Mountain bikes?

[wherzwaldo]

I'm looking for a good quality hardtail mountain bike. I don't want full suspension because those are hard to fit on my bike rack. Is the K2 or Specialized worth the cost? I'm not looking to break the bank - $400 tops.

 

[WhiteH2O Horn]

You can get a Specialized Hardrock Sport for under $400. My 18 year old brother in law rides his constantly and it has held up quite well, just replacing the usual things like tires and v-brake pads. I'm pretty impressed with this bke's durability. He doesn't really go on casual rides. He rides challenging terrain, usually more than once a day, so if you can find one to fit you, it's a solid bike for the money. If you like the feel of the frame, you can always upgrade the components.

I've never ridden any K2 mountain bike, and none of the people I usually ride with have one, so I'm not sure how they compare.

 

[BBBQHoUVa]

Check out the around $500 MTB Thread. 23 pages of answers to your question. I recently got the Trek 4500 (2004 model).

www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=26

 

[rhorn27]

Not to hijack the thread, but can somebody recommend some bikes for beginners that are more geared to road cycling. I'd like to find something that's more of a hybrid as opposed to a full road bike or full mountain bike.

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

rhorn -
i am very beginner and wanted to start with a cheap, comfortable bike. I went to Sun and Ski Sports when they had a big sale, and got one called Del Sol for around $250. It's made by Haro. It's a hybrid, I guess called a "cruiser," which sounds totally dorky. But, I absolutely love this bike. It is very comfortable, and does great on roads as well as on gravel, dirt, and/or grassy trails. I have really gotten into riding around town - i regularly go from the far west area downtown to the capitol, whole foods, etc. I may not look like Lance, but it works for me

 

[washparkhorn]

rh - I recently purchased a new commuter bike/hybrid.

It is considered a hybrid because of the more upright stance and the straight bar, which both aid in looking out for traffic. It is basically, however, a road bike. Cannondale has a series of these bikes called the "Road Warrior" line. They come in a lot of different configurations and prices. Specialized also makes a good hybrid/commuter bike.

 

[Mack Tripper]

That's a nice looking bike, washpark. I recently picked up a used Specialized Hardrock from craigslist and am very happy with it.

 

[dogeaterhorn]

I also recently got a Hardrock and love it. Just make sure you get the one with the disc brakes.