Mountain Biking - Steel 29er 1x9 ok for a relative noob?

The '09 Sala El Mariachi's are being closed out right now. They can be had for just over a grand in S size. This would be my only MTB. ~$1,000 was my budget. I figure this was a better bike than whatever FS I could get at this price. Plus, I have always preferred steel.

So, only 1x9 and no suspension a worthy investment for somebody who has been MTB riding for only a couple of months? I prefer cross country, but in SoCal do have to do some climbing.

If you've only started riding how do you know you prefer steel?????? Just wondering.

If you don't have a lot of extended steep climbing then I think a 1x9 setup would be fine for someone starting out.You have a steel 29r so that bonus points......but going SS will really get you in with the "cool kids".

Do you currently ride in the granny gear much or mostly in the middle ring. I would think a stock 1x9 would be close to the 44 middle ring. If you have a problem, you can always switch it out or just learn to mash it out.

Look, if you're going to fit in here, you'll need a full squish Speciazed or Trek/Fisher. Anything less is really scary!

Wow, I thought you would need a Kona,Transition, a Banshee or a Voodoo to fit in here......go figure.

Do you currently ride in the granny gear much or mostly in the middle ring. I would think a stock 1x9 would be close to the 44 middle ring. If you have a problem, you can always switch it out or just learn to mash it out.

What kind of triple do you have o_o

Look, if you're going to fit in here, you'll need a full squish Speciazed or Trek/Fisher. Anything less is really scary!
OP asked a simple question no need to be smart ass about it.

Now back to the question..I live in San Fernando Valley and ride mostly around Mt Wilson area which has extreme climbs on a fire road and single track, check out the link below for example

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=BGS095-028

So if you are going to do anything like this I say try couple of runs around your local trails, I don't know maybe you can barrow a friends bike or something before you pull the trigger on that bike. I mean you can always change your set up but why spend a grand and start buying new parts after couple of weeks?
And may I also suggest aluminum frame instead of steel?

I bought said bike, will take about a week to be shipped. We shall see how it goes. As for steel, it is what I like on my commuter/tourer/whatever Surly CrossCheck. I have an aluminum Rockhopper it rides like crap compared to my Cross Check. Thus, I will be selling the RH once the El Mariachi comes in. I have only been riding dirt for ~month, but I realized quickly that I needed something more like the CC for MTBing.

OP asked a simple question no need to be smart ass about it.

What, did 66 pay you off or have you intimidated? He's being equally as "fun" yet you pick on the IGH?

Spread the loathe, msb.


OP...I agree with the first reply: If you're a noob, how do you know what you prefer?


I think it's a good bike, but you may decide you're more into the crazy side of riding and end up regretting the steel 29'er when you could have gotten something like a GED or Scirocco.

I've been riding 1x9 in KS on 26'ers and think it's just fine, but if I were gonna do it on a 29'er, I'd get one of the new (deore) 36t cassettes and a 30 chainring from that private dude over at the other place. My knees feel much better now that I pick slightly lower gears.


My only hesitation would be toe overlap on a Sm framed '9er. I've encountered toe overlap on my 27" roadie, and my feet aren't all that big. If you're an Oompa Loompa, maybe you should be on a 24'er.



I firmly feel that if you're truly a noob...just get a good, used Hardrock for a couple hundred bux and ride it until you figure out what type of rider you are. If you're just being modest about your noobility, then the Salsa IMO is a good choice for XC/Trail riding.

I bought said bike, will take about a week to be shipped. We shall see how it goes. As for steel, it is what I like on my commuter/tourer/whatever Surly CrossCheck. I have an aluminum Rockhopper it rides like crap compared to my Cross Check. Thus, I will be selling the RH once the El Mariachi comes in. I have only been riding dirt for ~month, but I realized quickly that I needed something more like the CC for MTBing.

Cool. You will need to pst up pics when you get it. Salsa bikes have some sweet paint jobs.

Hey Ed, I didn't pick on mt66 because he likes gears :D naaah J/K actually I think it his post showed up after I clicked on IGH's post otherwise I would've :D
ok I know op already bought the bike but I wanted point out that he already owns a rockhopper and he doesn't like it so I doubt he'll be happy with a hardrock.

The El Mariachi is a great bike - congratulations! And if you decide that you can't handle 1x9, all you need is a front shifter, front derailleur, and a granny gear (plus chaingring bolts and cable/housing) to make it a 2x9. You could easily do the conversion for under $100 if you had to.

Hey Ed, I didn't pick on mt66 because he likes gears :D naaah J/K actually I think it his post showed up after I clicked on IGH's post otherwise I would've :D
ok I know op already bought the bike but I wanted point out that he already owns a rockhopper and he doesn't like it so I doubt he'll be happy with a hardrock.

Yes, I can be a gear snob.......but I have spent plenty of time on a SS.I think that a SS is great,in a skate park.
.

Good thing I got the bike. I took the RH out on the farewell voyage and broke two spokes, bent the rear rim, and flatted out the front. Didn't know the front was tubeless, bought the bike off of CL. The rear must have just been a crappy wheel. 3rd time spokes broke and I was just doing basic trail riding.

I picked up the RH on CL for cheap (a la what you mentioned with the hard rock) and discovered I wasn't into the gnar downhill stuff. I love the way steel ride on the road with my CrossCheck, so figured I go the same route with the MTB. I have only been riding in dirt for about a month. I don't think I will be able to do most climbs with the 1x9, but hopefully I build up quick. Also, a bit concerned about rigid fork. However, I figure with bigger tires and steel it will ride better than the Rockhopper.

Look, I'm fun too...You should see me riding in Jamaica. I'd upload a picture but now I can't even add pix to threads, WTF?

I'd upload a picture but now I can't even add pix to threads, WTF?

retro grouch no like technology