About bicycles

[Shaggy]

That link does not work for me Mao

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[Mao]

try this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUoCI6Z2bPQ

or this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH-cNG9TUlE

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[n00bl3t]

Buy the cheapest quality hardtail frame and then buy parts from Chain Reaction Cycles and slap them on.

In the long run, you'll be happier.

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Anything I say is not intended as offensive, and to try and deliberately misinterpret it as such would be an attempt at trolling via misrepresentation.

It's not a conspiracy, it's localised bias. They're not intelligent enough to form a conspiracy.

[Shaggy]

I would say go to Chain Reaction Cycles also, not sure if you will get it there in Romania, but worth a try. They do great deals, but Hard Tail also would be my choice unless you are going more downhill then get a full suspension similar to Dragonriders

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[DragonRider]

The components are a big part of that makes a good bike.

Brakes

Your best bet is to get Hydraulic Disk brakes. The stopping power and feel is superior to mechanical disk brakes and V-Brakes. Most bikes of your budget are equipped with Tektro or Magura or even ProMax. None of them are particularity good, in my opinion. Magura brakes tend to be good, but most bike shops don't sell parts for them. So if you wear out the pads or brake something - tough luck. Apart from that, Magura ain't a bad choice, given your budget.

Low to mid range Tektro are not good. I personally see them as the least good hydraulic brakes. Later models like Agura or Draco 2 are better but still.. Don't get Tektro if you can.

ProMax. No. In my experience no.

Your best bet is getting Shimano. Even middle class Shimano hydralics beat (almost) everything else. I've been using Shimano BR-M395 and I have nothing but great impressions. If you really want to go pro you can get the Shimano Deore, LX or XT series. However regular Shimano models, like mine, will still be a great choice.

Oh and a pro tip. Want to quickly tell apart regular from medium-high end hydraulic dick brakes?
http://i.imgur.com/hv01be8.jpg
Take a look at the space where your fingers lay. The general rule is, the least amount of finger space = better. Better models have room for 2 or 3 fingers. If you can fit 4 and still have room, that probably means its a low end model. Of course, this has exceptions. Some high end models have room for 4 fingers or more.

Gear Shifters

Shimano. Get Shimano. In particular, the Deore or LX, XT series.
Shimano Tourney, Acera, Alivio, Altus are a big no-go. The Deore series, combined with a good rear mech, shift like a charm and you'll love it. I use Shimano Deore SL-M591. Again. Great.

SRAM shifters are also good, But get those only if you want to RedBull levels of go pro.

Mechs/Derailleurs

Same as the shifters. Shimano Deore and nothing else.

Forks

Sr Suntour. Sometimes labeled as SR or Suntour. No. Don't. Just don't. Most are not up to par.

RockShock. Most good bike have these. This is the Shimano Deore of the forks. Look up the specific model you want and read up.

About forks, there are a few types. Spring, single air and dual air. Spring are the baseline type: 2 springs in each boot of the fork. Good for budget builds. If you want something better though, you can get a single or double air fork. The difference is not that much noticeable, in my opinion.

My fork is a RockShox Recon Silver TK solo air with 120mm travel. Great and fun fork.
On the subject of travel, it's how much the fork can go down. It doesn't really matter that much if you don't go jumping off ramps and what not. But even mine handles very well on beginner jumps. Most have 100-120mm travel. I wouldn't get a 80mm though.

This is pretty much the most important, parts wise. You can very well buy a avagare bike and build up on it.

Buy the cheapest quality hardtail frame and then buy parts from Chain Reaction Cycles and slap them on.

In the long run, you'll be happier.

I agree here. It will most likely get over your budget, but please don't buy a SR Suntour, Shimano Acera and Tektro equipped bike. You'll be selling in a year or two.

Keep in mind most of what I say here is opinionated, based on experience. I regularly test out bikes and I can tell the difference.

Also, I know you said you would't want a used bike, but take a look here:
http://olx.ro/oferta/bicileta-cube-xms-1...ef7b929631

If not, look around OLX.ro. We have the same site here in Bulgaria and one can find a high end bike for the same price as a new low end bike. But really, it's up to you.

[n00bl3t]

I pretty much agree with everything Dragon Rider said. Shimano Deore is near impossible to beat for price:performance ratio for a good quality component.

There was a guy a few years back in Australia or NZ that ended up becoming paralyzed because his SR Suntour failed at the wrong moment. Like, if you want to cheap out somewhere, do not cheap out on the fork.

Also, I disagree about hydraulic disc brakes slightly. Avid BB7 mechanical disk brakes will stop you with very similar performance to Shimano Deore Hydraulics. No bleeding (and other messy hydraulic nonsense) required and slightly cheaper. Personally I'd go the hydraulic for better modulation and ongoing performance.

The only problem with RockShox is weight. It's not as buttery smooth as something like Fox or the higher-end Marzocchis, but it will do an excellent job. Just be sure not to screw up your frame geometry by buying something ridiculously large.

I can't recommend used bikes enough. There are some absolute bargains to be had there. If I had to do it again I'd buy a used solid frame with crap components and upgrade the components from CRC.

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Anything I say is not intended as offensive, and to try and deliberately misinterpret it as such would be an attempt at trolling via misrepresentation.

It's not a conspiracy, it's localised bias. They're not intelligent enough to form a conspiracy.

[DragonRider]

I pretty much agree with everything Dragon Rider said. Shimano Deore is near impossible to beat for price:performance ratio for a good quality component.

There was a guy a few years back in Australia or NZ that ended up becoming paralyzed because his SR Suntour failed at the wrong moment. Like, if you want to cheap out somewhere, do not cheap out on the fork.

Also, I disagree about hydraulic disc brakes slightly. Avid BB7 mechanical disk brakes will stop you with very similar performance to Shimano Deore Hydraulics. No bleeding (and other messy hydraulic nonsense) required and slightly cheaper. Personally I'd go the hydraulic for better modulation and ongoing performance.

The only problem with RockShox is weight. It's not as buttery smooth as something like Fox or the higher-end Marzocchis, but it will do an excellent job. Just be sure not to screw up your frame geometry by buying something ridiculously large.

I can't recommend used bikes enough. There are some absolute bargains to be had there. If I had to do it again I'd buy a used solid frame with crap components and upgrade the components from CRC.

I completely forgot about Avid. But I haven't had the chance to test them out so I can't say anything.

I only mentioned SR Suntour and RockShock because better forks like Fox are expensive, as far as I know. And our friend is on a budget here.

[n00bl3t]

I pretty much agree with everything Dragon Rider said. Shimano Deore is near impossible to beat for price:performance ratio for a good quality component.

There was a guy a few years back in Australia or NZ that ended up becoming paralyzed because his SR Suntour failed at the wrong moment. Like, if you want to cheap out somewhere, do not cheap out on the fork.

Also, I disagree about hydraulic disc brakes slightly. Avid BB7 mechanical disk brakes will stop you with very similar performance to Shimano Deore Hydraulics. No bleeding (and other messy hydraulic nonsense) required and slightly cheaper. Personally I'd go the hydraulic for better modulation and ongoing performance.

The only problem with RockShox is weight. It's not as buttery smooth as something like Fox or the higher-end Marzocchis, but it will do an excellent job. Just be sure not to screw up your frame geometry by buying something ridiculously large.

I can't recommend used bikes enough. There are some absolute bargains to be had there. If I had to do it again I'd buy a used solid frame with crap components and upgrade the components from CRC.

I completely forgot about Avid. But I haven't had the chance to test them out so I can't say anything.

I only mentioned SR Suntour and RockShock because better forks like Fox are expensive, as far as I know. And our friend is on a budget here.

Avid hydraulics (Juicy, Elixir, etc) are cheap and are squeal kings but they do work - with a few reported leaks. Avid mechanicals like the BB5 and BB7 do a great job for their price. I've used both. Also, stay away from Hayes Hydraulics if you can - every single one I've interacted with over years of cycling has leaked and had vacuum issues.

Fox is way too expensive but I thought I'd explain more about how RockShox is the Deore of the suspension world.

[Petitioner]

Summoning @Grumblesaur.

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