Mountain Bikers

WutApex

Wut Apex!?!
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Dropping $$$ on a mountain bike is really no different than anything else. A $20K car will get the job done, but generally speaking, it won't perform as well as a $60K car. Likewise for computers, TVs, etc, ad infinitum.

Frame design/material, suspension performance and lightweight (but robust) components are where the costs start adding up. The mid-to-upper end bikes have quite a bit of development and technology within them and, even as a hardcore hardtail fan who chooses my steel frame over my FS rig 9 times out of 10, I'm positive that most rides will be faster, more comfortable, and less fatiguing. I'm positive they'll be better in every category except the climbs, which given suspension design and lockouts they would close the gap a bit especially on rough climbs where the suspension can work in your favor for additional grip.

If your current Marlin is good for what you ride, then there's likely no justification for you to get a better (read more expensive) bike. That said, there are a number of bikes within the $3K range that are quite impressive (Devinci Django, Ibis Ripley AF, Norco, Kona, Knolly, etc all have reasonably priced but well built bikes). I'm sure the big names (Giant, Spec, Trek) do too but I'm not a big fan of the mega bike brands...
 

ajaf1656

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As a bike mechanic, I never saw a mountain bike frame break from being used as intended. I saw plenty of comfort, hybrid and BMX frames break from abuse or neglect. The worst thing was when people stored their bikes in a shed with all of their pool chemicals. But having to deal with a lifetime warrantee is when the big bike brands are awesome. With the big name brands, I could give them a call and have a new frame on it's way to the shop in less than 5 minutes. I don't know how many are still that easy to deal with, some of those big name companies have faded to near obscurity now.
The coolest warrantee I ever saw honored was when a customer saw a thief throw his bike in the bed of a truck and drive off. The customer jumped in his own truck, chased the guy down and pulled a pit maneuver on the thief. The bike was ejected and destroyed in the crash. They sent a new frame. Haha
 

WutApex

Wut Apex!?!
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No doubt the big brands have benefits, they are just not my cup of tea. Most of the small, boutique brands I’m looking at like local builders Revel and Alchemy seem to have great warranties, but who knows if they’ll be in business 10yrs from now them so I’ll be SOL.
That said, I suspect a manufacturing defect would likely present itself early in it’s life and I surely don’t ride hard enough at 145lbs and >40yrs old to break it from abuse.
 

musclefan21

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Maybe someone can elaborate and explain why a full suspension bike is needed? Is it primarily for downhill and "rough" terrain?

My Trek Marlin 7 which is <$850 handles "rough" terrain, mud, etc.

Just curious as I see some of these bikes over $5,000+. These things jerk you off while riding?
I can explain that easily. Simply a smoother ride. Your body doesn’t hve the observe all that shock energy, suspension soaks it up for you. Coming from dirt bike world, I quickly learned the importance of full suspension. Not that hard tail won’t get the job done but full suspension will simply be a better ride
 

terrible one

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cool thread

I’m looking into getting a full suspension bike soon. Couple buddies have the high end pivots and Santa Cruz brands. I’m looking used, an older trek or giant will work for me. I only wanna spend a couple grand.
 

xblitzkriegx

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i ride a heavily modified 2015 Framed Marquette. the only stock parts left on the bike are the frame and the fork. by today's geometry, its considered an XC bike but its really just a moderate trail bike for people who arent bike snobs.

i chose a hardtail for ease of maintenance and simplicity. it has plus tires to take the edge off. long story short, about 75% of the bike is carbon fiber, the rest is a mix of magnesium, titanium, and forged aluminum. the bike with the 27.5x3" tires weighs 22.3lbs. i take it off 4 foot drops no sweat.

its been to the front range in colorado, iron mines in minnesota, and literally every trail in northwest arkansas. i want to make it up to utah at some point.
 

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Ninedown

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I ride a lot. I have a 19 trek stache 7, 19 Pivot Firebird 29 and a 20 Pivot Phoenix 29. Between the 3 bikes is almost 20k.

Rear suspension is needed for forward motion.
 

ajaf1656

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We need a bicycle mega thread so I can showcase my entire fleet as they emerge from winter hibernation.
 

VegasMichael

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I had a Trek mountain bike that I got a lot of use with when I lived in SE PA. When I moved to Vegas I had too many close calls with idiot drivers so I put the bike into retirement. Ended up donating it to a group that refurbishes bikes and gives them to underprivileged kids. But now, years later, Vegas has some trails where you don't need to worry about crossing paths with cars. So last summer i tried to get a bike but every place was out of stock with what I was looking for(hybrid). I read that last year bike manufacturers had record sales due to covid--reason being gyms were closed, people were furloughed, everything was closed and people needed to get exercise and out of the house. Anyway, I had been looking at Giant and wondered if that brand was solid as well as being curious if Trek was still good since I loved my Trek and never had a problem with it.
 

72MachOne99GT

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I’ll chalk this thread up to another “hobby that would be cool to have”

No time, no hills, no interest in spending that kind of money.

I did learn that bikes, like all hobbies, have unexpected levels of money built into them.
 

Mpoitrast87

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I had a Trek mountain bike that I got a lot of use with when I lived in SE PA. When I moved to Vegas I had too many close calls with idiot drivers so I put the bike into retirement. Ended up donating it to a group that refurbishes bikes and gives them to underprivileged kids. But now, years later, Vegas has some trails where you don't need to worry about crossing paths with cars. So last summer i tried to get a bike but every place was out of stock with what I was looking for(hybrid). I read that last year bike manufacturers had record sales due to covid--reason being gyms were closed, people were furloughed, everything was closed and people needed to get exercise and out of the house. Anyway, I had been looking at Giant and wondered if that brand was solid as well as being curious if Trek was still good since I loved my Trek and never had a problem with it.
Giant and Trek are well known. Depends what you want. Their full suspension bikes are OK for beginners, not that great for hard riding. Their hardtails seems pretty good though.
 

VegasMichael

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Giant and Trek are well known. Depends what you want. Their full suspension bikes are OK for beginners, not that great for hard riding. Their hardtails seems pretty good though.
I'm not hardcore at all. Just a casual rider and will be on paved trails for the most part.
 

ajaf1656

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I'm not hardcore at all. Just a casual rider and will be on paved trails for the most part.
For the cost of a new mediocre bike, you can usually find an older high quality bike that will last you a lifetime. Another option is Bikesdirect.com. Bikes direct has some decent bikes at good prices.
 

08mojo

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I currently ride a 97 steel Bontrager with a full compliment of XTR, King, and Ti parts, as well as an 06 Gary Fisher Fat Possum XO.
Although probably the worst time to be shopping for a bike, considering availability and the chance to test ride, I think I’ve narrowed down my list to the following (in order):
- Transition Spur
- Ibis Ripley
- YT Izzo
- Revel Rascal (or maybe even the Ranger)

You’re right about Polygon...not many bad reviews, but not a whole bunch out there either when compared to the bigger names. Although it seems like you’d have limited comparative info, I’d be interested in your assessment after you’ve ridden it for a while.
And if anyone’s put a leg over any of the bikes on my list, I’d sure like to hear your thoughts.

All those bike you listed are great! I am a bit biased to Ibis, but can't go wrong with Transition or Revel. I will say, the customer service of Ibis is ridiculously good. I have had a couple of issues, due to my own stupidity, and have always received a reply in a short time (typically within an hour or two) from the owner of Ibis--even on the weekends.

Ibis is on my short list of bikes to get next. Great bikes. I hear very conflicting reviews about YT. I initially looked at YT until i was talked out of it due to them having manufacturing defects and a bad warranty.

Again, big fan of Ibis. I've had 6 of their bikes: Mojo SL (hence my screen name), Mojo 3, Ripley V3 (x2, one is the wife's), Ripley V4 and Ripmo V1.

Nice bikes!

I have a basic giant with front suspension - it was about $300 new.

I'm really jealous of the people that have access to the downhill trails. I live in Michigan so the terrain is about as mundane as it comes. It's one of the main reasons I stick to motorized vehicles as the excitement just isn't there.

That being said, I'll only buy an electric bike going forward. I know it goes against all things mountain biking but it is what it is. I really like what Lunacycles offers especially at that price point: high wattage twist throttle!

I recently picked up a Specialized Turbo Levo. I was not a supporter of eBikes, but we spend a lot of time in the mountains where 20 mile rides (which isn't much until...) with 4k+ feet of climbing is normal. The climbing comes in chunks of 800 to 1000 feet at a time. To get back to our place alone is an 850 foot climb in 3/4 of a mile--it sucks.

eMTB is definitely the future. It's not going away, and I can see why.

Keep in mind that an "electric bike" is a motorized vehicle and should only be used where motorized vehicles are allowed.

No, they are not. The majority of federal trails are open to class 1 electric bikes. You will see some big pushes for electric bike classifications. Class 1 is what I have. It is only an assist, it's not something you can twist the throttle and enjoy the ride. I burned over 1400 calories on my last ebike ride...

Maybe someone can elaborate and explain why a full suspension bike is needed? Is it primarily for downhill and "rough" terrain?

My Trek Marlin 7 which is <$850 handles "rough" terrain, mud, etc.

Just curious as I see some of these bikes over $5,000+. These things jerk you off while riding?

Just like every other hobby, you gotta pay to play. In cars it's cheap, fast and reliable: pick two. In bikes it's cheap, light and reliable: pick two.
 
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BrunotheBoxer

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DAMN. Big money on bikes!
Well not me. I just bought a beach cruiser in size tall which was hard to find in Naples for $329. No gears. No brakes. Just a basic bike in black matte. A Electra Cruiser 1.

I ain’t rich nor do I work like these high 6 figgah niggahs.
 

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