Originally Posted by
HerrKaLeun
There are 100,000 26" bikes on CL for dirt cheap. You can just outfit them any way you want (many have disc brakes too). I think the only thing they don't offer is through-axle (but no hybrids I know have TA anyway). If for some reason I would like 26", I never would buy new.
I have three 26" bikes at home. Retrofitting them with disc brakes will not be cost effective. I'd spend half as much as a new bike, and it just wouldn't be worth it to me.
Originally Posted by
HerrKaLeun
The used market for 29"/700c is basically empty (probably the same for 27.5") and/or highly overpriced.
That about describes the local market here.
I am going to look at the Specialized Roll today; my local bike shop sells these and has a number of them on the sales floor. If I don't take a Roll home, I'll drive the 70 miles to see the Giant ARX tomorrow. I'll ask both shops about equivalent 29ers, but I would still want a rigid fork. At nearly twice the price of the ARX, the Toughroad is more than I care to spend right now, but it's the type of 29er bike I'd want if I went to that tire size. Unfortunately, this is a segment where marketing spin is strong, and rigid 29ers are often marketed as "ADVENTURE!" or "BIKEPACKING!" bikes. In reality, I just want a simple rigid frame bike with a cassette and hydraulic disc brakes and some frame clearance for larger section tires. At only $500, the 27.5" ARX checks all of those boxes. The Roll does, too, but it's a steeper $700 for the equipment I want. I have a very good relationship with my local Specialized dealer, so maybe they can work with me some on the price of a new Roll, if I like it.
A Specialized Cirrus Disc could work, but it comes with only 32mm wide tires. I want at least 50% wider than that, and I'm sure the Cirrus frame won't support it. Great deal at only $560, though. Or the Giant Escape Disc...a little pricier at $695, but it still comes with only 32mm tires (and probably not the frame clearance for 50mm).
Unfortunately, the only other options I seem to have, in a 622mm wheel, is something like a Surly Ogre or Troll or Bridge Club, and I'm back up in Giant Toughroad price range. Nice bikes for sure...but more than I'd like to spend.
If you have a suggestion of a all-rigid 29er in the $500-600 price range that will meet my criteria, I'd happily consider it. Seems that one can buy a hybrid with a suspension fork for this price all day long. But rigid forks now seem to be relegated to the "ADVENTURE!" category, with spendier prices.