Bike choice please help

[glenncol]

Hello all

I am getting back onto a bike after 35 years to mainly shed a little weight and get back into to shape.I have resided to a mountain bike as i will be riding on roads as well as bike paths and the intention of occasionally hitting the trails up in wombat state forest and mount disappointment once fit.

I have narrowed my choice of bike down to a couple and would love some input on what the best buy would be.

Bikes i am looking at
Merida Big 9 100 29er 2014 (New)
http://www.merida.com.au/en_au/bikes/20 ... 0-844.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Merida TFS 500 29er 2013 (second hand only ridden 3 or 4 times)
http://99bikes.com.au/merida-big-nine-t ... -grey-2013" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Marin Bob Cat Trail 2014
http://www.marinbikes.com/au/bikes/desc ... -29er#spec" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cannondale Trail 29 5
http://www.cannondale.com/aus/catalog/p ... egory/931/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I look forward to hearing your thoughts

Thank you

[silentbutdeadly]

Not the Cannondale...or any of the other new bikes. And I own a C'dale Trail 29.

...the 2nd hand Merida is by far the best buy

[glenncol]

Thank you SBD