Official Mountain Biking thread (MTB)

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I've started looking at mountain bikes. My current one is around 30 years old (Raleigh Talon) with shifter problems that aren't worth addressing on such an old bike.

I've never had a bike with any suspension at all and am debating between a hardtail and full suspension. First and foremost, I am cheap. So a hardtail easily wins this category. But at the same time I am only a few months away from turning 65 and I like comfort. My budget would be adjusted depending on the type. Probably sub $1500 for a hardtail and sub $2500 for full suspension. Riding would mostly be trails and a local bike parks. I'd be interested in whatever info/feedback you guys can offer.

I lean towards Specialized mainly as that is what my local shop carries and I really like the people there. But I've got to say the the Polygon offerinings have a ton of bang for the buck.

I will also say that I have been looking at Craigslist and FB Marketplace, but am pretty much seeing things older than what I would want (almost no 1x drivetrains).

Hard tail in 29 configuration could offer more compliance than that of a 27.5 for a little bit of a "middle ground." That said, I have a 29 and through use I've found that I prefer the maneuverability of a 27.5.

Probably the worst picture I can muster, but it's a Giant Fathom 29. I'd say for your use case, full suspension is a good bit overkill. If you were closer, I'd say come grab mine!

[bucketfoot]

Yeah I lean towards a hardtail not only because of cost, but also since I've never had any suspension I won't know if I'm missing anything!

[bucketfoot]

Well everyone in the reddit mountain bike groups are saying to go with full suspension. Mostly for comfort at my old age and the fact that one of my uses will be at bike parks.

I've found one local option I'll consider if he comes down enough on price. Otherwise it will likely be either a Polygon Siskiu T8 or Specialized Stumpjumper Alloy.

I like the pricing of the T8, but like that my local bike shop sells Specialized.

[freakystyly]

We definitely don't have the same trails as you guys in CO, but I'm willing to admit my Siskiu T8 is overkill for the single track stuff I do. It was a great black friday deal though.

I'm happy with the full suspension comfort after switching from a hard tail, but it also makes you lazier with picking clean lines avoiding rocks. It's like a monster truck with 2.6" wide wheels. I'm also not in my 60s yet...

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I've started looking at mountain bikes. My current one is around 30 years old (Raleigh Talon) with shifter problems that aren't worth addressing on such an old bike.

I've never had a bike with any suspension at all and am debating between a hardtail and full suspension. First and foremost, I am cheap. So a hardtail easily wins this category. But at the same time I am only a few months away from turning 65 and I like comfort. My budget would be adjusted depending on the type. Probably sub $1500 for a hardtail and sub $2500 for full suspension. Riding would mostly be trails and a local bike parks. I'd be interested in whatever info/feedback you guys can offer.

I lean towards Specialized mainly as that is what my local shop carries and I really like the people there. But I've got to say the the Polygon offerinings have a ton of bang for the buck.

I will also say that I have been looking at Craigslist and FB Marketplace, but am pretty much seeing things older than what I would want (almost no 1x drivetrains).

It's a buyers market right now... I just sold a BEAUTIFUL Santa Cruz Tallboy for $1,500 a few months ago. I would recommend a lighter XC style FS bike as they are so incredibly capable they'll do anything you'll want them to. I have a SC Blur for this very reason. Short travel, light weight, fat tires... what more could I want!

Specialized used to be anethema due to their proprietary parts and aggressive legal department (look up Cafe Roubaix lawsuit). I've heard they are more standardized now, but not sure when that started. Your shop can work on any bike, especially a used one. They won't care what you buy :-)

You live in the greater Denver area, I have faith in your ability to find a good mountain bike!!! What size do you want? Also look on Pinkbike classified... TONS of great bikes for sale!

[swcrow]

Second pinkbike and even FB marketplace.....

Found a used Scott Spark 9 (full carbon/suspension) on FB marketplace for $1000 as the guy was going more professional and upgrading....carbon only had a one scuff mark too.

Definitely a buyers market

[swcrow]

Also.....

haven't gotten a hitch installed yet, soooooooooooooooo

Is there a MTB mat that people are using on the inside of their X3's with the seats laid down, to place their bikes on?

[Needsdecaf]

What kind of trails do you plan on riding?

I used a Specialized Crave (Comp trim) alloy for 10 years on our local XC-style trails. Mixture of grass / dirt paths, doubletrack and singletrack, but being in Houston, quite flat. Sandy with not many large rocks. Hardtail is completely fine. I recently purchased a full squish bike not because I really needed it, but I wanted it and I really want to start taking it to Austin and doing some hills.

It is a buyer's market. The used bike market is great but if you don't know the terms or what you're getting into (and if your newest bike is 30 years old you probably don't) you may end up purchasing the wrong thing for your needs.

I personally don't think at your price point that carbon is the way to go. Alloy is getting pretty light and is a much better deal.

I'd pick up a nice used bike so you can get used to the more modern drivetrain and geometry. The geometry is going to blow your mind, the bike is going to handle very differently. Pick up something on the more basic side and if you don't like it, you should be able to move it on without losing too much money and get something better suited to you.

Good luck and let us know what you're looking at!

[bucketfoot]

I ended up with the Polygon Siskiu T8. I would have gone with a Stumpjumper through my local shop, but they didn't have what I wanted available.

I also found a good Facebook group with a lot of things, but anything local was way more than I was looking to spend or too old and too close to the price of the T8. Anything that I was truly interested in was in the mountains or western slope, so not worth dealing with.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I ended up with the Polygon Siskiu T8. I would have gone with a Stumpjumper through my local shop, but they didn't have what I wanted available.

I also found a good Facebook group with a lot of things, but anything local was way more than I was looking to spend or too old and too close to the price of the T8. Anything that I was truly interested in was in the mountains or western slope, so not worth dealing with.

Great, hope you really enjoy it!

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I ended up with the Polygon Siskiu T8.

Nice! Did it come in the purple to match your car?

They were out of stock of that color so I got the grey...

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Nice! Did it come in the purple to match your car?

They were out of stock of that color so I got the grey...

Sure did

[StradaRedlands]

I haven't been out in three months, but today was the day!
Just a casual flat-ish four mile ride, but it was great!

[swcrow]

First ride of the season this past weekend and it proved I need a hitch badly….

No idea why this is sideways lol

[Shokh]

I like to do crosscountry, but I hate the fact that I can't find a saddle that let me ride for some hours.
My first ride this year reminded me for about 5 days witch pain, and it was just a short 45min round to check if all is working fine.

SQLabs, measured, all that stuff. The only saddles I tolerate are those on old Puch holland style bikes.

[Tambohamilton]

Measuring doesn't really do much - it's a really reductive way to approach saddle fit. That said, it is a factor.

You need to figure out where the discomfort is (sit bone pain? Perineum pain? Hot spots? Numbness? Etc), and what about the saddles you've tried has contributed to that pain or eased it at all. From there you can start to build up a picture of what saddle should work well for you...or at least rule out ones which definitely won't help.

Don't worry about whether the saddle is for a man or woman, or which riding discipline it's intended for; you just need something which fits you. Generally I get on best with TT/Tri saddles for women...which is interesting considering I'm a male MTBer!

Some brands for you to consider: ISM, ergon, pro, selle Italia, prologo, WTB, specialized. Don't just look at their recommended saddle for your discipline; look at all of them and evaluate the shape as best you can.

Some brands/shops offer test saddles, or no-questions-asked returns - start there even if they aren't your first choice, otherwise you'll run up a big saddle bill fast! Ask me how I know...

[swcrow]

also wear the right clothing.....I wear a road biking padded bib shorts under mountain biking shorts just to take the edge off for those moments I'm in the saddle.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by swcrow

also wear the right clothing.....I wear a road biking padded bib shorts under mountain biking shorts just to take the edge off for those moments I'm in the saddle.

Expanding on that a bit; not all chamoises are created equal, just the same as saddles. There are different shapes and thicknesses and densities etc etc. Ideally you'll find a set of saddle and chamois which complement eachother. It's another rabbit hole...yay!

[swcrow]

got a chance to ride my buddy's Pivot e-bike doing some trails on Sat....first time on an e-bike....the additional effort it gives you is phenomenal.....made my all carbon Scott Spark 9 look like a steel weight