Suggestions for a decent mtb?

[mxmark4]

Looking to add a real mtb to the fold here. Dropper post and fork lockout would be nice, not particularly loyal to any certain brand but tend to shy away from trek because of the infighting with greg lemond. Any suggestions? Not sure if I would want 29er or 27.5 and what I gain/lose from each one? What you got budget under 2k.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Huh? I have had a Trek EX9 full suspension since 2015. Great bike. Dont lnow what your refer8mg to Greg Lemond, that has nothing to do with their mtb's.

 

[Big Kahuna]

27.5 is better for tight woods and downhill riding. 29 works well in all other types. Rocky and rooty areas the 29er's flow over roots and rocks....i have a Niner (29" hardtail and EX9 full susp. 27.5.

 

[mikidymac]

I have always had Specialized bikes for me an my family and couldn't be happier with every aspect of them. I am not up on the newest models but love my full suspension Stumpjumper. As far as the 29" vs. 27.5, I could never get used to the feel of the 29, just felt too big and goofy since I have been on 26 for over 30 years.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Wheel size has its place, when I was looking at my Trek, I test road a Stumpy FSR that was Large, It felt way too big, a friend had Med and they were way cramped feeling. I have always liked Specialized but their fit is just a bit weird for me.

 

[user_error]

I have a Kona Process 165 that I really like. You should be able to find a slightly used one for under 2k. For my next bike purchase I will go with a YT Capra. They do not have a dealer network and must be ordered via website, but if you know what specs you like they are a great deal for a quality bike with nice components. You can get a brand new base model Capra for approximately $2700 to your door.

 

[Ducky]

budget will be limiting factor, so you might want to look at used bikes on PinkBike.com or some other MTB forum. There are tonnnns of good bikes out there. I've had a Kona and now ride a Transition Scout, and I love it. I started with a 29er, but went down to a 27.5 because it was a little more playful.

You should consider what type of trails you be riding, as you'll want to consider that to choose your bike. For example, the Kona Process 165 mentioned above is a solid bike! But it has a lot of travel that is better suited for big mountain and downhill riding. My transition scout probably has too much travel for most of my local trails.

Whatever bike you get, if you end up liking to ride a lot, you'll catch the upgrade fever quick! Good luck!

 

[MTRHEAD]

Looking to add a real mtb to the fold here. Dropper post and fork lockout would be nice, not particularly loyal to any certain brand but tend to shy away from trek because of the infighting with greg lemond. Any suggestions? Not sure if I would want 29er or 27.5 and what I gain/lose from each one? What you got budget under 2k.

Where do you live and ride? Totally determines style bike

 

[Big Kahuna]

Where do you live and ride? Totally determines style bike

He is in Eastern Tennessee. Just a good "Trail" bike will be perfect (Full Suspension).

 

[Vumad]

I have a 2009 FSR Enduro with 6" fox full suspension.

My wife has a 20...15ish? Giant anthem 27.5 with 4" of rock shock suspension.

My buddy had a 20...15ish? Specialized FSR stumpjumper 29er full suspension with an upgraded front fork.

My buddy above got rid of his stump jumper FSR after getting a FLX full suspension electric mountain bike. He got FLX when it was new to market, they cost about double now.

All have been great bikes. My favorite wheelsize for Florida is the 27.5. My Enduro suspension is by far the plushest but I did ride in GA some in the mountains and don't prefer the 26 wheel despite the suspension. A good electric mid drive is definitely worth the consideration. The FLX isn't my favorite of the bunch but being able to ride 25 miles instead of 15 in a day is pretty awesome.

Disclaimer: I am not a very talented, knowledgable or experienced rider. I have an enduro because I started biking after I hurt my back and the suspension was supportive of the change. I'd rather ride my SuperJet.

 

[Wfo35]

There are a ton of different bikes that each fit a specific function. What is your intent? Tame trails? Gnarly dh? I raced enduro with 160mm front and 140mm rear travel carbon intense 27.5 wheels. I now have a 160/165mm travel carbon intense. I love the 29ers

 

[tipafew]

I upgraded a couple of years ago and was looking to spend around the same budget. I ended up with a great deal on a used carbon Specialized.
I definitely lean toward 29er.
In a hardtail you will find that the Santa Cruz Chameleon gets great reviews and is hard to beat.
For full Suspension, one that kept popping up with good reviews in my research was the Marin Rift Zone.
Others were Trek EX5 and Giant Stance with 29's.
For sure check with your local shops and see what they have.

 

[mxmark4]

We have some amazing trails here in knoxville. I am wanting to do some of the more technical stuff with jumps, i have done a few of these trails on my old gravel which was a touring type roadie with knobbies and centerpull brakes. I was on the brakes hard because these trails are really fast with big tabletops in them. Sketchy to say the least! I want a good frame and decent fork as those seem to be the biggest cost items. The rest of it I can upgrade as I go. Was lookin pretty hard at a lightly used specialized fuse comp fattie. But dude is askin more than I think a 4 year old bike is worth. I rode a new full suspension diamondback the other day but wasnt super impressed with it. Theres so much out there its just a lot to take in. The shop where I got my giant also sells ibis and santa cruz bikes. They just dont have anything in stock. Craigslist is wiped out around here as well. Almost considered just goin all in and getting a sur ron but thats cheating !

 

[Big Kahuna]

You interested in an 26" Full Suspension Specialized? Close friend passed away a few months ago. I know his wife is going to want me to help sell them. He has 2. Either A Pro or Expert, other is step down, It has the Brain Shock on it. It is older. But in good shape, not been ridden in 6 or 7 years I dont think.

 

[Quinc]

check out the Sur-Ron. /thread

 

[Wfo35]

We have some amazing trails here in knoxville. I am wanting to do some of the more technical stuff with jumps, i have done a few of these trails on my old gravel which was a touring type roadie with knobbies and centerpull brakes. I was on the brakes hard because these trails are really fast with big tabletops in them. Sketchy to say the least! I want a good frame and decent fork as those seem to be the biggest cost items. The rest of it I can upgrade as I go. Was lookin pretty hard at a lightly used specialized fuse comp fattie. But dude is askin more than I think a 4 year old bike is worth. I rode a new full suspension diamondback the other day but wasnt super impressed with it. Theres so much out there its just a lot to take in. The shop where I got my giant also sells ibis and santa cruz bikes. They just dont have anything in stock. Craigslist is wiped out around here as well. Almost considered just goin all in and getting a sur ron but thats cheating !

Santa Cruz bikes are top notch!! I would go with them! I have their carbon wheels on my intense because of the lifetime warranty.

 

[mxmark4]

You interested in an 26" Full Suspension Specialized? Close friend passed away a few months ago. I know his wife is going to want me to help sell them. He has 2. Either A Pro or Expert, other is step down, It has the Brain Shock on it. It is older. But in good shape, not been ridden in 6 or 7 years I dont think.

I guess I might take a look. If the price is right I may jump on it. I never had a problem riding a 26 in bike before. Not sure why I need a 29er now. We have an amazing pump track downtown as part of the south knoxville bike park. i want to build a 24 ir 26 in bmx/dirt jump style bike for that, have most of the parts to do it. But I hate to think I have to take two bikes to ride down there.

 

[Alex Barker]

I got the new santa cruz carbon chameleon, its my first real mtb but i like it so far!

 

[mxmark4]

Looked at a marin rift zone today at the bike shop. Full suspension, but not a lot of stuff other than that kinda a bare bones fs bike. Also looked at an almost new excalibur 9 trek a buddy has. He wants what he oaid for it new so thats out. Had a buddy send me some links for a Di Vinci hardtail starts at 1299for deore the slx version is 1699 with a better fork. Looks like a lot of bike, made in Canada eh, and had some pretty good reviews. Their fs bike was like 2199 and seemed to have equally good reviews. Gonna wait a couple weeks and see whats out there

 

[Ducky]

Looked at a marin rift zone today at the bike shop. Full suspension, but not a lot of stuff other than that kinda a bare bones fs bike. Also looked at an almost new excalibur 9 trek a buddy has. He wants what he oaid for it new so thats out. Had a buddy send me some links for a Di Vinci hardtail starts at 1299for deore the slx version is 1699 with a better fork. Looks like a lot of bike, made in Canada eh, and had some pretty good reviews. Their fs bike was like 2199 and seemed to have equally good reviews. Gonna wait a couple weeks and see whats out there

I have a friend that loves his Devinci's.....he lives up in Asheville and rides big mountain trails weekly. They are top notch.