Need help debating between two MTBs
03-11-16 | 03:49 PM
#26
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Joined: Feb 2016
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Bikes: 2014 Trek Fuel Ex 5 29
Agreed. This isn't a case of "wal-mart bikes are bad because we're used to such better bikes." That's not the case at all! Wal-mart bikes are bad because they're BAD. Terrible parts, terrible frames, terrible assembly. You couldn't buy a worse bike. I would sooner pick an 80s-90s trek that's been left outside for 5 years and is rusted to crap before I'd pick a wal-mart bike.
Seriously, take our advice, buy a low end name brand bike like the ones I posted above. Don't get caught up in the hype of words. 29ers are no better than a 26 inch bike for commuting and simple trails. Most companies actually use wheel size to size their bikes now-a-day. Smaller bikes use smaller wheels and larger bikes use larger wheels. If you are small and want a 29er, you're going to end up with an awkward bike.
Seriously, take our advice, buy a low end name brand bike like the ones I posted above. Don't get caught up in the hype of words. 29ers are no better than a 26 inch bike for commuting and simple trails. Most companies actually use wheel size to size their bikes now-a-day. Smaller bikes use smaller wheels and larger bikes use larger wheels. If you are small and want a 29er, you're going to end up with an awkward bike.
As for the 29er vs 26er, I'm over that now
. I am currently looking on CL and am liking a lot of my options on there for FS 26ers with quality parts. I have wasted so much time researching them too. I didn't even contact any owners yet, just researching as much as I can.I'm going to chime in with, don't go brand new. Find a 10yo Trek or Specialized or Cannondale or Giant, or one of the cool MTB brands like Santa Cruz, on Craigslist, where your $ will go a long way. The sort of bike I'm thinking of costs about $1000 new today but depreciation brings it into your target zone. Nicer bikes often have more mileage because they're bought by people who intend to use them, but they can also tolerate it better and they get maintained. Don't get too hung up on specific brands or features, there are a couple of brands of forks and a couple of brands of drivetrains and they each have many levels, but as long as you have real damping and good shifting you'll be fine. Hydraulic disk brakes may be nicer but cable V-brakes work great and are pretty hard to screw up. If you post your location we forum rats will help you look, we enjoy that sort of thing.
While I agree with you, it's hard for people with little bike "sense" to find a "good" bike to buy on craigslist without lots of effort. It's much simpler to buy a new, cheaper bike even though it's technically lesser quality. Now, if the OP would post his local craigslist I'm sure we could find some suitable bikes for him.
Oh, and local craigslist: allentown.craigslist.org, or reading.craigslist.org
Plus I will be buying locally then moving, so the whole lifetime tune-ups won't be possible.Both of those are terrible rear shocks,, for the $525 of the Diamondback you would be better off with hardtail, something like a Giant ATX ATX 27.5 2 (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States And first time you are going down a hill with wet rim brakes and can't stop you will wish you had disc.
Also, I am 6 feet tall, so I need a "large" bike frame.
Last edited by SethB; 03-11-16 at 03:54 PM.
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hzuiel
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
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