Hey all,

I want to get a mountain bike in the next couple of weeks, wanted to spend about $700ish, anyone got any suggestions as to which model, where to buy etc? It will be used mainly on the tarmac, but has to be able to withstand some abuse now and then.

Thanks.

P4 Scott is a good start. For that money and a good brand u can't get into disc brakes yet, but you do get some top quality conventional brakes, gearing and shox.

You want to purchase a Giant Yukon/Rincon, Scott P4, or similar Avanti/Specialized..?

they are about the price point for your budget...
...but for limited in a off road sense by suspension forks and actually more by frame geometry. Entry level giant bikes suit the majority of consumers(which is good) but with prolonged "bashing" offtrack, they specified components will wear.

Dont always buy Shimano-though extremly good (i use a XT groupo on my cross-country bike) SRAM is a far more simpler/more durable system(i use SRAM carbon on my DH race bike).

Make sure you buy the right size bike--->Dont buy the most attractive looking bike-->otherwise you wont ride it when you are sore.

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05 STi Spec C Type Ra
04 LL Bean Outback

Yeah, I have just been checking out the Yukon online - seems to be what I am after, RRP $799, should be able to knock a bit off that too!

Thanks for the quick replies!

I got a Giant Rincon....use it to commute to work and back on paved roads when the weather is good, works brilliantly and was f*ckin cheap too!

Yukon is the next step up from there....good choice

chalk one up for Avanti from me. very good value for money bikes. really happy with mine though i spent more than twice as much.

highly recommend fleet cycles on adelaide st fremantle. good knowledgable staff and easily the best price after haggling with bikeforce/the bicycle entrepreneur.

just put some cheap slicks on it & jacked the seat up as i wasnt riding it much offroad anymore and now it flies along the cycle paths for a bit of fitness training.

Yep, I cruise the hills on a Giant Yukon.... Great bike for the price
Get a black one!!!

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In Training for 2010 Finke Desert Race...

Stick with a hardtail. If you went for a soft tail for that much money you will get crap components. IMHO buy the absolutely best frame you can. When and as components die replace them with better stuff.

www.coloradocyclist.com for build kits if you are feeling very motivated but probably not worth it at your price point at the mo. As a guide they wanted approx US$200 to freight a build kit over. Everything except frame and forks.

IMHO I would wait until you could afford to spend approx $1000. Opens up a lot more options.

My 2C

Brendon

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Losing is worse than death. You have to live with losing....

i'm seriously loookin into these:

www.atomik.com.au/bicycle ..............

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MY04 WRX CLUBSPEC 7

If you're gonna buy a Giant see Greg @ Greg Stoyles Cycles. He did me an awesome deal on a Giant Alias. Much cheaper than all the other stores I priced up. Some Giant dealers only sell at RRP. Pfft!!!