Hi y'all,
I'm a decent (intermediate-plus) recreational rider who's been riding for a many years but for the last 9 years, I've been raising two young kids and only riding a few times a year. Have been using a 2003 FS Rockhopper 26" which has given me a good ride but is on its last legs. And I'm hoping to ride more and ready to buy a new bike.
I'm not racing and speed isn't my particular focus - I love riding up hills, love being in the woods, love figuring out how to get down tricky stuff in one piece.
I think my budget is probably $1000 max and maybe I could stretch a bit beyond that. I bought a road bike from BikesDirect and found it to be a good way to "extend" my budget beyond what I could buy locally. So I've looked there first.
I was originally looking at low-end FS bikes but was convinced that at this price range, I should really buy a hardtail. And I think for my needs, a hardtail should be fine. (It's where I started, after all).
I came across this Motobecane
Motobecane Fantom 29 Shimano XT M8000 1x11
Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - Motobecane Fantom 29 Shimano XT M8000 1x11 SRAM NX 1x11, WTB TCS Tubeless Compatible 29er Mountain Bikes
Which seems like it has decent components for the price (?). I saw some comments that the frame geometry is somewhat outdated but I don't know enough to really evaluate that. Should I be concerned?
I also thought about this one:
Motobecane NEW Fantom Boost ELITE
Save Up to 60% Off Plus FREE SHIP 48 STATES ON ALL BICYCLES FREE SHIP* Motobecane NEW Fantom Boost ELITE NEW 27.5 PLUS Wheel Bicycles, Fat Bikes, Boost Mountain Bikes
I rode a friend's (much much nicer) bike with 2.75" tires and it was amazing how it flowed over rocks and other obstacles. I gather this isn't ideal for high-speed cornering but I don't honestly corner that fast... Obviously the components are crappier but maybe good enough?
Or are there other hardtails in the price range I should be looking at?
Advice would be super awesome. Thank you!
j