Wilmingtech

Which would you go with?

Cannondale Scalpel si 5 (alloy)

Or

Felt Edict 3 (Carbon)

Components are replaceable mostly looking at the frame of each.

Which way would you go and why?

Thanks.

-Sean

qclabrat

both are solid XC bikes with steep headtubes based on today's standards
What types of parks are you planning to ride?
Can't tell you which one is better for you, but I'd take the carbon if money was not a factor
Have you ridden either?

Wilmingtech

This would be my first mountain bike purchase. I bought my son (11) a mountain bike this past year and he loves it. I follow along with him on my gravel bike but I'm seeing that we could have a bit more fun if I went for a mountain bike. I live in the mountains (in the valley between Rainier and St. Helen's) and there are tons of trails here.

Have not yet looked at doing parks, but I am sure it would be soon after.

Thanks for the feedback. I have not ridden either bike. It would most likely be an online purchase (being in the mountains the nearest Bike store is 1-2 hours away)

-Sean

qclabrat

sorry, by park, I didn't mean DH or pump tracks
Living in the PNW, I'd think you'd want more of a trail or all mountain bike with more travel
See if you can do a day trip to a park (single track) with bike demo day to figure what type of bike you really want. A lot of new mtbrs I see go with an XC bike but find out quickly they want something with more travel. From my experience, unless you race or have relatively flat trails, a plusher bike will have less limits. Look at bikes closer to 130mm of travel, there a lots of choices out there including Cannondales and Felts.