Hello! I’m trying to get into mountain biking and I have a friend with a very nice bike that goes out often but isn't super familiar with all the differences between part specs. I’ve been looking online for bikes and while my budget started at ~$500 it has gone up to ~$800 since it seems like you can get a much better bike. Initially I planned on buying a used bike but in my area it seems like most of the used bikes are going for close to or even at new bike prices (that are on sale/clearance). I noticed that Giant has a bunch of seemingly nice 2022 bikes (covid overstock?) for like half off so those were mostly what I was looking at. Below are the bikes I've been looking at and I'm currently leaning towards the Stance 1. I'll need an XL frame. I'd really appreciate some suggestions and help. Is there anything I'm not thinking about should I be looking at something else? Thanks!
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/stance-2022
by napoleonicdynamite
2 Comments
I’d go with the hardtail as it is easier and cheaper to maintain. Riding technical stuff is often harder on a hardtail, but the hardtail will help you learn to visualize and ride the smoothest lines. I started on a specialized rockhopper which appears similar to that hardtail and it was a great starter bike. Recently took it out on a tech trail and felt so much more nimble than my full suspension. I love the hardtail though.
Gonna be completely honest with you as someone who just had to do extensive research shopping for a hardtail. (Note that the links and prices you’ve selected are old models that don’t have stock to buy).
800 bucks is rough if you don’t want to buy used. Buying used comes with its own set of problems, especially if you don’t have a 200-300 dollar budget for all the tools and extras that you’re gonna need to service a used bike before you can ride it.
Also, upgrade ability wise, virtually everything below 1100 bucks has serious limitations that will make you pissed off that your bike is broken or inhibiting your ability to grow.
My advice is this (and it sucks to say), but continue saving and do your research online with YouTube reviews etc. Not buying a trek marlin, for instance, which can’t upgrade the forks, then puts you into a Roscoe which is 1500 minimum.
Things that I’d consider non negotiable nowadays: minimum 1×10 shimano cues or better, a dropper post, 29 inch tubeless compatible, and hydraulic brakes. 130mm+ of suspension travel is also seriously nice to have and there’s no reason not to.
If you don’t have these bare minimums, the resale value of your bike will be crap (and you SHOULD want to upgrade and/or sell in a year or two).
Good options are the Marin San Quentin (1000-2000 bucks, which shows its upgrade ability straightaway), or polygon syncline C series (starts at 1200), or Giant Fathom 29 (1200 bucks). Stepping up from there is a ton of options at the 1500 range (Santa Cruz chameleon, trek Roscoe 7, etc).
An extra 200-400 dollars of budget is going to be a HUGE step up in capability. Otherwise you’re gonna just get frustrated by gear when you should be learning to ride.