Calling the Bicycle Crew, ilikeBobKazamakis99999 step inside

[Lead Pipe]

I recently moved to West Dundee and discovered the hidden gem of Raceway Woods. I've been walking the main trail a lot and after seeing all the CAMBR trails and mtn bikes around I have the itch to get a new bike. I always road hard tails and bought Novara's from REI. The 2 I had always treated me right but looks like they rebranded their house bikes to CO-OP. I also used to like Haro's when I road BMX so I started looked there as well.

Anyways this is what I found. Looking for opinions. My criteria is a decent hard tail that won't break the bank (under $1K, ideally around $500). And go.

Flightline Two 29

The Flightline Two 29 features Haro's newly-redesigned X6 series alloy frame with internal cable routing & post disc-mount, and a Suntour XCE-28 fork. Its 24-speed drive train provides versatility in a variety of terrain while its mechanical disc brakes provides confidence and sure-footed...

harobikes.com

Marlin 4 Gen 2 | Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Marlin 4. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

Click to read more...

 

[FirstWorldProblems]

IN

I can't find any deals on used stuff and am wondering if there's any expectation that the bike market is normalizing, or if you're better off buying new, or what

Awesome bikes used to sell for such a discount used, wonderz if we're going to see that again

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Raceway woods was just starting to get good when I lived out there, I’ve seen it’s grown quite a bit.

I think you should spend more honestly. You’ll have more fun for sure. Both of those bikes have front derailleurs and mediocre suspension forks.

 

[Fish]

In for around $500ish quality bike for just basic bitch trails.

 

[Lead Pipe]

Raceway woods was just starting to get good when I lived out there, I’ve seen it’s grown quite a bit.

I think you should spend more honestly. You’ll have more fun for sure. Both of those bikes have front derailleurs and mediocre suspension forks.

I didn't even notice. Are front derailleurs on the way out?

How about the Marlin 6?

Marlin 6 Gen 2 | Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Marlin 6. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

 

[Fish]

I almost want to see if people sell their shit in the winter time at lower prices. I have no shame buying used but everything I’ve seen is either Walmart shit for more than it is at Walmart, or bikes with loads of miles but seem to be worth what they were new.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I didn't even notice. Are front derailleurs on the way out?

How about the Marlin 6?

Marlin 6 Gen 2 | Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Marlin 6. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

1x12 is the hot setup. There’s a Shimano deore 1x10 that’s good too.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I’d check out the roscoe line.

 

[Blood on Blood]

I recently moved to West Dundee and discovered the hidden gem of Raceway Woods. I've been walking the main trail a lot and after seeing all the CAMBR trails and mtn bikes around I have the itch to get a new bike. I always road hard tails and bought Novara's from REI. The 2 I had always treated me right but looks like they rebranded their house bikes to CO-OP. I also used to like Haro's when I road BMX so I started looked there as well.

Anyways this is what I found. Looking for opinions. My criteria is a decent hard tail that won't break the bank (under $1K, ideally around $500). And go.

Flightline Two 29

The Flightline Two 29 features Haro's newly-redesigned X6 series alloy frame with internal cable routing & post disc-mount, and a Suntour XCE-28 fork. Its 24-speed drive train provides versatility in a variety of terrain while its mechanical disc brakes provides confidence and sure-footed...

harobikes.com

View attachment 132467

Marlin 4 Gen 2 | Trek Bikes

Discover your next great ride with Marlin 4. See the bike and visit your local Trek retailer. Shop now!

www.trekbikes.com

View attachment 132468

Bob Kazamakis is the expert, but owning a 2022 Trek Dual Sport, I’d have to say the quality does not live up to the name hype.

Go with what he says even if you pay a bit more as you “buy once, cry once” and are then set for many years of enjoyment.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Bob Kazamakis is the expert, but owning a 2022 Trek Dual Sport, I’d have to say the quality does not live up to the name hype.

Go with what he says even if you pay a bit more as you “buy once, cry once” and are then set for many years of enjoyment.

OOC, what don't you like about the Dual Sport? I have an 2015 7.3 FX and its been solid. Doesn't see any trail riding though, just paved path and crushed limestone.

 

[Blood on Blood]

OOC, what don't you like about the Dual Sport? I have an 2015 7.3 FX and its been solid. Doesn't see any trail riding though, just paved path and crushed limestone.

Cheap feel / not solid, as if I feel like I bought a Hyundai Elantra instead of a BMW 3 series.

Not as quick as anticipated, already needs to be gone through and I bought it early this summer (example - chain / derailed rubbing).

Personal - seat / grips are not ideal.

I came from riding an average GIANT road bike, which surprising felt more sturdy / decent quality.

Again, one cannot go wrong with following Bob Kazamakis guidance on these.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Yours not wrong about the dual sport, it’s a master of none. FX is a sportier bike.

If I were in the market for a flat bar road bike of sorts I’d get a specialized sirrus X.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

That’s kind of how the marlin is vs the roscoe. Roscoe is the better cheap hardtail even if it’s more money.


Lead Pipe you used to love bikes and I’m going to guess you can afford more so get something you’ll actually really love to ride vs be kinda over it because of cheapness.


Commencal Meta HT is a good buy, the Roscoe (9 is worth it over the 8), Marin El Roy. I’ll keep looking when I have more time. O

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Yours not wrong about the dual sport, it’s a master of none. FX is a sportier bike.

If I were in the market for a flat bar road bike of sorts I’d get a specialized sirrus X.

I just looked at the 2.0 - 5.0... Those are pretty nice bikes. I'm not sure how quickly I would acclimate to only a single gear up front (1x8 or 1x11). I'm really used to my 3x9 for its versatility.

 

[Jimy Bilmo]

I just looked at the 2.0 - 5.0... Those are pretty nice bikes. I'm not sure how quickly I would acclimate to only a single gear up front (1x8 or 1x11). I'm really used to my 3x9 for its versatility.

Single is the way.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I just looked at the 2.0 - 5.0... Those are pretty nice bikes. I'm not sure how quickly I would acclimate to only a single gear up front (1x8 or 1x11). I'm really used to my 3x9 for its versatility.

The fx sport carbon’s spec has dropped otherwise I’d say get one of those.

Should have plenty of range with a modern 1x

 

[Squeaky192]

I just looked at the 2.0 - 5.0... Those are pretty nice bikes. I'm not sure how quickly I would acclimate to only a single gear up front (1x8 or 1x11). I'm really used to my 3x9 for its versatility.

Once you spend some time with a modern 1x12 speed setup you'll wonder why you ever fumbled with a 2x or 3x front setup. Even my 1x9 wasn't terrible on my Specialized Fuse I had for a short while, but the 1x12 SRAM stuff has been awesome for me.

 

[Squeaky192]

As far as OP goes, do you plan to jump and play around or just want something as efficient as possible for less intense offroad stuff?

The Marlin bikes are going to be much more-so XC style, so they will have a steeper headtube angle making them more agile at lower speed but a little more twitchy feeling at speed and descending. You also many times will feel much more "on top" of the bike versus a modern trail geometry bike like the Trek Roscoe.

While you'll spend a little more up front, things that I would make a point to get would be:

• Some sort of air fork - they are much lighter than the coil forks and allow you to dial in the pressure to your weight and liking. A shock pump is cheap on Amazon.
• Dropper post - being able to get the rear seat out of the way is a must to me, it makes descending so much safer and more fun.
• 1x driveline - not having to mess with a front derailleur is so nice, and the new rear cassette setups give you plenty of range.
• Tubeless ready rims - while you can convert most anything tubeless, having a wheelset designed for it is huge. I've ridden tons of rocky and chunky stuff and slammed stuff with speed and have never had a flat with my tubeless setup.

Unfortunately since 2020 all the MTB stuff has gone silly price-wise though, I still think the base Marlin comes in around $1200 but it may be with a coil fork at this point.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Mountain bikes are unrideable without a dropper.


I beg to differ on good coil suspension though. On my hardtail I run a marzocchi fork with a grip 2 damper and love it. It’s basically a coil 36 without kashima.

 

[Squeaky192]

Mountain bikes are unrideable without a dropper.


I beg to differ on good coil suspension though. On my hardtail I run a marzocchi fork with a grip 2 damper and love it. It’s basically a coil 36 without kashima.

I'm more-so thinking the quality of ride you'll get from a low budget coil fork versus a low budget air fork. The Suntour coil forks like on those two examples on the original post ride like pogo sticks.