Looking for new MTB
12-26-18, 06:24 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Looking for new MTB
Been looking to replace a rigid Specialized Hardrock Sport, and came upon this:
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom29_elite_xvi.htm
This bike is a hardtail, and looks like it has an awesome spec, but I'd like to get some other opinions on it.
Also, I'm wondering if I should get a full suspension bike instead? The bike will be used for 90% single track, but will probably see a bunch of 20-60 mi gravel rides too. Any thoughts? I really need some kind of suspension esp for single track, been feeling a bit beat up after riding rigid.
Dave
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom29_elite_xvi.htm
This bike is a hardtail, and looks like it has an awesome spec, but I'd like to get some other opinions on it.
Also, I'm wondering if I should get a full suspension bike instead? The bike will be used for 90% single track, but will probably see a bunch of 20-60 mi gravel rides too. Any thoughts? I really need some kind of suspension esp for single track, been feeling a bit beat up after riding rigid.
Dave
12-27-18, 08:16 AM
#2
Senior Member
Full suspension won’t be very fun on 20-60 mile gravel rides. I would keep your hard tail for those.
Head to your LBS and look at some full suspension there and see what they recommend. You should be able to get a good deal on last year’s models.
Head to your LBS and look at some full suspension there and see what they recommend. You should be able to get a good deal on last year’s models.
12-28-18, 07:29 AM
#3
Senior Member
Motobecane HTs are nice bikes, my son has one. But if you are wanting FS, even the best HT will probably not satisfy that urge. And I ride FS all the time, even on gravel and pavement. Just add some air to stiffen the shock and add air to the tires if it feels too soft. One of the least expensive FS bikes I would recommend is the Giant Stance 2. I still have my 2015 Stance and I use it for gravel and pavement. I now have an enduro bike for single track. But as was said, check bike shops to see what left over bikes they have on sale.
12-28-18, 08:18 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The bike you're interested in falls into two categories: (1) old school and (2) old, old school. There's a reason it's deeply discounted. PASS.
BD has other bikes that aren't so long in the tooth and that represent a good value. I would encourage you to look closely at those.
BD has other bikes that aren't so long in the tooth and that represent a good value. I would encourage you to look closely at those.
12-30-18, 02:16 PM
#5
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Absolutely right. To save a lot of money, it is every time a good deal with last year's models. I did the same in the past.
12-31-18, 02:40 AM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Porford, Oregon
Posts: 21
Bikes: BF Pakit, Early 90s Merlin road bike, Marin Hawk Hill 2,some old Cannondales & Fuji road bikes
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I just bought a full suspension bike - I had been using a Schwinn High Sierra no-suspension bike I got in the 1980s. I'm 60ish now and my back needs the full suspension. I'm gone with the Schwinn.
Performance Bike's retail shops are apparently going out of business. I got a 2019 Marin Hawk Hill 2 discounted to $1350. It's a great bike right out of the box. I wouldn't look forward to 60+ miles of road road pedaling on it, but more because of those fat soft Scwhalbe Hans Damph tires than the suspension. It doesn't bob much and it's easy to change settings on the trail. The bike just feels "plush". I like it.
There is a lot of new technology! Wow. I love the disc brakes and the dropper seat post and the single front ring and the way the shifter works (push-push) and the notion of tubeless tires and the ... "Boost spacing"? "Thruaxle"? I had no idea what those terms meant.
The 29er tires look good. The Marin came with 27.5, which seem fine to me. I was riding 26".
Performance Bike's retail shops are apparently going out of business. I got a 2019 Marin Hawk Hill 2 discounted to $1350. It's a great bike right out of the box. I wouldn't look forward to 60+ miles of road road pedaling on it, but more because of those fat soft Scwhalbe Hans Damph tires than the suspension. It doesn't bob much and it's easy to change settings on the trail. The bike just feels "plush". I like it.
There is a lot of new technology! Wow. I love the disc brakes and the dropper seat post and the single front ring and the way the shifter works (push-push) and the notion of tubeless tires and the ... "Boost spacing"? "Thruaxle"? I had no idea what those terms meant.
The 29er tires look good. The Marin came with 27.5, which seem fine to me. I was riding 26".
Last edited by tamnalan; 12-31-18 at 03:00 AM.
12-31-18, 07:13 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just bought a full suspension bike - I had been using a Schwinn High Sierra no-suspension bike I got in the 1980s. I'm 60ish now and my back needs the full suspension. I'm gone with the Schwinn.
Performance Bike's retail shops are apparently going out of business. I got a 2019 Marin Hawk Hill 2 discounted to $1350. It's a great bike right out of the box. I wouldn't look forward to 60+ miles of road road pedaling on it, but more because of those fat soft Scwhalbe Hans Damph tires than the suspension. It doesn't bob much and it's easy to change settings on the trail. The bike just feels "plush". I like it.
There is a lot of new technology! Wow. I love the disc brakes and the dropper seat post and the single front ring and the way the shifter works (push-push) and the notion of tubeless tires and the ... "Boost spacing"? "Thruaxle"? I had no idea what those terms meant.
The 29er tires look good. The Marin came with 27.5, which seem fine to me. I was riding 26".
Performance Bike's retail shops are apparently going out of business. I got a 2019 Marin Hawk Hill 2 discounted to $1350. It's a great bike right out of the box. I wouldn't look forward to 60+ miles of road road pedaling on it, but more because of those fat soft Scwhalbe Hans Damph tires than the suspension. It doesn't bob much and it's easy to change settings on the trail. The bike just feels "plush". I like it.
There is a lot of new technology! Wow. I love the disc brakes and the dropper seat post and the single front ring and the way the shifter works (push-push) and the notion of tubeless tires and the ... "Boost spacing"? "Thruaxle"? I had no idea what those terms meant.
The 29er tires look good. The Marin came with 27.5, which seem fine to me. I was riding 26".
1x drivetrain
Front sus
Rear sus
Disc brakes
Dropper posts
Threaded/tapered forks
The whole bike is obsolete lol. Runs great, just a bit painful on single track.
What would you say is a must have list for a new bike? I'm trying to figure out what some of this means too. (Boost spacing , maxles, thru axles, etc).
Dave
12-31-18, 08:26 AM
#8
Senior Member
Air shock and full air fork, thru axle, are the big ones. Boost is nice but not really needed. I personally feel a dropper post, and clamp on grips are must haves (but that can be added later).
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