looking for some good info, I would be a beginner
what to look for in a bike

Don't cheap out or you will be replacing and repairing parts all the time
Go to a real bike shop to get educated , try to see what they offer after the sale
Get properly sized, very very important
Test ride them. Some brands are more forgiving
Best deals will be on last years model

I took the police mountain bike school at Georgetown and that area of the world has a lot of mountain bike stuff

+1 I bought a Trek a few years back and it's been awesome!

Front and rear disc brakes are nice to have. Like brother in law said, get properly sized and test ride some bikes. Look around and find a shop in your area with good reviews, should be easy in the austin area.

BIL: I took the police mountain bike school at Georgetown and that area of the world has a lot of mountain bike stuff

this is what I have to look forward to this summer, intel would be good
some guys are buying 1000 bikes I'm looking at a few that are between 400=700 gt brand, Fuji, and force
thanks

My dept has been using Raleigh almost exclusively for years, there are a few Treks and Fuji mixed in. Most frames will be the same in that price range, aluminum is preffered but steel will work just heavy. Look for the bike that has the best components and front fork. Tires wear out so don't worry too much about them. Stay away from a 29 inch tire, it's all the rage the last 5 years, but takes some experience to ride and they weigh more. Disc brakes will be likely be cable operated, nothing wrong with that, just needs a little adjusting from time to time.

For $400-$700 I would look at used bikes, you just need to be aware of what to look for and be sure of your frame size. In that price you are probably looking at a hard tail, rigid singlespeed might be a good bet too.

My main rides:
First is a steel framed singlespeed, weighs 23lbs without any carbon parts.

What is your height and inseam?

You have a lot of great places to ride around Austin, some not so beginner friendly. Be careful and wear a helmet.

thanks for the info
6 ft tall not sure of inseam
yeah I will have to buy a helmet and all that fun stuff too

You're looking at a Large frame then. Reach can be adjusted via stem length.

ok thanks that's what I was thinking trying to decide between 27.5 and 29er

You won't see drastic differences like manufacturers claim. But, being a large frame I'd recommend 29.

There is a new type of tire size called 27.5+ and 29+. They are wider and provide a softer ride and gobs of traction, something you'll find a great help in the loose stuff. The 27.5+ will have the benefits of the 29er and more. Plus, with a frame that clears 27.5+ you can also run a standard 29"(non +) if desired, not sure why you would though. Don't confuse + size bikes(2.8"-3.2" wide tire)with fat tire bikes(4"-4.8")

Unfortunately being new technology their aren't many lower priced options yet. Marin might be the lowest:
http://www.marinbikes.com/us/bikes/description/2016-pine-mountain-1#image-4

Or bikesdirect:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fat-bikes/fat-bikes-fantom275-x7-plus.htm

My biggest complaint about the 29's, old and prob new ones, is the amount of roll in the tires during fast turns. When I switched from my 26er to the 29er, I found myself sliding the front tires out from under me during fast turns more with the 29, despite the wider tire. If I could do it all o we again, I'd go with a carbon 26er instead of the aluminum 29er.

Currently crashing and thrashing a Jamis Exile III

I haven't tried the 29's. I will say, get a good bike and take care of it and it will last many years. Don't jump off 4 foot drops or leave it out in the rain and it should give you good service. I bought mine 18 years ago. Over the course of those years, I've replaced the seat, tires, cables a few times and the chain once.

Here's our bikes. Wife says we bought in 2000 not 1998. Our first trip out, we got caught in a pitch fork rain and bad thunderstorm. We were about 10 miles from home. We were a lot younger then. In fact, we were so excited about them, we woke up at like 4am waiting for the first light so we could take off. There were grey clouds, but we paid them no mind. Off we went! We were chased by dogs out in the middle of freaking no where! We stopped under some big oak trees to keep us semi dry. That probably wasn't the smartest idea either since there was a major lightening storm going on.

We bought matching bikes and logged a bunch of hours over the years. It's not all that light considering bikes of today. The Rox Shocks weren't great either, but they have provided years of entertainment.

Also despite want the size it says make sure you have some space between your sac and the top bar. You might be 6' tall but have a shorter inseam. Often referred to as standover.

I thought your problem was dunlap?

nice stuff

You want your nuts to almost touch the top tube when standing flat footed over the bike. Not hitting, but almost. I'd start with that and go from there for frame sizing.

Horrible advice. The most important thing regarding fit is reach, further down the list is stand over. A lot of modern bikes have low slung top tunes which conflict with your advice. I ride a medium for example, but I can stand over a XL Pivot Mach 4 with adequate clearance. Reach will be too long, seat too low relative to bar height, seat too far forward, the list goes on. Then you have a bike that handles poorly relative to the same model bike in the correct size.

thanks

This ^^^

If you have ever rode a Gary Fisher you will understand what he is saying. I came from a Schwinn when they were great bikes, to a G Fisher Sugar 3+, that was a huge change in posture that I could not get used to. I like to be stretched out on my mountain bikes, the Fishers kept you very vertical and even with the XL frame a person 5'5 could stand over it no problem.

Cool stories

Go get back on your hovaround

Had a specialized 29er and loved it but bought used and was really to big for me. Got a smoking deal of 200 on it. Look on Craigslist plenty of deals there.