Help buying a beginner MTB

[ashley_D_H]

Hi,
Just wanted to ask your opinion on some bikes I wanted to buy. I'm a bit of a biginner. Been riding a malvern star 29er and wanted to upgrade.
Basically I have these options:
Avanti montari 26.4
Avanti montari 27.2
Trek 4500
Trek 4300
Specialised Rock hopper
Specialised rock hopper comp
Merida Matts TFS300
Scott 640

They seem quite similar to me but can someone give me a better idea of what to buy?
Looking to ride trails, singletracks and trying some dirt jumps here and there (nothing too fancy).

Cheers

[mithba]

Your going to get this reply alot, but at that price range second-hand is your better option. From what I've briefly looked at (the bikes listed) they are all roughly the same and would come down to ride comfort. None of those bikes would be much of an "upgrade" from the 29er.

- Mitch

[ashley_D_H]

Thanks. I had a look at trek xcaliber 8 and will probably go for that.

[Dragster1]

See if you can test ride a couple first. If you buy second hand be careful buying a carbon frame, they crack quite often and when you buy second the warranty is not honoured. I didn't check them all out but I like the rockhoppers you at least want a bike with rock shox rather than sr stuff and something with an external bb set