Another Newbie seeks mtb advice

Originally Posted by uforgot

Hi, first thanks to everyone. I have learned so much on this board! I currently have a Trek 7.2fx wsd which I love. I use it as a commuter, do some road riding and I like to ride the Katy Trail. (Crushed limestone) so this bike really works for me, the casual biker. I would like to try mountain biking. Oh, I don't want to do any jumps and ride along logs, just ride some trails off road. Nothing extreme.

I've been looking around this forum and other sites. I'm thinking that the hardtail would be a good choice for me. Any suggestions? (Budget is a consideration since I don't know how much I will be doing this, and if I absolutely love it, I'm not opposed to upgrading in a year) So what would be a good entry level bike for me? I'm not really sure what I should be looking for, and I do want to enjoy the ride and not have the bike fall apart in a year.

This bike would be strictly off-road. I am not interested in putting it on the road or paved/gravel bike paths. Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by Rocket_Man

Sounds almost exactly what I did earlier this year. I went and test rode a Specialized, Giant, Trek, Gary Fisher, and a Kona. They all had a little diffrent feel to me...my novice riding COULD tell a diff. Just go with that, the best feel wins. If that don't work (all feel the same) go with what looks the coolest.

Originally Posted by uforgot

And what did you go with? I'm leaning towards the Specialized Hardrock.

Originally Posted by uforgot

And what did you go with? I'm leaning towards the Specialized Hardrock.

Originally Posted by Postie

There are a ton of mountain bikes that I love. The Hardrock is definately one of them. However, I don't know what kind of a budget you're looking at, but in the sub $2000 cost category for mountain bikes, it's really hard to get the same value out of a bike company then that of Giant.

It's because of this that I've stayed with Giant for my mountain bike purchases.

Originally Posted by Rocket_Man

Where do you buy your bikes?? Sub $2000??? The Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc. (top of that make) should only cost around $900. The Hardrock Sport should be around $500 tops and that is still a good bike for the money. The Rockhopper Pro Disc **I believe** is about $1100 at the most. My friend picked up a basic Rockhopper for $550...then upgraded it with pedals. Fisher's Tassajara is $600...$700(or so)with disc brakes. Fisher Marlin runs about $450. I know that Giant is a GREAT company, with wonderful value...but I personally like variety, and not riding what everyone else is. But that is the reason you do see so many.

I heard a rummor that Giant makes most all frames that cost less than $1000. Trek, Gary Fisher, Kona, Specialized...so on...are all made by Giant. Kinda seems like a rip off if that is true, but $$ wise....makes sence.

Originally Posted by Postie

There are lots of great bikes out there, and I love tons of them. Personally, I am a big believer in buying what makes you happy even if it isn't as good of a deal as something less appealing.

Some people, however, are very concerned about getting every dollar out of their bike purchase. By the time you hit the $2000 bikes, I find less variation in the value of the bike your buying and, at these price points, I'd hope people are buying what they want and not just which is the best value (I'm talking complete bikes here and not just frames).

But those interested in getting every dollar, if you compare similar bikes from Giant to any other big name bike company, a $1000 Kona, for example, would likely cost about $850 or less for a similar Giant (similar meaning in comparing weight, components, shocks, wheels, etc).

I've felt this way for years, however by now Bicycling Mag and Mountain Bike Action has said the exact same thing in many reviews which makes me feel more confident in my statement.