1stDescent

Hi everyone,

I just joined this forum in search of some decent advice. My gf and I want to get into mountain biking this season and I am looking to purchase my fist bike. I have ridden bikes before and like to consider myself in good shape and athletic. I have been doing my research so have a good understanding of the basics such as steel frames vs carbon vs aluminum, disc brakes vs mechanical brakes , 26" wheels vs 29" etc. What I don't know are the brands of bikes. My budget is pretty low as I am a college student, I would say my max being $300 but preferably under that. I came across a good looking Raleigh M 20 on ebay for $100. Does anyone have any recommendations on that particular bike? Any help is much appreciated.

Ldosorio

The Raleigh M20 I can see in ebay is a very basic bike. If I were you I would buy a Trek 820 (it is about $330) or put some extra money for Trek 3500 (~$400).
It is much better a brand new bike than the old one you saw in Ebay.

1stDescent

Thank you, I will look into those bikes since I hear that Trek is one of the best out there. I was looking past the Trek due to my tight budget but I am coming to a realization that I am better off spending the $$ on a good quality bike than one that I will want to upgrade in the near future.

roccobike

My recommendation would be the same, a Trek 820 is a solid bike, from a dependable manufacturer at a reasonable price. We purchased one for my son and it saw him through high school and college then went to his brother for a year before we sold it, still in excellent condition after being ridden on all kinds of terrain including some basic technical single track.

1stDescent

Thank you for the advice! I called my LBS and they have a 3500 for $390 so I think I may pull the trigger on that. The deciding factor for me was that the 820 has a steel frame and the 3500 an aluminum.

Ldosorio

Good choice!! Make sure you get the right size bike.