txhillbilly

Folks, time for my old (50) fat but to get active and out there. Looking to buy a mountain bike I can stick with a few years, hopefully, before getting the upgrade fever. I am 50, probably looking more at simple to moderate trails and working to more aggressive, but doubtful ever to get overly bonzai with it, we shall see. Looking to ride 3-4 times per week, have great trails nearby. Three bikes have been recommended, all 29ers, as I am 6'1", on the heavy side at about 270lbs. Anyone have advice or recommendations on the following, all 2016 models? Trying to stay at $750 or less if possible:

-Specialized Rockhopper 29
-Trek Marlin 6 or 7
-Marin Bobcat Trail 9.3 (LBS has a 2015 Bobcat Trail 9.5 at $999, willing to give me 25% off, which also puts it in range)

Appreciate any advice you can provide this novice as I get started.

Darrin

Retro Grouch 

Same shop of different shops?

There's more difference between bike shops than between bike brands. Whichever shop you like the people best, buy whichever brand they carry at the price point you're comfortable with and you'll never go wrong.

txhillbilly

Appreciate the advice, that helps.

hig4s

How is your back? I'm 58 just got back into mountain biking after 15 years away, and now with some back issues, I wouldn't even think of riding off road without full suspension. Back in the day rode ridged and never thought about it. I ended up with a Giant Stance 2, it was the least expensive full suspension bike I could find that actually had decent suspension. Some of the Big Box bikes the suspension was so hard it wasn't really suspension. I'm very happy with the entry level Stance. Sure there are a bunch of things I would like to upgrade, but nothing that really needs to be done to it. They go for $1500 new, I found a new 2015 for $1300. If you can deal with a hard tail, there are several in the $750 or less that are good. Giant, Specialized, Felt, Trek, and others. As far as 29" vs 27.5" try bikes with the correct size frame for you with both sizes of tires and see what feels best to you.

Canker

The Marin Bobcat Trail 9.3 has a suntour raidon fork which should be an air fork which will help a lot at your weight. Plus it is just a hell of a lot better fork all around. It also clearly has better everything else than the other bikes too. If you go with a regular spring fork you are going to have to buy their stiffest spring to replace the stock one which are usually setup for somebody around 100lbs lighter. From riding with other heavy people you are probably going to destroy the rear hub on any stock bikes in that and much higher price ranges. If it happens don't waste your time or money fixing the stock one. Just go ahead and either buy a complete new rear wheel with a higher end strong hub like a Hope or DT Swiss or have the rear wheel rebuilt with a good hub.