Hi all, my name is Kevin. I thought about getting started into cycling a few months ago so I went to my local big box store and bought a Genesis v2100 duel suspension bike. I have ridden it enough to know that I want to go further into the sport and also get rid of that piece or crap. I went to every bike shop here in Amarillo and dont know much more than when I started. About the only thing that I have decided for sure is that I want to go with a 29er. Can you guys give some recomendations on brands and models that give the most bang for the buck. I have a budget of about $700 give or take. I have looked at Trek, Kona, Specialized, Felt, and Rocky Mountain and just dont know enough about these to try and make this decision with out doing more research. Any help is greatly appreciated.

hello kevin. with your budget, go with trek. unless you can afford a specialized that fits you better. then go with that.

Thanks for the reply. I really like the Trek that I looked at today. It was a Marlin 29er Gary Fisher. And at $579, I thought it was a very nice bike for the money. The only problem with it was the only ones that they had were all 19" and that seemed big to me. Everything I have read says I need about 2" of clearance between the bar and me, and while I could straddle it flat footed, it was "close" to say the least. And of coarse the salesman said this was how his bike was and would be ok. He also said is would be July before they had anymore in.

Try to take a guy who rides with you when you bike shop. A noob in a crooked bike shop is like a blonde at a used car dealer.

Yeah, he tried reallllll hard. I felt like I was at a cheap used car lot.

Take a look at BikesDirect also. You can get a nicely speced 29er for under $700. The only downsides are you have to know what size you need, and have to put it together.

Ok, so I raised my budget up to about $1000 and went back to look at the bike shops today. I looked at some Jamis but really liked a Felt Nine Sport and a comparable Specialized and then went and looked at a Kona Kahuna that was also close to the same as the others. I really like the looks of the Cannondale 29er's but no one around here stocks them. So... out of these which do you guys think is the best value for a grand. Thanks again

$150 full squish? that makes me nervous.

Standover height is highly overated. I would throw that factor right out the window. Newer folks to the sport generally get wrapped up too much in standover. If you are going to look at only one measurement, focus on the effective top tube - this will determine the reach from saddle to bar, and is typically a pretty important measurement when it comes to comfort.

Best value, is going to come down to best fit. Demo the ones you are interested - take them to the trail if you can.

then go to a different bike shop.

+1 with pablosnazzy's sentiment.

Its funny that you mention that. I went today and test rode the Trek again and then test rode a felt and a rock hopper. I decided on the Trek and went ahead and picked it up. I know it does not have quite as good parts as the others but it was also only about half as much and leaves me plenty of room to upgrade with the parts that I want later on down the road. Thanks again for all the help and info.

What?!?! No pictures??

Glad you ended up with something you are happy with. When it comes down to it, that's all that matters. The more satisfied you are with it, the more it will be ridden. Good on ya for jumping on the 29er - you're gonna love the big wheels.

Ha ha. Well, here she is:

Nice Bike. Is that the Marlin? That is still on my radar. I'm actually more steering towards a 26" bike, but if I go 29" hopefully I can find a Marlin for under $600(my local shops are staunch believers in MSRP).

Yes, it is the Marlin. My shop had it priced at $570 plus got another %5 off for a cash discount. I am very happy with it and sure cant complain about the price.