Any mountain bikers in here?

R

Ron Burgandy

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if you had about $1500-2000 for a budget, would you go nice hardtail or a "budget" full suspension. 100% midwest singletrack riding.

Coming from an entry level TREK with 26" wheels, rim brakes..

been eyeballing the Giant Stance 1 bike for awhile.


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I vote for either a nice new hardtail at that price, or a used full suspension bike- if you know what to look for when buying used.

It also depends on what type of trails are most fun for you, and if you're racing or riding for fun and adventure.

If you go hardtail I'd recommend a 29er since the bigger wheels roll over rocks easier/faster than a 27.5" wheel. Plus modern geometry (short chainstays with longer top tubes) makes 29er hardtails much more fun to ride than bikes from a few years ago.

Another question is what do your friends ride? Get something similar so you'll be on a level playing field. For example, don't get a long travel trail bike if all of your riding buddies are on XC race bikes (or vice versa).
 
Going to put my vote in for a nice used full suspension. After working at a bike shop that sells the Stance and riding other full suspensions, the Stance will leave you wanting more in every way. I would look at a used Trek Remedy or Fuel EX. The BuySell section of Pinkbike.com has some awesome postings right now too.
 
It kinda depends on what and where you ride. Until I moved - Austin really needed full suspension on most trails. I would get a full suspension knowing you can upgrade compnents over time
 
I live in Northern CA - amazing mtb trails for 100's of miles. Started on a hardtail and stuck with it since I'm mainly a roadie and love to climb. Got talked into a 4" travel (least amount you want) VERY light/stiff full squish Trek and it was not only more comfortable, I got measurably faster climbing and descending due to gaining confidence and not getting feeling like I was getting bucked off my bike.

Get yourself a full suspension and never look back!

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Used full suspension. Check with LBS on geometry to best fit your riding style and ability first. If you are new, you want a slacker angle. I have been riding trails for 25 years, had dozens of bikes and just got a new trek fuel ex 8 27.5+. My current hard tail is the trek Stache 8 29+. Once you go plus it's tough.to go back to 2.2's or 2.3's.
 
I'd look for a used full suspension. Last year I got a great deal on a Cannondale Habit SE off of Ebay. It was a barely used demo model from......Florida! Who needs full suspension in Floriduh?
 
Used FS. Can't go wrong and you'll have money to spare. I used to ride a small 2011 Giant Reign X1 but that frame design is really picky with a dropper post now I ride a medium 2011 SX Trail II everywhere. Even though it's way heavier @ 36-38#'s I still beat 90% of my buddies uphill. Try pinkbike or eBay
 
I would also go for a budget full-suspension bike. Its the way down thats fun, and then you can always try rougher trails when you feel confident enough.
 
There is always the possibility to boy two second hand bikes, one hardtail and one downhill etc for shutteling and resort cycling.
 
Well I bought this. I paid $850 for it, it's a raleigh Kodiak 2. RockShox rear shock, suntour air fork,and NX 1x11 drivetrain. It's a 27.5"+ bike so we will see how that goes. So far it's been a riot, a little on the heavy side but it's also a $850 bike. i'll be riding it for 2 summers and putting money away until I get enough for a carbon FS.
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Ron Burgandy said:
Well I bought this. I paid $850 for it, it's a raleigh Kodiak 2. RockShox rear shock, suntour air fork,and NX 1x11 drivetrain. It's a 27.5"+ bike so we will see how that goes. So far it's been a riot, a little on the heavy side but it's also a $850 bike. i'll be riding it for 2 summers and putting money away until I get enough for a carbon FS.
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Sound decision.
Congrats.
 
hikenbike said:
Been eye balling this for a while now........anyone with thoughts or experience?.......

Ibis Mojo HD4 review (updated) - Mtbr.com

| Jenson USA


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Nice bike! Probably a little much bike for me though.

I feel I am a decent rider overall, but I absolutely know my limitations. Having a bike that is better than I am is just sort of useless haha. For example, if you give a local dirt track car racer an F1 car could he take it to it's limit? No way. The only guys who can do that with an F1 car are doing it now. Same with bikes, and that bike is above my limit. Sometimes I think my limit is a Schwinn 3 speed three wheeled bike with a basket.

I just got a Trek FuelEX 8 27.5+. I can push it but I definitely think in the right hands it could go much faster than I can take it. The Stache 8 hardtail I ride is about my limit, but we'll see on the FuelEX. There are some bikes I admire but are way over my ability.
 
Ron Burgandy said:
if you had about $1500-2000 for a budget, would you go nice hardtail or a "budget" full suspension. 100% midwest singletrack riding.

Coming from an entry level TREK with 26" wheels, rim brakes..

been eyeballing the Giant Stance 1 bike for awhile.


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If single track's your jam I'd look for a well taken care of Specialized M2 Stumpjumper hard tail and kit it out. Super light, responsive and tons of fun.

On the other end of the spectrum I think you can get pretty good used full suspensions for $2k. Santa Cruz Superlights, Ibis Mojos and of course older Stumpjumpers.
 
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