Yeah, I know MO is full of cool trails, I rode part of the Frisco-Highline trail outside of Springfield a couple years ago. I need to get back down that way sometime.

Look at diamondback. Those are pretty good in that range. You can find some of them with shimano derailleurs. Ive got a GT with shimano front derailleur and deore rear derailleurs. That was all I was willing to spend on my bike. Do some looking, you can find some deals out there

Ok, the Trek downthread is a good bike but if you are looking at something speced like that, hit up the Airborne Skyhawk... these guys can throw together a good budget bike!!!

http://www.airbornebicycles.com/prod...2-skyhawk.aspx


the Guardian 9er is in your range:

http://www.airbornebicycles.com/prod...dian-29er.aspx


plus, the $ you save here you can use to buy a good helmet!!!

I'd go with this or

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bik...hardrockdisc26

both of those are similarly spec'd to the Airborne Skyhawk but cost almost $200 more...Plus the Skyhawk has hydraulic disc brakes as opposed to the mechanical disc of the others...


you don't need to be paying extra $ for the name. ;)



and the Guardian is a 29er spec'd with a MUCH better fork and is only $50 more than the Trek!

I've never heard of Airborne nor can I find any reputable website even mentioning the name.

If it was my money it's going to be spent on a bike from a company with a solid reputation.

EDIT: Just reading forum posts about Airborne it seems that they aren't near the quality as they were before going under and they now operate under Huffy... I'll gladly pay the extra $200.

Airborne is a sister company to DK Bikes(google DK, they are huge in BMX and BMX racing). Their parent company is probably bigger than Spec and Trek.

I don't work there but I'm good friends with the Airborne guys and ride with them all the time.

If you insist on going new stick with Trek/Specialized, they are by far the most value due to the sheer volume of their company sales.

I beg you to watch Craigslist for a month or two, you will get an absolute steal if you know what to look for and jump on deals. Many men who spent much more are dumping the bike they have ridden a handful of times. I picked up a $2k new specialized for $350 from the widow of a man who bought it years ago but died of a heart attack, the bike still had the tiny rubber rods that stick out on the edge.

Also for the riding you are going to be doing I would aim for a lightweight hardtail, you can get an epic hardtail on CL in your range if you look hard enough.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/

You probably won't find better bikes with these level of components at any price.

I am a cyclist and I concur on searching Craigslist.

I ride a Giant and it is every bit as good as some of the more expensive brands.
Giant builds frames for most of the more popular brands like Trek.

Don't let the bundle of sticksgy outfits throw you off. You might look into becoming a roadie bundle of sticks. Some of the best workouts I have ever gotten.

Dude.


I'm out of Shape and buying a bike. Come down and my buddy will take us in a great national race style trail
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Hey bug you still got the Dakota?

Figured out how to disable those locks I think. No cutting wires
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LOL

Trek and Spec company value don't mean shit... take the $200 saved and take it to the best LBS(local bike shop)*, spend $50 on a tune up and $150 on gear and build a relationship with them... that'll get you much more than a warranty card with a well known logo on it!


* that's not always the biggest shop with the most advertising $s, check your local MTB forums for recommendations.

Man as soon I can work in a trip down there I give you a holler.

Yeah, I do and I would love to be able to do that. I hate those damn things, drop me a PM.

We could work in a ride AND I COULD DISABLE those ****ers (I think)
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