Mountain Biking - Have $3000 to spend. What should I get?

Going to buy a mountain bike and can go up to $3000. What do you guys recommend in that price range.

I live in Southwest Virginia area.

Think of Asheville, NC type trails.

Not sure if I go HT or FS? 26er vs 29er?

thoughts?

26" full suspension.

You may be able to get into a SC Butcher for that.

There will be a link posted soon. LOL

What ever you feel comfortable on is what you should get, just make sure before you drop that much money you ride a variety of deferent bikes and sizes. As a rule I am a medium, but not every medium fits me well, for example on some brands like GF, the small is a perfect, and their Med are a bit too big. I have gotten on others brands where I need a large. Spending that much money you are sure to get a quality bike, but a quality bike the doesn't fit or you don't like the ride of is not a good investment. The good folks as specialized allowed me to take out the 10K specialized S-works Epic Carbon 29er for about a hr and 1/2 on my home trail. All I ride are 29er's anymore, but as nice as the bike was it was not for me, I found for my riding style the SJ 29 fit me and felt a lot better.

Opinions on bikes are like that certain part of a anatomy that everybody has one but no 2 ever seem to be the same.

Good luck on what ever you get and post a pic!

You may be able to get into a SC Butcher for that.

As "forum narrator" (according to ed) I thought I should provide a link.

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?Item=100048019

Oh, and ed is a lawless crazed looney.

A $1000.00 mountain bike and a $1500.00 Road bike and a $500.00 Commuter and a BEATER on the side...

Don't take anything in the field you can't afford to loose...

Yeti 575 with the Enduro build kit.

http://www.yeticycles.com/#/bikes/575/1

Thread closed.

Kona Honzo.

http://cog.konaworld.com/archives/7997

Build your own hardtail. A Surly 1x1 frame, a Rohloff hub in the rear, and a nice Fox fork up front. You might be able to do that under $3000.

Guy has 3K to work with. Why in the hell would he want to settle for a hardtail?

Guy has 3K to work with. Why in the hell would he want to settle for a hardtail?

"settle"

Ha!

If you really want a hardtail...

Go on Craigslist and find one for $250. Then spend the other $2750 on a full-suspension. :D

What you riding now?

Don't buy too much bicycle. When you have cash around the rule is buy what you can ride, not ride what you can buy!

Apparently; if you buy a 26”, you will automatically be considered a know-nothing loser; or, a stuck-in-the-mud geezer these days. If I had $3000 to spend, I’d go all in with a full suspension 29er. If you decide, years from now, that it was just a flash-in-the-pan; you will still get the best resale value. For real, if I had that caish, I’d buy the best 26” HT I could get my hands on, and spend the rest on something for my wife, just caus' that's how I roll.:D

I’d buy the best 26” HT I could get my hands on, and spend the rest on something for my wife, just caus' that's how I roll.:D

Definitely. $2997 would make for a sweet 26" HT. And you'll have $3 left to get the wife a cookie or a slice of cheesecake or somethin.

FYI, I've got both 26" and 29" bikes and I like the feel of 26" better most of the time.

What you riding now?

Don't buy too much bicycle. When you have cash around the rule is buy what you can ride, not ride what you can buy!

"the rule"?

I guess I'm a lawless crazed looney.

"settle"

Ha!

Word. I spent a good deal more than $3K on my 26" hardtail, and I'm totally satisfied with my choice.

Actually, one of things I really like to see with the 29-er fad is that people are buying hardtails again, long after the hardtail was declared "dead" due to improved FS designs.

Don't buy too much bicycle. When you have cash around the rule is buy what you can ride, not ride what you can buy!
You can certainly ride and have a ton of fun on a bike that's probably more bike than you skill level deserves. People way better than me absolutely rip on Hardrocks, but I like my FS a lot more than my hardtail.

Don't buy too much bicycle. When you have cash around the rule is buy what you can ride, not ride what you can buy!Gee, I always figured it the other way around: Get as "too much" bike as you can buy and it will beg for you to progress and your skillset 'grow' into it.

Depends the riding you do. IF mainly packed single track or with minor rocks, stumps or whatever a 29er hardtail would do. If you like it rough and wild i would recommend a nice 26 FS. Several bikes out there and you will get different opinions on each. I ride a 2010 stumpy and GF paragon 29er and find that pending the trail both are outstanding bikes. Stumpy Elite cost me 2100 and the 2011 GF Paragon cost 1650. As you can see either of those bikes are well within your price range. If you plan on cross country racing I would look at the superfly or specialized epic...these are priced a bit higher. You will hear people say Yeti is best bar none or Santa Cruz or whatever their personal preference is...however, it is just that, their personnel preference. I tested the Santa Cruz, yeti, kona, Trek...you name it...my preference for a FS was the stumpy hands down. However you have to ride and see what you like. I would assess the type of riding you will do mostly, pick 29er HT or 26 FS based on the type riding, then buy the bike you feel most comfortable and confident on after testing all those recommended to you. If the bike comes in cheaper then upgrade to personalize specifically for you or build up the weakest/cheapest parts or buy your girlfriend/spouse something. Several bikes out there that are very good...ride them and determine which one you like best...I thought the Turner FS bike was a nice rider as well. Anyway, good hunting and enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: The statements I am about to make will likely elicit yawns and "well, duh" type reactions, but since the people who know way more about this stuff than I aren't saying it, I will. [obvious mode: ON]

hodie21-

Not sure why this thread has turned into a "how much should I spend" discussion, but in an effort to address your actual question, let's break it down as follows.

HT advantages:
1. better component group at similar price point (now this one isn't a real issue in your case, at $3K you're going to end up with a pretty nice bike either way).
2. no pivot bushings/bearings to maintain/replace.
3. lighter weight (generally)

FS advantages:
1. MORE CONTROL over rough terrain. Until you know the feeling of having a HT bouncing all over the place on roots and rocks (which I assume you don't or you would already know if you like that - some people do) you won't fully appreciate how much this can be worth.
2. less impact on your own body.
3. you'll look cooler at the trailhead (ok, this one's totally subjective, not a real advantage)

29er advantages:
Sorry, I'm not touching that one.

Before you drop $3K on anything, for the love of all that does not suck, make sure you test ride a lot of bikes (including 29ers) and don't buy anything that doesn't feel good to you.

[opinion mode: ON]
I'm 6'1" and all my bikes are 26" hardtails, but if I were going to spend that kind of $$, it'd be 26" full suspension without any doubt.

Back to the simple, streamlined answers.

With $3000 to spend, there are hardly enough good reasons to NOT buy a full suspension bike. In other words, the 3k FS does not suck enough to choose a 3k hardtail instead.

Just my opinion, of course.

With $3000 to spend, there are hardly enough good reasons to NOT buy a full suspension bike.

+1

To think I wasted all those words, only to have you sum it up so succinctly. Very well said.

+1

To think I wasted all those words, only to have you sum it up so succinctly. Very well said.

Nah, your previous words were not wasted. While it was obvious you had bias toward FS, it was an important point you made that it depends on what feels good to the OP. We all have different ride styles and types of riding we like to do. Nothing I ride requires FS, so to me, it's just something extra to break/mess up. Plus some people like the artistic aspects of bicycles, or the elegance of a high quality simplistic design, and it's not all about functionality or utilitarianism.

So to the OP, figure out what kind of riding you do/want to do.

If you do this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ctDA2jhiYQ

...then get a full suspension, by all means.

We all have different ride styles and types of riding we like to do. Nothing I ride requires FS, so to me, it's just something extra to break/mess up. Plus some people like the artistic aspects of bicycles, or the elegance of a high quality simplistic design, and it's not all about functionality or utilitarianism.

Agreed. That's why I thought OP needed to hear some basic pros and cons (sans all the politics) and decide for himself.

Cool vid, BTW.

Nothing I ride requires FS

What are the requirements?

What are the requirements?

There is only one requirement, and that would be any situation that makes me say, "F***, I need a FS bike..."

BTW, is the OP still reading this thread, or were our suggestions so disappointing that he went out and spent all his money on hookers and whiskey?

BTW, is the OP still reading this thread, or were our suggestions so disappointing that he went out and spent all his money on hookers and whiskey?

Hmm... let's see, $1K for MTB, $2K left over for hookers and whiskey... sounds about right.

I am still reading all of the comments.

I am trying to figure out which one I want.

Is there a good link describing the different types of full suspension?

Or does it really matter?

http://www.bicyclewarehouse.com/buyers-guides/buyers-guide-to-full-suspension-bicycles-pg453.htm

http://mountainbike.about.com/od/buyersguideandreviews/f/Fullsusfaq.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_suspension

Whatever you choose, please buy Used. You can get so much more for your money. You can get a 7 or 8k bike for that amount, and the bike will only be a yr or two old. Replace the chain and a few other high wear items and you have a new bike for a 3rd of the new price. In today's market place cash money is king.


If you are a serious racer (racing every weekend) get a Hard Tail, otherwise get a full suspension.

Whatever you choose, please buy Used. You can get so much more for your money. You can get a 7 or 8k bike for that amount, and the bike will only be a yr or two old. Replace the chain and a few other high wear items and you have a new bike for a 3rd of the new price. In today's market place cash money is king.

That's good advice for someone who has the experience to properly assess the mechanics of a used bike. OTOH, is OP going to buy a new $3K bike and go "damn, this thing is woefully inadequate, I should have bought a used superbike"? I seriously doubt it. With a new bike he's going to get a warranty and all the benefits of after-the-sale support from the shop, and won't have to screw around with an expensive restoration. My guess is that he just wants to buy a nice bike, get on it, and ride.

Whatever you choose, please buy Used. You can get so much more for your money. You can get a 7 or 8k bike for that amount, and the bike will only be a yr or two old. Replace the chain and a few other high wear items and you have a new bike for a 3rd of the new price. In today's market place cash money is king.


If you are a serious racer (racing every weekend) get a Hard Tail, otherwise get a full suspension.

Indeed, buy used. Our economy and the sport for that matter will be much better off if we stop giving back to the industry.

Indeed, buy used. Our economy and the sport for that matter will be much better off if we stop giving back to the industry.


When someone sells a used high end bike, what do you suppose they do with that money?

When someone sells a used high end bike, what do you suppose they do with that money?

In this economy? Probably make a mortgage payment.

+1k

Someone around here was recently selling a 2008 Paragon for $1000. They said they were going to use the money to buy an elliptical trainer.

209981

I am still reading all of the comments.

I am trying to figure out which one I want.


Picking a bike is like picking a girlfriend. It's different for everybody. Get the one that makes your heart sing and your spirit soar. You will know it when you see it.

Gee, I always figured it the other way around: Get as "too much" bike as you can buy and it will beg for you to progress and your skillset 'grow' into it.

Think about it this way - You wouldn't buy a pair of $300 pants with 10 pockets to wear just because one day you might need that 10th pocket.

Instead I hope you would purchase a pair of pants for $100 with 3 or 4 pockets.

Of course, people are free to buy what they think they need... a "customer" is born every minute in that respect.

Picking a bike is like picking a girlfriend. It's different for everybody. Get the one that makes your heart sing and your spirit soar. You will know it when you see it.

Obviously you've either just been given a great ******* or you are totally manic... either way your girlfriend would be insulted. :P

I you are considering a full suspension and full carbon bike, take a look at this ... :thumb:

Shimano XT, 27-Speed, Carbon Fiber, All Mountain 2010 GT Force Carbon Expert $2,199

Monocoque Carbon Fiber Frame, Fox Float Thru-Axle Fork, I-Drive Suspension, XT Hydraulic Disc Brakes

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gt/gt_force_carbon_expert.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gt/images/G10_ForceCrbnExp_CRBCHR_G_600.jpg

Think about it this way - You wouldn't buy a pair of $300 pants with 10 pockets to wear just because one day you might need that 10th pocket . . . .I prefer not to think so small and limited - - or in the terms of a poor analogy.

If I start spending $100 on pants...feel free to kick me in the face.

Obviously you've either just been given a great ******* or you are totally manic... either way your girlfriend would be insulted. :P

Not to mention my wife!

i have really enjoyed this thread.

there is no real actual need to suggest a bike, but just for fun, in the highly unlikely chance that the OP is still reading this..

for 3K, try an ibis mojo

Not to mention my wife!

Well played, sir...

As for the pants thing, makes sense to me, but I think that particular analogy would work better if we (er.. you) were discussing the amount of travel to get rather than level of bike. I do agree with getting all you can afford, though. That feeling of "damn, I wish I got that next level of specs for this bike" is something I do not intend on experiencing. Unless you change hobbies constantly, that is...

Think about it this way - You wouldn't buy a pair of $300 pants with 10 pockets to wear just because one day you might need that 10th pocket.

Instead I hope you would purchase a pair of pants for $100 with 3 or 4 pockets.

Do cargo pants count? Cause I've got some with 8 pockets, and they only cost $25.

Do cargo pants count? Cause I've got some with 8 pockets, and they only cost $25.

that's ok, i guess, but you can save up your money and for $125, you can get a pair of carbon fiber full suspension cargo pants with 14 pockets. yeah it's more, but you get what you pay for, and it's worth it, depending on where you wear your pants.

...you can get a pair of carbon fiber full suspension cargo pants with 14 pockets.

Sounds really uncomfortable.

I recommend not basing your decision on anything you read at bikeforums.net, including but not limited to this thread.