Bike Forums - The "around" $500 MTB thread.

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- - The "around" $500 MTB thread. (https://www.bikeforums.net/mountain-biking/56148-around-500-mtb-thread.html)

I'm new to the forums but I have been MTBing for 4 years now, I'd have to recommend the Hardrock because my friend has a Hardrock(1999 or 2000) and it still gives my 2002 Norco Bushpilot a good run for it's money. And besides the Marzocchi would be better for downhill as I hear Judy's are crap forks. Hope this helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vortec135

I got a '04 HR Comp Disc and I got a friend who has an '04 Kona Scrap. They're a pretty good comparison and somehow, my friend got it for like 710$ wholesale price somehow and that's about 10$ more than I got my bike. The Kona Scrap is a bit better in comparison like It has an alivio up front as opposed to an Acera. It has Shimano m-475 discs.. and they're a bit better than the Tektro's I have. The Scrap has better ground clearance.. cuz it's a DJ bike and the HR is more of an XC bike. The Scrap has a bashring too but the HR has an extra 3rd ring giving it more speeds. The Scrap also comes with Jack**** platform pedals.

The Kona Scrap would obviously have a better bang for the buck because you're getting alot of better components for just 10$. BUT it is extremely hard to get a Scrap for that price.

I got it when the store had a blow out sale so that they could have room for 05 bikes. The shop is rather small. Plus, I'd waited for a hell of a long time, bf members know this.

i got mine (04 Hardrock Pro) for 485 out the door because the 05s were coming in and i didnt notice much difference between them except the brakes which i were going to upgrade in the first place. i do like the graphics on the 04 more than the 05 though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vortec135

so youre saying you got a HR Comp Disc for $700!!! :eek: i got my 04 HR pro for 485 on sale from 560!!!! :eek:

isnt crazy mountian bikes are all about?

buy used. i picked up a kona stinky dee lux frame, sram 9.0 grouppo, shimano deore mech discs, raceface cranks, and a brand new sun rhino lite wheelset for 450 bucks. thank you ebay.

All about $350. of all of these, which one would you guys recommend?

Kona Lana'I: http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...6&parentid=182

Specialized Hardrock Sport: http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...52t57ij.j27002

Trek 3900: http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Moun...3900/index.php

Marin Bolinas Ridge: http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...nas_ridge.html

Giant Boulder SE: http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030....sp?model=10879

all the LBS around me sell theses bikes. sorry, i know i ask a lot of questions but my price range keeps changing and changing thanks to my job and all my debts and school! i went from having a 900$ price range to now a crappy 400$ price range. i've test rode all of these, and honestly, i cant feel any difference between them. a few of the LBS told me that at this price range, i wont be able to tell much of a difference. they're all gonna be heavy and have basic components. So, i was just curious what bike you guys would chose. if i only go on by price, the Giant Boulder SE would be the winner just because of price alone. but what do you guys think?

id rec the specialized only cause i ride one....but ride them if you can, and feel whats good....what ever goemetry suits you is what you will want....they are all solid bikes...

they all feel the same, and they're all comfortable..

you talkin bout the sport disc or the 04 sport hardrock?

meh my last post doesnt matter...id go with the specialized man, i love my hardrock, the make a good solid frame too....and you can upgrade some of the weak components if you want to.....those other bikes dont look nearly as good...bang for buck wise......im not entirely sure, but i think even an rst fork is better than a suntour...hehehe

I'll back you up on that stretch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX Hoss

You mention that there are no bikes in this price point that will fit someone our size, 6’ 250lbs. I think the reason we are looking at these bikes it TO get back into shape. In my youth I did stupid things like jump over cars, 6 friends, off the house, etc. I know I can’t do that anymore, but I want a bike that I can get aggressive with occasionally. I am looking at bikes in this price range because I want higher quality, something that will last longer than a Wal-Mart POS, no offense to them. On the other hand, I want to get back in to riding without spend $1K+ for a bike.

OK, off the soapbox and on to the questions. I am 35, 6’ and 250lbs., and need a bike I can use for recreational riding. I will primarily ride on paved surfaces, paved trails, dirt trails and infrequently ride on some tough trails. I’ve read this entire thread before posting so hopefully my questions are totally ignorant. The two things I’ve determined from reading the posts are:

1. Feel is probably as important as anything else.
2. The bikes in this price point are going to be very similar.

Based on some of the comments, I am interested in the following four models:

Gary Fisher Tassajara
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disk
Giant Iguana
Ironhorse Warrior Expert

Given my size and riding level, the things driving my decision now are warranty, upgrade abilities and durability. From what I’ve seen, Specialized may be the best from the frame warranty/durability standpoint. I believe any of these bikes will be more than I need for my expected riding habits, but I am concerned with the warranty/durability issues because of my size. I’ll give up a few features for a more bulletproof bike. Anything I should avoid when making my purchase? Any flaws in my logic/choices? Anything that should drive me to one of these bikes over another? I’m going to be testing these models over the next few weeks. Thanks in advance for any replies.

First, thanks to everyone who gave advice on the bikes above. I rode three of the four (couldn't manage the Ironhorse), but the Gary Fisher was another model. To be honest it's been a while and I can't remember the model.

I ended up spending a little more and going with a Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disk. A buddy an I went in together and bought two Specialized's on the same day. Our local shop was happy to see us coming! Anyway, I've ridden about two or three times and I've been pleased with the performance. Sad as it is, I've already started yanking things off and replacing - new stem, platforms, new bars are in the works.

Anyway, I'm sure as I ride more I'll be coming back with questions on upgrades. Thanks again. Hoss.

id go with specialized hardrock sport too... i got a hardrock too but thats not the reason. i guess RST forks isnt bad compared with the others, suntour is just garbage. the hardrock is also very popular among the entry-level mountain bikes & probably riders prefer them over the others in the same class. im pretty sure the hardrock is the lightest among them.. because it has an alluminum frame and i guess it overall weighs aroudn 30-35pounds. well good luck with your riding

i just wish i have enough to make my orginial purchase, the Cinder Cone! (and no i dont want to wait.. i waited almost a year already to save up to buy a CinderCone.. stupid school!)

thank you guys for the recs. i was kinda leaning towards the hardrock already, but just wanted some other people's opinions. thanks!

i'm glad you chose it! ;) Hardrock is a nice bike!

I think a 2005 Norco Wolverine is pretty good for the money. It can handle alot of street and trail riding.

schwinn makes some quality bikes for cheap...not sure if under $500, but cheap nonetheless

im assuming this is $500 U.S so, my friend has got a specialised hardrock sport for $980 aussie, and believe me he thrashes it, it has an unbelivelably strong frame for the cash, the only thing needed to upgrande is the forks, there still ok, rst's, but for about 200 u.s you can get rock shox pilot c forks, which is what im gettin:)

I'm gonna throw in a vote for the trek 4500. It's a good bike...love it on the trail

Okay, let me try this again. I'm looking for a bike at about $500, but I'm curious to know if there are any good places where any of you shop for used bikes or maybe good deals on new bikes. Also, how does one determine if a bike is suited for their height and weight? I'm assuming you'd have to ride the thing to really know, but what about for inexperienced people like myself? I know most of the good brands out there and I've read many of your recommendations, so I figure if I stick with a name brand that's within my budget I should be fine. Thanks.

I'd go to a LBS if you have no idea what size bike fits you. They'll be able to help you with that. As far as good deals, now is a good time @ any LBS...year end close out trying to clear out the last tad bit of the 04 models.

it really depends on what kind of riding you want to do... decide what kind of bike you want eg. trials, dj, freeride, dh.. etc. then goto your lbs and see if they got the type of bike you want and if you got lots to choose from, try them out and see which you feel is most comfortable. buy a size so that when the seat post is at its maximum lowest, you can have both your feet flat without having your legs straight.

you can do what i did... i went to A LOT of bike shops. everyone single one that was within a 15 mile radius of my house, 7 bike shops. i test rode all the bikes they sold that was within my price range. even the ones that were well above my price range. then i went on ebay and started making bids.. so i got it for a fraction of the cost. downside is, is that its used and you cant have the warrenty anymore.. but you pay soo much less for it.. so its a trade off..