Help Me Choose Hardtail MTB

Lkurdoxan on 25/06/2024 - 15:16
Last edited 25/06/2024 - 19:07 by 1 other user

Hello all, I am in the process of purchasing my first hardtail bike. I have narrowed it down two options as below. They are both on sale and close price.

Trek Roscoe 7 2024 $1699

Giant Fathom 1 2023 $1720

Both have comparable components and not too different. What are your experiences with any on these?

Any other comparable bike model from other brands that you think it is worthwhile to consider instead of these two?

I am 188cm, so L/XL suits me. I have been looking at Facebook market for seconds, but didn't have much chance finding the right size.

Thanks

Sports & Outdoors Bicycle

Comments

  • Pelicannn on 25/06/2024 - 15:28

    Having owned a Trance X Advanced Pro and currently own a Trek Rail 9.9, I don’t think you can go wrong with either brand.

    My frame was replaced by Trek recently for a very minor defect that was borderline cosmetic, no questions asked.

    FWIW I’d go the Trek if you really want new, otherwise HEAPS of good bikes on secondhand marketplaces right now. Arse has fallen out of the market since covid lockdowns stopped and people didn’t need an excuse for going outside to ‘exercise’ so there are some good deals to be had if you’re willing to look or wait.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 25/06/2024 - 15:32
    +2

    I had a Roscoe 8 for all of about 2 months before I sold it and got a dual suspension bike

  • harryhobbes on 25/06/2024 - 15:42

    I bought my Trek X-Caliber about 12 months ago and love it. Ride almost every weekend. Got it on a sale similar to yours and have been very happy with the purchase. I imagine either brand would be fine.

  • Banj0 on 25/06/2024 - 15:47
    +1

    Merida as well? I like their Big Nine 'Edition' models for a lower/mid range hardtail.

    eg SLX Edition

  • Brick Tamland on 25/06/2024 - 15:55

    I was looking at the Roscoe bikes too but ended up with a Marin San Quentin 2 https://www.bikesonline.com.au/marin-san-quentin-2-hardcore-…

    • kurdoxan on 25/06/2024 - 16:09

      What made you to choose Marin?

      • Brick Tamland on 25/06/2024 - 16:20

        I think it was more of a customer service retailer issue for me with the Trek, I found the Trek dealer a bit arrogant and when I finally decided to buy the Roscoe they jacked up the price on me (COVID era) so I went with the Marin instead. The Marin is a nice bike.

  • Euphemistic on 25/06/2024 - 16:20

    Are you new to riding? What sort of riding do you want to do? These are 'trail' bikes so good for deacending but not as efficient for general cruising amd climbing or super nimble for tight singletrack. If you truly want it for bike park descending, you really should consider a dually.

    Both pretty similar. Most brands will have similarly specced bikes at a similar price point. Generally i say if you cant pick between the two for ride, confort and size pick your favourite colour.

    Not sure id be keen on Giant brand forks for parts and servicing. While they are likely just rebranded rockshox, suntour or fox, they might throw a mechnic a curveball looking for selas and parts.

    • kurdoxan on 26/06/2024 - 19:44

      New to mountain biking. My primary use will be occasional light trail riding in the weekends.

      • Euphemistic on 26/06/2024 - 22:18

        If you arent intending on smashing down hills and hitting jumps, then the roscoe and fathom are over biked for you. In MTB terms, 'trail' is more hardcore than what a lot of people think of as trail riding. These are built tougher and heavier.

        You might be better to look at a more 'cross country' bike, or even a lower specced bike for general riding unless youve got a daredevil streak you're trying to satisfy.

  • deadcat on 25/06/2024 - 18:00

    I have a Trek Roscoe 8, and it has honestly been a great bike. I converted it to tubeless (easy to do, rims and tyres support it). The forks are a kind of lower budget rockshox pretending to be higher budget, but they seem to perform ok. I've taken it down some great downhilll runs at MTB parks. I'm 182cm and frame size L.

  • Grumbholdt on 25/06/2024 - 19:59

    Roscoe over the Fathom. They are similar bikes but Shimano Deore is way better than Sram SX.

    Could also consider Comencal Meta HT and spend $200 on a dropper. Has Sram SX but the Comencal frames are excellent.

    https://www.commencal.com/au/en/commencal-meta-ht-am-origin-…

    If you want to do more downhill focus (jumps/drops, etc), then Roscoe is ok for that.

    If you want something more versatile and can stretch the budget look at the Marin Team 2

    You won't find a better spec sub $2k bike, it will handle any blue run, some black runs, but could also do a 100km rail trail

    https://www.bikesonline.com.au/marin-team-2-aggressive-xc-ha…

    • kurdoxan on 26/06/2024 - 19:43

      Thanks for the info. First time I heard of Commectal (I am new to MTB), it looks like a decent bike. My primary use will be occasional light trail riding in the weekends.

      Marin Team 2 as well has good specs, but my budget doesn't stretch that far. What do you think of Marin Team 1?

      • Grumbholdt on 26/06/2024 - 20:31

        The Team 1 is also well specced for the price and sounds like for what you want to do will be a good option.

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