Bikes and Tundra

I've been riding a Trek 2.1 for several years. It's heavy, the components are junk, but it's never given me any trouble. I ride in two or three organized rides a year (40-50 miles each) and mostly ride on the local bike path and foothills. However, my wrists/hands get numb on longer rides.

I need to upgrade, but not sure if a full fitting is worth it for me?

Any guidance?

 

I’m riding in Kentucky so I don’t see our terrain being too different but as tempting as some of the longer travel bikes may be, they’re not really needed around here. I’m on a Trek Fuel EX which I think has 120mm of travel and it has handled everything I’ve needed it to and that includes quite a few races. I would definitely recommend the Trek Fuel line because I think I’ve seen some used ones at pretty reasonable prices. Make sure to check craigslist and Facebook marketplace because bikes rarely come up on pinkbike around here

 

What is that?

 

2x8 with some fork mounts. Just sits in there until I need it. Don't even have to fasten it down.

 

NICE!

 

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people that try biking is that the maintenance sucks and my bike is broke so I quit riding it. Buy the best hard tail you are willing to pay for and have it checked out by a reputable shop.
I often recommend the Trek Stache. Most fun you can have on a hard tail and $2k gets you a new Stache 7. Even less for a Stache 5. You can ride it on the street, gravel roads, or even ride some gnar or bike parks. A 29+ hard tail is the best all around bike for a novice. Very forgiving and capable. If you move on to a other bikes and decide you want to become a single speeder, Guess what, yep, the Stache frame is perfect for single speed setup.

 

You are putting too much weight on your hands. There are two ways to go about it.
1. Get in better shape especially your core. The bars are for steering, not leaning on. ;-)
2. Get some riser bars and or add some stack height (spacers under stem), maybe some foam grips like the Wolftooth Fat Paws . Make sure your bike fits. Minor changes to reach can be made with stem length but it has an effect on steering feel.

 

29” aggressive steel hard tail Best for beginners. Modern geometry with 120-130 mm revelation or better fork. Best bang for your buck, and I am old school, still believe there are skills you learn to actually ride your bike instead of sitting static with a hard tail you don’t get when you jump straight into riding a full suspension. If you’re an enthusiast skip trek and spec as you’ll probably end up wanting something more niche. Checkout Kona Honzo and Canfield nimble 9.

 

One last thing, I used to work at a shop and most of the time noobs got burned because they bought the bike based on the original value not the condition it was in. Don’t buy a roached bike, will end up costing you more and you won’t enjoy riding it.

 

Got to drive some awesome dirt roads and ride some amazing trail with my neighbor today. Life is good in the woods

 

My 2019 Enduro Elite 29.

 

So being 36 and just getting into it, a full suspension isn't needed? I don't want to beat myself up too much.

here are some local bikes, any thoughts on these:

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/d/fallon-here-is-your-next-bike-trek/6852970130.html

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/d/edwardsville-salsa-timberjack-slx-29er/6851927100.html

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/d/lake-saint-louis-2019-commencal-meta-am/6832799611.html

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/bid/d/springfield-jamis-dragonslayer-mid-fat/6856690534.html

 

Those all look like decent bikes. The commencal is a looker but 160mm is a lot of front sus for a hard tail. I think a hard tail is best to learn how to ride correctly and reduce maintenance. That being said I do like my full suspension, but every winter I always wish I had a hard tail to develop skills on and keep the wear and tear off the suspension components. Buy a hard tail first, and if you really like the sport buy a full sus in a year and keep the hard tail for friends and as a winter bike. Flat pedals are also something I wish was on my winter bike. They develop good handling habits.

 

I wouldn't say that You can get what you want but as other's have stated, it's about about a better learning platform and more bike for the same $ Full suspensions need 3 times the maintenance of a quality Hardtail.
I don't like getting beat up either which is why I recommend a 29+bike. You can run 13-14psi in the tires for some cush in the rear.

 

Great, thanks Shreveport. Appreciate the help/response. Hardtail it is now if I could just learn what all the components mean and which used deal is worth it...

 

Thanks Skey, I'm going hard tail and I might dive in on the commencal. I'll see if the seller is motivated to drop the price a bit more.

 

Here's my setup. 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp 6 Fattie:

 

Whistler is our backyard, and with the bike park opening this weekend there will be lots of future Tundra biking pics coming.

 

Got out for the first really good ride of the year today. Trails are still soft in spots

 

Headed to a race in Utah.

 

Went to Valemount, BC yesterday. Love that place. And love my bike. It really hides the fact that it’s my first season DH and I can hit all the bigger stuff Cased a couple times on ~12’ doubles and no one could even tell cause it soaked the hits up so well. I even did two different ~10-12’ drops haha. I love that it’s a size large frame and I’m 5’9. It just wants to go FAST haha. I love it. Feels so stable. Only got one video I posted on ig of my first whale tail ride! Here’s a snap from it.
@rockbottom78c10
Pretty sure I’m addicted now

 

Well, hopefully I’ll have my own mtn rig shortly. Picked the daughter up a Specialized Pitch today, and test rode a handful of full suspension for myself.

 

Any input on a 2019 Specialized StumpJumper ST, found one new and can add a dropper post out the door for $1975.00 (10% off because it’s a 2019)
But it has 29’s - which I’m not too sold on.

Or a pretty clean used 2017 Santa Cruz 5010 Carbon ST on 27.5’s for $2350
Pulling the trigger this am, we have a trip tomorrow.
I’ve ridden so many bikes at this point I don’t care as long as it rolls. Lol

 

I'd demo a couple before you buy. Fitment / geometry are very different across bikes. I've made the mistake several times buying and then not having them fit properly, then trying to sell a "used" bike. Cyclepath PDX has a bunch of demo bikes and the rental fee goes toward purchase. I see you went to Bob's. Proper Cyclwerks in Longview has a couple of very nice demo bikes. Kevin the owner is a great guy.

 

Between these two bikes, I'd steer clear of the used one. Santa Cruz's are normally solid, but they can have issues with pivot bearings and bottom bracket. Buying used voids any warranty and is always a gamble. New is better unless you know the person that rode it and how it was maintained.

 

I saw Kevin yesterday, super nice guy and sure seemed knowledgeable!
I’ve been to nearly every shop within 60 miles of PDX
This Santa Cruz has definitely felt the best (even after 3 miles on a Cannondale Carbon 2-3X the cost), and I just picked up the Santa Cruz after another test ride. The seller seemed like a down to earth honest guy.
I’m swinging by Vancouver Cyclery right now for an Eval and pedals.
Santa Cruz had a fresh service and new brakes replaced due to a recall.

 

The 5010s are great trail bikes. I'm sure you will enjoy it!

 

Shop says bike is super solid and killer deal! The guy that looked it over rides a 5010 Carbon too.
Throwing on clip-ins and grabbing some shoes.
Hopefully I don’t end up over the bars this weekend

Took the kids to some dirt track in Portland today, I ate shit on my BMX Cruiser LOL.
Put the Frontrunner on and the Yakima stuff, picked up some Forklift racks and a 15mm axle adapter.
I can officially contribute to the thread now.