semlin
curmudgeon
i'd consider a hardtail at your price range. you are reaching to get a decent fs bike.
you do not want a small frame if you are 6' 3". do you have long legs? if you can fit a 23" frame this is a good deal on a brand new brand name entry level fs bike with decent components. it is comparable or better than the haro and i think jamis has a better rep.
Jamis Dakar XC Sport '10 at JensonUSA.com
as far as what to do if you do not want to pay retail for a new bike, you can buy used from craigslist or a place like this
Buy and Sell Mountain Bikes, Gear and Parts - Pinkbike.com
or you can go new mail order. jenson is one place you can get decent brand named bikes. most mail order places sell their own frames matched with decent name brand components. for example, Price Point - Discounts on Mountain Bike and Road Bike Parts, Accessories and Cycling Clothing but most people look down on sette frames, which are supposedly direct copies of older santa cruz frames.
fyi, it seems to be hard to get a decent quality fs bike used for under $1000 and you are taking a big risk buying a used large sized frame because chances are the rider was heavy... otoh, if you buy a cheaper brand new fs bike you sacrifice component quality and weight which you will notice fairly quickly once you start riding.
and really there are no shortcuts. i bought a very nice older and somewhat worn used fs bike last year for $800 and spent the same amount again this year replacing the frame which cracked and swapping everything over. now i have a bike that is nice but less good than if i'd bought a $1600 used bike in the first place. it got me riding so no regrets, but i would have bitten the bullet and paid $2400 for a new nice bike if i'd known where this would take me.
you do not want a small frame if you are 6' 3". do you have long legs? if you can fit a 23" frame this is a good deal on a brand new brand name entry level fs bike with decent components. it is comparable or better than the haro and i think jamis has a better rep.
Jamis Dakar XC Sport '10 at JensonUSA.com
as far as what to do if you do not want to pay retail for a new bike, you can buy used from craigslist or a place like this
Buy and Sell Mountain Bikes, Gear and Parts - Pinkbike.com
or you can go new mail order. jenson is one place you can get decent brand named bikes. most mail order places sell their own frames matched with decent name brand components. for example, Price Point - Discounts on Mountain Bike and Road Bike Parts, Accessories and Cycling Clothing but most people look down on sette frames, which are supposedly direct copies of older santa cruz frames.
fyi, it seems to be hard to get a decent quality fs bike used for under $1000 and you are taking a big risk buying a used large sized frame because chances are the rider was heavy... otoh, if you buy a cheaper brand new fs bike you sacrifice component quality and weight which you will notice fairly quickly once you start riding.
and really there are no shortcuts. i bought a very nice older and somewhat worn used fs bike last year for $800 and spent the same amount again this year replacing the frame which cracked and swapping everything over. now i have a bike that is nice but less good than if i'd bought a $1600 used bike in the first place. it got me riding so no regrets, but i would have bitten the bullet and paid $2400 for a new nice bike if i'd known where this would take me.
