Originally Posted by
NYMXer
Given that you said spending $800 would be tight, I'd say go with the Giant but really, all three bikes are not much better off road than a decent hybrid.
If your hybrid can sport 38's and maybe a seat post suspension like the Thudbuster, I'd go that route over buying another bike that I don't think you would be happy with. If the trails you are considering are close to single track trails, then go with the Giant and ride the wheels off of it.
My hybrid is a Fuji Absolute... aluminum frame, composite fork, 35mm CX tires. It's just right for most of my riding, which is on hilly country roads (paved, but not always smooth). I'm not sure if it would take 38mm tires. Fuji told me the max was 32mm, but the 35s work just fine. Anyway, I don't really want to change it much -- certainly not enough to do the type of trails I'm thinking of. So if an entry-level MTB won't be much better than it, I'll just hold off on trails until I can afford something more suited for them.
Originally Posted by
Canker
I really don't know if that rockshox fork is really much better than the suntours to justify the extra cash. What you could do is buy one of the cheaper bikes if you are happy with the rest of the components. Ride it for awhile till the fork starts holding you back and then upgrade it. Suntour has a nice upgrade program and you can upgrade to one of their air forks which are actually fairly good for around $200 last time I looked.
Very helpful -- exactly why I asked. I don't want to pay for a "better" fork which isn't really much better.
Following up on that, another bike I tested was the Giant Talon 3 for $500, which has an XCT fork instead of the XCM on the Talon 2. It also has an 8-speed Acera/Altus drivetrain rather than the 9-speed Deore, so that will factor into things. But simply based on the fork, would you say if I'm getting an entry-level fork it doesn't really matter a whole lot which one? Just get one, ride it, and eventually replace it with a better one?