Hi all,
Looking to buy a new mountain bike, upgrading from a Merida Big 9 20 and wanting to spend from $1.5-2k. Not interested in dual suspension, only hardtail.
I am looking at the Roscoe 8 which is just shy of $2k, but wanted advice from those more experienced and recommendations.
Thanks for any help
No I don't mind used but I wasn't able to find anything on marketplace when I looked. I'll have another look
I'd have thought $1k would be the mid-high end of hard tails. Curious to know why dualies are out of the question
Not out of the question, but id rather have a hardtail as im not that experienced in mountain biking and want to master that first
Roscoe 8 is a nice bike. Wheels are fantastic with the high engagement hub. The only thing that lets it down is the fork when compared to fox or marzocchi, but it's still pretty good. for the price you can't go wrong. I have an 8 and a 9.
Question 1: What type of riding are you going to do?
If I was to make a general suggestion to cover all types of riding. I recommend going for a slack angled hard tail to cover all bases. I'm not going to recommend a specific bike as I have no brand allegiance but some examples to start your research are the Marin San Quentin, Kona Honzo, Commencal Meta, Nukeproof Scout. The best term to research is a "Hardcore Hardtail" for specific bikes and brands.
The benefit for these bikes is they have similar weight and characteristics as other XC style hardtails but you can really push the limits due to your seating geometry. The slack angle inspires confidence on more gnarly obstacles. They provide a similar geometry to your dual suspension enduro bikes and the best way to describe this benefit is, less fear when coming to an obstacle or a steep decline due to your seating position. Your typical hard tail gives the sensation that you will be flipping over the handle bars due to the forward and low seating position and low amount of suspension travel, whereas a more slack geometry makes you sit more upright and to the back and feels safer with your weight distribution. Also already being in a more balanced position allows you to shift your body more easily to suit the terrain.
Alot of brands make this style of bike in your price range. However the benefit is modern versions are also very efficient at peddling. So you will not loose much if any peddling and speed performance from going for a more 'slack' angled hardtail versus your 100mm Specialised or Trek XC race style bikes. You will be able to ride everything a 100mm XC race bike can ride just as efficiently as they do, but you will not be able to do the reverse. A 100mm XC race bike will be limiting for your average rider that is not super fit and skilled simply due to the forward and low riding position that you are constantly in. The more upright and relaxed riding position on the 'hardcore hardtails' is way more confidence inspiring for a average rider like me.
Also I'm basing this off owning all types of bikes (XC, HCHT, DS, DH). I currently ride a dual suspension 160mm travel bike on XC trails with no issues. But I'm looking to buy a hardcore hardtail again due to the maintenance benefits (less moving parts) to get that same confidence inspiring slack angled position, without the expensive parts maintenance. An XC race bike is just too much for me as I ride more casually and I don't like that crouched low and forward riding position.
I had a look at the Commencal which ends up being around $1620. For a little more I can get a Roscoe 7 and have local support from Trek.
Fair enough.
I personally don't care on the brand. I've owned Treks, Giants, Nukeproofs, Polygons and a few others.
I'm only providing advice on the type of bike.
Being one with a slack head tube angle and 140mm suspension as the sweet spot to tackle 90% of terrains yet still have the hard tail peddling efficiency of a more basic hard tail.
If you do go Trek, not sure if the deal is still on but people with Bupa health insurance can get you a juicy discount as well. I remember using my parents once.
Get the 8 cause it has got better wheels. The 35 fork is the thicker stanchion version of the recon.
As thebilly asked: what type of riding? Or what terrain?
The roscoe is an aggresive hardtail. Will be suitable for bombing down trails and jumping. If you arent going to ride hard, you might be better with a more XC oriented bike.
Theres certsinly something to be said for a slacker geometry inspiring confidence when the trail get more technical. I rode XC bikes for years, fast and nimble. My current bike is trail oriented and is a probably slower, but a lot more fun.
Does it need to be new? You can find the occasional $4k bike for $2k, hardly used, on marketplace. That's where the bargains lie in my opinion.