Best sub $400 mountain bike?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

If you are sticking with riding on pavement the majority of the time there is no need for any kind of shock system. It will slow you down. It is one more thing that requires maintenance and knowledge.
2nd to that is disc brakes. I have no idea why these cheaper bikes are now including disk brakes. They are great and stop quick, but it's a newer more expensive technology, and they are harder to maintain/replace when the time comes.

I'll diasgree on this one - nothing beats discs in the wet. Mechanicals are pretty maintenance free - though I get where you're coming from for hydros.

Admittedly not a big deal for the casual rider. But man they are nice to have.

[macker]

Originally Posted by Johnny199r

This^

For a decent mountain bike (hardtail) you're looking at the $600 range.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/

If you have a US shipping address I know guys that have nothing but rave reviews about picking up a bike direct. I have checked the components and it is hard to argue with them. This could get you a better bike componently speaking if you have a fixed budget and know what you want with exact sizing etc.

[Kipper is King]

Thanks so much for your advice, everyone! You've all given me a lot to mull over.

My previous bike was from London Drugs that I bought about 14 years ago. (Lol- I was in Jr. High, and I was clueless!) It did work well for me, but I'm looking forward to riding something better!

[Northendzone]

I am torn on the hydraulic brakes.....they are far more powerful and they are getting cheaper.

My $2,800 Rocky Mountain came with avid elixir 3's and I am sure I have seen them priced at around $35 on some of the bike parts websites. I rode my bike at silverstar last year and had no issues. They are certainly more complex than good old fashioned v-brakes though.

[bossy22]

Hydraulic disc brakes are easy to maintain. When the pads wear, you change them, and on todays brakes it's pretty simple. And it will be quite a while before you need to bleed them, which is also really easy. Just buy the right kit for your brakes.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

My $2,800 Rocky Mountain came with avid elixir 3's and I am sure I have seen them priced at around $35 on some of the bike parts websites.

I have the same brakes and they are cheap because no one in their right mind would want them. The stop completely fine, but the feel on them is terrible compared to Shimanos. I wish I could justify the money to swap mine out, but they still work totally fine so I'll save my bike part money for everything else that I'm constantly breaking

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I have the same brakes and they are cheap because no one in their right mind would want them. The stop completely fine, but the feel on them is terrible compared to Shimanos. I wish I could justify the money to swap mine out, but they still work totally fine so I'll save my bike part money for everything else that I'm constantly breaking

i upgraded over the wintertime to SLX with Icetech rotors - I'd love to say how much better they are; however, since I did the upgrade over the winter, I forogt how the Avid's felt.

I know that when I first got my altitude, I was very impressed by the Avids; however, I was coming from a bike with XT V-Brakes.......

I am now awaiting the delivery of my new RaceFace crankset - they will look so pretty on my rig......unfortunately, I'll have to deal with the wrath of the wife.......

[macker]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I have the same brakes and they are cheap because no one in their right mind would want them. The stop completely fine, but the feel on them is terrible compared to Shimanos. I wish I could justify the money to swap mine out, but they still work totally fine so I'll save my bike part money for everything else that I'm constantly breaking

I can't figure out how so many bikes came with these brakes. Good for business for bike mechanics as they need lots of bleeding. Apparently turning your bike upside down allows air in the master cylinder. I am likely on my last year of them also and then likely move to Shimano Saint.

If you are a DIYer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoaPUw5DliA

[JMN]

Originally Posted by macker

http://www.bikesdirect.com/

If you have a US shipping address I know guys that have nothing but rave reviews about picking up a bike direct. I have checked the components and it is hard to argue with them. This could get you a better bike componently speaking if you have a fixed budget and know what you want with exact sizing etc.

Anyone interested in purchasing from this site? We could split shipping since I'm interested in one of the Cyclocross bikes.

Can redirect the shipment from a 3rd party.

[bossy22]

Use Montana Shipping Outlet. $7 to receive a bike. They will hold for 6 months.

http://www.montanashipping.com

[macker]

Originally Posted by bossy22

Use Montana Shipping Outlet. $7 to receive a bike. They will hold for 6 months.

http://www.montanashipping.com

Same set up at Babb, MT about 70kms closer. Another thing to factor in is the potential for an 18 % tariff at the border for importing a bike but anyone I have talked to they have looked the other way. I have also never been charged the 18% the two times I have done this.