Looking for new mountain bikes

I am looking for a new mountain bike for myself and my wife. We started a few months ago with some cheapo garage sale bikes to make sure this was something we would be interested in, now the time has come to find some better quality rides. I have been searching all over and my head is starting to spin. My needs are basic: medium sized hardtail for me and small hardtail for her. My biggest obstacle is my budget, we want new and looking to spend $300-$400 each. Can anyone recommend me something in my price range? We use the bikes to exercise and want to start trail riding and camping soon.

Thanks!

Back 5-6 years ago I got a decent mid range Trek for $250 but that was an end of season deal I got in the fall. This is the model...

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/3_series/3700/

I have not done any major rides but I have done at least 30 miles in a day ( and I know that is not a TON but I am a weekend rider) with no problem whatsoever. I also put a rack on it and have a trunk bag and panniers but I have not used them full yet so I don't know how it will ride full. I pretty much ride like 90% on rail trails and a bit on the road so no single track experience with this bike but in general I can highly recommend it. I have also pulled my daughter for a god many miles in one of those stroller trailer deals without much strain.

For another decent deal on a bike you might try REI they have an in-house brand that seems pretty good and priced right.

I bought mine here: http://www.bikesdirect.com/

It was suggested to me in another arfcom thread from last year. I've been happy with the Motobecane I purchased.

for your budget you probably ought to look at Craig's List and what not and be patient.

an entry level bike that is quality will cost you about 5 bills each.
look for brands like
Haro (my wife and daughter ride Haro's)
Felt (I ride a Felt)
Specialized (don't know anyone who rides one but they are nice quality right there with Felt and Haro)

I would strongly suggest saving your money and get a bike that is at least 2 steps above entry level if you are going to do any serious single track riding. The frames will be lighter and the parts will be better quality.

We mostly ride used bikes: Specialized, Trek 2 or 3 years old are in your price range but, I have several friends who bought those Motobecanes and they are very happy with them.
Get the Deore components, not Alivio or cheaper.

Think about the Trek listed above or Specialized Hard Rock.

Stick to the V Brakes to save some money. Compare the HR with V Brakes and the HR with Discs and you will find they are identical except for the brakes. The Disc model is 25% more expensive. Totally not worth it! Use the extra money to helmets, pump, tools, etc.
(I’ve been Mt’ing since 79’ and recently went out of my way to get the V Brakes… Other will argue Discs are better…)(dead_dog_canyon)

If you are serious about riding, you might want to kick in a few hundred more and get a better bike with 100mm forks. The 3700 and HR are more on the entry level for any serious MT'ing.

We are pretty serious about it, but not as an everyday thing, just exercise on weekends and maybe plan for some trail riding when the weather cools off. I use to ride BMX and had ALOT of money tied up in bikes and parts, but i just cant afford to do something like that anymore now that i have a wife and baby. I did just sell a gun to pay off a bill and had some money left over to help out with the bike budget, i have $1000-$1200 to spend on the 2 bikes now.

Here's some things i've found searching online. I've found some ok prices locally, but most of what i've found is 20 percent more than online. I know that some companies like Haro and Trek are only available locally so if i get stuck on one of them i have to buy local.

Schwinn, possibly for me

Schwinn full suspension possibly for my wife

Jamis full suspension possibly for me

Cannondale

Scott for her

Scott for me

Im not sure if i would want or need a full suspension, i know its more maintenance.

The advice given to me when I was buying mine was that my budget of $500 was too low to buy a decent full suspension bike. I ended up buying a front suspension bike with good components from that bikesdirect website and it's been great. I've got no complaints so far.

Whatever you decide to buy, check out this website: http://forums.bicycletutor.com/

It has tons of info on how to maintain and repair your bicycle.

Trek or Canondale, for your price range you will need to buy used. Browse local pawn shops.

As I posted earlier the Trek 3700 is a great all-purpose bike and at $399 is close to the OPs price range.

http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/3_series/3700/

Some real deals can be had at pawnshops. Particularly right now.

I've looked at some pawn shops, i havent found anything decent yet. I've seen alot of Walmart specials and a couple 10 year old Treks and Cannondales. I've been searching through craigslist aswell. I am really liking the Scott brand. Checked a few out at REI and been reading reviews online. Im bidding on 1 for my wife right now. I also liked a few of the Cannondales in the $600 area at REI aswell.

Well i brought home 2 brand new Marin hardtails today. They are 2010 models so i saved almost $500 on the 2. Along with the lifetime frame warranty i got a 2 year warranty on parts and 2 free tune-ups per bike. Now its time to accessorize. Anyone know of the best online dealer for parts like under seat saddle bag, Topeak or Park "survival" took kit, extra tubes, headlights, and computers?

Not in order of perference - these are the places I bought from in the last 12 months:

BlueSky
Price Point
Performance

Thanks for the links! Pricepoint has the Niterider light i wanted for $15 cheaper than anyone else.

I used to work in a shop and Park is clearly the best for tools but don't afraid of Spin Doctor (Performance) and Sette (PricePoint). Both offer excellent bang for the buck and decent quality. Good enough to last the rest of life if you are only wrenching on your own bikes.

Look for the sales on the major tools. Last year I got one of these truning stands for $50 landed. It is definitely NOT a Park Pro model but works well. (You need to keep flipping the wheel over to get the dish right.)

I only buy Park when I can’t find what I need in Sette or Spin Doctor. In the last couple of years we upgraded the whole family and bought 5 new bikes. 4 out of the 5 had bent derailleur hangers. This effects how well the bike shifts. It was half the cost for me to buy a Park Derailleur Alignment Tool and do it myself than take the bikes to the local shop. Plus I now have the tool for life.

I have had a few Treks over the years. Some that were in your price range and some a little more expensive. I've been pretty happy with them.

Thanks for the tips on the tools.

What does everyone carry on there bike or person when riding? I dont want to be out in the desert and something happens i cant fix. I've got a Topeak under the seat saddle bag for shorter trips and i found a smokin deal on a Topeak MTX trunk bag and rack i'd like to try out maybe for longer rides. So far for the under seat bag i've got a Topeak alien II survival tool, few park tire levers, patch kit, small flashlight, and a multitool. I also have a mini pump that bolts up by the water bottle cage and 2 water bottles. Im sure i am missing something.

A spare tube, and a doo-hickey for the thingamabob...
No seriously a little gadget that converts your pump over to the other style of valve stem, Ask me how I know there is such an animal
European tubes and US tubes have different valve stems...

A chain repair kit would also be a nice addition to your kit.

I would also pack a small survival and med kit and leave it on the bike always (on both yours and your wife's) firestarter and ultra basic nessesaties.

Yes i am a stickler for survival kits so both bikes will have a pocket survival kit, Kershaw Blur, small first aid kit, and flashlight.

I was sure to order a pump that worked for both valve stems aswell, it was recommended by everyone.

I forgot about the chain. I just ordered new SRAM chains with extra powerlink to carry. The Alien II tool has a chain tool on it.

I have thorn-resistant tubes filled with slime so hopefully i wont have issues with flats. Im going to carry an extra tube in the large bag for longer trips, but for short trips im hoping the patch kit will suffice.

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