Its gonna be mostly pavement but I intend to also go off road into some trail riding. Nothing too intense but definately off-road. I guess I need something that will work well in both areas. It doesn't need to perform great in off-road cause I won't be stressing the bike out that much.

Thank you for continuing to handhold me. :(

Ok I went BACK to the store for a final fitting and to do some test rides with some bikes. I was struggling with the decision for the final bike choice. It was between a 17" specialized hardrock or an 18" trek 4300. Which would you choose?
Also, the guy there said that there is no noticiable difference between a RST gila t5 front shocks vs a RST gila t5 plus shocks.

The hardrock I tested had the plus shocks (which had a nice smooth ride) vs the trek 18" that didnt have the plus (the trek's ride wasnt that smooth). The store guy said that there isn't much of a real world difference for street use besides the "plus" rst t5 having more travel. And that most likely the shocks on the trek 4300 needed the load to be adjusted.
Do you think he was telling the truth?

Can you help me with these questions? :|

Specialized makes the hardrock which I dig, and if you look, they're going like hotcakes up in here :D As always though...choose on how you like the ride, not what others say or the color :p

Well the one I'm choosing is the black one the hardrock sport with v-brakes and standard RST t5 fork. I'm gonna confirm that the wheels can be easily upgraded to disc brakes for the future. Again, its the 17" frame I'm gonna go for with seat and handlebar adjustments. Also, having the standard enduro tires swapped out for dual purpose Raleigh tires for better street use and occasional off-road use.

Man I hope that I've made the right choices.
I pick up the bike later today.
Wish me luck. :(

Chaps
I've got a technical question:

What does standover height actually refer to? Is it in essence the height of the top-tube which you stand over?

I know, it sounds like a stupid question, but I think I'm in between sizes that a lot of companies offer & it may help me make up my mind.

Cheers

Well, I'm at a bit of a dilemna, and thought I'd post here and see what others suggest.

My local bike shop has a decent selection of bikes, last year I purchased a 2003 Haro V2, loved the frame, hated the components. Sold the bike for non-biking reasons.

So I'm able to afford another bike. Honestly, I have about a $700 window, but would like to stay under $500 so that I can purchase a new helmet, etc.

I'm looking for a bike that will be used about 80% street/20% offroad. I'm not looking at any hucking, although the nearest courses are Stillhouse Hollow: firetrail/minor offroad on shale. There are some technical singletracks, but nothing advanced. There is also BLORA: their trail is set to beginner/intermediate/advanced. I've ridden them all on the V2 (I switched to a pepperoni fork I picked up dirt cheap) and loved it. Only reason this bike would see more road than off-road is it will be my primary commuter and those two courses are about 25 miles away. With my work schedule, its going to be tough getting much off-road in on a weekly basis. Figure the bike will see 1 day a week, about 15 hour rides off-road. and about 6 days a week, 10 miles on pavement (my commute).

I intend to have 2 sets of wheels, and consider disc brakes a waste atm considering I'd have to buy 2 sets of rims or do the rubber switch a lot.

I've been looking at my local bike shop, what I've found available to me is:
Specialized Hardrock Comp (2004 model) for $429 or a Giant Iguana (2004) for $399.

I'm not really interested, but they've pointed me at an Escape 8.2 (2004) for $550. I sorta was interested in the bike, the frame looked solid as a rock, until I realized that this is a 33 lb. beast. It was pretty obvious with the DH pedals, but I kinda thought it was just a mixed bag on components, etc. What I found is that this thing is a pig. I got to ride it for about 2 miles and while it was nice and stable, it was like peddling my grandma's old 72 Schwinn Cruiser.

I considered looking at the 2005 model V3/2 since I was very comfortable with the geometry of the frame, but its my understanding these aren't anything to write home about either in the weight/design department.

So between the comp and the iguana, which one is going to be more peddle friendly. Components don't concern me much, they are alivio/deore grade which means they'll be thrown away after I destroy them. I will be switching the front fork either to another pepperoni (if I can actually find one) or another solid rigid fork.

Out of the two, which one do you feel would survive my strange riding requirements?

For $260 I picked up my 2004 Mongoose ALD Rockadile Disk. I recomend that future buyers give it a look since it is a lot of bike for the money.

hmmm - any opinions on the Raliegh M80? My LBS is selling them for $570. I'm friends with several of the guys there - they all say it's a lot of bike for the money?

Hi there, just joined today (though i have been reading for a while).

of course, i'm looking for an mtb bike that costs ~$500.

i recently came across the Fuji Discovery 2: http://www.fujibikes.com/2005/bikes.asp?id=34

any thoughts? (and yes, i'm well aware that no full suspension bike below $1000 is "any good", so aside from that, thoughts would be appreciated) the reviews i've read aren't great, so maybe i'vealready answered my own question, but still...

Its not very good. You can do better with a hartail for that money.

It sucks. Might as well go to Wal-Mart and buy a $79 Next

According to the kid at the LBS the basic specialized hardrock sport's wheels can't be upgraded to disc. While I think he is right about the front wheel since its hub isn't disc compatible I think the back can be.
Can you clear this up for me if it can or not?
Isn't there some sort of adapter I could buy for the rims? Or do I have to buy whole new rims?

Cannot decide between the following:

Kona FireMountain/Blast
Trek 4500
Giant Yukon
Specialized Hardrock Comp

Bike will be rode on muddy trials with some decent climbs. Nothing major, live Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Looking for something that can take some abuse and mud. I've rode all 5 bikes on concrete, but dont know what to expect on trials.

Stalker and others, I bought my Hardrock Sport two years ago and this thing rocks. Never once have I had any problems with anything, and that includes the somewhat entry level Aliveo stuff. I have the 21" and it fits me like a glove at 6-2. I have taken it on some medium trails and less, about 5 times and a few times bottomed out the forks. I probably need to really set the resistance higher cause of my weight. I came off a 8 year old GT with no suspension and this is a way better bike. Mine is bright yellow and looks good with the black tires, etc. I changed out the pedals to higher end ones though. I have hit some serious rocks and ruts with the bike and wheels (double wall) are still true. To me, it's the best bargain in the lower end mt. bikes.....also has the lifetime frame warranty. Pleased here.

Cool thanks.

I am 6' 1" 220 lbs trying to decide between the giant iguana and specialized hardrock comp. They both appear to have similar components, any suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help

It does seem like there are a lot of specialized supporters in this forum, since the components on the two bikes are similar is there much of a difference in the frame. Also, the hardrock has Marzocchi MX Comp forks while the iguana has the Marzocci EXR which do you think would be better suited for my weight. Thanks again.