ncmussell

I am looking for an entry level mtn bike to tool around with on some off road trails and to ride in the winter/fall time. Wondering some recommendations on an entry level hardtail bike in the $400-650 or so price range. What would be the best componentry in that level as well. I did find a Novara (REI brand) with Sram X-7 for $670. Thanks for the recommendations.

y33dave

Bikes Direct has some decent options for people on a budget.

or Craigslist :-)

I found this on CL recently for $100

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Put a different seat and seatpost on it.. and sent the rear shock off to Luby @ www.dirtlabs.com for a $60 rebuild. Cleaned it up and now have a fun 'spare' mtn bike!

Brianshvrs

I just bought a 2009 Cannondale F7 W/disc for about 655 after tax (600 before). I am VERY pleased, with exception of the chain, but thats a minor detail. Here is a link to Cannondale's website:

https://www3.cannondale.com/bikes/09/...odel-9FS7.html

helmut

Everyone will hate me, but the Windsor Cliff29 Pro from BikesDirect is pretty sweet for the money. You get a full X7 drivetrain, Tora 318 Air fork, and Juicy 5 Hydros. Plus, 29ers are pretty cool.

jjbod1

$100 for that, nice find Where I am located, every time I see one on Craigs list, they are priced at $500-$1000 There is now way I would pay that amount for a Y-frame bike, heard they can be prone to snap. But I still would love to find one in the $100-200 range myself, just to have as a toy and piece of MTN bike history.

y33dave

I had a 1996 Y33 back in the day and NEVER had any issues with it. In 1996 I was still a 'clyde' at 6'5'' 215#'s!

y33dave

No way! You got a great bike that once you are feeling comfortable on, you can move all the components over to a different frame...

You can't beat their pricing with the components you get!

DenisMenchov

+1 on the Cliff 29er pro. Probably going to have to with an HT on that budget, but that is good enough for most trail riding anyways.