AZ BS Thread 4²0

What does "light trail riding" mean to you? In the bike industry these days a "trail bike" is a 5-6" travel full suspension bike that is built to ride pretty gnar terrain. If you just want to ride the "normal" trails at the MTB trail networks around the greater Phoenix area, you dont necessarily need a trail bike. Like @pwrslide2 said, all you really need is an entry level 4-5" travel full suspension bike. I would NOT recommend a hard tail around here, its just hard on your body and you wont have as much fun.

What is your budget? If you are planning to spend more than $2000 I would suggest demo-ing some bikes. Typically demo bikes will be high end and possibly out of your price range but they will help you get an idea of what suspension style you like, geometry, travel etc. Usually shops will discount the cost of the demo when you purchase a bike from them, so thats nice. Youll definitely want to ride at least two different bikes, one with 27.5 wheels and one with 29. It doesnt sound like a big difference but its noticeable.

As for brand recommendation, you will get the most for your money with Giant. Niche brands are rad and I love them but you have to spend more to get equivalent stuff simply due to volume. As far as quality, reliability etc. any bike-shop quality bike is going to be basically the same as long as you are comparing apples to apples.

 

Yeah, I didnt hit on 29 vs 27.5 bc can of worms.

I'd just visit some shops, talk it up with them. Decide what shop you like best, have them fit you for a bike and rent a demo bike for a trail ride if you're going to spend a good amount of dough. Used can be a great place to get a deal but if you're a rookie at bike maintenance, you might miss something that will cost you a couple hundred down the road but you save about 1/2 getting a used bike a lot of thetime. Then, if you decide you want something else, you arent out as much money as if you purchased new.

 

I knew I’d get some great responses! Thanks guys. So, as I have no idea what the nomenclature for this industry is so I’ll tell you what my plans are. There are trails on marked/paved paths near me that I’d like to venture on for a bit of fresh air and exercise. But I’d also like something I can take offroad but not get crazy on. I have zero issues with a used one nor do I mind spending a bit of money for a used/demo bike if the price is right.

 

I'll second what I see others posting in this thread.

I went with a hardtail 29er, (Specialized Hardrock) for riding around Flag. Took it on tons of trails around here and took it to Sunrise plenty of times. It was always really hard to ride. Super bouncy and it kept me from tackling tougher trails as I feel that you have to be a better rider on a hardtail.

I remember the first time I rode my downhill (Specialized Bighit) at Sunrise. Holy hell, it was a completely different, much more enjoyable, experience. I loved it.

I'm looking to get back into it after selling all of my bikes, and I'll be going with a full suspension this next time around.

 

When I moved to AZ, I had some riding experience in Ia on both types of bikes. Chucking around a FS bike was more fun. Came out to AZ, no bike. Got a 4/3.5" travel 29er. They just started getting popular. Great bike to learn on. Got a 6" travel bike, hurt myself a couple times, knee jacked up. got a hard tail Trek Stache 7 in 15' or so and regret doing so. Havent rode much with it and the pain I get from riding it keeps me off it. ive tried a few seats as well. Gotta toughen up the underside well if you want to ride a hard tail a lot but some will have no issues. Probably going back to FS 5" 29er if I find I really want to get back into trail riding.

 

ok. Already at the bike shops this morning. Looking at a 27.5 giant trance. Opinions?

 

Great place to start. Are you going to ride it?

 

yes!

 

Proud day! Bought it in 2002 when I was 16 (my first vehicle!) with 51k miles, and now has 308k miles on the clock.

 

It was between the Trance and Anthem for me and the Anthem won out. Think you would be very happy with that bike.

 

Im also riding an Anthem 27.5 and agree its a great bike.

 

why did the anthem win?

 

Just felt more comfortable on that bike. The geometry fit me a little better.

 

Anyone have any 1* to 2.5* 2nd gen axle shims I can buy off them locally?

 

In the state and looking to sell/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/used-toytec-boss-2-5-suspension-lift.650145/

 

Anybody here live or previously live in Maricopa, thoughts?! I work in south Phoenix near broadway and 36th st. Would the commute be too rough driving the 347, currently live up past happy valley and 67th ave n drive down the I-17 so that’s rough enough I feel. Usually leave before 6am come home around 3-4pm. Seems like an upcoming area, only been in AZ for 3-4 years now. Thanks!

 

@Nitori does, he talks about it a few pages back in this thread.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/az-bs-thread-5-0.431790/page-4668#post-22515502

 

Depending on how long of a commute you’re willing to tolerate it’d be doable but not optimal.
To give you some frame of reference I work right off the Chandler boulevard exit on the 10. I leave my house somewhere between 5:15 and 5:20 and I get to work about 5:55. If there is an accident on 347, you’re gonna get delayed. I’m always amazed at the new levels of stupidity and inattentive driving we seem to be pioneering out here, so it’s not always a rare thing to see blue and red in the morning.

On the plus side since most everything is new infrastructure out here we have gigabit fiber. Waiting for your naked anime girls is a thing of the past.

 

I think the closer zip codes should be based on seniority. "Oh you just moved here from California? Enjoy that commute."

I'm salty, it is getting too crowded here.