Mountain Bike: 29er's Any Advice from bikers needed

anyone know if there is a biking cult?  I would probably get more help there.

r u serious about the 29er ...

Dude if you can grab a Gary Fisher 29er, I just ride em around the shop when I'm bored but they're so light and super fun.

Yeah I was looking at a Gary Fisher 29er at the shop near me but they only had the $4000 model haha so that is a little out of my price range.  And ^^ I am serious about a 29er, why?

how much r u looking to spend

my max is $1000, but my goal is about $800.  Hopefully I will get a couple hundred from insurance to help and my dad is going to chip in a couple hundred.  So what I will be spending is around $500-$650 i think.

http://www.skihut.com/summer09/product.php?product_id=14

buy it from me :)

Haha I would if it was not as expensive + shipping and all that, which shipping would probably be free.  But seeing that you know about bikes, I was looking at a bike with Rockshox Tora 318 and Avid Juicy 3 hydros.  I read mixed reviews on both, so what is your opinion/experience with them?

I'm kind of a rookie at selling bikes but from what I know that is a solid fork, rockshox are usually durable and are responsive enough. Juicy brakes are pretty solid too but I know some of the shop guys don't like them because they suck to adjust.

I sell skis and just work with bikes when the season is getting over so I don't know everything, somebody else feel free to correct me :)

my brother just bought the specialized rockhopper 29er, and he loves it. got it for like $700 i think. Pretty nice disc brakes and a decent fork, http://http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38431

Yea all the bad reviews were from bigger guys on the fork and more hardcore mountain/ downhill bikers in the reviews I read.  They said the Juicy 3's sucked for stopping for legit mountain biking, but that is not what I do.  I also heard for the brakes that they can be a bitch for setting up but I don't think ti will be too bad.  My dad will most likely be putting it together.  Thanks for the help.

What do you want it for? I'm guessing just getting around, etc. or are you looking to get into mountain biking? If you want to get more serious about it, it's totally possible to get something legit for a grand. If it's just for getting around, I'd just look for something used that is comfortable/you think looks dece. pay like 600.

wow, fuck people that steal bikes. That sucks.

For now I ride along the bikepath in Burlington VT and just around my house.  There are some paths in the woods near my house that I will be going in, but there are no hills or anything, just flat paths with some roots.  but there are some more all mountain paths a couple minutes away that I am going to check out.  I bought a Motobecane Fantom 29 Pro of Bikes Direct for $800, originally $1500.  Plus my dad got teh quote from insurance and I am getting $668 from insurance so I am getting a good deal.  My trek would have cost $1168 to replace whichc is alot more than what it was left over back in 07.  I think I will be happy with my purchase. Thanks for everyone who gave advise/ help.  I may come back and put a review in here on it after a month or so.

I will give my review for you bikers.  I love the bike, it is so much fun.  I wen to the trails and I must say I am getting pretty good.  The clearance height is definitely a plus with downed trees.  I still haven't gotten the air fork pumped up so it is locked out until I get that figured out.  The brakes, well I am having mixed thoughts on them.  They were great at first, but now I can't use the rear brakes because the rotor just vibrates when compressed hard and it doesn't stop me.  Also, they are very squeaky.  I may bring it down to the local shop to get everything set properly.  I love the shimano xt rear derailleur.  It shifts very quickly and easily.  I just have shitty stock pedals on it but I plan to get some crank brothers 5050 bmx style pedals.  Other than that, I have had tons of fun on it.  The only thing you sacrifice with teh 29 is turning, you make much bigger turns and it takes some time getting used to haha.  I haven;t made it around some turns while riding, causing me to hit the curb and other such objects.

I have been riding and competing in cycling since I was 7 years old, If you can swing it I would def reccomend a Gary Fisher, they are great bikes for the money. And to you respons about a good for for $700..One of the best 29er forks in the industry is the NINER front rigid fork, which is around $250..ou cant get any for as good for the money. I have ridden a gary fisher with the NINEr rigid for set up and it rides amazing. Just my input. Hope it helps..ask me if you have any more questions Il be happy to answer