MTB buying advice

Limb

Hi to all !

This is my first post on this forum, it seems like a nice place to be..
I need MTB advice. Iam new at this so i dont know much about bike parts like wich suspension is better and so on. Well this will be my first real bike, Iam looking to spend 400 pounds, I would like to know what is the best bike for that money. I will ride a bike mostly offroad (like woods, mountains...)
I am interested in this ones..

Cannondale F7 Disc 2008
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/08/c...del-8FS7D.html

Garry Fisher wahoo
http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/wahoo-disc/bigimage

Corratec xvert motion 2008
http://www.corratec.com/content/de-de/produkte/bikes/mtb/hardtail/?model=x_vert_motion_white&offset=-1269px&x=95&y=59

The mystery is the front suspension RST Gila! Is it so bad? Are the disk brakes better than normal ones (V brakes), I ask that because of maintaining problems I heard about? I dont know is it better to buy bike with better equipm. or with a better suspension... I wouldnt do anything extreme with the bike, at least not yet.. Please advice what bike would be the best for the price 440 pounds max????

Thanks in advance...

BlackSpur

For £440 you can expect to get a damped fork, 24 speed transmission and hydraulic disc brakes. Here is a good example

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=12431

It has all the features I mentioned above.

Another option is the Carrera Kraken.

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDetails.asp?productID=12431

Again with damped fork and hydro brakes.
Personally I would avoid all the bikes you have mentioned - I think they all come with undamped forks (like pogo sticks) and mechanical disc brakes (a pain to set up and with little benefit over Vs IMO). Hyrdaulic brakes are low - maintenence once set up and offer better power and control than Vs or cable discs.

newbiketime

For the money I would say have a look at the Giant range. They tend to be some of the very the best value bikes out there.

BlackSpur

The Giant Terrago is excellent value for money! It even gets a 27 speed transmission!