Conference noted::bicycle

Bill,

Check out the Cannondale M700. It goes for about $750 but the bike is about 26
lbs with the Deore LX drive train and Force 40 brake system. Rims and tires are
the Ritchey Z max and Z Comp. 

Other bikes at about the 620 price range should be the Bridgestone MB4,
Specialize Rockhopper Comp. 

Try Belmont Wheel Works in Belmont or Internation in Brighton. Both are large
volume stores. 

Make sure you get the right size and test ride the bikes you might be
interested in before you buy. See other notes on what to look for during a test
ride.

Good Luck,

Dave

	Don't know where you live, but I like both
	the Chelmsford Cyclery for Diamond Back and 
	Trek, and There is a good shop in downtown
	Nashua for Specialized, but I can't seem to 
	remember the name....

	The Apex is a DX bike with Smoke tires, and 
	this year's model comes with Brama bars...

	I have last year's bike, and pound the "%&#@"
	out of it in the town forests...streams, mud,
	rocks and logs!  Great bike!

	-dick

    	Bike shop in downtown Nashua is Goodale's.
    
    	Scott

    I was just at goodale's a couple days ago, and they wanted 1000+ for a
    specialized stumpjumper (I think that was one of the models being
    considered.
    
    -Jesse
    
    ps Does anyone have opinions on Mongoose?

    re:-1
    
    >Does anyone have opinions on Mongoose?
    
    I got the 91 Mongoose IBOC PRO (DX groupo). It is a good fast bike.
    a good racing mtb at an affordable price. $700.00 considering 
    you get DX groupo. 
    This year the DX equipment is on the IBOC comp. there was a nice
    article on it in one of the Mags a few months ago. The bike looks 
    real sharp in gold with black forks. The quality and work manship is
    great, in that price range, I don't think there is much that is better. 
    I find the IBOC comp a little too heavy though at 29 lbs.
    But then again for under $900 I don't think you could find anything
    lighter and as strong. 
    I have done some real scary kamakazi (sp?) downhills on my PRO and 
    love the control compared to my last bike. 
    If you are willing to pay a little more the TEAM would be a real 
    good off the shelf MTB with XT groupo. Although I have not yet had 
    any problems with my DX. I cannot remember when was the last time 
    I had to do any adjustments. It shifts real smooth everytime no matter
    how much pressure on the pedals.  The only thing I am wasn't crazy 
    about is the STI shifters, but you can have the XT over the bar 
    shifters instead. For my next MTB though I would not consider anything
    without shocks...:-)
    
    Shaw

    re: .5
    
    I appreciate the response on the IBOC, but I'm not sure I really want
    to start that high.  This purchase will be my first mountain bike.  I
    rode a lot of BMX as a kid, so I'm familiar with some of the bike
    makers who make/made both BMX and MTB, but I don't know much about the
    components.  I plan to ride both on and off road (probably more off). 
    The particular Mongoose I was looking at was the Rockadile.  I think
    mostly what I need to know in general is, what is the minimum component
    level I want to go with (I noticed most bikes I've looked at come with
    some model of Shimano derailleur (sp?), shifter and brakes, but info on
    other brands happily accepted).  Also any frames that are particularly
    good or bad.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    -Jesse

    
    RE;-1
    
    As commercial bikes go, Mongoose in general is good bike. However, 
    on the lower price range bikes, I would tend to go with manufacturers
    that have most experience making frames for their own use and others.
    One of these that comes to mind is Giant. You will find that in most
    cases for the same price, the Giant will have better componantry. 
    Other brand that comes to mind is Bridgestone, most (or maybe all)
    their frames are Japanese made (as opposed to Tiwan (sp?) or Corea)
    Bridgestone has plants in Japan. They also do mix and match with 
    the components so you usually don't get a whole groupo but whatever
    Bridgestone feels will best fit the bill. If you will be doing 
    some mostly offroad, in the Shimano I will not go lower than the 
    300 LX , I cannot talk to Sontur as I never had a bike with their 
    componentry. 
    I would also recommend you look for last years models. You will be 
    able to get a lot more bike for your money. 
    I don't know where you are located but know of a few bike shops in 
    the Southern NH area, that have a few last years models, including 
    Giants and Mongoose.....
    Aside from obviouse criteria like fit, in my opinion you should look
    for a good frame, and give the components a little less priority. 
    After putting some miles in, you will know better, how deep you want
    to get into this, and there is always room for upgrade. 
    If you are not riding hard, and on the test ride like the user
    friendliness of the components etc. then it should be OK. If you 
    will be riding hard, sooner or later, items like derailure and such 
    (more so on the lower range) will brake down and you could decide on
    you component upgrade at that time. 
    
    Shaw