Buying First Mountain Bike - Looking at Giant?

m0tyrider on 18/11/2019 - 11:36
Last edited 19/11/2019 - 00:31

Looking at getting into mountain biking, been riding motorbikes for a while but want something different.

Have been looking through the used market on facebook/gumtree and struggling to find deals for what I am after, have been looking at the Giant Talon in a Medium.

I know I can get a 2020 Giant Talon 3 29er for $675 - people are asking $600 for there used bike and my negotiation's are going nowhere, so not really worth it buying used to save $75.

None the less, what bikes would you recommend for a first time mountain bike rider? Looking at doing some trails and learning some basic tricks - Jumping, wheelies/manuals and bunny hopping.

Saw the Rockrider XC 100 deal but figured the RRP of $1500 might be a bit over inflated on the bikes value, resale value is important to me along with quality.

If you have purchased a new bike, what kind of discount did you get from the RRP? The Talon 3 29er has a rrp of $750, I know $675 is achievable but would 100% pull the pin if I can get one for $600, do you think this is realistic?

Also where do you guys buy your accessories from? Knee/Elbow pads - (tbh aliexpress/eBay is looking good)

Edit: Thanks for the input everybody, picked up a used 2019 Giant Talon 3

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle

Comments

  • k-rokfm on 18/11/2019 - 11:57

    The first question really before you narrow anything down is what exactly do you want from it? Is your primary goal to be able to go up and down (note: both) trails make a whole trip out of it, or is it primarly downhill, jumping (noting from your comments doing jumps/tricks youre keen on).

    From this you will be able to guage more of what kind of bike you want. No point getting a talon if youre going to be doing downhill on it.

    Keep looking on gumtree, even something thats a few years old and if you get it for a decent price just to get you into the game. Then once you find out what youre interested in you can palm it on and buy a new(er) bike for more specifically what youre interested in

    • m0tyrider on 18/11/2019 - 12:02

      For a first bike, I just want something to get me into the game and see if its something I want to pursue, going up and down trails sound like what I would want, meeting up with some friends at there house and just start riding around on some basic bike paths to the local trails and having a muck around and see how we go - no massive jumps but would love to ONE day hit some when I get the skill level! (assuming this is not going to happen for a loooonnnnng time).

      Main reason I was looking at the Talon is the resale value seems really strong - but 100% open to suggestions :)

  • emrifusion on 18/11/2019 - 12:50

    Not sure about now, but would recommend the Giant bikes. Had the Talon as an 'entry' bike for dirt and track riding. Had it for about 2years before it got stolen with no issues at all. Upgraded to the XTC which was great with more uphill and more intense mountain trails. Just make sure to buy a helmet new and never second hand.

    • m0tyrider on 18/11/2019 - 12:52

      They seem to be the "biggest" brand, see alot of Giant bikes now that I have started paying attention.

      Were you able to do trails/jumps without an issue on the Talon?

      • emrifusion on 18/11/2019 - 13:27

        Personally I found it fine and it held up well. I did get it professionally serviced and they always checked the frame with no problems Never really did any upward jumps but the terrain on a few trails i used were pretty rough and had drops in the terrain from 10cm-50cm. I tried a few brands, 'shogun' and 'avanti' and found the Giant entry level mountain bike the best for me.

  • frondono on 18/11/2019 - 14:15

    The Rockrider XC500 looked pretty insane value if you can pick it up. The Fork and Groupset are gold standard and found on much more expensive bikes. If you look at the european decathlon websites you can find maybe 100 reviews for it.

  • Euphemistic on 18/11/2019 - 14:29

    The Talon 3 will be the base model with the cheapest running gear, or forks, wheels, gears. The used ones may be the higher spec models going for $600 eg what is the RRP of a Talon 1?

    A talon would serve well as a first bike. You’ll Pena my find that soecialized, Merida, Scott, and a range of other brands sold by bike shops will have a similar bike at a similar price range. Online you could look at polygon, they provide a little better bang for buck but you can’t sit on one before you buy.

    You should be able to get a great entry level Mtb second hand for around $300. Provided you are mechanically savvy there isn’t a lot to go wrong. Just google the model before you inspect to see what it was worth new. Anything valued at $1k RRP will be a great bike.

    • m0tyrider on 18/11/2019 - 14:45

      Unfortunately they are the price of the Talon 3 in the used market - they are in very good almost unused condition but even still - not enough for me to get that over a new one.

      • Euphemistic on 18/11/2019 - 15:15

        True. You should be paying less that about 60% retail for a used bike.

        • m0tyrider on 18/11/2019 - 15:20

          I agree - but that doesn't seem the case. The bikes I am looking at are between 1 and 3 years old, most with very little use. Needs to be a decent discount for me to buy a used one!

          • Euphemistic on 18/11/2019 - 21:07

            @m0tyrider: Just spotted a 2018 talon 3 for sale locally for $850. Some people are dreaming!

            • m0tyrider on 19/11/2019 - 00:30

              @Euphemistic: More then they are brand new lmao. Strange units.

              Although I did pickup a bike tonight, 2019 Giant Talon 3 29er

  • TheBilly on 18/11/2019 - 16:26

    Check out the bikes on chainreaction cycles - Cube, Nukeproof, Comencal.

    I would recomend a Comencal Meta HT for 1500 you will never need to upgrade. With giant Talon you will in 6 months depending on how you progress so you wouldve spent the same amount or more, especially if you are considering jumps etc. I went from a Talon 2 to a Nukeproof to a Giant Reign. I am glad I went to Nukeproof and I feel like the step up to a Dual Sus Giant Reign was unneccessary as I would never use it to its limits. Whack a dropper on the comencal and you have an unstoppable rig.

    The other thing to look for in a MTB is head and seat angle and how slack it is. The entry model bikes are very forward sitting which prohibit your ability to ride technical trails as you feel like you are going over the bars. The Meta AM is slack and more laid back which inspires speed and confidence on decents.

    Also if you can buy a 27.5. Much more enjoyable to ride. Harder to ride subsequently improving your skillset.

    https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/au/en/commencal-m…

    Also for a Giant or mainstream bike a 10% discount is expected, upto 15% in sale periods. Bupa health give 15% discount on Trek.

  • Oz8argain on 19/11/2019 - 10:50

    can anyone recommend a full suspension trail bike? is Trek a good brand?
    I have a marlin and it's quite painful over bumps and jumps

    • Euphemistic on 19/11/2019 - 11:00

      Trek Marlin? Hardtail?

      There are heaps of decent brands. Trek is just one.

      What’s your budget and intended usage? Work that out then look for recommendations.

      Do you want a ‘trail’ bike or are you using that term because you ride trails. There are Cross country (fast and light), trail (more travel good for everything) all mountain (having a ball down trails and riding back up), enduro (smashing down trails and riding back up, but less efficiently) and downhill bikes (smashing down trails and getting a lift back up) and plenty that cross over those categories.

      I have a Trek Remedy. Great TRAIL bike, but not the only one in its price bracket or category.

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