new to this

I have been looking around on here and the skiing site for a while. I am looking at getting a new bike and wanted to see what all you guys have to say because from what i have read you guys dont really fuck around all that much and give good feedback. So i have usually ride around seattle at tiger mountain and i go a few times a year and i want to start riding more mostly just xc stuff but i want more an all aroundish bike. I dont really nead anything all that complicated, looking for a hardtail mostly because im on a low budget under $600 and im a poor college student. So any advice on a bike that would be good for me or where i could get one. thanks

dont know if you've found it yet, but this site has a lot of really go info on pretty much everything bike related. I just started mountain biking myself and that site has really helped me out.

Welcome to the board JONG!

If you plan to encounter streams, mud, or ride in wet conditions, I'd go with Shimano LX or better components. Anything lower (like deore or lower) will only crap out on you and piss you off in the long run.

I wouldn't worry about disc brakes (yet). Avid makes a kick ass rim brake that's lighter and cheaper than discs and, while not on par with the power of a good disc setup, will stop you plenty quick.

At the price point you mention, I wouldn't even entertain the idea of full suspension. You'll get WAY more for your money with a hardtail.

Some models to consider:
Specialized Rockhopper series
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkFami...uhs9ghe.j27004

Trek 6700 http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/6700.jsp

Iron Horse Maverick
http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/products/intermediate/

Giant Ranier
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....45&model=10772

Thanks for the help and point me in the right direction. I havent made aa decision yet but learned alot of stuff.

Try KHS. They offer nice hard tails without the name price. The solo one would be a sweet single speed for you.

I have a friend looking to unload a steel frame Mongoose hardtail with full XT group, nice Mavic rims, decent shock. it's an 18" frame and could use a new seatpost, but it's a pretty cool bike. Let me know.

Ok so as of right now i found a bike that i think a may get. Its a jamis durango sx. Is jamis a good company i dont really know all that much about them other than the fact that they are based on the east coast. heres a link to the site http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/04_durangosx.html Any other imput or anything from what ive heard about them tehy are a good company. And the bike looks pretty good from what i know about them. any imput would be awesome thanks.

Alright today i bought a bike. Its just a specialized nothing special but im majorly stoked. Thanks for all the imput and everything.

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Originally posted by dexter
Alright today i bought a bike. Its just a specialized nothing special but im majorly stoked. Thanks for all the imput and everything.

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nice, what kind of specialized?

Its a hardrock pro disc. Like i said nothing special but im pretty stoked.