Hi. I am basically a beginner to the sport. I owned a 2007 Cannondale F5 and rode a little until I had kids. I recently sold it and was looking the buy another bike comparable to my old one. I am looking a several bikes including Cannondale Trail 5, Trek Marlin 7, and Kona Lava Dome or Fire Mountain. I will be riding XC, light trails, woods, no woods, etc. I did notice that the bikes have comparable components around the same weight, etc. Just looking for some insight, that's all. Thanks!
Yes, in a price range specs on bikes are very much alike. What you should be looking for when buying any bike is fit, first your body then how you intend to ride it ,then budget. If you find more than one bike you like ,then choose the one from the dealer you like best .If all of that is equal, then choose because you like the color or the decals.
for entry-level bikes, usually the shop where you buy it matters more than the bike itself. If those bikes are available from different dealers near you, I'd check the reviews on the shop itself first.
also be aware that bikes in that price range are HARD to find right now. just like you, thousands of people have recently decided to buy a bicycle as there is little else to do due to the pandemic. most likely, your local bike shops are totally sold out of those bikes you're considering and will not have more for several months.
at bike shops in my city, you have to schedule an appointment to shop and you have about 30 minutes to chose from the limited selection they have left. if you want to bring your bike in for maintenance, you'll need to wait for over a month, sometimes closer to two months.
If you know the size you need and you have an active craigslist where you live, that would be my route right now based on the type of bikes you're looking at.
This past week I had great luck helping a couple buds finding some great hardtails on Pinkbike.
If you like tinkering with your own bike then you can always find a bike that's close to what you want make upgrades to it.
Check out the youtube channel for "hardtail party". His channel is dedicated to hard tail bikes. In the last couple of days he did a video on buying a bike during the pandemic when supplies are low.
A couple of important points are buying a bike with correct geometry for what your intended use is. Also getting a current spec. bike with "boost" spacing rear hub. The reason for this is, as time goes on you may transfer your parts to a newer frame and having currently available parts is helpful.
I have a bike with non boost wheels currently and it does limit you some in upgrade paths.
In this price range it's really helpful to look toward the future. Where do you want your mtb experience to take you?
Do you want to progress your technical riding acumen, and eventually be challenged by handling skills, rather than fitness?
Do you want to go out and ride 50 miles of dirt some day?
Do you want to go out 2x a month and feel comfortable and in control on nontechnical terrain?
Do you want this bike to be a capable urban exploration vehicle?
The second half of that has to do with budget- we set a budget for what we expect to pay, but it's important to match it to our intended use. If you only ever want to ride on roads and easy trails it's hard to justify a 800$ budget. If you want to work your way up to going fast and hitting jumps 800$ is an expensive way to save money.
For bike paths and urban exploration i'm a big fan of refurbishing bikes from the early 90s. That's a whole conversation on its own.
Thank you for the advice. There are many options out there online that look good. I am looking at the wrong time because of the pandemic. A lot of the shops have limited stock. Good thing I am not in a rush!
There are many options out there online that look good. I am looking at the wrong time because of the pandemic. A lot of the shops have limited stock. Good thing I am not in a rush!
^This^ I would be highly suspicious of ordering online right now with 'promised' delivery. EVERYONE is out of stock right now. You are shopping at the wrong time. You can look for used bikes - lots of people realize this and are selling, but it is a seller's market right now.
Thank you all for the advice! Will keep in mind everything that was said. I am definitely shopping at the wrong time. I definitely understand that. What i am doing is some research online to see what is out there which are alot of options! I figure do some work now to figure out what i am looking for so when the bikes start coming back to the Local Bike Shops it may be easier to pick a bike.
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