Hi guys! I am new to this forum and new to US market as well. I want to buy a hardtail with V brake. My budget is around $500 for the bike alone.

I am not new to mtb. I have something similar to Giant Revel 2 in China and spend almost five years with it. Repairing and tuning is not a problem for me.

So, could you guys tell me maybe 5 or 10 bikes so I can compare and test ride?

Thanks a lot

I really cant give you too many options, cuz I havent ridden that many hardtails to be honest. The one im borrowing from a friend right now is the trek 820 series (MRSP $359.99) and from what I can tell, its a great entry level bike. Ive taken it down stairs, off 3 foot step downs, and off small jumps and its held up surprisingly well. the gears are good and I have not had any problems with them, and the shocks have been quite helpful. Trek also has a couple other series for just over $500. I hope this helps.

Oh, and also, the one thing you would want to know is that its steel... yep.. its steel, but to be honest I havent noticed that other than carrying it up flights of stairs so I could ride down them.

Or the 3 series... Ive rented one of those away (I just realised that they were under $500). They are good bikes. they have mechanical disk brakes, and an aluminium frame, and when I rode it away It seemed very reliable. I was riding on singletrack trails with 4 foot step downs and stuff, and the shocks definately could have been a bit more plush, but then again thats not what they were designed for. The rear derailleur was pretty screwed up, but thats im not sure what caused that, the person who rented it before me did. good luck in your search

Thanks for your advice, mtbbda, but I feel the geometry of trek 3 series doesn't work very well for me

After much research last year, I purchased a Giant Revel 1 for $450.00. It's extremely well built and a good value for the price. The geometry is excellent for me and the thing has been absolutely bombproof. I've hit trees, fallen down awkwardly, and just took a mighty tumble down a black diamond trail last week. I may be battered and bruised, but the bike just needs to be dusted off - the wheels are still true, the derailleurs work perfectly, etc.

The stock Tektro disc brakes work, but I could never stop them from rubbing. I have upgraded to BB7s, and I eventually plan to upgrade the fork.

oh yeah, some one mention my first choice (despite it being a disc brake) ! how was the stock fork? does it have enough rebound damping? how it react to high frequency shock?

if you know how to size your own bike reading the geometry and you know what kind of components you want, in this price range I would suggest bikesdirect. you will get a cheap frame regardless, but at least with BD you *might* be able to get an air spring fork.

Since you know your way around a wrench, I would highly recommend used. Craigslist, or your local mountain biking associations forum would be a good starting point. You can get a top-shelf hardtail (that is a few years old) for the $500 range. Or spend 300-400, leaving some for upgrading.