ultravolta

Hello everyone

I've been lurking for a couple weeks now and reading here and there. I started cycling in April after about a 20 year hiatus. As a kid I rode around the block and some hills with an old rigid MTB. I bought a diamondback sorrento about 20 years old as well off craigslist as well as a nextgen full suspension. I got both bikes for 140$. Since then I've been slowly building up my stamina riding a mix of a paved bike paths, a river bed, and little bmx park some kids made.

When I bought those bikes I was happy to be riding again. Little did I know the world I was getting back into... Since then I've been made aware of full suspension and hardtails and everything else the MTB world had become since I was a kid.

My dilemma now is that I've become addicted, a new drug for me you could almost say. Since riding again I've lost about 20 lbs, quit smoking, and got my blood pressure under control. All goals that I set to achieve when beginning to ride a bike again. The sorrento and nextgen have gotten me back into the swing of things but is by far a decent bike to ride some trails and singletrack.

Now I'm in the market for a new bike. I love the idea of a full suspension but the upfront cost is one commitment that I've yet to commit to myself. Full suspension from what I've been told, I'd have to spend atleast 1200 to start 1500 for something decent and the higher you go the better. Hardtails I've been told can be purchased at around 500-700 for something decent for trails and no dedicated singletrack. 1000 on a hardtail would be a good ride is what I'm told.

The first bike I was going to buy was a cannondale sl trail . I ended up not getting it and have since then been doing homework and trying to decide on a new ride.

I live in southern california and local for me to ride is big bear lake, joshua tree and marshall canyon. Their are other numerous spots to ride but those are the big ones for me. In my mind it seems like a lot of trail riding and xc is whats in store for me. Not that I wouldn't love to do some singletrack and downhill.

At this time in my mind I see myself getting a hardtail for now and waiting till I can I can save up for a full suspension, maybe tax return next year.

Thus comes my next dilemma for something to hold me over for a hardtail I've been looking at the Motobecane 700HT off bikesdirect vs a LBS Trek 6000 Disc

Both are are spec'd the same as far as components in derailleurs and shifters but differ in forks from a SR SunTour XCR-RL, 100mm-travel for the trek and a RockShox Dart 2 for the motobecane.

1209.99 vs 499.00

I've read both sides of the argument and am so confused on which route to take. Some people enjoy their motobecanes and numerous others have horror stories about customer service and total frame failure. Some people will always be loyal to their LBS and buy brand name. I understand that both come with entry level beginner forks and would be needed to be upgraded over time. But price wise and what would get me onto the dirt sooner than later is the motobecane.

I've taken some of the forums advice to establish a good relationship with the guys at the LBS and have done so since beginning to ride again and if I decide to buy from them I know they won't steer me wrong. I've test rode the cannondale and rode a friends giant hardtail not sure of year and model. Never been on a full suspension and am kind of timid to ask the guys at LBS to test one out and I can't even put a down payment or even consider buying from them cuz of BD.com.

So if you've read this far I'm looking for your comments, advice, and input. The deals of BD.com are very persuasive but buying from my LBS ensures so much more than buying online.

Please help

TIA

ultravolta

Also about frames the trek is suppsoed to be better quality but I keep reading (don't ask for links I can't remember) that they are made in the same factory. I'm not too worried about breaking or cracking the frame because I haven't broke my nextgen yet. Also for your consideration if I did pull the trigger and got a hardtail what would be a good fork upgrade in the future?

mystolenbikes

As a fellow so cal rider I say don't waste your money on a hard tail bike. (go ahead flame all you want)
you live in great used bikes haven. Do some search on Craigslist and you'll find hundreds of great bikes in your budget.

I don't know what size bike you are looking for but here are a few options.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...201415541.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...222736821.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...216018824.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...220043633.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...217866310.html

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...212136871.html

ultravolta

Yes I didn't even mention used bikes, I've seen a 2008 trek fuel 8 for 1200. If I decided on this route it'd be after tax season. It'd be a hunt. Thanks nevertheless.

Daspydyr 

I like stolenbikes attitude! don't get engaged-marry the chick, go in 100%!

The areas you mention for riding are pretty sick! Big Bear, are you kidding me, BIG BEAR! Lucky Stiff! Getting a HT will be serviceable and for years those ruled the areas you describe. But those areas can get knarly and you will want some rear suspension. Good advice has been given, I'm just the choir shouting AMEN!

mystolenbikes

Thank you!

I know the trails he is talking about and I also know that after about three rides he is gonna start banging his head up against the rocks and start asking why oh why didn't I buy a full squish bike?

ultravolta

LOL you guys are funny ...but more than most likely true ... oh full suspension your so far away but worth it when I shred some righteous dirt