So between my wife and I we have ~2k for bikes... she is more into something less expensive to just putz around on... i on the other hand...

So lets say I have ~1400, what would you recommend. I have always been partial to american made trek/cannondale bikes. I could either go hard tale or full suspension.

Recommendations on where to buy it? I really like the people at Conte's near ballston.

Thanks!

full suspension, disc brakes, still basically brand new. I never ride the thing; I bought it before I realized I wasn't all that into MTBing anymore.

I guess now that I'm in Arlington, I should start joining in a bit more.

It's a 2003 XTC DS/2. Bought it new, it was $1400 back then. Don't really know what it's worth now.

I thought I had some pictures of it, but I must have deleted them.

one brand until you've had a chance to test ride a bunch. What kind of riding are you going to be doing? That will dictate hard tail or full suspension.

You can get something decent for her in the $300-400 range: 2 years ago, I bought a Specialized Hardrock and am very happy with it. At first, I thought I'd go for full suspension and disc brakes, but realized I wasn't going to need it and was told disc brakes required more maintenance than regular ones. I ride easy/moderate trails.

On the other hand, I have some friends who ride a bit harder and most of them got used bikes, spending between $1k and $2k. Have you considered buying used? Look around on Craigslist, and take a friend who knows about components.<ul><li><a href="http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=32576">420 dollas'</a></li></ul>

Revolution Cycles, but then again I am biased.


Check out the Trek 4300 wsd and Trek 4500 wsd

My brother-in-law has an 05 that I've spent some time riding. It's a great overall bike with a reasonable price.

For the type of riding you plan to do a hardtail should be sufficient. Had I not gotten such a good deal on my Trek full suspension, I would have bought a hardtail.<ul><li><a href="http://www.konaworld.com/08_caldera_w.htm">Kona Caldera</a></li></ul>

yep, you being the guru, recommendations?

For her consider the Trek 4500 or 4300 wsd and for you consider the trek 6700.

Only part on that bike that makes it at all worth a damn is the Shadow rear derailleur, other than that you can find bikes for several hundred less with better or equal components.

The lower end used to be much nicer but the newer stuff on the lower end is kind of sub par these days. The materials they use on their lower end frames is much much lower quality than the higher end stuff or other companies lower end products.


Their higher end stuff like the M5 and M4 metal matrix materials are amazing and their carbon is pretty damn sweet as well, my personal favorite hardtail is the Stumpy Carbon so...

Having worked in the bicycle industry for almost 10 years, there are a few things that I would suggest when looking for a bike in this range.
Also, I wanted to catch up with you in reference to some car stuff.
BTW...my girlfriend is selling her Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert (full suspension with disc brakes) in the range you are considering. It is a 17". Check out the link below as I know she would part with it for ~$1400. She paid $2800 for it.<ul><li><a href="http://annapolis.craigslist.org/bik/726662582.html">http://annapolis.craigslist.org/bik/726662582.html</a</li></ul>

Waldorf. If anyone every needs me to make a call to either one to make sure they get awesome service, let me know.

drop me an email if you need car help... you get that 135 yet?