I’ve been riding a hardtail Specialized for so long now it’s embarrassing and I have about $2500 in credit card points that I’ve decide to use for an upgrade.
I’ll be mostly riding trail/all mountain, medium to long rides. I’m an old man so I’d estimate 50/50 uphill to downhill. I would be a size XL. Here is what I’ve found in that price range:
Knolly Fugitive 138: [https://knollybikes.com/collections/bikes/products/fugitive-138?variant=40282301038690](https://knollybikes.com/collections/bikes/products/fugitive-138?variant=40282301038690) (leaning towards this based on reviews)
Polygon Siskiu T8: [https://www.bikesonline.com/polygon-siskiu-t8-dual-suspension-mountain-bike\~21415](https://www.bikesonline.com/polygon-siskiu-t8-dual-suspension-mountain-bike~21415) (the N9 is in my budget as well, but seems like the Enduro geometry would cost me efficiency on the uphill)
DiamondBack Release 29 3: [https://www.diamondback.com/release-29-3-4677](https://www.diamondback.com/release-29-3-4677) (also seems to have very positive reviews)
Coston Intense 951: [https://www.costco.com/intense-951-trail-bike.product.4000136517.html?qid=0fc71da3a08a11ee8394ecbd0a1cb826&cjevent=0fc71da3a08a11ee8394ecbd0a1cb826](https://www.costco.com/intense-951-trail-bike.product.4000136517.html?qid=0fc71da3a08a11ee8394ecbd0a1cb826&cjevent=0fc71da3a08a11ee8394ecbd0a1cb826) (currently 3k, but I’m hoping it goes back down $500, which is where it was last week)
What does everyone recommend? Are there any others I’m missing? Thanks in advance for any advice.
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by fullpotential
6 Comments
I came here to recommend the T8, as I have one and love it. My only complaint is there is almost nothing to upgrade lol.
The list should have ended with the Fugitive, imo.
Why didn’t CANYON make it to this list? The spectral AL 5 has better components than the T8 I thought.. at under $2500
https://imgur.com/a/jI8V9YY
used for $1600 back in 2021. winter is a great time to wait for the right deal.
Having ridden with a few guys on Knollys, they all love them. And rock solid too, known for their excellent built quality and durability. They look so cool in person, their suspension design and unusually front triangle make it around out in a good way in my opinion.
They’re also a small brand so it’s always cool to support a smaller company. And that is a wicked deal for the price.
The main downside that I hear about them is the bearings – there’s a lot of them. But I think it’s a pretty small drawback in the grand scheme of things.
As you mentioned, most reviews online of Knolly bikes are very positive. I’ve been wanting to try one of their longer-travel models for a loong time.
t8 unbelievable deal