Hi All,
I need help with deciding on my next bike. I haven't ridden trail in a month and am struggling to decide a few critical bike factors before purchasing a new bike. My budget is $3500.
So over the past two months my 2015 Trek X Caliber 7 (29er HT(hardtail)) has become unrideable (Rear Derailleur Broke Clean Off, Dented Rim, lots more).
I currently ride singletrack around Minnesota however I plan on moving out west/ or possibly Whistler area within the next two years.
I am looking for a bike that will be able to handle singletrack trail riding, dirt jumping, and possibly all mountain/enduro (for the future when I go out west). Also, I previously would ride my X cal just for fun in the street or only my way to work, school, etc as I really enjoy just air'ing off curbs, hopping over and off obstacles, trying to balance on things and just playing with the streets; so preferably a bike that works well for commuting (max of like 5 miles one way) is something I am considering.
I really enjoy pumping; catching air; tossing the bike around; balancing over objects; hoping: up, over and off of things; speed and just ripping in general.
I am stuck contemplate a few areas that I need help with:
1.) I am really struggling to decide if I want to get another HT or move to FS. I test rode the Santa Cruz Tallboy and Santa Cruz 5010. The 5010 felt a lot easier to whip around and carve with on the trail than the tallboy. I have read that FS are more of a pain in the ass for general commuting... do you think this is true?? I also occasionally hit the bike park/dj and although my HT isn't a prime dirt jumper it still works and I was wondering if any of you have used FS at dirt jumps and how you felt a FS handled at dirt jumping in comparison to a HT? I also feel my HT really made me really feel the trail and have to pick my lines out which I honestly really enjoyed, it added and element of additional control/focus on the trail. I am still contemplating getting another HT? Please any feedback on this will help.
2)I have been riding 29ers for the past 5 years but I am thinking of switching to 27ers (not the plus size)? I know the 29ers move over obstacles a lot easier and higher top speeds but I feel like the 27ers will be easier to whip/manuever in the air and for drifts. Also i feel like I can get more air time in general with 27er. The 27er 5010 seemed a lot easier to throw around but maybe that was just my mind any thoughts or opinions on 27 or 29?? ( I weight 145lbs and am looking for a really fun/easy to throw around bike).
Any Bike suggestions (brands, models, general pros and cons) or tips that helped you decide on your next bike would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been able to ride trail in like a month due to the trek breaking down and I am so mentally stuck on whether to do 27 or 29 and fs or ht so I appreciate any help!!
Also this was my first post so I apologize if anything isn't up to community rules or something, I am always reading this forum but just decided to create an account and get valuable opinions
Stoked for the help y'all
I need help with deciding on my next bike. I haven't ridden trail in a month and am struggling to decide a few critical bike factors before purchasing a new bike. My budget is $3500.
So over the past two months my 2015 Trek X Caliber 7 (29er HT(hardtail)) has become unrideable (Rear Derailleur Broke Clean Off, Dented Rim, lots more).
I currently ride singletrack around Minnesota however I plan on moving out west/ or possibly Whistler area within the next two years.
I am looking for a bike that will be able to handle singletrack trail riding, dirt jumping, and possibly all mountain/enduro (for the future when I go out west). Also, I previously would ride my X cal just for fun in the street or only my way to work, school, etc as I really enjoy just air'ing off curbs, hopping over and off obstacles, trying to balance on things and just playing with the streets; so preferably a bike that works well for commuting (max of like 5 miles one way) is something I am considering.
I really enjoy pumping; catching air; tossing the bike around; balancing over objects; hoping: up, over and off of things; speed and just ripping in general.
I am stuck contemplate a few areas that I need help with:
1.) I am really struggling to decide if I want to get another HT or move to FS. I test rode the Santa Cruz Tallboy and Santa Cruz 5010. The 5010 felt a lot easier to whip around and carve with on the trail than the tallboy. I have read that FS are more of a pain in the ass for general commuting... do you think this is true?? I also occasionally hit the bike park/dj and although my HT isn't a prime dirt jumper it still works and I was wondering if any of you have used FS at dirt jumps and how you felt a FS handled at dirt jumping in comparison to a HT? I also feel my HT really made me really feel the trail and have to pick my lines out which I honestly really enjoyed, it added and element of additional control/focus on the trail. I am still contemplating getting another HT? Please any feedback on this will help.
2)I have been riding 29ers for the past 5 years but I am thinking of switching to 27ers (not the plus size)? I know the 29ers move over obstacles a lot easier and higher top speeds but I feel like the 27ers will be easier to whip/manuever in the air and for drifts. Also i feel like I can get more air time in general with 27er. The 27er 5010 seemed a lot easier to throw around but maybe that was just my mind any thoughts or opinions on 27 or 29?? ( I weight 145lbs and am looking for a really fun/easy to throw around bike).
Any Bike suggestions (brands, models, general pros and cons) or tips that helped you decide on your next bike would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been able to ride trail in like a month due to the trek breaking down and I am so mentally stuck on whether to do 27 or 29 and fs or ht so I appreciate any help!!
Also this was my first post so I apologize if anything isn't up to community rules or something, I am always reading this forum but just decided to create an account and get valuable opinions
Stoked for the help y'all