Good entry level mountain bike??
 

I am new the site, and have a few questions I was hoping some more experienced riders can help answer.

I am looking to purchase an entry level mountain bike (preferably under $300.00). I am planning on using it 75% of the time on bike paths, etc. and the remaining 25% of the time on trials.

I have gone out to a few differnt bike stores and I think I have decided on either the Raleigh Mojave 2.0 or the Specialized Hardrock XC.

Does anyone have any comments, thoughts, etc. Has anyone riden either of these two bikes, etc.

Thanks!

Oof, ride both buy the one that feels the best. All major brands spec similar in respective price points. This is especially true of the lowend. If there is a Trek dealer look at the Gary Fisher Mako, it's under $300.

hey thanks. thats kinda what i thought. i googled them both and looked at the reviews, and they were pretty similair.

I just wondered if anyone had an previous experience with either brand, good or bad. Or if there was anything in particulair an entry level consumer should look for.

Thanks!

One thing you should look for is a good local bike shop. That will help you out a lot in the future.

uhh, yeah, for $300 you'll get, essentially, a walmart bike.....which is very not good:eek:.
Hardrock's suck, ohh and up ur budget and get this: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes...in/1260/29299/ it's got all the basic goodies at a reasonable price....or if ur feeling crazy:rolleyes: and get the yukon: http://giantbicycles.com/en-US/bikes...in/1280/29353/.


hope this helps:)

+1

And you are speaking, you don't even have the bike built.

yeah, well......it's started:o.


:):):)

Really, an upgrade? Considering that the OP is going to be riding on bike paths for 75% of the time, and likely riding mildly technical trails for the remaining 25%, I think the Hardrock will do fine. I'm not recommending it over the Raleigh because I've never ridden that bike, but given what it sounds like he's going to be doing with the bike, I don't think it's necessary to upgrade.

I doubt that the Hardrock will be any fun to ride on the street though.

I wouldn't say Wal-Mart, the parts are a step up, a small single step to be sure but there it is. The model I suggested is a rigid. Any "fork" you get at this level will be more crap than good. I'd take a rigid over SR Suntour and RSTs entry level forks any time. Especially if I were riding mostly on paved paths as this poster mentioned. Purduenurse ride all bikes, choose off of fit. There really is no other consideration at this pricepoint and your experience level. Buy whichever bike(from a reputable bike shop for maximum effect) is going to make you want to ride.

Hardrock's do not suck, I just bought a hard rock disk comp and its taken punishment and still looks and feels great. Its a given the spec such as drive train etc isn't great but thats due to the price range. The bottom line is the frame is great and thtas a great start.

If you have no clue,don't give advice.

Try this one on for size:http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ne_300HT07.htm
I found them on Ebay at Sporty Mama's bike shop for a little cheaper. I love mine and no problems so far. Two of my co-workers who are WAY more experienced than me bought higher end Motobecanes and love them.

ever owned a hardrock? I bet there are many riders out there on hardrocks that rock it a lot harder than you do.

I have the Mojave 2.0, also have the Mojave 4.5, both purchased at my local bike shop. It's a decent bike, certainly not a Wal-Mart bike, but you do get what you pay for...lesser grade components. I've put probably 150-200 miles on it this summer at the local trails and it's holding up just fine. I'll probably upgrade next spring, but that's simply because I spend most of my time riding singletrack. If you're going to spend 75% of you time on paved trails, it will be just fine.

The best advice I can give, ride the two and see which one feels best.

giant ftw. I think giant makes great bikes for the money. I have an anthem 2, and when i need a new bike it will probably be another giant.

I have a clue....I've tried the hardrock (the comp one) many times, and maybe it's just me but i hate the feel, the weight, the fork, and the whole setups pretty sh***y. It's simple really - hardrocks suck hard:eek:!

I don't really put a lot into what you like and what you don't.If you would read what the OP wants to do with the bike then you would have a clue. The HR would work fine.To compare the HR to a walmart bike only shows once again how clueless you really are.

once AGAIN, it's just my experience, no one has to listen to me, and there really isn't a whole lot of difference between a 'high end' ($3-400) canadian tire/walmart bike and the $360 hardrock sport.........

http://www.productwiki.com/2006-spec...ardrock-sport/

look:eek:! dual disc brakes - only $200,: http://www.walmart.ca/wps-portal/sto...categoryId=282:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Wow....

Oh, I get it. In order for it to be a good bike, it has to be some unholy hybrid of bmx bikes and mountain bikes. Enter: Giant STP

So you don't like the weight or the feel, so it's a ****ty bike? How about a more tactful approach, such as, personally, I don't care for the Hardrock's weight and feel, instead of labeling it as a ****ty bike. I'm sure there are just as many who don't like the weight and feel of your beloved Giant. Does that make it a ****ty bike?

The Hardrock is a quality entry level bike. The service and advice you'll receive at a good LBS is priceless.

well...i just hate it, so I try find a different way to let it go:p.

and for the last (seriously) time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it's pp.

true dat (except for the bolded part), that's hilarious:D:D.