AlphaOmegaX

Yeah, I'm finally springing for a mountain bike. I ride a Fuse 3 around but was thinking the hardrock or p1 all mountain disc would be awesome for on and off roading.

Not really looking for a full suspension bike.

Wondering if I'm making a wise decision?

Bike is going to end up about 600 bucks, shame I can't get it in black. This is also about my budget. 500-700

Let me know. Thanks guys and gals.

AlphaOmegaX

Since it's too late to edit my post, I'm now considering a Cannondale F7, Scott Aspect 55 and regretfully a Diamondback Response Sport ( probably not this though ).

checked them out at a local shop. Opinions on all of the stuff I've mentioned?

Maybe I'm ignorant in my distaste for Diamondback? I don't know.

sirtigersalot

there isn't really anything wrong with the f7 or the hardrock they are both solid bikes, i'm not as familiar with the others you mentioned but the f7 and the hardrock are very similar bikes, peronally i'd prolly go with the cannondale over the specialized since they are about the same price. I'm not familiar with the fork that was on the specialized, it was a spinner somthin, did it have a lockout? If not the c'dale does have the lockout, and since you said on/off roading the lockout would be nice.

mtnbiker66

If you go with the hardrock, plan on using the fork for a boat anchor. It's a heavy POS.

AlphaOmegaX

On top of all this I came across Bikesdirect.

What are your opinions of the Motobecane bikes?

In particular the 700ht/700ds/fantom ds trail

And yes, the cannondale has a lockout

ed 

I like them with a little bit of Sweet Baby Ray's and bake at 360' for 20 minutes.

sirtigersalot

everything on bikes direct: good parts for the money, not the best frame. But for 600 idk that i'd go for a brand name frame anyway. One big thing to be aware of is that if you buy from bikes direct you have to do the assembly, and its not just oh put the wheel on and put on one pedal, At the shop i work in we have to basically take new bikes apart and do a full build so that everything is actually done right and and at proper torque, wheels always need to be detensioned and retrued (note not tension balanced) We charge like $100 if you bring us a bike you got online to do all this. So unless you can do that stuff yourself (or have a friend) factor that price in.

I'd also take a look at somthin like the novara bonanza 9spd x5 for $600, also it has a rock shox dart, which is nothin special, but i'd prolly take it over a spinner, compared to the fork on the c'dale its heavy but feels better but the c'dale has a lockout (this is not the dart w/ lockout i think)

AlphaOmegaX

Luckily if I were to buy a bike off of bikesdirect I have a buddy that could locally put it together at the shop he works at for free for me. Thank god for that.

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed by all of the brands and types of bikes. Ha.

Hardtail, single pivot, multi pivot. Damn this all. So many brands. I had set out to buy a Specialized and now I'm looking at brands I've never even heard of. Again, ha. I'm starting to wonder if a 600 dollar budget is going to end up worse in the end. I'm absolutely set on disc brakes but I don't want semi-crap components just to get decent brakes. I'm not even sure. Maybe I should increase my budget? Maybe I should get the specs for all the bikes in question and compare parts/weights.

To all you junkies with knowledge, would I be better off increasing my budget? Hell, I'm lost now.

1bluetrek

lol I hear ya brother! I'm the same boat and just when I make my desision and I'm ready to jump in the car and go get it, somthing else comes along just to confuse me!

Ka_Jun

Ride before you pull the trigger.

1bluetrek

GT Avalanche Disc 2.0. Done deal. Ordered it and should be here in a few days. Checked out a 3.0 last week at the shop but the 2.0 has a few upgrades and I'm saving a bunch of $$

AlphaOmegaX

After test riding all the bikes I was questioning I went with the 09 Hardrock Sport Disc.

I got a pretty sweet deal too.bike was 579.99 but got 10% off for family and friends discount.

Shop threw in some Spec Equinox gloves and a spec hat.

Out the door I paid 560 after tax.

Was a good day.

martinus

Is that any good ? .. noe one seems to ever mention it ( not even in the sub 700$ thread ) ... I do belive performance, has them ( '08 s ) like 50% off ...

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ed 

You are wise to steer clear the motobecane good man...they'll gore you in the howdy'doo!

Jordan300

Good deal, gloves and everything, not bad. Be sure to post some pics of your rides once you get out there

AlphaOmegaX

Will do!

Took it out for it's first big ride yesterday.

38 mile round trip to trails and back.

Took a beating and held up pretty well.

Now there is just dirt and dust all over it.