I currently have an old trek marlin 5. My budget is about 1000 dollars. I've narrowed it down to these three bikes. They all cost 1000 dollars and seem pretty decent. The giant actually has 100mm even though it says 80 on the picture.
I live in Iowa so there aren't extreme mountains but around where I live it is pretty consistently hilly with lots of ups and downs. I also do ride some flatter trails.
The specialized rockhopper doesn't have a dropper post, thru axels or tapered head tube but everything else seems the best. How big of a deal is not having those things? I would probably get a dropper post in the future but it's nice the giant already has one.
The giant seems good as well and even if the fork isn't the best right now would it be good enough for me to do some minor jumps and stuff? I could always upgrade in the future.
Probably not getting the trek unless people say it's amazing. Ive liked at the used market in my area and unfortunately there's not much available around here.
Thanks for any help in advance!
by Royal-Device9834
12 Comments
My local Giant dealer has Talons for under $500. With that said though, if you could swing the Rockhopper then save for a dropper post, that’d be the one I choose.
Specialized.
You get an air fork and a 1×12 drivetrain. Not 100% sure but I also think it had a UDH
I ride a Rockhopper and I enjoy it, having those other features would be nice but I don’t think about it often. I know someday I’ll have a bike that has more, but for now I’m just grateful to have a good bike to ride. If you can find a way to test the bikes at a shop. That’s the only way you’ll know which one suits you more.
The specialized seems to be a slightly better spec
Check with ones have modern things like boost spacing and thru-axels. It will make upgrades and replacement parts easier to buy. Do either have UDH rear derailleur mounts?
If you’re going to spend 1k I’d save just a little more and make sure you get a bike with thru axles and tubeless ready rims/tires. I believe the Marin team Marin comes with these at 1300, but I could be wrong.
Thru axles will allow you to buy a decent wheelset and tubeless ready wheels are such a huge upgrade. With air fork, tubeless wheels, ability to buy a decent set of wheels, and a dropper, this could be the last mountain bike you buy (depending on goals/riding style).
Eta (and if you catch the bike buying illness)
Rockhopper has air fork yet not tapered headset where as talon doesn’t have air fork but has tapered headset
Have built/ridden all three of these bikes, I’d put the Rockhopper first and the Marlin second.
Realistically, if it’s been a while since you’ve ridden/bought a bike, all three of these are going to fundamentally feel and work the same for the type of riding you’ll be doing.
Though if we’re gonna highlight beginner-friendly features of my two picks, Rockhopper has a smoother feeling fork, easier lower gear for steep inclines and the Universal Derailleur Hangar is nice to see (widely available part, easy to replace). The Marlin has a dropper post off the bat and the Cues drivetrain has less gears to choose from compared to Deore, though slightly more durable and smoother shifting.
Rockhopper has the better components of the group.
how about a second hand full sus
The 2025 Giant Talon is the winner of those three in terms of frame design. It has thru axles, and a tapered head tube. The Rockhopper would be my last choice of the three; the frame is just old standards.
You might also consider the Canyon Grand Canyon AL; this year’s model has thru axle and tapered head tube for £750 at the lowest spec.
I’m not sure about the other’s but my wife’s rockhopper has skewer style axles and like others have said it’s doesn’t have a tapered head tube. It’s also got a squared bottom bracket. It’s not a bad bike and a great foot in the door but not a bike worth upgrading for long haul in my opinion . I personally started mtb a couple years ago and went with a specialized fuse for those reasons and it was on sale then. I’d save up and get something more capable or buy used.