Hi all. I am looking to buy my first proper mountain bike. I am local to Minnesota, so the vast majority of my riding will be closer to cross-country/trail riding than true downhill bombing (although there are some cool spots here and there =)).
I’d like to get something from a local shot, so two that I have been looking at are the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 12 (https://www.rei.com/product/184686/salsa-rangefinder-deore-12-speed-29-mountain-bike) and Rocky Mountain (https://bikes.com/collections/hardtail-and-rigid-mountain-bikes/products/growler-40-22-23?variant=43475014254827). I’m certainly open to other suggestions, but they may not be available locally and I don’t know if I could set it up and get it fit adjusted all on my own.
Between the two, they seem pretty similar except for the slightly nicer fork on the Growler. Is that responsible for all/most of the price difference, or are there other compelling reasons to go one or the other or for something else entirely?
edit: answering the bots prompts makes sense. I don’t have a hard budget, but I was hoping to do around $2000 USD give or take. Obviously cheaper is better, but willing to splurge for the right bike.
I think like I said, this will mostly be trail riding in Minnesota. Cuyuna (https://www.cuyunalakesmtb.com/) seems to be among the better trail networks in the state with some more vertical riding, but it won’t be bombing down a literal mountain.
My experience level is rank amateur. A few rides at Cuyuna and some more local trails. I just want to get out there and enjoy the ride and build confidence I suppose. I don’t see myself ever doing gnarly tricks/freestyle riding, but I wouldn’t mind being able to explore more technical sections at a slower pace that eventually becomes less slow.
by straddotjs