> I think the problem is that there isn't really a $400 category for mountain bikes.
I'm more of a commuter rider, so I don't know how bad the stresses of frequent hardcore mountain riding can be, but my current bike is a Trek hardtail mountain bike that I paid ~$520 for new at the bike shop, and it's served me well for years. Perhaps I should have said $500 instead of $400, but I'm pretty sure I've seen unsprung MTBs from good brands selling for $400 at my local.
Edit: I realize that a $400 unsprung MTB is not at all suited for a serious mountain rider. But I do think it would do for someone who's on the fence and doesn't want to spend thousands on a hobby they might not like. That's why I said "entry-level"--if you turn out to love mountain riding and wreck it in six weeks, then you know what to be saving for. If you find you don't like it, you haven't lost too much.
I'm more of a commuter rider, so I don't know how bad the stresses of frequent hardcore mountain riding can be, but my current bike is a Trek hardtail mountain bike that I paid ~$520 for new at the bike shop, and it's served me well for years. Perhaps I should have said $500 instead of $400, but I'm pretty sure I've seen unsprung MTBs from good brands selling for $400 at my local.
Edit: I realize that a $400 unsprung MTB is not at all suited for a serious mountain rider. But I do think it would do for someone who's on the fence and doesn't want to spend thousands on a hobby they might not like. That's why I said "entry-level"--if you turn out to love mountain riding and wreck it in six weeks, then you know what to be saving for. If you find you don't like it, you haven't lost too much.