Mountain bike reviews

Here are a few reviews that I found on the web (www.consumersearch.com) on mountain bikes, entry level and advanced. Personally, I ride a hard tail Haro mountain bike. I am very pleased with its performance. I traded up from a rigid frame GT (no suspension) and boy what a difference. Here are a few other bikes that are rated really well and would make your ride just that much better.

Specialized Rockhopper Series (Est. $500)

Hardtail mountain bike. This Specialized bicycle is a long-running favorite in reviews, and it continues to get strong support from online owner-reviewers. This entry-level hardtail (front-suspension) bike emerges from a crowded field of very closely matched competitors that also includes the Trek 4500 and the Gary Fisher Marlin. Hardtail trail bikes like the Rockhopper are the best type of mountain bicycle for most people, since they’re made to balance light-weight (for easier uphill climbs), durability and comfort for long rides. The Specialized mountain bike weighs about 30 pounds, with an aluminum frame. This flexible bike comes in six different sizes, and a women’s frame is also available.

GT Avalance 0.5 (Est. $1,000)

Hardtail mountain bike. The GT Avalanche mountain bike scores with experts, who say this trail bike is a perfect example of how cutting-edge technology trickles down to more affordable bikes. Reviews say the Avalanche bicycle is a great bike for advanced-beginners looking to trade up. The GT competes in a very crowded field, which also includes the Norco Sasquatch and the venerable Specialized Stumpjumper, both of which are particular favorites of mountain-bike enthusiasts. The GT mountain bike comes in five sizes, with upgraded components over the Specialized Rockhopper.

Schwinn Mesa (Est. $300)

Budget hardtail mountain bike. Hardtail, front-suspension bikes are the most common type of mountain bike, and they are less expensive than full-suspension bicycles. Because you can upgrade most components on bikes, it’s possible to get a good quality frame (like that on the Mesa), but upgrade the other parts later. Reviews say the Schwinn bike’s lower-quality components won’t take a beating, but the frame is solid, making it a good choice for those who want to spend less at the onset.
(Just a bit of advice, spend the extra $ to begin with and don’t go this route. You can get a good bike from a bike shop for $300)

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