I am looking for a mountain bike

as I am not an expert yet, I am not looking for anything crazy

Frame size:
I am just over 6' and 175 pounds

Prefer:
Disc brakes

Must have:
Quick release front or rear wheels
Front shocks

Nice to have:
Alum frame

thanks

Price range??

negotiable, as long as it's not one of those fancy $1500+ bikes

You can piece one together right now from Cambriabike and Performancebike for about $1000 with some very good parts. The one drawback is that the build kit is rim brakes, not disc.

Build kit contains everything you need except frame and fork:

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=85195&page=SHIMANO+LX+AVID+9+SPEED+BUILD+KIT

I had the previous model of this frame in 20". It's light, stiff, and a good price. It made for a good bike, and was quite light when all built up. I have a 16" in the basement.... but it's too small for you.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=26871&subcategory_ID=3020

Add in a Marzocchi 33 or a Rockshox Tora from Cambriabike and you're done at just under $1000 US.

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=484&cat=Mountain+Bike+Forks

You can always go to disc brakes a little later. Cambriabike has excellent deals now and then. You would be able to get a set of decent hydrailic discs and new wheels with disc hubs for about $250.

Built up, it's comparable to a $1500 or so bike, for $1000. You also put it together, and that helps teach you about how to fix it and tune it.

The bike show was only 3-4 weeks ago.... there was some good deals there!

I work a big bike shop, were closed sunday, but i'l tell you the last years models we have got on Monday

Thanks Nick, I am looking through the links to familiarize myself w/ the components. By the way, are you really in Isfahan?

Thanks Brian .. let me know what kind of Trek bikes you have left, .. hard tail should be ok. Disc brakes, & quick release wheel, alum chassis

also, what kind of frame size should I be looking at? is 18" too small? I prefer something slightly smaller so I can just take off the wheel and put it in the trunk (I have a fairly big trunk). I don't want to bother w/ bike racks

Yep, Isfahan. During the day I'm in Mobarakeh.

I'm 5'11, and the 20" was a little big. The 18 fits me good. Shorter frames tend to feel more nimble.

A shorter or longer stem will help fine tune the frame size.

19.5 would be best for you, Weve got Giant and Specialized as well, Treks usually aren't the best

Scharok look at what you are using the bike for, light trail riding 1-2 times week a hardtail is the dollar value choice.
With a quality rear shock running at about $300, it doesn't leave a lot of value for the rest of the bike.
If you see yourself doing more advanced technical trails pick a smaller frame, sure with a 19.5 frame or so you may have 2-3 in of standover height on level flat ground, put a front/rear tire up on a curb and see what you have left. I ride a 19.5 Kona which has more than average standover height at 6'4. At your height anything more than an 18 is waaayy big. I raced almost always on a 18.5
I disagree with the above Trek comment, thy have sensible well priced bikes, thier the GM of the bike world, and have huge buying power, so dollar value is pretty good. When I raced Canada Cup, I flipped between Gary Fisher/Trek and had absolutely no issues with them at all.
I am currently out west in Whistler the bike capital of Canada, if you PM me what you are looking for and a price range you are looking for I may be able to find you something as well.
Ie yesteday I picked up a second bike for myself, a 2008 Norco shore at 45% off.
But most certainly dollar value pick up a 2008 bike if you can, the shops have back rooms full of 2009 that they want the floor space for.

I just got myself a 19" 2008 specialized hardrock sport (pad, not disc) for just under 400 bux, discs i think go for another 1-200 more + $x.xx for upgraded fork, etc..

Great starter/amateur bike, rides really smooth on the road, and still feels good on the trail/off road, all shimano gearset, suntour petals and front fork. aluminum frame and both front and rear quick release wheel.

Got it from oakville cycle and sport but anyplace that carries specialized should have it

Cambriabike has a set of wheels and hydraulic disc brakes for $209 to add to the kit.

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=84937&page=SHIMANO%2BDEORE%2BDISC%2BBRAKE%2BAND%2BWHEEL%2BPACKAGE%2BDEAL&utm_source=mail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Save10PercentOnHotdeals

ended up picking this up:

Trek Fuel 80 .. Frame size is 18" .. 2001 model, SLR aluminum frame .. whole thing weighs 17.5 lbs

Manitou black super air front fork
Hayes HFX9 front and rear brakes
Xt rear derailleur with deore shifters
Deore crank
Rear shock now has fresh seals
Tires are Michelin comp
The rear swing arm has been upgraded to a carbon fiber one

$650

27.5 lbs