What is the best quality mountain bike around 350-450 dollars?

Kare Bear: What is the best quality mountain bike somewhere around the 350-450$ price range?
I’m looking to buy a bike for the summer to get more exercise. I’m a student so I can’t afford a thousand dollar bike, but I need a sturdy mountain bike as I’ll be biking on very gravelly roads with many inclines. Any suggestions?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Mtrlpqbiker
If you will be riding on unpaved roads, you might be better off with a hybrid. That type of bike is ideal for riding on unpaved surfaces. You don’t need suspension, so you will get a better quality bike for the same money. Mountain bikes are for riding off road on very bumpy, rocky trails.

Answer by John M
I would take a look at bikes direct if you can assemble and tune a bike. Get something with 24 speeds and a hard tail, lockout forks are nice but in that price range stick with V brakes they will give you less problems then cheap disk drakes. Pick something from the 2nd or 4th row, stay away from full suspension bikes in that price range.

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm

Answer by Mitchell Neumann
try ebay or trademe for a good cheap second hand bike
or if you want a new bike get a marin or merida
id also say no rear suspension only front or none
dont get disk brakes because thll cost you to much stick with U brakes/pad brakes

Answer by Old Hippie
Probably won’t get “best answer”. So what? I second the idea of Bikes Direct. Best bang for your buck in that price range. So the name reads Motobecane or Dawes instead of Trek or Specialized. These bikes have basically the same components as those found in bike shops – they just by-pass the middleman & ship to you directly.

Taxes only collected in Texas. Free shipping via UPS.

Answer by Andrew
Well, you can certainly tap into the 2010 year still, and also look into 2011’s for that price. If you are steadfast on a “mountain bike”, meaning 26 or 29 inch wheels, a front fork, and a capable offoad frame, you may be able to walk into a bike store and pick up a brand new, shiny Specialized Hardrock at retail price ($ 419). At this price, however, you may be looking at your heavier frames. Mountain bikes costs are a triangular figure of weight, components, and strength. At this price point, you’ll get plenty of strength, however, entry components and weight. Entry Cannondales start giving you the lightweight feel in that pricepoint, however, you may be missing out in the component category in that price tier.
SO:
Models to craigslist/bike shop search in that price point:

Specialized: Hardrock (2011’s have some nice extras from the base, if you get a 2010, make sure it is the Sport to get your double wall rims and cassette hub).

Trek: 4300 (4500 if you can find it used, same goes for the 6000). Do NOT look at the 3xxx series, they have nice frames, however, they aren’t built for much offroad use (wheels).

Giant: Rincon, Revel 1 (if you find a used or old model year Yukon, consider it a deal, however, they appeared to pick their forks out of a leftover bin).

Cannondale: F7, F8 (lower the better 🙂 ) At this price point, you will get the lightest frame. However, the F8 is a tier below the competition for components. However, it gives you the best base for upgrades. (Trail 5 is the new model of the F7….. if you can find a used F5, you’re also in good shape).

Happy Hunting.

Answer by Happy Man
Mantis Men’s Freefall 26″ Mountain Bicycle delivers on quality features. Offering an oversized durable steel dual suspension frame and a twist shifter, you’ll have no problem battling over bumps and turns in the trail. Its 21-speed drivetrain, alloy rims, and linear pull brakes complete the package for a sturdy and smooth bike perfect for an entry-level mountain biker.