Opinions on first decent MTB
 

I am just getting back into riding after a 12 year hiatus and need to upgrade badly. Most of my riding is road/paved trails with ~15% dirt roads(forrest service/logging). I would like to get into doing some single track riding. I have been looking locally and have a couple options.

Marin Pioneer trail disc for $529 http://www.marinbikes.com/2012/bike_...eer_Trail_Disc

Raleigh Talus 4.0 for $499 (comes with free tune-ups for life)http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/moun.../talus-4-0-13/

Novara Torero 29er from REI $518.93 http://www.rei.com/product/825410/no...29er-bike-2013 (not in stock so no hands on experience)

I have also Been looking at a couple 29ers that look interesting. I am assuming that I will get a better bike with the above for what I want to do for riding.
Dawes haymaker 2900 $399.95 http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ymaker2900.htm
Mongoose xr-pro http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mongoose-X...-Bike/16913467 I get 10% off at WalMart, so the price would be $341.1.

I am a heavier guy at 5'10 225lbs if that makes a difference on what bike to look at.

Any other bikes in the $500 and under price range I should be looking at?

When I was in a similar position, I was trying to stick to the same price range, but I found it was hard to get it right for under $1K, and was really best value around $1500. Yeah, a lot more than I had planned, but much more worth it in terms of keeping me going. You may want to look used, but the most important part of the whole deal is getting the right size and fit in terms of geometry. They will all be a little different, and you have to ride them to get a feel until you find the one.

The $500 I'm looking at is already pushing my budget. Right now i am riding a 15 year old Huffy that if it fit better I would keep riding it. I would rather go new so I know I am not getting into something that i will have to throw money into replacement parts right away. If i had the ability to dump a grand plus I would, but it's not an option.

I'm 225 on the average(sometimes more, sometimes less) and all mountain bikes are made for much more than our weight. Any of the bikes you list will be a good starter option. I lean towards the Raleigh or Novara, but just for the names.

I understand the sentiment. I was right there with ya. Then I had the chance to actually try a few options out. Night and day difference in the frames was my experience. Downright flimsy were a couple. I lucked out with a great financing deal, but I'm not sure what is available in terms of financing now. Either way, you can spin your head looking at relatively minor differences in component sets and names and specs, but you've still got to try them out in the right size to see what any of it really means in terms of comfort and feel. I'm not sure what you may or may not have to replace on any used options available, just that you need try those for fit just the same. My bike is a few years old, but it doesn't need any thing replaced more than anything new at $500 would out of the box.

I agree- check the used bike market. Craiglist (in my area anyway) is always full of nice buys $500 and under: I recently bought a Specialized EPIC FSR (XTR, Fox FLOAT front and rear, Discs) in very nice shape for $500... to reiterate previous posts, correct fit is key to an enjoyable riding experience so do not hesitate to pass on a nice bike if it does not fit well- there will be another one to come along that will fit. Your size is a pretty common one- medium or larger frame depending on the brand and how they measure- so your options will most likely be plentiful. An up side to buying a used higher quality bike is they have often been upgraded with nice tires, sometimes upgraded wheelset, stem/bars, etc. Good luck and welcome back to riding :)

Someone suggested going with the airborne gaurdian http://www.airbornebicycles.com/prod...dian-29er.aspx

Is the extra $150 over the other bikes make it worth looking at over the others?