deevee

Hey, I'm looking to get a MtB (I roadbike now, but moving to AL and then LA, where it will be nice to get off road). I don't plan on racing or doing anything super technical, but want to be able to keep up. My budget is around $2k so I figured I'd be much better off getting a good hardtail instead of a mediocre FS. Also if I'm spending that much, I'd want something tubeless and either a double or 1x (since I won't be crushing it on the flats).

I was looking at the cannondale f29 and specialized stumpjumper. What else should I be looking at? Is it worth going up a few hundred bucks to a carbon frame rather than aluminum?

Thanks for all the help!

gsa103

You can get a decent FS bike for $2k, Deore and decent shocks/forks. Good hardtails start at about $1k, $2k gets you a nice hard tail with Fox forks and XT or XTR components.

Almost any bike will be able to easily converted to tubeless, almost none will come tubeless standard. Tubeless isn't a good setup for a bike that sits on a shop floor for a couple of months, so most ship with standard tubes, and are easy enough to convert. Your bike shop should be able to help there.

Aluminum is fine compared with road biking, the frame material matters a lot less. You may want to consider buying a cheaper ~$1000 bike to start, then seeing what you actually need/want for the trails you're on. Some trails there's no difference in hardtail vs full-suspension, other trails a decent FS bike is far better than any hardtail.

ColinL

$2k does buy a functional, usable full-suspension bike. I'd suggest that as well. Giant has several in that range but they are 27.5. (Their 29ers are XC race bikes, and are more expensive.)

But there is the Trek Fuel EX 29 5: Fuel EX 5 29 - Trek Bicycle
And the Specialized Camber 29: Specialized Bicycle Components

The Trek is slightly better equipped but I would take either of them every day over a $2k hardtail, and twice on Sunday.

osco53

I had a good Hard Tail 29er that I modded up to the $1000 level. fairly light, handled well, fast...

But It was still a Hard Tail...

I was Instantly faster on ALL the trails I ride, From the very first ride on my very different handling Full Squish bike.
Strava said I was crushing all my familiar single tracks, setting new personal records across the board..

Full suspension let me get more power down, more often, gave me more traction in ALL conditions because I could run less PSI out back...
And most Important, It did not spank me so hard when I made a mistake....

My Scott Spark 760 was the lowest level model of the line ranging from $1900 to $12,000....

Done with Hard Tails I am........

Very first time I came Into a corner way too hot and it had some bumps I held my line just fine because the back end stayed down and kept right on tracking and drifting as needed,,

I <3 Robots

For 2k, I'd look into something like a Trek Superfly 7. For what you pay...the spec is pretty decent.
Superfly 7 - Trek Bicycle

A 2k FS bike has got to be over 30lbs and spec'd with a bunch of low end components. If your terrain doesn't need a FS frame...then I'd rather go with a better spec'd hardtail that'll be around ~26lbs.

You can spend 400 more and get the 9.6. Superfly 9.6 - Trek Bicycle

For 400 more you can get a carbon frame. You're sacrificing by going a step down on a couple components (from SLX shifters to Deore)...but I'd rather ride that than a mediocre FS bike.

jimc101

For 2K, would be looking at 27.5; 29er's are like 26" a few years back, living on borrowed time.

Would be surprised if you can get tubeless at that price, would expect Tubeless Ready; even at 1/2 your budget, but not setup as tubeless i.e. with sealant & no innertubes.

Cyclosaurus

you can get a ti bike for $2300
Save Up to 60% Off Shimano Deore XT DynaSys, 3x10 Speed 27.5 / 650B Titanium Front Suspension Mountain Bikes - MTB - 2015 Motobecane Fly Titanium 27.5 / 650B | Shimano DynaSys hardtail mountain bikes | Save up to 60% off list prices on new bicycles

osco53

My $1900 Scott Spark 760 I got for $1500 minus a trade,,out the door tax Included at $1280. It was new but a year end closeout,,

It weighs 30 pounds with my rather heavy saddle, my very heavy flat pedals and a Dropper post. I rode a bike costing $5,000 that weighed 3 or 4 pounds less.. Not this boy, It was not that different, I test rode this bike in the single tracks not a parking lot, I will never worry about bike weight again, I don't race so,,,,,

Mine has a Shimano SLX drive train, 3X9 that I will keep and a lowly Rockshox tc30 gold something fork, I dunno, Oh and some cheap $125 shock by Xfusion.
I love it and after riding a $5000 bike,, If I ever destroy this one or lust for another It will be a $3000 Turner Flux 27.5",,,Why you ask ?
Because Turner's are American Made..

Second thing, Even when I ride relatively smooth trails or ride the fire roads In or out of the park that rear suspension sure is nice.
When I lock out the front and rear for efficiency they both still give on hard hits letting me to focus on cadence and form.

When your Spinning hard and fast Into a nasty Head Wind with your elbows and knees in tight, your torso down in the 'Tuck'
Your belly low, a root or rock hit on a Hard Tail can hurt,,, In a very delicate place on your bod, no thanks..

slowride454

I'll sell you my Canfield Brothers Yelli Screamy for $2000.

I <3 Robots

It all comes down to how much you think your body can handle. I have a 21lb 29in hardtail and a 26in 28lb full suspension. My HT pretty much does everything better than the full suspension...with the exception of extremely rough terrain. When the terrain gets rough...I just stand up.

osco53

Yeah you hit the nail right perfect here... I'm not in a condition where I can ride a hard tail as fast as I want to ride..

Younger stronger riders that blow past me are often on HT's

gsa103

It really depends on your local trails. In my area there are frequently long rutted fire road descents. On a hardtail, you're either standing for 5 min straight getting abused, or in a nice relaxed descent. Anyone on a hardtail is left in the dust. When the trail gets twisty the hardtails do much better.

osco53

HT
Back end slapping yer back side when you get a little too tired to 'Pop Up' fast enough.
Back tire In the air more, that means less traction and at those times when getting power down is most critical.
The need to run more psi In the back to avoid snake bite or burp.
IMO stronger riders can get far more out of these bikes.
,,,,Faster in certain conditions,,,,

Full Squish
More comfortable when you get tired and far more forgiving on long rides.
Back end on the ground more giving more traction and getting more power down for a more efficient use of your energy.
Takes up more 'Hit/Impact force' allowing lower rear tire pressure with less risk of snake bite or burp.
IMO stronger riders can get far more out of these bikes.
,,,,Faster in certain conditions,,,,


Again It ain't the bike, It's the engine...

deevee

Thanks for all the help. I'm pretty set on starting out on a HT (in part, to avoid bad habits). Perhaps I can lower my price range and not lose too much in terms of quality. The singletrack trails at oak mountain state park are supposed to be awesome. I don't know too much about LA trails but I doubt it will not require a FS

fiatjeepdriver

Have you checked out Focus? I know the black forest is under $2k and I think you might be able to snag a Raven for that price.

WCroadie

I bought a specialized crave pro last fall, awesome bike and I love it, very nicely spec'd as well, might want to consider one of those...