Looking for a Mountain Bike

BargainGhost on 22/09/2021 - 17:55

Hey Ozbargainers, I was looking to buy a new Mountain Bike. I’m planning to use this mountain bike for general use such as, biking to local restaurants etc. However I would also like to use it for going to mountain bike trails. I’m quite new to mountain bikes and know basically nothing about them. I wont be doing massive jumps and etc, but I would like it to be able to do some jumps and things so I can improve to do those things.

I was looking at buying 2021 Giant Talon 2 ($799), 3 ($679) or 2021 Trek Marlin 5 ($649) 6 ($749)

Both are around $700 ish so I would prefer bikes in that range. If you can give me feedback on those bike models please let me know!

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle

Comments

  • MS Paint on 22/09/2021 - 17:56
    -2

    Looking for a Mountain Bike

    Where did you last see it?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 22/09/2021 - 18:17

      It was next to that post with the cut bike lock….HEY!

    • gimli on 22/09/2021 - 19:23

      lol that was the first thing which came to my mind too

      JV is a bad influence on us

  • Euphemistic on 22/09/2021 - 18:10

    Fit is most important. Go try them out (assuming anyone local actually has stock). After that, bikes in the same budget will have similar specs and be similar value. Better in some areas, but similar models better in others. If you can’t decide with fit or feel, pick your favourite colour.

    Your budget is pretty light on for a good mountain bike, but certainly enough to get a taste of the trails. If you want a decent bike for trails you probably need to double your budget for a quality hardtail, or 4-5 times for a dually. Downside being, you probably don’t want to leave them outside a restaurant.

    You’ll probably need to budget for a decent lock as well. A new shiny bike is a magnet for thieves.

    • serpserpserp on 22/09/2021 - 19:13
      +1

      Go try them out

      You can go to stores where you live? Amazing.

      • Euphemistic on 22/09/2021 - 21:10

        No. But FIT is most important.m and if you are inexperienced you need to try on for size.

  • SnowDragon on 22/09/2021 - 20:02
    +1

    I don't have any recommendations but I got a trek marlin 7 for $799 and I suppose it's a good entry level bike for mountain biking. If you really want to get into mountain biking then a dual suspension would be better.

    I have been often wishing I spent a bit more and got an e-bike to help with the ascents on the mountains.

    • Euphemistic on 22/09/2021 - 21:12

      A little bit more? An e-mtb is more like $5k.

      • SlavOz on 18/10/2021 - 19:56

        A little bit more? An e-mtb is more like $5k.

        You can get them for cheaper. The Velectrix Ascent (my first ebike) was around $1700 on sale. It's usually around $2.2k. Surprisingly very good for the money. I hit a lot of jumps and harsh trails with it and it never missed a beat (although the comfort and control was noticeably bad at high speeds). Driving it on regular trails or on the road was perfectly fine.

        $5k will get you a very decent ebike from Merida or CUBE.

        I would recommend one either way, especially for beginners. Pedalling up hill is as much fun as carrying your skis up the mountain or swimming with your arms tied up. It really represents no enjoyment factor for anyone but the most high-level purists. Plus, the comfort of an ebike doing the work for you means you can tackle more advances trails with confidence. It's a great way to get your skill level up.

        • Euphemistic on 18/10/2021 - 20:20

          Completely disagree that an e-mtb is going to get your skills up because you can go further. Want to get you skills up start on a quality lightweight hardtail. A heavy e bike is not the right way to start out, except if all your cars about is fire trails and scenery.

          $5k is a basic e-mtb from the big names. No duallies under $5k.

          You said it yourself, your cheap e-bike’s comfort and control was bad at high speed.

          • SlavOz on 18/10/2021 - 20:35

            @Euphemistic: It's not about going further, it's that you can ride harsh trails for longer without getting tired or overwhelmed. I started off an on ebike and outgrew it after about 2 years, at which point I dropped around $9k for a top-end brand. I doubt I would've fallen in love with the sport and been bothered to spend that money had I been forced to spend most of my time lugging my bike up a mountain and stopping for breaks (depending on fitness).

            Each to their own I guess. The added weight of an ebike isn't always a bad thing either, it lends more control and stability in some cases. It's more about geometry and set up.

            • Euphemistic on 18/10/2021 - 21:13

              @SlavOz:

              you can ride harsh trails for longer without getting tired or overwhelmed.

              But you can’t ride them well, especially if you are getting a cheap one.

              If you want to ride all day on easy trails an e-mtb is great. If you want to learn bike control and other stuff it’s not Ye right starting point.

    • ccsamwag on 11/10/2021 - 22:48

      When and where did you get the Marlin 7 for $799? Was it a previous year model?

      • SnowDragon on 12/10/2021 - 07:53

        Purchased it December 2019 - so likely just before the new models came out. It MAY have been $899 - I got a few extra things as well.

  • bobkin on 22/09/2021 - 23:51
    +1

    Polygon have a reputation for being good value e.g. https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/2021-polygon-premier-5-27.…

  • mybrains on 26/11/2021 - 10:40

    that trek Marlin 7 is now listed around $1200 btw. Equiv polygon bikes would possibly be their xtrada range, starting at a grand.
    https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/2022-polygon-xtrada-5-2x10…

    • BargainGhost on 26/11/2021 - 10:47

      Thanks, got a talon 1 recently.

      • Euphemistic on 26/11/2021 - 16:12

        Could you tell us how much?

      • mybrains on 26/11/2021 - 18:16

        thats a 27.5 and not a 29er right? RRP is around 1150 btw
        https://bikexchange.com/giant-talon-2-3-review/

        • Euphemistic on 27/11/2021 - 07:08

          Wheels size depends on frame size, like quite a few manufacturers. Smaller size frames are harder to get the geometry right with 29” wheels so they use 27.5.

          Interested to know the price, esp if new to see if stocks are picking up so they are more willing to discount. Start of covid you could buy a bike for trying stock was so short. Discounting was very rare. If stocks have picked back up they could be running out models for next years models.

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