Entry Level Mountain Bike?

Hello,

Looking to get mountain/trail bike but really have no idea what I'm reading when going through the specs on specific bikes. The bike shop recommended the Trek Marlin, X-Calber, and Roscoe models. They are mostly a Trek dealer so if you know what other bike companies have in that range please share.

Trails by me are dirt/rock, not too technical but anything from loose material to compacted mud can be expected. I have narrowed my needs and budget to either the Marlin 7 or the x-cal 7, and if the sale is enough I might spring for the Roscoe 7 over the X-Cal 8 but unsure if I wan to spend that much right away.

Does anyone here have experience with the Marlin 7 or X-Cal 7?

Thanks!

 

@BadDNA @KB Voodoo you guys are Mountain Bike Guru's

 

I’m good at helping people spend a fortune on a bike. Not so much with entry level.

Is the OP’s budget over $6k??

 

I don't think so

 

Subtract about 5k and we'll be in business. I had no idea the technology and how expensive bike can be until recently. Both a lot of fun and intimidating for a firs time person.

 

craigslist can really turn up some bike gold

I have purchased some really really high end pedal bikes for only pennies on the dollar off craigslist

 

I’ll say this: if you’ve already tried mountain biking, and feel like it might become a total obsession (like it has for me), spend as much as you can.

And don’t get a fat bike. They’re dumb.

 

This is a great point. Used bikes need love too.

 

eBay is also another great resource. You can get into a high end bike for pennies on the dollar.

So your budget is $1,000?? @beyer075

 

Truth. My bike is nothing crazy but probably 1k MSRP and got it for a fraction of that.

 

I had a marlin 5 and it was good for what it is but ending up buying a Santa Cruz Nomad a couple months later and never looked back. Makes a world of a difference.

 

1k can bring home a really nice used bike.... just start searching high and low with cash in hand, something real nice can be had with that budget.

I highly suggest getting a high end used bike for 1k over any new brand name bike with a 1k msrp...

 

I'm comfortable at 1000, but if I can stay below that would be saved towards the next if needed. My wife has gotten into biking over the last year so it's trickling my direction. Since I am new my concern would to buy the wrong bike for the expected terrain and end up not liking it because of perceived equipment. I was told by the shop that larger more aggressive tires help with stability which is really what I am looking for over speed at the moment. So the rest of the bike built around stability is ideal. All of my buddies who ride all have stories about crashing....

 

Spend more if you can. You will be better off in the long run.....

 

go into pinkbike. better deals are had on used.

not idea what size you are but examples
https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2314603/

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2311345/

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2274275/

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2286081/

 

https://reno.craigslist.org/search/bik

some real decent stuff here listed for sale, just in the end it really depends what style of riding you plan on doing and getting a bike tailored for those conditions...

 

Some very good stuff in there!!!

 

My entry level man bike was the Raleigh Tokul 3, amazing bike, paid 900 at my local shop

 

if you can expand your budget a bit i’ll sell you my di2 evil wreckoning for 6k

 

skip the marlins. watched someone blow the backend of their quake on the glc drop in whistler. 3 foot drop and the back end exploded off the bike.