bike, helmet, lights, lock, puncture kit inc spare inner and pump, fenders, [rack] [luggage]
You cant negotiate on price but you can usually get some free LED lights or spare inners, these are retail value to you but wholesale to the shop.

Make sure you get the correct size and check if they tune the wheel build and check the assembly.

If you don't do offroad, and according to your budget, you really should NOT get a dual suspension (Full suspension) bike. Its more heavy, there is no point using that on road, and because its full suspension, the company put all the money on the linkage (altho its crap) and give you horrible parts. Like 2 grade down then what you get for the same price on a hardtail.

yeah I don't agree with that.