Help deciding on a MTB
#1
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Help deciding on a MTB
Hey All, I find myself itching to purchase a mountain bike after not owning one since I was in my early 20's and not truly riding one since my teens. Man I feel old I have visited my local shops, and was able to test ride a few. I am still undecided.
A little history, my last MTB was a 1996 Specialized Rockhopper with front suspension. I beat that bike up....kept it until I over estimated my ability's to jump rocks and cracked the BB.....that being said I currently can not decide if I should go with the Giant Fathom 1 or Fathom 2 in 27.5 or 29....I like the group sets on both....Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions for me? As for my how I would be riding, I would be riding mostly local bike paths and light trail riding until I 'bond' with the bike so to speak....don't initially want to go full bore....I'd like o be able to take the bike just about anywhere within the realm of it's purpose. Thanks in advance.
A little history, my last MTB was a 1996 Specialized Rockhopper with front suspension. I beat that bike up....kept it until I over estimated my ability's to jump rocks and cracked the BB.....that being said I currently can not decide if I should go with the Giant Fathom 1 or Fathom 2 in 27.5 or 29....I like the group sets on both....Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions for me? As for my how I would be riding, I would be riding mostly local bike paths and light trail riding until I 'bond' with the bike so to speak....don't initially want to go full bore....I'd like o be able to take the bike just about anywhere within the realm of it's purpose. Thanks in advance.
#2
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They are really much the same, with the same frame, fork, wheels and tires. I don't see anything more objectionable about the cheaper one. The Crest fork looks ok (equivalent to a "Gold" level Rock Shox, top of their bottom end before the premium forks) but it doesn't seem to have the home maintenance support that RS and Fox do.
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#3
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I was thinking the same things. What do you mean by Home maintenance support?
#4
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He is meaning, the low end forks tend be treated as throwaways. The high end forks can be serviced and possibly last longer. I have been riding since your Rockhopper was new and rigid forks still work. The only bike I have with a suspension fork is my jump bike. It hasn't been ridden since the jump park closed.
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Hey All, I find myself itching to purchase a mountain bike after not owning one since I was in my early 20's and not truly riding one since my teens. Man I feel old I have visited my local shops, and was able to test ride a few. I am still undecided.
A little history, my last MTB was a 1996 Specialized Rockhopper with front suspension. I beat that bike up....kept it until I over estimated my ability's to jump rocks and cracked the BB.....that being said I currently can not decide if I should go with the Giant Fathom 1 or Fathom 2 in 27.5 or 29....I like the group sets on both....Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions for me? As for my how I would be riding, I would be riding mostly local bike paths and light trail riding until I 'bond' with the bike so to speak....don't initially want to go full bore....I'd like o be able to take the bike just about anywhere within the realm of it's purpose. Thanks in advance.
A little history, my last MTB was a 1996 Specialized Rockhopper with front suspension. I beat that bike up....kept it until I over estimated my ability's to jump rocks and cracked the BB.....that being said I currently can not decide if I should go with the Giant Fathom 1 or Fathom 2 in 27.5 or 29....I like the group sets on both....Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions for me? As for my how I would be riding, I would be riding mostly local bike paths and light trail riding until I 'bond' with the bike so to speak....don't initially want to go full bore....I'd like o be able to take the bike just about anywhere within the realm of it's purpose. Thanks in advance.
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-03-21 at 01:45 PM.
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#8
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On this bike specifically I'd get the 29er. The ride height is pretty low (60mm drop)
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Genesis 49:16-17
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#10
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Normally I would say buy the nicest bike you can but if the choice is between these two I would actually go with the 2 only because it has Shimano in particular the new Deore 12 speed. Not really a SRAM fan (aside from their brake levers) though I do have an RS fork and lots of ZIPP stuff so not totally opposed and honestly the SRAM MTB stuff isn't bad at all. However I would say the 1 does have better Shimano brakes (not by a huge margin but decent enough). However personally a press fit bike is not one I would purchase give me threaded or just don't. I know there are plenty of fine Press fit bbs and if the tolerance is right and all that but I still like a good threaded bb and that just won't change for me.
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#11
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veganbikes This may be a noob question but could I change the bb to threaded?
#12
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veganbikes This may be a noob question but could I change the bb to threaded?
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That would not be a deciding factor for me.
This year, anyhow, I think the deciding factor would be what's in stock when you've got the money.
This year, anyhow, I think the deciding factor would be what's in stock when you've got the money.
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-05-21 at 09:42 PM.
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#14
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veganbikes Thank you for the explanation
#15
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Thank you everyone for all of the input. The current market is truly tough. I feel fortunate to have found a bike in general. I had hoped to get a FS, but someone bought the last one in my size before I got to the shop I ended up going with a Fathom 1, 29. After picking it up, had a little fun at the park with my 8 year old son, felt like a kid again bunny hopping sometimes unsuccessfully up and down curbs...really impressed my son
I'm looking forward to getting some trail time in soon. With any luck, maybe next year I can get my hands on a FS.
I'm looking forward to getting some trail time in soon. With any luck, maybe next year I can get my hands on a FS.
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