Any Recommendations for a Mountain Bike around $1000

Lrusta2019 on 30/10/2017 - 19:25

Moving up from a basic Giant mountain bike I am looking to spend around $1000. Any recommendations?

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • Kangal on 30/10/2017 - 19:30

    I always wondered what a Mountain Bike is.
    Is it a bicycle made out from a mountain? Or a high mountain-stacked of bikes? Or a Mountain named after someone with the surname Bike?

    • theHMASfriendship on 30/10/2017 - 19:41
      +1

      No it's a bike who's ancestors originated from the mountains.

  • oscargamer on 30/10/2017 - 19:31
    +1

    second hand

    HUGE saving s to be made on a bike that might be only a year old and ridden a few times

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 30/10/2017 - 20:16
    +1

    I love my Trek X-Cal 7. It was around the 12/1400 mark but trek used to have a deal with bupa so it was about 1k in the end

    https://www.bupa.com.au/staticfiles/BupaP3/pdfs/LIQ3784%20-%20Bupa%20-%20Trek%20Bupa%20Member%20Discount%20Voucher%20(web%20ready).pdf

  • Euphemistic on 30/10/2017 - 22:00

    Moving up from basic to $1k isn't a big step. Can you stretch it to $1500? You'll get a significantly improved model for that.

    • rusta2019 on 30/10/2017 - 22:47

      What can you recommend for $1500?

      • Euphemistic on 30/10/2017 - 22:49

        Nothing particular, most brands will have something in that price range. IMO that is the price point for hard tail MTB where the components will make a significant difference over your basic bike. I recently bought a damaged bike that would have cost around $1200 new, has some pretty decent gear on it. I have been researching bikes for myself, but looking at a bit higher price bracket so not 100% on the gear at that level.

        What sort of riding are you doing?
        Make sure you get hydraulic disc brakes, not cable.

      • TheBilly on 31/10/2017 - 14:15

        Trek Xcal8 - have been actually mountain biking on one for a couple years. Mainly cross country trails with the odd down hill trail thrown in the mix.

  • TheBilly on 31/10/2017 - 14:18

    Unless you are actually mountain biking. Dont spend anymore. If you need something new for the park or odd footpath you are going to jump then re buy what you have already and save your money. If you actually want to go mountain biking (trail riding) your starting point is the Giant Talon 1 Trek Xcal 8 and everything from there is equal or up.

      • TheBilly on 31/10/2017 - 18:13

        Yes with the polygons the upper end of the range are actually quite good

        • rusta2019 on 31/10/2017 - 18:23

          Thanks out of the 2 linked above what is better? $1399 seems pretty cheap for dual suspension compared to other brands.

        • TheBilly on 31/10/2017 - 18:59
          +1

          @rusta2019:

          Go on bikeexchange also. Now is a really good time because sellers are clearing their 2017 stock to make way for 2018 and are giving really good discounts. I.e the Giant Stance 2 is on sale at a very decent price I think round $1300-1400.

          While nothing is wrong with polygon, I ride alot. I.e. every weekend for 1 hour on my local trail. My Trek has held up very well which is why Im not willing to risk it on other lesser known brands, but this doesnt mean they arent good. Polygon have a DH world cup team and an Enduro World Series team so they are not making crap, they are probably awesome but I am biased. Similalrly on paper those polygons have great entry level specs, so you can't really complain.

          It is really hard to choose.

          If I had the choice of above 2 I would go for the dual suspension for sure.

          If I had the choice other than the above two, I would try research/negotiate one of the bigger brands and maybe stretch to $1500 or so or maybe even go for a high end used bike for $1500.

          I.e. some people are off loading Trek Remedy and the like on ebay a year or two old for not much compared to the $4000 they cost new. Some people have alot of money, get convinced that mountain biking is cool, invest in a good bike and then hate it lol.

        • TheBilly on 31/10/2017 - 19:03

          @rusta2019:

          I just checked on Bikeexchange. There are Giant Stances for 1399-1499 a used giant anthem around 1500 (good bike) Kona precenpt and scott 960 all around 1500. Bit of negotiation wont hurt.

        • TheBilly on 31/10/2017 - 19:06

          @rusta2019:

          I alsp think polygon have the trial thing? Might be worth a shot

        • rusta2019 on 31/10/2017 - 19:57
          +1

          @TheBilly: Thank you. You have been a great help.

        • Euphemistic on 01/11/2017 - 00:15

          @rusta2019: be aware if you are considering a dual suspension you should consider shelling out a fair bit more. probably an extra $1k over a similar spec hard tail.

          Still haven't mentioned what sort of riding you are doing. Let us know, it really makes a difference what bike you should consider.

          I'm looking at a new dually and this time I'm going for a more fun oriented design, like a Remedy, not a cross country race bike like the Anthem. My last bike was a 10.8kg XC race bike. I don't mind if it is a bit heavier and more hard work up the hills, I'm over wanting to go as fast as possible on the flats. I want to enjoy the descents and be more relaxed over drops and jumps instead.

        • rusta2019 on 01/11/2017 - 15:27

          @Euphemistic: Yes sorry, I will be using it for both onroad and trails. At the moment I am looking at:

          This bike for $999

          http://www.99bikes.com.au/bike16-cube-attention-sl-27-5-grey…

          or this one for $1100 (after Bupa discount)

          https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/s?query=X-Caliber%208

          This one is $1231

          http://www.99bikes.com.au/bike17-cube-attention-sl-2x-grey-f…

          this one is more expensive at $1399

          http://www.99bikes.com.au/cube-attention-sl-grey-yellow-2018

          Any thoughts or other suggestions?

        • Euphemistic on 02/11/2017 - 08:00

          @rusta2019: at a brief glance the cubes above seem to be virtually the same, but different year model. Same forks, groupset etc. There really won't be a lot of difference between them. You don't say what size you are but the cube also comes in 2 wheel sizes. The trek seems to be a bit lower spec on components, but is a 29" wheel which by all accounts is better for general trail riding.

          27.5 is good if you like to throw your bike around and jump etc. the 29er should roll over obstacles better, be a bit faster. I haven't ridden a hardtail in either wheel size so can't comment further on that, just going on research. 29ers tend to use words like smooth, flowing, fast to describe them while 27.5 use agile, nimble to describe them.

          Edit: You will pay a little more for the Trek sticker vs the Cube sticker. Kinda like the Toyota tax.

        • TheBilly on 03/11/2017 - 01:21

          @Euphemistic:

          Ive been eyeing the remedy for quite some time now. A remedy 8 - But I just dont know if its an every trail bike. Also considering the Giant Reign 2 or just shelling out and getting myself a YT Capra AL.

        • Euphemistic on 03/11/2017 - 10:44

          @TheBilly: I'm in the same boat. Want a fun bike, but struggling with the decision between Fuel EX style and Remedy style. It's an expensive decision and I want to get it right. The bike needs to last a long time.

        • TheBilly on 03/11/2017 - 11:46

          @Euphemistic:

          Its a pity how you cant test ride on a trail. I think a Fuel is just limiting on suspension travel. But then I dont know how a 160 bike rides so its a pointless excercise
          -_-

        • TheBilly on 04/12/2017 - 09:39

          @Euphemistic:

          I remembered this post and did a bit more research for myself, so if you are located in Sydney and still in the decision making process this might help;

          You can hire a Trek Remedy from Simple Cycles in Wollongong for $99 and test ride for a day before shelling out $4,000 + also if looking at other brands ABC bikes in Liverpool currently have a Demo Booking service on their site where you can demo a Giant Trance (150mm bike), Cannondale Trigger (150mm bike) and Scott Genius (150mm bike) and take it to your local trail for the day, Thredbo have a fleet of Giant Reigns (160mm).

          I did a lot of ringing around as I could not justify forking out $4k and just riding it in the car park.

        • Euphemistic on 04/12/2017 - 12:35

          @TheBilly: thanks. I could have arranged a day test ride from a local Specialised dealer, but made do with a quick Carpark spin. Decided and ordered a bike based on the carpark test and review of geometry from a different brand. Not sure if the trek dealer could arrange a test ride, they didn't have floor stock in my size to test anyway.

          New bike arrives Friday.

        • TheBilly on 04/12/2017 - 15:18

          @Euphemistic:

          Awesome, yep Trek was effectively useless on the demo front (distributor saying contact the store, stores saying contact the distributor) the hire I've mentioned above was from a 3rd party hire company. Giant are good on Demos though. I'm keen on trying a stumpy and enduro so I might do a ring around to the dealers. Good luck on the trails !!

  • 2ndeffort on 01/11/2017 - 16:17

    Are you actually going to be riding singletrail or just rolling around on bikepaths? I ask because better suspension or dual suspension will be counterproductive riding on paths or the road, you would be best locking it out most of the time. if you are spending weekends at Lysterfield or Mt Buller it is a different story.

    • rusta2019 on 01/11/2017 - 16:36

      Yes, I will be riding singletrail. From what I gather a DS is going to cost upwards of 3k which is currently out of my price range. I have tried looking 2nd hand but finding frame size and not really knowing what to look for is proving difficult. Not much bikepaths as there are not many around here. Thanks

  • 2ndeffort on 01/11/2017 - 16:27

    Also, saw the recommendations for Polygon etc. I've no experience with them but if you arent yet fully sold on cycling then the 'Name' brand bikes hold their value much better in the 2nd hand marketplace (Trek, Specialized, Focus, Cannondale, Giant, BMC etc). if you are a hardcore cyclist that is sure to wear out a few sets of suspension bushes and cranksets on your bike then it might matter less. if you are any chance to have a rethink a few months/years in or if you get hooked and want to trade-up for a more expensive model then a name brand bike will get you more when you sell it 2nd hand. I've never looked at polygons MTBs 2nd hand and I am mostly a road cyclist but the budget road bike brands (polygon, azzuri etc) dont hold their value well. Some people literally buy them to strip the parts off and anything they can get for the frame 2nd hand is a bonus.

    • rusta2019 on 01/11/2017 - 16:38

      Thanks, yes I did notice that which is why I am leaning towards Trek. The others do seem to be better spec'd but Trek appears more popular.

  • 2ndeffort on 01/11/2017 - 16:46

    Another place to look is on the many Facebook Swap/Sell groups. There are normally loads of 2nd hand bikes and parts there. If you arent sure what size to buy etc I wouldnt buy 2nd hand though. I would go to a local Bikeshop and buy a runout model of a new bike. It might not be the absolute cheapest option but the bikeshop should set you up properly, help make sure you get the right size bike, setup your seat height properly etc. They should also set you up with any necessary discount4ed accessories like a helmet and gloves etc. Additionally if you pick a local bikeshop they will probably have some local rides that they organize, go along to one or 2 of these and you will meetup with other local cyclists and hear about upcoming cycling events etc. Finally the local shop will probably throw in a free service or 2 for the bike so that you can get any stretched gear cables etc tightened after a couple of months. Knowing the guys in the local shop is useful as they tend to be the local hub for cycling news and advice. After a while when you know all of the locals and what to look for yourself, you can obsess continually on the many 2nd hand bargains online but for a first-time i would stick to the local bike shop (LBS).

  • ozf1 on 02/11/2017 - 21:47

    2nd hand options on Gumtree going for under 1K (https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/SearchListingDetail.aspx?id=…).

    I was gifted one of these, which my daughter now rides (over 3K RRP).

    I spent $200.00 on replacing some iffy spokes and a full service including changing gear cables, brake cables etc. at my local bike shop in Melbourne. Not a store but a Garage set up, and these guys are good! Runs like a dream.

    If you can find a local mechanic and not a franchised around you, I found when I mentioned to your usual 99B, Bike SuperS and Trek Stores, they all turned up their noses, as in if you didnt' buy it from us or another store judgement!.

    Anyhow, they quoted me $110.00 to fix 2 broken spokes as they said needed to be sent away and done by computer etc. The local changed 3 spokes for $35.00. They then suggested I do a full service which I did later on. The mechanic said the frame alone he can get me around $800.00 for it if I wanted to sell it.

    I ended up spending $200.00 all up as i figured it was worth investing in. I've also now put road tyres for my girl to ride to school. I don't regret spending the money and yes it is a 2008 model.

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