Buying my first mountain bike

[sammyj]

I am looking at buying my very first mountain bike, and was just wanting some opinions on the bikes I am looking at.

I would be doing both onroad and off road riding.

I am currently looking at either a Shogun Trail Breaker 2 or Avanti Ridge Rider or Avanti Ventura. I have plans to test ride these but am wondering if anyone has some definate ideas about the brands and value for money etc.

Oh and my budget is to around $800.

 

[Duckwah]

I'd stay away from shogun, they haven't produced anything memorable for ages and are really only a step up from a budget bike

For $800 you should look at Giant, Merida, Avanti and Norco bikes.

I'd look for a lightly used second hand bike, there are heaps around and you could easily pick up something thats barely been used for a 30-40% discount.

$1000 is where "seriou" MTBs start so if you buy a newish bike secondhand then you will have something pretty competent for off road wheras a brand new $800 bike could be a bit heavy or underspecced for serious riding.

just try and get someone who knows bikes to go along and check out the bikes with you