They don't look bad in the ads, but the key thing to ask is the size of the frame. You will rue the day you bought an improperly sized bike. h:

 

it depends on your opinion of "good" i guess. b00gers mentioned he bought a specialized hardrock for $400, and to some that might be a good bike, but i bet it weighs 30lbs and has alivo trim components. i personally dislike anything under lx and my litespeed has all xtr.

 

You can get a pretty good hardtail with good components (Deore or better) for less than $1000, especially if it's on sale.

 

"good" is relative. Litespeed and XTR is more than good in my book.

 

Kestrel, while youre here. Do you know of any good trails around you? Ones without a lot of elevation change?

 

well, it depends on where you look of course. specialized tends to be more expensive versus what you get, imo.

i got my '05 kona cinder cone for $725 new (end of season, that helped), hayes hydraulic disc brakes, marzocchi 100mm fork, shimano step-in pedals, deore and deore LX, etc.. components that i would have originally assumed i couldn't find on a bike for < $1000. granted, yeah, it's closer to 30lbs, but that hasn't been an issue at all yet.

i mean, obviously, there is better, and for more seasoned riders, they'll want better, but that "better" will be wasted on many, like myself. it will certainly be wasted on someone who is looking for a good mountain bike for under $250. :chuckles:

 

i went mountain biking once. it was alright going down the hill.

riding back up sucked :hs:

 

You must embrace the pain h:

Some of the easier ones I can think of.....
Saratoga Gap loop (has some climbs, but generally the climbs are short(er))
Arastradero (not single track though, but on the easier side)
Russian Ridge (haven't been on it in a while, but I don't remember it being horribly difficult, just the initial climb in that's pretty short)

Most of the other ones have at least one relatively long climb
Montebello
Skeggs

And if you're hard core, Soquel! :eek3: It's too hardcore for me h:

 

gary fisher....

you can buy a entry level hardtail for 300-350

ive always been a fan of the gary fishers

 

i like them, but i think gary fisher is overpriced too.. :uhhok: