I have a 17 year old Schwinn High Plains mountain bike that I am finally going to replace, since the rear shifter no longer works. Most of my riding will probably be around the neighborhood with my family, but I also live next to a canyon, and I'd like to try out the trails. I want to buy a bike that will last a long time, and that meets my current needs, but also that will work well in the canyon if I find that I really like that.

I think I've narrowed my choices down to a 2009 Giant XTC1 that a LBS has on closeout for about $780, or a friend is willing to sell me a (used) 2008 Fuji Pro for just under $1,000. I'm having a hard time choosing between them because the Fuji bike has some really nice stuff for the money, but the Giant is new and will have a warranty. I'm guessing either one will meet my needs nicely, and the Fuji will be overkill unless I really get into the trails (in which case I may end up upgrading to full suspension anyway).

So I guess I'm interested in opinions on both bikes. Is the Giant bike a good one for that price? The Fuji brand doesn't seem to be very well known - is it any better than Giant, other than carbon vs. aluminum and (apparently) better components?

Give us an idea of what components are on both. Just from the little info you gave us, the Giant would probably be the direction I would go IF it was the right size.

Giant.

Specialized

The Mt. Fuji Pro bike has Shimano Deore LX/XT components and a Rock Shox Recon SL 80 mm fork with remote lockout. It has a Monoque C-4 carbon frame.

The Giant XTC 1 has Shimano Deore and SRAM components and a Marzocchi "Bomber" 100 mm fork with lockout and an ALUXX SL aluminum frame.

I actually ended up going with the Giant bike, because although the parts aren't as good as the Fuji, it was about 40% off so it was still a lot of bike for the money, and I got a nice service plan with it. (Unlimited adjustments for 60 days and then 5 more any time afterward - I've already taken it in once.) Plus the fact of new vs. used made a difference - the Giant came with a warranty, for one thing.

Oh, they both have hydraulic disc brakes too. And honestly I can't tell much difference in weight between the two frames.

But I was able to get the Giant bike and some necessary accessories (like a new helmet) for what the Fuji would have cost me.

I tried a couple of Specialized bikes, but for the money I got more in the Giant.

I would've gone with the XTC too. You get a warranty, plus some extra cash for shoes, clothes etc.