Ibex Alpine vs. Specialized Rockhopper?

[crazycanuck]

If you want a better mtn bike perhaps..If a friend asked me this q I'd tell them not to buy the cheapest thing esp for dirt riding. I know nothing about Ibex & they're not sold in Western Australia.

Can you try both of the bikes out?

What are your dirt riding plans??

[indigoiis]

Mostly singletrack in our rocky/rooty and fairly low elevation state park. I am a beginner riding an overly large but forgiving old GT Timberline steel hardtail and hard fork. I can't move the bike that well and it is heavy so I spend more time walking and lifting than actually riding.

I know that weight is a factor and that the drivetrain should be decent but in this economy I can't see dropping a thousand bucks on a mountain bike when I don't know if I'll have a job tomorrow! I want to do more rides with the local mb club and I want to learn properly, so I am looking for inexpensive entry-level. Do I really need a super$$$machine for that?

[Aggie_Ama]

Alleyoop who sometimes posts has a FS Ibex. I think they are solid bikes but I don't know much about them. I would get the best component group for your budget, your riding doesn't sound like you are going to be thrashing the frame or anything.

I learned on a Scott HT I found on Craigslist for $200. She has a decent gruppo and is about at $700 bike new. You don't need to drop $2k to have fun and learn.