Bike recommendations
 

Going to be buying my first new mountain bike in the next few months. I live in New England and will be riding local trails many of which are rooty and rocky, and I've decided on a 27.5+ setup. Budget is <$2000 and I think I've narrowed it down to 2 bikes. Don't know much about the tech stuff, wondering which of these two has better components/specs and is therefore a better value. Appreciate the help!

2019 Trek Roscoe 8
2019 Rocky Mountain Growler 50

Hard to go wrong with the Roscoe IMO. Disclosure - I have no personal experience with it, but the reviews seem consistently positive.
The Santa Cruz Chameleon is another option. https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/chameleon - I've only test ridden one, but really like how it handled. Again, consistently good reviews from folks with more saddle time on it.


I'll just toss another option out there - unconventional, but viable IMO - fully rigid 27.5+ from a guy who bucks the trend. Until recently you could only get custom builds, and he now has a packaged bike. https://www.jonesbikes.com/jones-plu...plete-bicycle/

If you are comfortable doing your own wrenching, here's one that is slightly over your budget but great value IMO - flame on, BD haters! Save Up to 60% Off Plus FREE SHIP 48 STATES ON ALL BICYCLES FREE SHIP* Motobecane NEW Fantom Boost Ti PRO 27PLUS NEW Boost 27PLUS Titanium Bicycles, 27PLUS Mountain Bikes

for that much money I'd get something that is full boost spec and not something made overnight to cut cost of making the frame. Makes for wheel upgrade/fixes easier and more common with the industry. Used parts, ect ect.

The trek roscoe uses 141mm QUICK release wheel
Standard 27+ bike or 29+ bikes will have 148 thru axle rear. Thru axle is stiffer, 148 is wider so the wheels are stronger and works well with the 40-45mm wide rims needed to run a 3" tire

2K price point
Chameleon is dope, I have over 600 miles on mine I got in March. Love the darn thing with 3" 275+ tires

Salsa Timberjack NX build comes with adjustable drop outs like the Chameleon and gets the dropper post in there from the Factory, also 12speed eagle, Get it from REI and gets 10% back in March
https://salsacycles.com/bikes/timber..._nx_eagle_27.5

Kona Honzo, pick you frame choice, the Steel comes in frame only so can build a budget friendly bike or ends up kinds nuts. Pre-built alum one are dope too. These then to run long, so test ride em. No matter what you select, you should fine fit with stem length from 35mm, 50mm or 65mm.
KONA BIKES | MTB | HONZO

SAY NO to Quick release, especially at 2k level.

Thanks for the replies! I've been looking at the SC Chameleon since I first posted this and leaning towards it more than the Trek for some of the reasons above. Is the R+ a significant upgrade over the D+ ?

main difference are the fork $600-900 to upgrade it if you don't like the D build. I really like the rhythm 34

Dropper post from Race Face $200

With the 19' R build it comes with the XD hub and gets 11-50t eagle group vs looks like the 11spd group on the D group. the 18' green bikes had different hubs and cassette netting the R build 1pound of rotational mass lighter, big deal when the plus tires are already heavier than large 29er. $375 upgrade from 11spd to 12sp to get that 50t climbing ring

Saddle Difference $50

Pick your shop first, then get a Bike there.


Local shop will help you,

My local sells Trek (& Felt), not Rocky Mountain..

Can you walk in and test ride both where you live?



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Why when you can buy a bike online?

I bought my bike from online from Competitive Cyclist, but I service and buy all the small parts local from LBS.

LBS goes thru bike MFG every few yrs, so when I wanted to buy my Santa Cruz, they were no longer a dealer..figures right.

Mountain biking = breaking things
 

Becuse he is unfamiliar with bike mechanics as he said, unfamiliar,
and when you break things you are on your own..

and Trek you can Order them online but the Trek dealer has to assemble it
they don'd send the box to your house, but to your nearest bike shop.

Link



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