All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

Ok fellow Tacoma owners. Need to get my ass back in shape, what bike should I look for in the 2,000-2500 range? I used to ride a bit when younger and have raced dirt bikes off road for years. I am located in the Bay Area CA so we have a lot of great areas like Skaggs, Tahoe, Santa Cruz, Henry Coe etc.
-Are the REI bikes made by GHOST any good? Components look decent and I have some store credit I could use towards one. https://www.rei.com/product/145960/ghost-slamr-29-bike-2019
-Ive read up about direct buy like Commencal, YT, Canyon. Would need to find used to stay in my budget.

Throw out some recommendations, thanks

 

I’ve had two YT Capra’s over the last two years, base model last year and the cf pro race this year. Love the bike,for the money the brand can’t be beat. They have shipped out parts when needed free without hassle as well as ethirteen shipping out parts. I would also consider a Commencal but I’d recommend a 27 or 29 Yt jeffsy used,check pinkbike

 

I’m a fan of the Trek Stache, probably not everyone’s favorite but it’s in your price range and fun. Like someone else said the roscoe would be a solid choice to save some money and put towards gear or upgrades.

Idk how much you have in credit/dividend at REI but if it’s less than 10% of the price of I don’t think it’s the best use since you’d get 10% back in dividend, unless it’s on sale already.

If you want to stick with REI I’d look at the cannondale habit 5. Better all around spec than the ghost in my opinion.

Outside of REI Kona makes a few bikes in your price range.

 

Recommendations are free....good recommendations will cost you a 1up rack


There are lots of great options in that price range. If you’re looking at new, Trek (Stache/roscoe/fuel ex/top fuel) and Giant (Stance/trance) have some of the best bang for the buck options out there if like LBS shopping. YT and Commencal look to have solid consumer direct options. An REI Coop/Ghost bike wouldn’t be terrible, but there are better options for the money.

Welcome to a fun thread!

 

Full or hard tail?
My hardtail is a Salsa Timberjack, SLX, in the 27.5+ flavor. Plenty of fun. Its no Stache.. but, its i solid bike for a good price.
REI is selling them(Salsa) now...

 

I have an older Trek Mamba 29 HT. Looking for FS this time, forgot to point that out. Thanks

 

So Steezy!

That color pants are hard to find in the guys section. May have to find some XXL womens size ones.

 

Well, in that case, I can tell you, I enjoy the snot out of Fuel EX8, but, out of your price range new. Used, they can be had pretty reasonably priced.

Good luck

 

1up on the rear is super solid. So glad I made that purchase for anyone on the fence.

 

i just pulled the trigger on the heavy duty single rack, going to be delivered today... gonna try it out and likely order the add on for it. I usually just haul my own bike around and the north shore rack sticks out too far and keeps the bike just a bit too high so i can't drive into my garage with the bike on there. It will be nice to be able to keep the bike on and park in the garage. First world problems of course

 

I bought my Giant Trance for 2500 at Bike Connection which is across the street from Stanford. They have a lower spec model for around 2k I think. I enjoy it and it is capable of doing pretty much all the Bay Area fun stuff. For just a bit more you can get the Santa Cruz 5010... just a thought.

Emma McCreary trail near UCSC is a really great trail that someone getting back into riding can do. I started at Arastadero and Russian Ridge since I didn't have a very nice bike in the beginning. I grow more and more convinced the Flow Trail in demonstration forest is one of the absolute best mountain biking trails in the world. The caveat is you get to climb twice to ride it once so make sure you've built up your stamina.

 

I’ve ridden there a lot over the years since its only a bit over an away. The rain today and tomorrow will hopefully firm it up a bit. Creek gets some serious moondust when it’s real dry. I haven’t been yet this season, I wish I was free this weekend, I’d link up and show you the place.

 

Yo amigo...do you want to sell that race face tailgate pad since you got that cool bike rack?

 

Fucking A brother! Man I’m chillin in Colorado right now or else I would have met up. We should do a ski resort when I get back after this next weekend.

 

I use the tailgate pad a decent amount. Esp if I just wanna toss my bike in the back for a quick trip.

 

Blankets Creek North of Atlanta.

 

My son got a Timberjack, in that spec, this spring and it is nice. Very good value compared to equivalent Specialized at the same store. But the bike really isn’t as important as your local bike shop, unless you’re sure you want to be totally DIY and buy used or consumer-direct. Fortunately in the Bay Area you have lots of good shops to discover.

 

Stopped off at a beach on our way south along the NW coastline.
Gotta say, the Softopper and rear tray combo makes for a versatile setup.

 

Lotta bike for Blankets Creek lol

 

Some people are fortunate enough to have multiple bikes of all different travel. Some people buy one bike and treat it as a do-everything bike. Nothing wrong with either.