$500 is close call as the money in the disc is money they did not use elsewhere. I think you should evaluate the bikes you like at $500 and use disc as one factor. At $500 I would look for upgraded components.

At $800 you start to get a lot more disc.

Yes you will get disc on $500 bikes and you will get full suspension but that does not mean it was the best use of money.

Consider used if you know bicycles. I have picked up $1200 retail bikes used in greats shape for $400. Some of the best deals are not disc as you get people that traded up to disc.

Also look for year end sales.

$500 is close call as the money in the disc is money they did not use elsewhere. I think you should evaluate the bikes you like at $500 and use disc as one factor. At $500 I would look for upgraded components.

At $800 you start to get a lot more disc.

Yes you will get disc on $500 bikes and you will get full suspension but that does not mean it was the best use of money.

Consider used if you know bicycles. I have picked up $1200 retail bikes used in great shape for $400. Some of the best deals are not disc as you get people that traded up to disc.

Also look for year end sales.

Good answer from Batman but I do like disc brakes on a road bike. At $500 disc brakes is probably not the best use of money but at $800 I would look for disc. I really like disc. Nice touch and good stopping power even in the rain. At $1000 like the SIRRUS ELITE DISC but that is clearly past your budget. Cyclocross are great fitness bikes and have disc. There you do find a lot of used as many racers will upgrade every two years. There you can get a $2000 retail bike for $800 but you take a risk of crash (bent) bike. Again past your $500. At $500 you are not going to get much past a good basic bike. But it is still a big step up from a department store bike.

$500 is close call as the money in the disc is money they did not use elsewhere. I think you should evaluate the bikes you like at $500 and use disc as one factor. At $500 I would look for upgraded components.

At $800 you start to get a lot more disc.

Yes you will get disc on $500 bikes and you will get full suspension but that does not mean it was the best use of money.

Consider used if you know bicycles. I have picked $1200 retail bikes used in greats shape for $400. Some of the best deals are not disc as you get people that traded up to disc.

Also look for year end sales.

$500 is close call as the money in the disc is money they did not use elsewhere. I think you should evaluate the bikes you like at $500 and use disc as one factor. At $500 I would look for upgraded components.

At $800 you start to get a lot more disc.

Yes you will get disc on $500 bikes and you will get full suspension but that does not mean it was the best use of money.

Consider used if you know bicycles. I have picked up $1200 retail bikes used in greats shape for $400. Some of the best deals are not disc as you get people that traded up to disc.

Also look for year end sales.