Mountain Bikes

Beanz

There appear to be a number of active bike riders on this forum so I am seeking some feedback as my bike experience is way out of date. I am planning to buy a mountain bike for riding some of the local bike trails and forest tracks which can be steep, rough and muddy in winter. I will not being doing any stunt riding or jumps but just want a reliable bike that is going to be fun to ride for general fitness and capable of handling some "off road" conditions.
I have been looking at the Mongoose Tyax Super which is fitted with SRAM X-5 shifters and an X-7 rear derailleur it also has Tektro Draco hydraulic disc brakes.
The alternative is a Giant Talon 2 which runs Shimano gear and Shimano M416 mechanical disc brakes
Are there other bikes that should be considered in the $500 - 700 range ?

I have not had hydraulic brakes but from what I understand they perform well and are reliable but I wonder how easy they are to maintain and do they stand head and shoulders above the others and become a "must have" if available.
Are there any SRAM or Shimano points that clearly differentiate the two brands  ?
Giant dealers seem to be everywhere so no doubt parts and support is available but Mongoose does not seem to be as high profile and I wonder if that becomes a problem down the track.
Given I am posting this on a coffee forum I will try to add a coffee twist by adding that I am sure the Aeropress + Kyocera will get some use on longer trail rides !
Your feedback will be appreciated.

beanflying

Not really my thing I am trail and road due to locality but a few things. My Flatbar with 35mm handles mud and slush well but not rocks and mountains. Bikes are a fashion item so keep an eye out for "last years" models to come on sale Mid year to September. Weight unless your doing serious climbing or lots of steep stuff forget about carbon, alloy or CrMo is far tougher and cheaper. If you want to do downhill mud and water then disks but otherwise forget about it rim brakes are more idiot proof and easier to maintain. Shimano makes life easier for backup/parts etc but Sram is getting more used and spares are fine. Mongoose is generic toy shop swill, Giants are a touch above and better for backup. I used to own a cheap dual suspension bike a few years ago it SUCKED. You get what you pay for, mine used to bounce in the centre when you put some power down on the flat. So test ride if you can. Before you commit to MTB also consider how often you will actually spend scrub bashing to how much time on better roads/tracks. Most MTB riders spend 80-90% on good roads. A tough flatty might be a better compromise.

Beanz

Thanks BF you note some interesting points for consideration

Koffee_Kosmo

Just thinking out loud Not sure if this is available for mountain bikes Would you consider an electric boost motor for when the going gets tough KK

Beanz

KK an electric bike project has great appeal but this one is to try and mainatin some level of fitness and generally enjoy hitting some tracks. If you want to see a good offroad electric bike have a look at the Stealth http://stealthelectricbikes.com.au/the-bikes.html

UNM

Haven't been a serious bike rider for years, but what bf says is true. Not much changes technology wise year to year. Even a ten year old bike will still be excellent (assuming out was good to start with) Plus, many bikes are bought by people wanting to get fit, but too lazy to actually use them. There can be some incredible used bargains of the high end models. I got a pretty nice marin trail bike really cheap once. A friend of mine commented that cheap bikes all have rim brakes, the better bikes have disks and the high end ones are back to rim. Largely due to fashion again in midrange I suspect. Suspension is just  more to go wrong. A well designed bike flexes anyway. For serious offroading, suspension - otherwise, I wouldn't bother.

Lacehim

I'm just getting back on my bike wheels again.  Currently can't drive due to a medical issue so I'm using this as a turning point to get me out and about and maybe a bit more fit. Not a mountain bike but I just bought a Giant Trailglider 2 (I think that's what i was called), light and easy to ride.  Also got a trailer jogger combo to tow the kids.  Not sure how I will go towing 25kg of kids and shopping will be extra but I'll get fit fast I assume!  :laugh:

beanflying

I hope you brought an Aluminum Jogger there is 7-9kg difference in dead weight with the cheaper steel ones  :D Plenty of near new bikes on evilbay as UNM mentioned, my recent Road bike was 25% new price with around 300km of use on it. Not sure why but the guy who used to own it would be 5'4" and the frame is to suit 6'2"+ so his loss my gain 

UNM

BF, perhaps the previous owner got it cheap on ebay without checking size? incidentally, is it just me, or are we experiencing a huge increase in number of bike shops at the moment? Seems to be a new one cropping up every week or so out in the eastern suburbs. Surely the market can't support so many. Oh also, if anyone wants a free bike, I got a spare. Entry level, gears need adjusting. Smallish adult size.

Lacehim

on 1332633562:

I hope you brought an Aluminum Jogger there is 7-9kg difference in dead weight with the cheaper steel ones  :D

I sure did.  The bike is aluminum and so is the jogger/trailer.  It's a weehoo brand http://bike-trailers.com.au/product_review/review/4/item/weehoo_bike_trailer_pram_combo_trailer double the price of a steel frame from BigW but much better I think.  sealed bearings etc. I probably could have bought it all online, but to be honest I went to a few bike shops and settled on a shop in Maroochydore near Bunnings.  The staff where very pleasant to deal with, knowledgeable and the bike/trailer seemed well priced.  It all came assembled and checked over, and I was shown how to use it/fold down the trailer.  Can't get any better than that I think.  Bike $400, trailer $400.