Which one should I get?

[cblood™]

I will be getting a mountain bike soon, and I will be mainly riding park trails, and modrate mountain trails. Nothing to extreme. Looking to spend no more than $800 here are some choices that I have in mind, and any more suggestions will be welcome:
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1019600&f=19
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1032600&f=19
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12275
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=12982
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06Hardrock
Where would be the best buy, and shop in town to get one of these???

[cagle]

you might try the back country the have a store up at the lake and one in truckee.you need to get fitted and ride them around before you throw down the cash.i have a 2001 gt i drive 2 thats sick i just dont have time to ride.

[Dnmeistr]

I have a K2 856 with front and rear suspension, makes and excellent x-country bike, loaded with race face and xt groupo. I will sell for $800.

[cblood™]

I have a K2 856 with front and rear suspension, makes and excellent x-country bike, loaded with race face and xt groupo. I will sell for $800.
Got any pics??? What year?

[Dnmeistr]

I'll get picks tomorrow, '99 is the year.

[olsen_karl]

What frame size do you need (roughly)? or if you don't know, how tall are you/ what's your inseam?

I may have a 2003 Yeti FRO hardtail for sale, very light, nice condition. I'm picking up a Yeti 575 and may be passing my Dean hardtail over to my wife; the FRO is her bike, and she's pretty easy on it, so it's in great shape. It's a medium, which is around a 17-18" frame in Yeti land.

[cblood™]

I need an 19-21" Plus I am 6'1" 300 lb big boy so I am going to need a sturdy bike!

[renojeepster]

A guy your size, in that price range, I would definately go for a hardtail. The lower cost rear suspension bikes aren't going to last (wimpy air shocks), and for moderate riding unneccesary. The good coilover suspensions start to get spendy.

I am 6'1" and 225lbs and I ride a GT Avalanche, hardtail, and I abuse it. I think they go for around $700, and come with front disk brake. A couple upgrades and you have a great bike.

My mountain bike experience is pretty limited, as this is my first bike but that's my .02 cents. I love the light weight and climbing ability of my bike, and it does good bombing downhill, when I'm out of the saddle.

Your links to the Trek bikes just took me to their homepage, but I like the looks of the Hardrock, if it comes with good equipment.

[cblood™]

did you get your GT at bicycle bannas, or somewhere else??? I have considered that one as well....I remember the haro/gt's back in the bmx days. They were kick as bikes! Is that Gt alum, or steel??? I really want a aluminium bike.

[tenrail]

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/ALP-350-Details.html

This is the best deal on the net my friend. -danny

[cblood™]

Looks like they are going to be the ones getting my money. Those are some sweet bikes. Do you own one?

[Dnmeistr]

cblood, looks like my K2 would be to small for you. Looking for a bike make sure you get at least get LX components. That would be the 650 in tenrail's link, getting a lesser equipped bike then upgrading the components later can actually be more expensive.

[renojeepster]

did you get your GT at bicycle bannas, or somewhere else??? I have considered that one as well....I remember the haro/gt's back in the bmx days. They were kick as bikes! Is that Gt alum, or steel??? I really want a aluminium bike.

I did some concrete work in trade for my GT, It has been upgraded with XTR derailers, and cranks, Sram chain, Ritchey stem and headset, Race Face bars, Hayes mechanical disk brakes, with Avid levers, Time pedals, WTB saddle, Marzocchi Bomber 100mm forks. It's an alluminum frame and is as light as any other bike I've handled.

Beware of the cheap bikes, they usually have cheap componants which will be a real headache when parts start to fail, and if you can find the right package, it can be cheaper than trying to upgrade componants individually. My bike has $1,800 invested, and it cost $700 new.

[tenrail]

I dont own a Ibex yet but from alotta research this is a big bang for the buck. Basicly thier are 3 main choices for a good aluminum 30 pound range, adustable preload fork, quality shifting bicycle for your trailriding- camping romper. You got Specialized Hardrock wich seems built for beating but is heavily crafted also using SRAM shifting equipment- quality (under 500). Then you got the trek 4300 a quality bike under 500 still coming standard with the EZ fire like the Ibex. EZ fire shifters of Shimano are mainly standard quality not designed for heavy thrashing or wrecking and all that fun stuff but- trailriding. Acera equipment again i wouldnt expect to hold up to s#it your pants drops and mishaps for long periods but the bikes setup I feel is conform too your intentions. The Ibex's adjustable preload fork (no lock) is common issue on $500 range shop bikes as well as treks 4300 and will serve you well. The 350 has double wall wheels as well and is a stout bike for the fine line between money and fun... then all out bling. -danny

[Dnmeistr]

30 pounds for a hardtail is a pig, a hardtail you should easily be looking at max 26lbs.

Take a look at Giant and Marin as well, you get a lot of bike for the money.

[Knight]

all these sugestions are great, but they wouln't really help. you have to go the stores ride them, come back ride them again then narrow it down to a couple you like. hard tail would probly be better, since decent FS are pricey. get disks all around, no V brakes, and a decent fork.

[cblood™]

eah not palanning on purchasing until aug, so I an taking my time, and I am going to find the one that is best suited for me!!!!