Bikelopnik

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti) 01/14/2020 at 10:54 • Filed to: None

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Cycling Oppos, I need some advice. I have been off a bicycle for a very long time. However, having multiple vehic les down all at the same time has made me realize I need to get back on the saddle. I also realized that there’s a mountain bike trail through a mountain preserve that I can take from my house to my work. The trail is moderate, and around five miles in length with only about a 300' elevation change. After some research I think I want to go with a 17-18" hardtail frame with 29" wheels and mechanical disc brakes. I know nothing about bike brands anymore. Any advice you can give is welcomed.

My view on the way to work for your time.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 11:26

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First off, you want hydraulic disk brakes. I’m not sure many brands even offer mechanical disk brakes anymore.

Second, set a budget. Make sure you account for helmet, spare tube and patch kit, multitool, pump (I have two a full size and a hand pump strapped to my frame in case of emergencies..you really don’t want to get stranded with a flat tire), and bike carrier (if needed). Head on down to your local bike shop (most carry multiple brands unless its a specialized shop) and try whatever you like in your price range and buy the one you like the most.

Most entry level hardtails under $700 will be pretty similar. Between $700 & $1000 you get some upgraded parts like a nicer drivetrain or a nicer fork. Depends on the brand.

If you’re willing to spend up to $1k on the bike alone I would suggest taking a look at 27.5+ bikes. These bikes have 2 7. 5 wheels paired with 2.8-3" wide tires. The OD of the tire is similar to a 29" wheel and the tires offer a bit more grip and cusion on things like rocks and sand. Trek Roscoe, Salsa Timberjack, Norco Fluid HT+, and the Cannondale Cujo are solid options in this price range for a 27.5+.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 11:29

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1. How much money can you spend?

2. How gnarly are the trails?

3. Mechanical disc brakes suck, even the cheapest hydraulic brakes are 100% better.

I tend to push folks to higher end bikes but that’s not always what you need.

Back to how much money can you spend. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 11:36

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I think plus bikes are dying off, the happy medium seems to be a 2.5-2.6" wide tire on a 27.5 rim or 2.3-2.5" tire on a 29" rim. I had  Specialized Fuse Expert, kinda want that bike again with 29" wheels. 

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 11:41

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So based on the picture you’re in southern AZ...I want to say Tucson area

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 12:09

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https://www.pinkbike.com/news/field-test-hardtails-marin-san-quentin-3-vs-specialized-fuse-comp-29.html

Read this. 

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/14/2020 at 12:14

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Yeah I’ve noticed that trend too. The Rocky Mountain Growler went from 27.5+/29 to 29 with wide trail tires for 2020. I think plus tires are still relevant for hardtails but its really not necessary for FS.

benjrblant > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 12:37

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First off, you want hydraulic disk brakes. I’m not sure many brands even offer mechanical disk brakes anymore.

Woah, seriously? Mechanical calipers are great. They’re robust, durable, and most importantly amazingly easy to service trailside. A hot fix is as good as carrying a spare brake cable. Ripping out a hydro line on a trail is a 100% game-over scenario for that brake  unless you carry a bleed kit, 100cc’s of oil, and a fresh barb+olive. Not everyone has the space and toolkit to maintain their hydros themselves - I bleed most of my friend’s brakes because the have no interest in doing it themselves and it’s good money.

Hydro brakes may feel significantly better but mechanical brakes are easier to service, just as or if not more robust, and far easier for the average home-gamer to fix at home.

benjrblant > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 12:50

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Salsa Timberjack Deore 29 would be a good consideration for $1300

Trek X-Cal 8 is also a good spot for around $1200

More money will get you a better build kit, but I’d not recommend going under $1k for a new hardtail. There’s a bit of a sweet spot around $1500-2k which would open up some other options like the Santa Cruz Chameleon or the Kona Honzo and above that which would get you into the   Bombtrack Cale , or a Niner SIR9 .

DipodomysDeserti > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 12:57

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I’m buying used, which is why I’m wondering on which brands are quality. Creeping on CL seems to produce quite a few mechanical disc brakes. I ride motorcycles with mechanical drums, so I don’t need anything fancy. Budget is around $300-$500 for the bike itself. There are a few Treks right now in this price range, but I don’t want to spend hundreds of bucks on a POS, but I’m also not into spending money on gear that I don’t actually need just to look cool.

How well would a 3" tire do on the road? That’s wider tires than one of the motorcycles I ride.

DipodomysDeserti > benjrblant 01/14/2020 at 13:01

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Yeah, I ride motorcycles with mechanical brakes and have no issues. Seems like overkill on a bike being used to commute on trails. Having to bleed brakes on a bike seems ridiculous to me.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > benjrblant 01/14/2020 at 13:06

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I’ve had hydraulic disc brakes since 2008 and have ridden thousands of offroad miles and have never had one single mechanical failure of my brakes. That being said I have never had a cable actuated brake fail either. I have had a cable slip in a pinch bolt but even that is extremely rare.

DipodomysDeserti > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/14/2020 at 13:09

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1. I’m looking to buy used and spend around $500 on the bike itself, so nothing too fancy. Seems to be a few Treks in this price range.

2. Trails aren’t too gnarly by AZ standards. Rocky, rattlesnakes, mostly flat.

3. Both my motorcycles have mechanical drums, so even the shittiest modern bike brakes are going to feel better than what I’m used to on two wheels. I want mechanical more for the simplicity, as being late to my job isn’t really an option.

3. I’m a school teacher and in grad school. I’m not looking to ride a Huffy through the desert, but I also don’t need the latest and greatest.

DipodomysDeserti > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 01/14/2020 at 13:12

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T hat picture is actually from around the middle of Phoenix in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve . That’ s Four Peaks in the distance. Not my picture, just a rando off of Google.

Same Sonoran Desert as Tucson, so vegetation is all the same.

whatisthatsound > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 13:13

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Do you have any heartburn about buying used as that would be a decent budget for used. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 13:14

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https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/bik/d/stanfield-trek-series-xc-hardtail/7055934522.html

https://tucson.craigslist.org/bik/d/tucson-breezer-lightning/7050562920.html

these aren’t bad.

DipodomysDeserti > benjrblant 01/14/2020 at 13:17

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I’m looking to buy used in the $500 range. Seem to be a few Treks meeting my specs on CL. Not sure if they are a decent brand, though.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 13:17

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I didn’t realize there we some mountains so close to the city center. Whenever I drove through Phoenix it just felt like a flat never ending expanse of suburbia and shopping malls. As you can tell I never spent much time actually in Phoenix lol.

DipodomysDeserti > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/14/2020 at 13:19

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So they’re pretty bullet proof. TBH, I just learned today that bikes came with hydraulic brakes.

Unfortunately, I’ve have both hydraulic and mechanical brakes fail on me on old cars and motos.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 13:23

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Yes, they are great. I have a bleed kit of my own but I tend to burn through pads so it’s easier for me to DIY than leave my bike at the shop for 2-3 days for new pads and a bleed. Most of the time you just push the pistons back into the calipers and you don’t even need to do a bleed .

DipodomysDeserti > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/14/2020 at 13:24

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That looks good. I’ve found a few Treks in that range.

benjrblant > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 13:33

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You can’t really compare anything motorcycle with anything mountain bike. Yes, they both have two wheels and roll, but that’s about the extent of it. Literally everything else is an apples/oranges comparison. Different speeds, weight, conditions, different purpose. I say this as someone who has owned both at the same time - there is nothing in common.

DipodomysDeserti > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 01/14/2020 at 13:36

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The Phoenix metropolitan area is huge, so it depends where you are. Phoenix proper has a mountain preserve in the middle of it, a mountain preserve on the southern edge of the city, and hills on the northern edge. To the east in Scottsdale is another mountain preserve. The west side is a flat wasteland.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 13:39

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I think a 3" mtb tire might size differently. E ven among mtb tire brands the noted width and actual width can very a little bit.

If you’ve got strong legs you can get them moving pretty good, but if you’re anticipating a decent amount of road riding the 29" might be the ticket as they’re easier to get moving and more efficient to pedal on.

Any of the big name brands (T rek, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized) would serve you well. Just be careful as some of these guys are selling like 5year old bikes for near msrp sometimes. I personally would suggest avoiding bikes over 3yrs old unless its apparent they’ve take really good care of it. A lot of these entry level bikes get used and abused and then dumped when the owner is ready to upgrade.

Make sure it shifts smoothly across all its gears. Depending on how much they’ve ridden it see if they’ve replaced wear items yet like the chain or cassette (you’ d be surprised how quickly cheap ones can wear out). Spin the wheels and see if you can hear any hub noise and check to make sure it spins straight . Check the spokes to make sure they’ re not loose and don’ t have any kinks.

You might also want to consider investing in some new pads right off the bat. In my experience cheap resin pads wear out quickly. But I’m also 240lbs so ymmv.

These are just some things that stick out in my m ind as lessons learned.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > benjrblant 01/14/2020 at 13:41

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I mean that’ s a good point. I don’t know anyone who has had hydro brakes fail but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

benjrblant > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 13:48

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Extremely unlikely, but possible. Mech brakes are still popular with long-distance bikepackers and international tourers for this reason.

DipodomysDeserti > whatisthatsound 01/14/2020 at 13:50

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Nope, I’m loo king to buy used at around $500.

DipodomysDeserti > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 14:01

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Awesome, thanks for the tips!

CobraJoe > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 14:44

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If you don’t mind orderin g an offbrand bike online, BikesDirect.com has some cheap mountain bikes, some well under $500.

I don’t have any experience with them, but as far as I have researched , they’re pretty good entry level bikes if you get one with some known brand hardware (Specifically shifter/derailleur ) .

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > benjrblant 01/14/2020 at 15:00

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I see how that would be preferable over having to bleed or fit a n ew hydraulic line in the middle of nowhere.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 16:02

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The newer the better. There are a ton of quality bike manufacturers these days. Got $500 you’re gonna get what you’re gonna get. The newer the better though. Geometry and components have come a long way even in just the last five years. Pinkbike classifieds might be a good option too.

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/d/mesa-giant-275-talon/7038533724.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/bik/d/palo-verde-2015-gt-zasker-elite/7029697008.html

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/d/higley-diamondback-axis-spt-sport-275/7045391036.html

But my vote goes for this one:

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/bik/d/phoenix-specialized-pitch-tons-upgraded/7050424738.html

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/14/2020 at 16:06

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Oooh, that P itch is a great deal.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 16:09

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That was my thought too! Dropper and 1x alone make it worthwhile! Good tires already set up tubeless is just sweet sweet icing on the cake!

benjrblant > CobraJoe 01/14/2020 at 16:15

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As a former shop tech and someone who does bike builds from time to time, 100% avoid bikesdirect unless you’re willing to redo everything yourself and fix a lot of bad parts and questionable assembly.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/14/2020 at 16:31

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I kind of feel bad for the guy who dumped all that money into that bike. Kind of.

DipodomysDeserti > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/14/2020 at 17:50

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I was looking at that Specialized earlier. Knowing nothing about bikes, I wasn’t sure if the upgrades were worth it, as it looks like you can get them new for $500 depending on the specific model.

Nice price, though.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 01/14/2020 at 19:39

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Meh. People dump money into things all the time. He may have even used it a couple seasons already.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DipodomysDeserti 01/14/2020 at 19:42

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1x drivetrain and a dropper are game changers. Ardents are popular tires, and running a tubeless setup is a glorious thing. So, I would definitely say yeah. But to be honest I don't know anything about that specific model. Its geometry looks the most modern, and seems to have the most modern components. Worth doing more research on at the very least, and almost certainly worth going to check it out.