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Only $10 for all 2026 SX, MX, and SMX series.
2. Find a local shop that rents bikes
3. Rent a shitload of different Styles of bikes.
4. Rinse and buy
Pinkbike is a good source
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I'm actually looking to buy a Precept next year though. The precept is a 27.5 and still has the same geometry as the Process but is under $2k.
Oh, and don't be surprised to see bikes that cost as much as motorcycles.
If you are going to buy used, make sure that you educate yourself on the various component classes. The same bike with different components can be easily $1000 different in price . Also, bikepedia usually has the retail price so that you have something to gage off of. It is buyer beware. I have seen guys asking more for a used bike than you can buy it at the above Trek site new.
I have a 29er Carbon Scott Spark. All the trails around were I live in Georgia are 95% cross country style so 100mm of travel is perfect. I have ridden a few 150mm travel 27.5 wheel demo bikes and it was just added weight to lug around. I was slower everywhere. They were fun on the couple of short jump tracks you can find at one location. I do want a second bike just for some of the very short downhill jump tracks around here.
From my experience the 27.5 wheel size corners better but the 29er rolls over everything with ease better. You make all your time on the uphills so the milli seconds you make up in corners on a 27.5 really make no difference on a XC track for outright speed. You'll get better lap times on a 29er.
More info that might help. 11 speed is the rage now. One sprocket on the front 11 on the back. This set up only comes on the high end bikes though. I run a 10 speed. Single ring on the front. I just switched from a 32t to a 30t just to makes some mountains I go to once a month a bit easier to climb. The front derailleur is just added weight and they're clunky to use anyway. Get rid of it. Totally not needed.
But the "as small of a frame as possible" no way. I'm technically supposed to be on a medium according to most brands, but ride larges. Especially with a 50mm stem. I can't stand the feel of smaller mediums. Way too cramped. Wide 780mm bars, 50mm stem and the setup is just right.
Pit Row
Tubeless is great just carry a spare tube with you incase anything happens out on the trail (im sure you do anyway) It probably wont but its better than the alternative of walking miles with a broken bike.
Mnt bike manufactures are just starting to get the reach measurements figured out this year...unless your new bike is advertised as having a "long front center" then you should prob size up...
Long front end and short chainstays is the way to go..my newest bike has a 2" longer top tube than my old bike and the riding position is night and day better
Bikes are expensive. High-end bikes are more, or as-much-as motorcycles. It's nuts.
Yes 29s are fantastic for trail riding. They bulldoze rocks and are awesome. 27.5s are the new marketing push from the industry that has worked well to create buzz around the smaller wheel size. 29r geometry, for the most part, does not really have that "awkward and ill-handling" stigma it used to. I ride a Yeti SB95 29r in tight, technical trails all of the time and rarely feel the negatives of the bigger wheels. They're fast, roll over anything and are hugely popular for a reason.
But. Your budget is $800 to $1000. I feel like you should be looking at 26" bikes. Their value has drastically plummeted through the floor. But they're fine and will do everything you need. Right now you can buy really great 26" bikes for much less. They are not selling, and people know it.
Take advantage of that!
Here are some suggestions that quickly come to mind:
Specialized Stumpjumper
Specialized Camber 29 (if you can find a deal)
Giant Trance (5" trail bike)
Giant Reign (6" trail bike)
Trek Remedy
Honestly any of the big-name brands make good bikes. The smaller niche companies capture the core enthusiast that wants to ride a "different" brand and wants to stand behind someone that isn't a "Specialized". But they're all good. At this point, buy the best you can afford and just get into it. You'll soon figure out what you like and don't like the more you ride.
Demo'ing bikes is a good idea, but if you're fairly new, any bike you ride may feel really good. You may not be able to feel the real differences, which is why you could go with one of the very popular bikes like the Specialized Stumpjumper and run with it. I guarantee you can find a great Giant Trance 26" bike with a good component set pretty cheap right now.
Setting brakes up moto-style is easy. Loosen the fittings, swap the lines and you're done. And easier than that, if you have Avid brakes you can swap the whole lever and reservoir as they are reversible. You may have to bleed each brake after, but not necessarily (if you remove the lines).
Yes tubeless is awesome. It is the best mod I've done to any bike I've had. No flats in over 3 seasons.
Don't get too wrapped up in travel - most people think they *need* a lot, but not necessarily so. If you're going to trail ride, I personally would see more value in less weight as opposed to more travel.
http://www.radon-bikes.de/bikes/mountainbike/all-mountain/slide-275/sli…
My model is 2 years old, but the current ones seems to be even better.
Bikes at walmart are one size for all as far as frame size goes. The bike you are looking to purchase is the specialty of your local bike shop, which can have fitting tools to get you dialed in on your new bike, each individual machine wether its a 26-29er will have its own fitting specifics, meaning Scotts 19" frame will be different from Treks 19" frame. The fitting and maintenance really can make your experience more enjoyable when buying new from your local shop. Many shops can fit your upper torso with different stem lengths at no extra charge.
Used bikes are great when you know what to look for, but at a glancing look and not being able to actually put your eyes and hands on all the wear items, its a gamble like anything else. Finding your perfect used bike online only to find out the cog set is mushroomed, chain its stretched, cable housing are cracked etc can really let the air out
I came off an old Cannondale 26" and bought this leftover Cannondale Scalpel 29er this past spring. I love it! I usually ride some tight single track near my house with
Anyway, this is what I bought leftover. 2013 Scalpel 29er. She's been good to me so far. I didn't crash coming down some steep/rain-rutted/rocky downhills that were fast, and way too long for my liking(downhill dudes are nuts)...
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