Mountain Bikes, good brand suggestions?

Question

Any one have a good recommendation on Mountain Bikes?

interested in buying a new one to ride as a hobby and to keep fit.

anything comfortable and reasonable price. not asking for those ones that run about 1,000 dollars. something less than 500

thanks

Answer 1

i have a trek 820 and i love it dude!!!

Answer 2

It's going to be hard to find one for $500, at least one that will last and won't need frequent repairs. I have a Rocky Mountain Flow 2.0, which cost me around $700. I haven't had any problems with it, and its a good all around bike as well.

Answer 3

You'll probably get a lot of different opinions on this.  People tend to uncritically endorse the brand they have, assuming they haven't had any major trouble with it.

Bicycle brands in your price range are basically labels, and don't mean much.  A very few manufacturers in Taiwan and mainland China build almost all of them.  The "brands" are put on at the end of the line.  See the first link below for an insiders article on who really makes your bicycle.

Component brand names, however, are more important.  You'll find that most mountain bikes in the same price range will have similar components, usually from Shimano or SRAM.

Having said that, I should disclose to you that I recently bought a hardtail mountain bike in your price range for my youngest daughter and bought her a Cannondale -- an excellent "brand."  Like most, Cannondale doesn't actually build its lower priced bikes itself.  I got my local shop to match an oline price I found.

Probably the best deal you can find anywhere is from Bikes Direct.  I've put a link below for a full-suspension Shimano Deore equipped bike that is $419.99 delivered.  Bikes Direct is a good outfit, and I know at least a dozen happy customers here in Atlanta.  If you can find a better deal at your local bike shop by all means buy it.

Most important: get out there and ride.