any folks out there ride mountain bikes?

[91100 100 set]

Jet, I've never ridden an Intense myself. I've got a K2 hardtail that I like alot, even though the Noleen Air fork is a little weird. The fork is very stiff laterally, but it feels a little primitive in it's action (Mag-21ish), and has a tendency to not hold air for more than a few days. But that bike replaced an older Zaskar that has alot of sentimental value, and was one of those "year-end" blowouts that i just couldn't walk away from (I was't really looking, but you know how that goes), and the Zaskar replaced a chromo GT hardtail from my high school days, so I'm partial to GT (I can't bring myself to get rid of the Zaskar, and it has become a singlespeed beater with road slicks, flat pedals and one of those "comfort seats", great for guests and friends). And while I've never owned a Kona, but I have spent some time on a buddie's Kona a few years back, and I really liked that. Great woods bike, and when the time comes, I'd look at them again.
I've also got a Specialized FSR, which is also a good bike, if not a little maintenance intensive. The rear bushings need replacing frequently, and after I replaced them the first time, the rear end just doesn't feel the same anymore. The bike also feels alot "bigger" when I ride it after spend time on the hardtail, like taller, which takes a little getting used to, but it can hammer through the rough stuff.

 

[Caveman]

Steel is the deal! I've tried to buy an aluminum bike but as soon as I test ride one I change my mind. I'd rather haul around an extra pound in exchange for the smoother ride that steel provides. Now Ti, that's a different animal but I don't have $3K laying around to blow on a bicycle.

I recently sold a 14 year old Bridgestone hardtail/rigid fork MTB that I bought new. It was a great bike but I'm looking to replace it with a singlespeed.

My road bike is a Surly Pacer built up from parts I stripped off a Lemond. The Lemond bike was outstanding but the frame was one size too big. Anybody want to buy a 57cm Buenos Aires frame in perfect shape? It only has about 250 miles on it.

Somebody was asking about decent bikes for about $1000. Now is the time to buy. Go to your local bike shop and ask about any of last years models they still have. Most bikes just change color from one year to the next so you aren't buying anything out of date but you'll save a couple of hundred bucks. For example, 04 Lemond bikes now have a frame with a carbon rear triangle instead of a steel one. The carbon costs more and the components aren't quite as nice to help keep the cost the same as last years bikes. You can buy an '03 model Lemond with better components minus the carbon rear triangle and save a lot of money.