Mountain Bikes on a Budget

[Jellymon]

With all that stuff being said, I think this is what were gonna pick up.
26" Genesis V2100
Full suspension, Could be a good thing?
Thumb gear shifters
Disk brakes
http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Genesis-V2100-Mountain-Bike-Dual-Suspension-Men-s-Bike/22899847#Product+Reviews

No no no! That bike is likely to be heavy and equipped with components that will disappoint. Seriously, if you have $400 to spend, take the advice of many here and look for a used bike in that price range. Why? Because a bike that would go for $1200+ new will sell used for half that or less. Look for Shimano XT components (or Sram x-7 or better x-9) as a sign you are getting a high quality bike. If your find one through the web, I'd be happy to review the bike/price before you purchase to let you know if it's a good deal.

  I would get a simple hardtail with v brakes. It will be much cheaper and IMO would make a better hunting bike. If hunting is what you will use it for. Also if youre going to hunt with it I would stay away from disk brakes. They work great but every set ive had have squealed like a cougar in heat when they got wet. And they werent cheap either. Some of the mountain bikes from walmart say right on the frame, "not for offroad use".

[Skyvalhunter]

So thats what a couger in heat sounds like!!

[Buzz2401]

I would stay away from V-brakes, disc are the only way to go.  Disc brakes may occasionally squeal but they also continue to work when wet or muddy.  I would follow advice and find a decent used hardtail bike. I would go to bike store and see what they got then go on craigslist and find used ones.  Somebody mentioned a 17 year old GT avalanche.  I have a Avalanche that is about 6 years old and they still make them.  It would be a good place to start since they have had the line for so long there will most likely be quite a few out there.  I would avoid cheap bikes they are way more hassle then worth. Stay away from Walmart.

[fly-by]

Don't discount an older fully rigid bike. A front shock adds a lot of weight and soaks up a fair amount of energy.  Some of the first generation mountain bikes with quality steel frames, a longer wheelbase, and curved fork ride pretty "soft".  Works fine on logging roads, etc.  You can pick them up really cheap with good components. 

[TheHunt]

DO NOT get a full suspension bike.  Get a solid tail bike as others have said and front suspension to reduce the jack hammer effect of bumps with your arm.  I ended up picking up a flat black diamond which I paid 400 dollars for.  I use to have a trek that was close to 20 years old but cracked the frame near the crank. I took it to work and left it in the back of the truck.  Parked close to the gate.  It was stolen.  Ohhhhh Nooooo,  I hope the rat who stole it jumped it and racked his jewels. 

Jim. 

[Holg3107]

With all that stuff being said, I think this is what were gonna pick up.
26" Genesis V2100
Full suspension, Could be a good thing?
Thumb gear shifters
Disk brakes
http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Genesis-V2100-Mountain-Bike-Dual-Suspension-Men-s-Bike/22899847#Product+Reviews

AHHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!! At a $200/bike budget buying a new bike shouldn't even cross your mind. Also stay away from full suspension. Cheap full suspension is nothing more than a gimmick that will break. As mentioned look for components that are: Shimano- Deore (if bike is less than 8 years old) LX, or XT. SRAM: X-7 or better. Craigslist is your friend!!! What I would do is find something that you think looks good on Craigslist and post the link here for opinions. Last but not least, whatever you do, DO NOT BUY THAT BIKE FROM WALMART.

[jackelope]

I'm sticking with the rest of the crowd. Buy a better quality used bike with  no rear suspension.
You can do a lot with $200 on Craigslist.

[Buckmark]

As has been said by others already buy a quality used bike, you will get more for your dollar.
Skip the rear suspension, works against you when pedaling uphill.
Disc brakes can be noisy and only really needed on long downhills with some weight (ie: a trailer, or a full pack and an animal draped over the seat/bars).
The one thing you will want and has not been mentioned is a new saddle (seat) for which ever bike you get....trust me. 
*
Here is a good one..
http://www.yosemitebicycles.com/Saddles.php

[Easy-E]

I agree with a lot of the posts. Buy used bikes that fit you. Riding a bike that doesn't fit will be miserable and you'll soon quit riding. Do a little research online about how to fit a bike once you've bought one that's the right size. You and SG can work together to adjust the seat, handlebars, etc. Go on some shorter rides and adjust and tweak the fit of the bike until its comfortable.

Here is a good chart that will get you in the ball park for a frame size:

http://www.ebicycles.com/custom/content_files/ebicycles-bicycle-sizing-chart-mountain-bikes.pdf

And a frame size calculator:

http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer/mountain-bike

There are a lot of YouTube videos on fitting a bike. Its not all that difficult if you have some simple tools. Just go out and pick a video or two to get an understanding of what the fitup needs will be.

[Carl]

Tagging. 

[Smossy]

Again. Im talking 400$ for 2 bikes. Not one. So Im not going to be able to get anything fancy for that price. Just throwing that out there.

[Smossy]

Thanks again for all the information guys. Gonna try to see what I can find. If anyone has spare time and knowledge on the subject see if u can find us a few decent ones used, i have no idea what to look for tbh. But ill keep looking. Walmart sucks I know plus the bikes have to be assembled by the buyer. Not something im looking forward to attempting.

[JKEEN33]

Even at 200.00 a piece, I think you can get a decent used bike. A lot of people buy a bike then use it once and sell it 5-10 years later. I did the same thing you are thinking of doing. I bought one of the cheap 200.00 bikes, rode it, came home and gave it to the neighbor kid and bought a nice bike the next day. I look at  it as my good bike cost me 200.00 extra. You can get a great deal used. Size is what you will need to know so you don't wind up buying one that is to big or small.

[ANDERWAGON]

Smossy, I have an older Specialized you can have.

[Fl0und3rz]

Even at 200.00 a piece . . . .

That ^

Even used, there are some decent bikes out there in/below your range.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/bik/4400750411.html
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/bik/4392915266.html
https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/bik/4378872950.html

Forget disks and rear suspension (too much expense and probably not within the budget among the other identified drawbacks). 

Get measured, determine through internet research, or a friend what size to look for.  Then post links of prospects here for comments, then go armed with information and cash. 

Don't be afraid to offer less than asking, because often people searching for a bike are in the same predicament you are and would rather it just be an easy trip to the store.  That, the fact that what you should be looking for (hard tail and v brakes) has a smaller market, and proper fit can make used bikes hard to move.