$500 to $600 Mountain bike

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
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I'm thinking of buying a mountain bike and if I do I'll have between $500 and $600 to spend. What would you recommend in that price range?

Around here Giant and Specialized are pretty populare and avalaible, so I'm kind of leaning towards one of them. But am totally open to other brands. I'm willing to go higher, depending on fit and options.

BTW I'm 6'5" Tall and need a larger framed bike. Have been hearing a lot of good things about the new 29er bikes so I'm kind of leaning that way and thats one option that I'm willing to spend more on. 60% of the time I'll be riding on Gravel roads here in Sanpete Valley (Central Utah), the other 40% of the time will be on trails up the canyons. Most of Those trails are dirt, with some gravel roads involved. It will be a combination of Up hill and down hill, with nothing fancy. Thanks!
 
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That's the "price point" for what we might call the low-end of decent bikes.
For that, you will get a generic (made in China) frame, likely aluminum, with various proprietary bits bolted on.
Usually, a mix of Shimano, Bontrager, and a few others.

Value-wise, bikes in this range are going to be alike as peas in a pod. So, you are going to be looking for the bike that fits you best, feels comfortable, and a dealer who you like and trust.
Bear in mind what you will be using the bike for. If you are planning gnarly trail-riding as your primary focus, then good knobby tires and a responsive front suspension are going to be important.
However, if you plan to spend most (or all...) of your time on pavement, then one of the nice "urban" MTBs with street tires might be a better choice.

Both Giant and Specialized make good, reliable bikes in this range.
 
Giant makes lots of bikes in that range. That's what I ended up with. Now, if I can only get my lazy ass to ride the damn thing. ;) :)
 
Check out the Giant Talon 29'er 1.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/talon.29er/7377/44105/
Giant gives you great value for the $.
I've been riding a friend's XTC 1 29'er and I absolutely love it.
Makes me want to give up on 26" bikes.
Anyway, the Talon Retails for $975, but I'll bet you can get it for $750 or so.
No offense, but if you really intend to use the bike as a real mountain bike, you're gonna need to spend between $600 and $1000 at least.
If you buy a $500 mountain bike, you'll eventually spending close to $1000 in maintenance and replacement of cheap parts.
The more you spend, the better the quality of the parts, and the longer they'll last and work properly without service.
Just my $02.
Lenny
 
Gents, thanks for the responces so far. Please keep them comming. Model and brake tyle recommendations are what I'm mostly looking for.

Lenny, the Talon is one model I was looking at. I've heared such good things about the 29ers that I might have to look more in that dirrection and save a little more. Just noticed the Talon 2 on their website. Got any clue what the main differences are? - never mind, I found it, higher end components and Hydrolic disk brakes. :)

BTW I've updated my 1st post with more information that might be of help. Keep it coming!
 
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While I don't know much about mountain bikes in particular. I do enjoy road biking. Bicycles are one thing that you do in fact get what you pay for. You want to spend as much as you can possible afford, because something is eventually going to break. The cheaper the parts the sooner they will break. That's just how it works with bikes. :)
 
Heber,

After reading your intended use, I'd suggest skipping the MTB all together and getting a cyclocross or light touring bike. You might spend a little more, but a MTB might be too beefy for your needs (especially when going uphill). A cyclocross/light tourer has a geometry similar to an old school ten speed (much more practical than a modern road bike) with the forks spread wide enough to accept a decent width tire. A Bianchi Volpe, one of the Kona Jakes, Redline Conquest are nice. Or if you're looking at Specialized, their Tricross (not sure how much they cost around you) or Giant TCX 2 might work well for you.

Here's my beloved Bianchi Volpe for reference (note knobby tires):

IMG_4462.jpg
 
Wildmanh,
The good thing about being 6'5" is that 29er bikes usually fit the larger rider better.
As for my experiences with the Giant XTC 1 29'er:
I've only ridden high end steel frame hard tails since I got into mt biking.
The thing I love about them is the fantastic ride quality of steel, and the quick acceleration and direction changing ability of 26" wheels.
Riding the XTC 1 was a real eye opener for me.
About the only thing it doesn't do as well as my steel 26'ers is the real slow technical picking your way thru obstacles riding.
Downhill, check.
Climbing, check.
Rolling thru rock gardens, check.
Rolling over logs, check.
Well damped ride, check (due mainly to the fantastic wheels on the XTC 1)
Stiff well controlled front end, check (again due to the fantastic wheels and tapered head tube)
Now, 29'ers aren't for everybody.
And Hard Tails aren't for everybody either.
They're both definitely for me though.
I've never owned a FS bike, and don't ever see myself owning one in the future.
Lenny
 
I've bought a couple bikes from bikesdirect.com (a road bike and a "comfort bike").
They usually have a fair selection of low to mid-range bikes.

I've also bought a couple at local bike shops.
I felt like I got a better deal at bikesdirect.
 
In that price range I find that Specialized typically gives you more bike for the money. They're usually spec'd with better parts than Giant, Trek, etc.

One option is to buy a used bike. There are a lot of people who buy nice bikes and then seldom ride them; you can often find a great deal on Craigslist or similar sites.

I can't stress enough that the most important thing is fit. Every company sizes their bikes differently and you really need to find what works best for you - the way to do that is to give different brands a ride and see what you like. The nicest bike in the store isn't worth anything if it's not comfortable to ride.
 
i've had a couple Trek's (850,930 and 1200) that served me well all which at that time were in the $500-700 range.

Wife had a walmart roadmaster that needed replacing when we got married and after searching online (no bike shops within 60 miles of us now) for a "comfort" style bike went with a Forge from target. for a value bike they get decent reviews.

was impressed enough for the value ($240) i grabbed one for a comfort bike myself. they have some in the $350-420 range that on paper compare well component wise to the $550-600 Treks. not sure if i'd get one for that purpose over another Trek but from my experience with these 2 i would consider it. and i love my Treks
 
Would you consider used? If so, check out www.pinkbike.com There might be something for sale in your area of interest.
Also, google JensonUSA. They carry leftover bikes at huge discounts with very decent shipping(some bikes are free shipping).
Good luck:thumbup:
 
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