I know a few of you ride on here and just looking for advice. More of a all arounder mostly flat trails but something that can handle a few jumps (I'm old). Looking to spend less than 1k. Hardtail. I'm 6'3 210 so I guess a 29 xl frame. Looking at Specialized 29 Rockhopper $500, GT aggressor comp, Co-op Drt 1.1, Diamondback hatch. Any other suggestions or should I be looking for a used higher quaility bike. Where to buy? Bob's? Online sites? Thanks

Trek

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Marlin 5 gen 2 Around $600. Good deal?

Freaking wormhole. Some of spend 5k to 15k on a bike? Holy shiatt thats alot of boards.

Edited: 03/16/2023 at 11:42 AM by whitey

I finally dropped the money and went full suspension. Had the Marlin hardtail for ten years and 1.5 years ago got a Trek Fuel Ex7 and absolutely love it. I bike Wickham twice a week and this weekend biking Markham Park and Quiet Waters down south.

I recommend Bob's Bicycle Shop. Ask for Ben the Manager.

A friend recently bought the Marlin 6 and its a good quality bike under 1000. But...after going full squish I will never go hardtail again.

Biked Markham Park two days in a row and today (sunday) a 3rd. Today I bike with the infamous Chuck.

vid from yesterday:

you can get good ones for MUCH less on CL, just test ride and check them out thoroughly. I ride a gary fisher big sur - I it - and those Specialized are nice ones, too. of course you can spend a lot more too.

I test rode a few of those at the Fat Tire fest. The difference is AMAZING. and so is the $$$

I just bought the Marlin 5 from Bob's. Yes, Ben is awesome. I ride the beach more than trails. I gave forward my full suspension Giant Anthem3 to someone well deserving. I kinda downgraded, but I don't ride trails much, so should be ok. It is the basic Trek model for sure. If you like the new 1x's, this is not. It is a 2 x 8. I got the extra large frame. Feels like a monster truck.

Nice. My band is playing at Bob's Bike Shop 50th Anniversary Street party. Thursday, Apr13th.

Stoked on the new bike technology. The dropper post is the best invention in my opinion. I'm always adjusting my seat on the fly.

Here is vid of Quiet Waters in Deerfield Beach. Chuck and I biked Markham the day before then went for a two hour street ride. After 4 days in a row of biking we were so sore and tired in this vid. We were cramping and huffin' n puffin'. But, 'twas fun.

I highly recommend a good dropper post and a quality 12 speed transmission like the Sram Eagle GX. There's not much need for high end brakes or suspension in FL, except maybe Santos. But some with knee problems appreciate the full suspension. You can also skip the super heavy and knobby downhill tires most bikes come with for a much lighter and faster cross country tire.

Thanks for all the advice!

We biked Graham Swamp up on Flagler County yesterday. It is a very fun trail. A lot inclines and descents.

vid I made with gopro on the handlebars

This past Sunday I biked the grand opening of Phase-4 at Quiet Waters. Super fun addition. Added about 2 miles. The trail builders did a great job with it.

Early this Tuesday morning I got to ride Markham Park in Sunrise, Fla. Markham is a bucket list Florida Mountain Bike destination. Love it. I've ridden Markham for the past couple of years and I am now being able to ride the red and double black diamond trails. I still have to bypass the most difficult but today I advanced and made some drops I previously bypassed.

Iphone vid. My handle bar Gopro mount broke so had to use the iphone instead.