Good Mountain bike for about $300-400?

[DOMO1011]

My buddy wants a good mountain bike, nothing fancy. Something in the line of specialized, giant, trek, kona, etc. not one of those walmart ones. i was taking a look at the trek 820 but i heard the gear shifter had problems. What kind of bikes do you guys recommend for just a trail. Around 0-400. Thanx in advance.

[BobA]

Tell your buddy to go to the bike shop and get fitted for a bike. He can get a low end bike far around that amount. Forge has some nice hardtails for $400 and if he is the right size a Forge Saranac is great for rail trails at $250. I bought one last year and it's a shop quality bike. The only problem is you need to know how to assemble and tune it.

http://www.forgebikes.com/