stronghammer's driveway king, now on 35s and 4.88s now sold..

Me too, it could honestly save you some time and money.

Here's a link to my PB photo album. It contains almost ever bike I've owned and ridden a ton.

https://www.pinkbike.com/u/Nimble9/album/

 

I know what you're saying, but what I'm saying is that your IF'S aren't really a "choice".

I don't like climbing, but I still have to do it.

I like going downhill (like Jekyll, not Lightning) but that doesn't mean I can go faster on a FS vs. Hardtail simply because of my skill level. Plus, Monte Sano is my local park...not much DH.

 

oh you had a GT Karakoram! did you like it?

 

I said if you like, not if you do. There is a difference. I understand what we are forced to ride, been doing it my whole life. I got a FS because I prefer comfort and speed when going down the backside of trails like mountain mist. I sacrificed the ability to climb like a hardtail because of that and I have no problems with it.

 

I guess I'm more of the opinion to do what I can to make what I dislike better for me, instead of trying to make what I enjoy better. does that make sense?

like even if I got a FS and loved the downhill I get to do, am I going to hate the climbing even more than I do now? lol

 

Idk. Ride mine and form your own opinion. I had to adjust how I climbed when I started riding my FS, but keep in mind, mine is also an 06. The valving is not that great compared to a modern FS bike and from what I understand, its lightyears better than mine is. The new bikes don't bob up and down near as much when your climbing like mine does.

 

yeah, I took it on easy trails, but compared to what I was used to it was bit behind the time. Shifting wasn't crispy, coil fork wasn't doing much, brakes were so bad I ended up upgrading those.

I like to go down more than up. I like to go as fast as I can while going down, so i ended up with a bike that climbs very will (CVA suspension that doesn't rely on shock settings) and descends extremely well.

I'd go here: https://www.trailheadinc.net/

or here: http://www.bicycle-cove.com/

and see even how much it is to rent a bike for the day.

We have an event called dirtfest every year, where bike companies all have their most expensive and technologically advanced bikes out there. Meanwhile people are riding the same trails with bikes from the 90s having just as much fun. I'd see if any of those shops have demo days, and ride a bunch of bikes back to back!

 

haha I only asked about the GT because that's what mine is....albeit their lowest model, but I am sort of brand loyal and think it would be cool to get another one, if it made sense.

I definitely need to take some time to go visit the bike shops, I've been to one super close to me just to have my front wheel repaired....but I'm really intimidated to go ask questions or even shop around..

 

I wouldn't be brand loyal, because certain brands have certain geo standards or bike standards, that limit your options for aftermarket upgrades.

Also, don't be intimidated, most true MTB people are like the people of TW - they are stoked you're stoked and happy to help in any way.

Another thing to consider, is after you feel comfortable working on bikes, build your own. I've built dozens of bikes from the frame up for myself and friends, and when you source all your own parts, you can save a ton of money that way.

 

if I had to choose a great hardtail, it'd be this: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2647686/

Here are some other sub $1300 FS bikes (I know these are local pickup only, but I wanted to post these deals):

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2658624/

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2584280/

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2417929/

Obviously, I don't know you're height, but keep an eye out there. There are always good deals! your local FB marketplace likely has good deals too

 

haha I'm not saying I'm going to buy a GT no doubt, but if one was the right thing I'd be a little happy to stay in the family since my first one has a sentimental value to it lol

 

I'm 5'10".

Why does that specific hardtail stand out to you?

 

I've had a bunch of hardtails and that was the most fun geared bike. Their nimble 9 is my favorite singlespeed steel bike.

The Yelli Screamy is light, short chainstays and a used one shouldn't be too expensive.

It's also a smaller company that makes them, and they're not terribly expensive frame only - http://store.canfieldbrothers.com/frames/hardtails/yelli-screamy.html

Currently there are a handful of bikes with similar geometry like the Kona Honzo. - https://www.konaworld.com/honzo.cfm They say it started a revolution, but Canfield was first with this style of hardtail.

Kona is a smaller bike brand that I really like too. I've had my eye out for this frame to build up with my parts: https://www.konaworld.com/process_153_cr_29.cfm

 

LBS sells Kona, I just wish some of the cheaper ones came with a 1x drivetrain.

https://www.trailheadinc.net/product-list/bikes-1000/?rb_br=256&rb_ct=1009

I quite like that Mahuna, but is it worth upgrading?

 

haha I'm a fan of it, I don't see it being anything over what you already have.

 

that's a nicer version of what you have, still has a coil sprung fork, budget components.

When you upgrade, you'll want things like - Air fork, tubeless ready (I can show you sweet tricks to set up tubeless), Hydraulic disc brakes (shimano are the easiest to service), a clutch rear derailleur, etc

This one seems to be a good deal: - https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2661539/

This one would be a ton of fun - https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2640864/

Here's an older FS bike - https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2662795/

Also, unless it says firm, you can always haggle lol

 

basically what I hear you saying is that to actually "upgrade" from the basic GT I have now...I need to up my budget or buy used lol

 

which is basically what I'm trying to figure out...

what is the cost to get a hardtail that is actually an upgrade from what I have, used or new....vs cost of a FS used...

 

lol maybe so...maybe used is all I can afford to ACTUALLY upgrade.

 

Yeah, between mountain bikes, tacoma stuff, and travel, I don't have a ton of funds to upgrade everything every year lol.