After 18 years and a couple of thousands miles, my Trek 820 finally needs replacement... I commute about 2 miles a day one way, do some gravel trails on weekends, and occasionally ride in local mountain bike parks (no jumps, but some legit single track, with some bumps, roots, etc).
So I am choosing between Cannondale Catalyst 4, Giant ATX2 and Trek Marlin 4. I don't want more expensive one, as where I store it during commute it may get stollen. Any advice which one to get?
Few initial thoughts. Subjectively Giant feels higher end. What I like in Cannondale is that that it has narrower handlebar (same as my current Trek 820) - 620mm, the other two are 660mm (why - will be easier to walk between my bike and my car in the garage, but I can live with 660mm if it's way better). Trek has 29" wheels and the other two are 27.5. Coming off 26" bike, I am fine with 27.5" and would probably it prefer as I assume it'll make the bike more compact and lighter.
Oh, the only gripe that I had about my old Trek 820 is that while going slight downhill you can't go faster than 20mph - there was no high enough gear for that.
Thanks!
So I am choosing between Cannondale Catalyst 4, Giant ATX2 and Trek Marlin 4. I don't want more expensive one, as where I store it during commute it may get stollen. Any advice which one to get?
Few initial thoughts. Subjectively Giant feels higher end. What I like in Cannondale is that that it has narrower handlebar (same as my current Trek 820) - 620mm, the other two are 660mm (why - will be easier to walk between my bike and my car in the garage, but I can live with 660mm if it's way better). Trek has 29" wheels and the other two are 27.5. Coming off 26" bike, I am fine with 27.5" and would probably it prefer as I assume it'll make the bike more compact and lighter.
Oh, the only gripe that I had about my old Trek 820 is that while going slight downhill you can't go faster than 20mph - there was no high enough gear for that.
Thanks!