tadpiece

So i am a college student who has been mountain biking for a few years now, but i've been using an older Trek and it''s beginning to show it's true value....... the bike was not very expensive or well put together and i am looking to upgrade.

i have a friend who is associated with KHS bikes and he said he could get me quite a discount. I don't know anything about the company and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them.

i was also looking at the Kona blast. it seems to have gotten good reviews and it is in my price range.

the biking i do is mostly trail with a little bit of jumping/downhill and i will be also using the bike to get around town to school....

any help with info on either of these bikes/companies or other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

noob.