pjcampbell

Hi ,
My son just finished the Race to the Top of VT as the youngest competitor. He is currently on a RockHopper sport 27.5" which is a "fine" bike but way too high low gearing (it is like a 30x34 or something... really way too high for this kind of climb) and very heavy. I'm interested in a couple of these bikes when he outgrows the current bike but open to other ideas, not really open to spending more money.

RockHopper Expert 27.5
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ro...=291595-184116

Roscoe 7
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...coe-7/p/28499/

Both have SX Eagle components which is a much better gearing setup (30x50) hand what seem to be similar forks. I noticed that Specialized lists RockShox Judy, Solo Air as being available both with a steel steerer and aluminum with the Expert 27.5 having an aluminum--I assume the Roscoe also does have alum (not steel)? The RockHopper says turnkey damper but doesn't note a lockout. I really think he should have a lockout for climbing--but it may have it just not listed?

Any other (new) bikes in this price range we should look at in this range?

Here's a 29" but not sure he really needs 29".

Cannondale Trail SE 3
https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bik...ail/trail-se-3

pjcampbell

Been looking a bit more and looks lke I should be looking at XC bikes not "Trail" bikes.
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...Code=red_black

Canker

If you are trying to save weight I'd rule out the Roscoe for being a 27.5+ bike. The 27.5+ just means heavier wheels and tires that are the same overall size a 29er. The other two are both XC bikes and basically the same other than one being a 27.5 and one being a 29er. The Rockhopper is a tad slacker but still an XC bike.

DMC707

You dont need a lockout for climbing

pjcampbell

This is a sustained 11% climb , you would want a lockout so you can stand when you want.

DMC707

again - you don’t need a lockout. If the suspension is set up properly- you can still stand

(suspension lockouts are huge misconceptions brought to the MTB world by roadies)


i Recall the first dual suspension bike i saw in XC competition- a Lawwill machine with a leading link fork —AMP i think— speculation in the pits was similar — (“no way a guy can have any power on that thing!” )

wrong -

and that was 26 almost 27 years ago

Suspension works when it’s setup right and allowed to work

but, a lockout doesnt add that much weight if you have a perception its needed

Kapusta

For competitive XC racing where every second matters.a remote activated lockout can help.

Outside of that, most people I ride with never use them. And yes, we do long and brutal climbs.

So yeah, if your kid is competitively racing XC, a remote lockout helps (a non-remote ain’t worth much in a race, IMO) but in the price range you are looking at I would focus more on getting some better/faster tires. Those will make a bigger difference than a lockout.

prj71

You don't need it. But front suspension bob robs pedaling efficiency so It's nice to have. A previous bike of mine had it and I used it all the time on sustained climbs and it made a big difference.