Newbie - Hardtail questions
08-04-18, 11:43 PM
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Newbie - Hardtail questions
Just starting to investigate hardtail possibilities, some questions.
Given $800-$1100 budget...
What are some of the better forks on bikes in that range?
What are some othe components?
Pros/cons of 27.5 wheel size?
Pros/cons of 29er ?
What are benefits of +size of each?
Other comments welcomed....
Thanks in advance !
Given $800-$1100 budget...
What are some of the better forks on bikes in that range?
What are some othe components?
Pros/cons of 27.5 wheel size?
Pros/cons of 29er ?
What are benefits of +size of each?
Other comments welcomed....
Thanks in advance !
08-05-18, 04:39 AM
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Trek Roscoe 8. great components for the $$ might get a deal on '18's right now it's 27+ that can also fit 29ner wheels if you want to switch back and forth.
27+ has the same outside diameter as 29. the wide tires are really grippy and monster truck stuff like crazy. They are heavier but provide pretty good bump absorption , at least for a hard tail.
29 is fast and rolls uphill nice. if you are racing it is prob the way to go. for me it feels like you are kinda high off the bike but i'm short 5'7 other people love it.
27+ has the same outside diameter as 29. the wide tires are really grippy and monster truck stuff like crazy. They are heavier but provide pretty good bump absorption , at least for a hard tail.
29 is fast and rolls uphill nice. if you are racing it is prob the way to go. for me it feels like you are kinda high off the bike but i'm short 5'7 other people love it.
08-05-18, 11:16 AM
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The thing to look for in a fork is full air spring. I prefer Fox forks, but other brands work fine. Both my bikes have RockShox forks as that is what came with the package I wanted. 27.5 vs 29 vs plus size, is all about feel. If you can test ride a couple to see what feels the best to you, it would be a good thing. Generally 27.5 will allow for quicker acceleration, quicker steering and a more playful feel. 29ers generally will hold speed better and roll over rough terrain better. 27.5+ still feel quick in the steering, but being taller (usually same height as a 29) roll over terrain better, but can feel less precise. It can feel like you just can't put the front tire exactly where you want to, but being softer and wider, for fun/play riding it often doesn't matter. I have never ridden a 29+. But dfferent brand frame setups can totally change the feel, so test riding or better yet, find a fat tire festival that does demos, and try a bunch of bikes.
I prefer 27.5 not plus, but one of the most fun bikes to ride I ever demoed was a Cannondale Bad Habit 27.5+ FS bike. The whole ride I kept missing my lines and running over stuff, but it didn't matter the bike geometry and plus tires just kept going, and I had a smile the whole time.
I prefer 27.5 not plus, but one of the most fun bikes to ride I ever demoed was a Cannondale Bad Habit 27.5+ FS bike. The whole ride I kept missing my lines and running over stuff, but it didn't matter the bike geometry and plus tires just kept going, and I had a smile the whole time.
08-05-18, 12:45 PM
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1. Go to your LBS and rent/demo/test ride some bikes in your price range
2. Use the "search" function
3. This - Giant Fathom 2
2. Use the "search" function
3. This - Giant Fathom 2
08-05-18, 02:35 PM
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1. Go to your LBS and rent/demo/test ride some bikes in your price range
2. Use the "search" function
3. This - Giant Fathom 2
2. Use the "search" function
3. This - Giant Fathom 2
agree with the demo's though.. I rode a ton at NEMBA Fest and a few others after that.
08-05-18, 02:43 PM
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I bought this for $800; it has served me well. https://www.performancebike.com/shop...lusive-31-7055 Though I wish I got a bike with remote lockout.
08-05-18, 07:42 PM
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08-05-18, 08:10 PM
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Axle/ Hub spacing
https://enve.com/journal/what-the-boost/
https://enve.com/journal/what-the-boost/
08-27-18, 12:52 PM
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1.GT Pantera Comp Hardtail Mountain Bike
2. trek roscoe 8 hardtail
this 2 bike i better i think. This bikes are in your budget bike. you can buy it. dear it's my personal opinion.
09-02-18, 10:40 PM
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09-03-18, 06:19 AM
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Most bikes that price range will probably have a Rockshox Recon.
Look for boost spacing and tapered steerer, and a 1x drivetrain. Also look for a modern geometry, ideally a head angle of 68 degrees or lower, shortish chainstays (you'll have to research actual #'s), longish reach, and a short stem 50mm or shorter.
Salsa timerjack
Santa Cruz Chemeleon
Whyte
Nukeproof
IMO I would rather have a bike with good geometry and a Rochshox 30 than bad geometry. You can upgrade the fork, but not the geometry.
Edit: Roscoe looks good, but not sure why they recommend the 8 when 7 is in your price range and comes with a Judy fork. Me personally, I would up size by one (i'm 6'0 but would get 21.5) and drop stem to a 35mm.
Look for boost spacing and tapered steerer, and a 1x drivetrain. Also look for a modern geometry, ideally a head angle of 68 degrees or lower, shortish chainstays (you'll have to research actual #'s), longish reach, and a short stem 50mm or shorter.
Salsa timerjack
Santa Cruz Chemeleon
Whyte
Nukeproof
IMO I would rather have a bike with good geometry and a Rochshox 30 than bad geometry. You can upgrade the fork, but not the geometry.
Edit: Roscoe looks good, but not sure why they recommend the 8 when 7 is in your price range and comes with a Judy fork. Me personally, I would up size by one (i'm 6'0 but would get 21.5) and drop stem to a 35mm.
Last edited by JonnyVain; 09-03-18 at 06:25 AM.
09-09-18, 07:47 PM
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Most bikes that price range will probably have a Rockshox Recon.
Look for boost spacing and tapered steerer, and a 1x drivetrain. Also look for a modern geometry, ideally a head angle of 68 degrees or lower, shortish chainstays (you'll have to research actual #'s), longish reach, and a short stem 50mm or shorter.
Salsa timerjack
Santa Cruz Chemeleon
Whyte
Nukeproof
IMO I would rather have a bike with good geometry and a Rochshox 30 than bad geometry. You can upgrade the fork, but not the geometry.
Edit: Roscoe looks good, but not sure why they recommend the 8 when 7 is in your price range and comes with a Judy fork. Me personally, I would up size by one (i'm 6'0 but would get 21.5) and drop stem to a 35mm.
Look for boost spacing and tapered steerer, and a 1x drivetrain. Also look for a modern geometry, ideally a head angle of 68 degrees or lower, shortish chainstays (you'll have to research actual #'s), longish reach, and a short stem 50mm or shorter.
Salsa timerjack
Santa Cruz Chemeleon
Whyte
Nukeproof
IMO I would rather have a bike with good geometry and a Rochshox 30 than bad geometry. You can upgrade the fork, but not the geometry.
Edit: Roscoe looks good, but not sure why they recommend the 8 when 7 is in your price range and comes with a Judy fork. Me personally, I would up size by one (i'm 6'0 but would get 21.5) and drop stem to a 35mm.
Thanks for the input. Still haven’t bought one yet. Good point about the geometry. I’ll have a look at Roscoe 7 with that in mind, as well as shorter stem.
09-17-18, 01:33 PM
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I am in the same boat as you and am down to two via mail order. I am about sixty miles from the closest LBS and I did go look, but I didn't find much under 1K. However for mail order check out the Breezer Storm Expert at Performance and the Orbea Alma at Jensen. Those two are leading for me in hardtails on a budget right now.
09-19-18, 01:34 PM
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Alot of great inputs here! I always suggest to ride what tickles you. A bike that works for some people may not work for you. It's all about preference and budget. Usually, you first get attracted to the bike brand and model you like (considering your budget). Once you determine this, try to demo it if all possible before buying, then pull the trigger if you feel like the bike is a match to your style of riding and trails you're going to ride.
09-19-18, 06:45 PM
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I got a 2019 Giant Fathom 29 1 recently, liking it so far. I’m new to mtb so not too sure about the specs. It was 20% off so I kinda impulse-bought.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/fathom-29-1
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/fathom-29-1
Last edited by socalscalatore; 09-19-18 at 07:05 PM.
09-23-18, 07:12 PM
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Thanks to everyone for the great input ! After extensive research based primarily on the input from everyone, and test riding several models, I bought a Trek Roscoe 7. I’m loving it! Thanks again...
09-24-18, 04:54 PM
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A nice thing about the Roscoe is that is has slacker trail bike geometry, whereas a lot of entry level hard tails have XC type steep geo, which means you essentially end up with a heavy bike that’s terrifying to descend on: the worst of both worlds. Fortunately manufacturers are starting to move away from that a bit.
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