[shane_c]

The last bike I had was a cheapo Supercycle mountain bike that I drove from when I was 12 until I was 33. At that point I sold it for $30 and it still worked great.

I’ve been looking to get another bike and at first thought I’d look for a used bike in the $50 range that needed a bit of work but after talking with a few people I thought I should get a new one and am looking in the $300-400 range.

I would say it would be used about 70% on paved roads and 30% on dirt trails.

Here are the ones I’m looking at:

Norco Pinnacle - $299
http://www.sportwheels.ca/products/norco-pinnacle-2009

Trek 820 - $369
http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes...sport/820/820/#

Louis Garneau TS 1 - $399
http://www.sportwheels.ca/products/l...neau-helix-ts1

Norco Katmandu - $429
http://www.sportwheels.ca/products/2010-norco-katmandu

The Trek seems to be the only one with the old style brakes. The Pinnacle has disc front and rim brake on the rear where the Garneau and Katmandu have disc front and rear. Are disc brakes that much better? Is there extra work to keep them maintained? Parts more expensive?

I can’t seem to find much info on the Garneau TS1. I prefer the price of the Pinnacle and the looks of the Trek and Katmandu but really don't know anything about bikes these days. Does anyone happen to have any of those listed above? Any guideance would be appreciated.