spencerkoski

Hey all, I am looking for a first mountain bike and found a couple and wondered what you all thought. I am going to riding trails/paths/some jumps (but not huge ones). These are the two I found and was hoping to keep it under $800 let me know what you guys think! Thanks

2010 Trek 8000 hard-tail 17.5" Mtn bike

Specialized rockhopper

Canker

The trek is a pretty highend bike and has a couple nice upgrades
2010 Trek 8000 Disc - New and Used Bike Value

The rock hopper looks like it started off as lower mid level bike, nicest one you can buy now is $1150, that somebody upgraded with whatever used parts they found but still has a good bit of stock just ok parts. The fox fork is nice the XTR RD looks really old and well I hate avid brakes. The trek also has avid brakes but everything else is nice. I'll let some specialized guy come along and say for sure but the rockhopper looks like it still has v-brake mounts on the rear so it is probably fairly old compared to the trek. Either would be better than most people start off with assuming nothing is worn out on them but I'd lean towards the trek if you can spare the extra cash.

hig4s

A new Giant Talon goes for $700 Talon 27.5 3 (2016) | Giant Bicycles | United States

Canker

and nowhere near as nice as the trek

spencerkoski

Thanks for the advice guys. Much appreciated! Any advice for a soon-to-be mountain biker?

hig4s

fixed that for ya

Canker

And what makes you think it is overpriced? Bicycle blue book thinks it is very fairly priced. Is it because it is a 26er? Personally I'd rather have a very nicer 26er than a very entry level 27.5er but maybe that is just me. It is a SLX/XT bike with a very a nice rockshox reba vs a atlus/alvio(bleh) and more meant for bike paths Suntour fork. I'd rather have the hodgepodge specialized for $550 than the new talon just for the Fox fork on the rockhopper.

hig4s

1. I think all top end brand name bikes are overpriced.
2. I think Treks in general are the most overpriced.
3. I think anything over $500 used for a hardtail that is not carbon is overpriced.
4. The Alivia will last almost as long as a Deore and do everything necessary
5. While I agree about the suntour fork, it is fine for starting out (OP's first mountain bike) and down the road can be upgraded if needed.
6. buying a new bike from a LBS usually gets you a year free service, something most people appreciate.


One further note, as of 2012 most Trek frames are manufactured by Giant.

DMC707

I'm also in the camp that thinks the Trek is overpriced for a 26" aluminum hardtail ---- The Specialized looks like a great bike for 300 bucks but is a bit high also --- The XTR derailleur and Fox fork are several generations old, and the Avid brakes are not really much of a plus at all



Its the time of year that if i had $800 in my pocket i'd start shopping the sales, and if i found the right deal, i might spend a little more

I was curious and just checked one retailer

This one is a little higher than the initial budget , but this one is done basically --- not much to upgrade - looks like a nice bike in a current wheel size
Marin Nail Trail 27.5 (650b) Hardtail Mountain Bik @ Sun and Ski Sports


A 29'er in this price range will be a little heavier, but the big wheels to me make up for it with their rolling inertia and ease of use

A hardtail 29'er with lower end but serviceable parts for $700

Marin Bobcat Trail 9.4 Hardtail Mountain Bike '15 @ Sun and Ski Sports


Then the same bike with a 10 speed drivetrain for $925 - which is a little over the OP's suggested $800 budget , but is a current machine at a reasonable price also

Marin Bobcat Trail 9.5 Hardtail Mountain Bike '15 @ Sun and Ski Sports

hig4s

actually if you can do your own maintenance and set up, Bikes direct has some good bikes. I almost bought this instead of my Giant Stance. Save up to 60% off new Mountain Bikes - MTB - 29er Full Suspension Gravity FSX 29PRO

I paid $1300 for my Stance , the Gravity has 29 tires instead of 27.5 I perfer 27.5 but it has one step up brakes and rear derailleur, same rear shock and front derailleur, one step down front fork, similar gearing and is $1000. I basically paid the extra $300 to get it from a LBS and get the free set up and one year maintenance. Not that I can't do my own maintenance but I will need to get all the bike specific tools, all my tools are for motorcycles.

verdugist

I paid $500 for my DB 2013 OD Comp HT. No major issues other than it's on the heavier side at ~35 lbs. Swapped out the tires but no other mods. People complain about the Avid Elixir brakes but they work fine and they are noisy sometimes (still haven't figured that out 100% even with sanding the rotor and pads, etc.)

Make sure you read the Brian Lopes skills book or go to a training camp. Watch out for corners/braking.