Performance Mountain Bike?

ctwo

ctwo

Merely Rhetorical
Considering a low end performance mountain bike, kind of impulse thing and I can't make up my mind...

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/stance-2

I'm not that much into biking but always wanted a better performing bike. I'm seeing the 2017 model for $1.1k, and I'd have to buy pedals and a seat. Reviews pick on the "spindly" fork, with meager 30" upper tubes and 9mm quick release, longish stem, and something about the chain...

Is there anything in this price range that would be better? Seems a step up quickly doubles the price.

My current bike is a 25 year old mid-high end, actually no name with a decent Shimano Deore component set of the day. It's beat and now has an electric wheel on it, but still rides OK. Also, it's too small as I bought it with the idea of competition riding, back when I was invincible...

Forgot to question the whole concept of the full suspension bike too, as some high end bikes are still hard tail.
 
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EarlyApex

EarlyApex

Well-known member
Have you considered buying used? I bought my trance 29er x1 a couple years old for 1/3 the original price.
 
EarlyApex

EarlyApex

Well-known member
I'm not very knowledgeable on different makes and models and how they compare tbh. But if your budget is limited or you are new to the sport and want to test waters, I'd definitely consider buying used. Just examine the frame and components for cracks and excessive wear.

I have not ridden a hard tail in years. So I'm not the best person to ask. But imo you loose a little pedaling efficiency with full suspension and you have pivot bearings and a rear shock that will need occasional attention. I ride alot around town on tarmac on my full suspension though and I don't have any issues. I just put the fork and shock on climb mode and it barely moves through it's travel when I'm standing and climbing a hill. I'll also add around 20psi to the shock if I'm riding alot of tarmac. It's all a compromise. I just prefer the feeling of a planted rear end at speed over crap terrain. FS will also be more forgiving on your joint structures if you suffer from arthritis.
 
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ctwo

ctwo

Merely Rhetorical
You're supposed to make it easier to resist temptation on another ceiling ornament, not introduce some practical reason why a FS bike will be beneficial to me.

I'd probably buy a used trance for 1/3 the retail too. All these bikes look and perform so amazing compared to what I have. I did buy a TCR2 a few years ago, but don't like riding it much. Gets a flat every time and it's stiff as heck and one size too small.
 
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U

usedtobefast

Well-known member
Buying a used mountain bike is way easier than buying a used motorcycle. No engine obviously, and the other parts are very reliable and if bad, are fairly cheap to replace (like a good chain is $20 for the bicycle vs. $100 for a dirt moto).

It takes a lot of hard miles and a real goof of an owner to produce a poor used mountain bike. So odds are in your favor of getting a decent used one.

As for the full suspension vs. hard tail debate, I have both, and I'm still confused. :) For your money, you get a lighter, higher spec'ed hard tail vs a FS bike. So for $1100, you'd get a way better used HT bike than a FS one. Seems most decent FS bikes are in the $1800+ range on CL.

It is more common to see a 30%-40% off new price on a 2-3 used mountain bike. (50% or 66% off is rare). So a new $3000 bike might sell on CL 2-3 years later for $1800-$2000. $1500 would be a wonderful bargain.

Oh, HT vs FS. At the same $1100 price point, used, with a HT you will get a lighter, better shifting, better brakes, zero issues with linkage/shock (since it has none!) bike. The benefits of a FS at this price point will be a bit more comfort over rough ground. But I've found if your rides are 2hrs or less, it ain't that big a deal. If you do decide to go on some big downhill ride (like ski resorts), just rent a downhill bike for that trip.

So I'd vote used HT from CL.
 
ctwo

ctwo

Merely Rhetorical
Thanks for painting the landscape. The Trek looks nice and I'd probably go for it if it was larger.

And BTW, what is the deal with the odd wheel sizes now? I saw a 28 and is 27.5 a passing marketing fad? I read some about 5% more weight with 30% more efficiency... I don't think I'd care or notice unless tires became rare and expensive.
 
Moto Beck

Moto Beck

The Longest Title Allowed
my vote is on used too - some great deals out there - i have a giant trance x2 that i got about 8 years ago and it's still awesome. I'm sure new tech is great but my bike is just fine for the amount i use it. New bike prices are getting to be more than motorcycles.

Just makes sure you inspect the frame for cracks (weld points and in general) & the suspension for any leaks or scratches.
 
U

usedtobefast

Well-known member
ctwo said:
And BTW, what is the deal with the odd wheel sizes now? I saw a 28 and is 27.5 a passing marketing fad? I read some about 5% more weight with 30% more efficiency... I don't think I'd care or notice unless tires became rare and expensive.
Click to expand...

For the longest time wheels were 26". For some reason (marketing? sales?) they went to 29". Supposedly roll faster and reduce bumps (not as much wheel drops into a hole). Then for some reason they came out with 27.5", supposedly the best of both worlds.

The 29" size pretty much won out. Hard to find a high end spec'ed mountain bike with 26" wheels any more.

27.5" is kind of odd duck now. 26" wheels/tires will be around forever because they were made for so long. 29" has lots of options. 27.5" has fewer options, but with minimal effort you can get them. Like if you stop in a local bike shop, they'll have more 29" tire options than any other. But go to any website and plenty of 27.5 tire options. But you may find the latest and greatest 2018 tire doesn't come in a 27.5 size. So you only have 30 choices of tires instead of 90 choices.

My take on it, for a tight trail, woods-ie, technical ride, a 26" bike just feels smaller, turns easier. But you are talking a 2005ish or older bike as no high end 26" models were made somewhere in the 2006-2009 time frame. The 29" bikes do seem to roll a bit faster, but they feel big to me, and a bit truck like in the super tight technical stuff (which there really isn't a lot of in the Bay Area).

27.5 does seem to be somewhere in between. If it was a great bike and great price and had 27.5 I wouldn't hesitate to get one. Any maybe you'll even get a better deal on one.
 
ctwo

ctwo

Merely Rhetorical
I might go to the shop and see if they'll haggle a bit on the price. There are some good used ones too, I'm sure better components, definitely on that Jamis. I'm thinking I need an XL, my old bike is a 20" IIRC and that is too small, knees too close to the bars and crouched over too much.

From what I gather, the 29er's helped a lot with stability, allowed a lower crank - getting it below the wheel axle seemed to be a key point. But apparently some found the larger wheels a bit unwieldy, and flexy, exacerbated by longer upper fork tubes, and then the more rotating mass out there...something like that. So, yeah 27.5 is somewhere in between, closer to 26 I think, but still accomplished one goal of allowing a lower crank.
 
EarlyApex

EarlyApex

Well-known member
Seems like the bigger/taller guys prefer the bigger wheel sizes from what I've seen on the trails. Being 6'1" I instantly felt at home on a 29er. Yes, it rolls over imperfections better and is far more stable at higher speeds when compared to my 26er. I'm not the fastest out there by any means, but have yet to notice any drawbacks with the 29er in the tight stuff. Maybe that will change in time, dunno.

Honestly, you'll be stoked on whatever you decide to buy considering you are replacing a 25yo bike.

One of the nice things about buying new is the lifetime warranty you get on the frame. Something Giant wont transfer to a second owner. I'm not sure if that is common practice for all manufacturers though.
 
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ctwo

ctwo

Merely Rhetorical
I keep going back to the diamond back I linked. It seems like a step up in most everything, and it's an XL...
 
ctwo

ctwo

Merely Rhetorical
The CL specialized bike is a scam. They will ask for an email so they can send detailed photos. It goes like this.

<send junk email>
Hello...see attached photos...
dead husband...
bike out of state...
can't meet, will ship...
use ebay holdings...
send name, phone number and address...
 
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