Wanted: entry level mtn bike

Hey all,
I'd like to find a gently loved, relatively inexpensive (less than $500) mtn. bike.
OR any suggestions of a good, new, entry-level one. I've been looking at the K2 Zed.
Any input?
TIA,
Jenny

I've got a Zed 1.0. My partner does as well. We're both happy with them as general purpose bikes. For rough pavement, gravel, and simple off road, it's fine. Note that "on road" for me has included dirt roads where the city is doing construction, washboard pavement, gravel road surface, and all kinds of potholes. Also handles curb hopping. A friend with a slick tired hybrid has had a fair bit of trouble with the same roads.

The drivetrain on both of our bikes seems to be decently designed. Mine gets used a lot more, I fall a bit more, and I like to ride in the rain. It's shifting smoothly after around 300 or so miles. He's complaining about the shifting from the 3rd chainring to the second chainring and back on his. I think his bike may still be in the early part of the break in period for that, since I had that problem very early on. The gearing is pretty well laid out for gentle grades (5% or less), and the problems I have on steep grades seem to be an engine problem, not a gears problem.

I don't think I'd buy this bike if I were serious about mountain biking. The thing has fender mounts, and the *fork* has fender clearance, but the brakes are set up so it can't take 'em in front. That rules out muddy anything off road, and means your drivetrain will get dirty very easily. The steering takes active input all the time. Add in the lower quality suspension fork, and it just doesn't feel like it's the best choice of bike for difficult offroad riding.

Don't have one to sell you, but I bought my mtn bike new last winter and I'm LOVING it. It's the entry level Cannondale (hardtail) and it's been great for me. It was $495, and I got a discount at my LBS because we belong to the local bike club and I got 10% off.
It's been a great bike!!! I do lots of rooty technical single track and some flat, sandy type singletrack and it performs very well. I'm not a great mtn biker, but I love to get out there and have fun- and my bike lets me do that in comfort.

Just my 2 cents.

Jenny, I have an older Trek mountain bike - I think it's a 49.5cm - that I would be willing to part with. It was ridden for only one summer about 9 years ago, and then only on bike paths around town. It's been stored ever since. My husband has one, too, with no more miles than mine has. I don't remember exactly what size his is. The bike is at home and I'm at work, so when I confirm what model it is, I'll post again.

It would be cheap! I can tell you that much. I've gotten totally into road riding so I have no use for it and would be glad to reclaim the storage space. :D

Missy

Yes, it is a 49.5cm and it's a Trek 800 Mountain Track. My husband has decided that he'd like to keep his, :confused: so I guess only mine is for sale.

If you'd like to contact me directly, you can email misandal@charter.net.