Couple of friends want me to get a bike so I can go mtn biking with them.
Nothing major, just the trails at Memorial Park here in Houston.
Haven't been, but I hear it's pretty much constant up and down, over tree roots.

Mtn biking isn't really my thing but i figure it might be fun to change things up once in a while. But I don't plan on getting into it seriously.
Since I don't know d..k about mtn bikes, what would you suggest?
I could do the craigslist thing but I wouldn't know what the heck I was getting and for this bike I don't know if I really want to deal with the hassle of buying used. But I'll definitely be taking a look after I hear what you have to say about new bikes and make some comparisons. I'd also be worried about the beating a used mtn bike may have taken.

So watchoo suggest? Thanks!

p.s. - read the faq but looking for some quick advice on a few specific models to look at and get me started.

in your price range there are a few models to choose from.
you got your treks 4300 4500

your specialized hardrock hardrock disc rockhopper

your kona fire mountain

your gary fisher wahoo

all decent entry level bikes. the question is, which dealers are around your neck of the woods?

oh and there is always bikes direct. i know you road guys dont like BD, but its hard to beat them price wise.

lofnsjoke, thanks for the detailed post... exactly what I was looking for. And with links to boot!
The results turned up in my search were kind of outdated.

I can get pretty much any major brand here. All you suggested and more. We even have one of bike direct's retail stores but they get horrrrrrrible reviews for their customer service.

I'm near downtown so lots of shops to choose from... from mom & pop to big chains like Bike Barn and Performance and REI.

Out of the ones you listed, do you have a preference (brand or model)? Or is it 6 of one, half a dozen of the other? I don't know mtn bike components either, so it's all greek to me.

Thanks!

If you go the Specialized route, I'd get the Rockhopper over the hardrock disc. I rode a Kona Fire Mountain until this year, and it always served me well. It just found a new home last week though when I upgraded to my Jamis XLT 2.0

I wouldn't worry about components since all bikes around the $500 pricepoint have similar specifications, and any variation will not be very noticeable.

I'd say go to the lbs and try out a few bikes and see which one feels comfortable.

If you want a subjective evaluation, I'd say get the Hardrock. Back when I was looking for an entry level hardtail, I tried out a bunch of Trek offerings, as well as some KHS, Norco, and Gary fisher bikes. I ended up with the Hardrock because it felt the best, and it has an excellent reputation for being able to take abuse.

check out the 700ht from bikesdirect

I just ordered my 2nd bike from them and this one was damaged when i opened the box. Going to see how quickly they fix this before i recommend them to anyone again.

I just recently went with the base Rockhopper. It's pretty close in price to the Hardrock disc, but I decided to go with the lighter frame instead of disc brakes which i didn't really need. The components are going to be pretty much the same at this price range. The Rockhopper had a great frame and fork combination and felt great when i test rode it, so i went with it.

6 of one, half a dozen of the other. i really didnt like most of them. i went shopping around and rode everything i could and ended up getting an iron horse yakuza bakuto, with a marzocchi z1 fork. i read up on everyone i could via mbtr.com and asked the bike shop if they could swap out the fork for something esle.

As others have said, I'd suggest the base model Rockhopper given your price range.

Just curious, how do some of the Motobecane and Windsor bikes from bikesdirect compare to bikes like the Rockhopper?

Woah, deore xt/deore bike for $450 shipped.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._cliff4900.htm

That bike should be very reliable w/ mid to high level comps. I can imagine it would be a tank (over 30 pounds) but its not something that would likely break. I love bd bikes

Redline Monocog.

Or they will tell you to walk.

OH NO!

Ric0h strikes again.