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

Nice! For reference, last month I picked up a large 29er with an air fork, 1x11, shimano brakes and dropper for under $400

I think that bike you posted is great! But if it were me I’d just ride till I found the limits of my bike, then move on to something newer and better.

Full squish allows for different line choice, and I can be a bit more lazy in my Rip9 then my hardtail. Plus, you gotta understand suspension tuning and stuff when you get a FS, because that’ll make or break your experience, depending on kinematics haha

 

haha yeah I'm not ready for that! that's a great deal you found for under 400! If I can find a sweet deal I'd grab it up, but I haven't seen anything like that near me.

 

I’ll keep a lookout!!!!

 

you rock. I'm sure you know better than I do what's worth what so I appreciate that for sure.

 

feel free to hit me up with any questions. I’ve gotten at least of dozen of my friends off the ground and into MTB lol

 

Where were you when I needed help 2 weeks ago! Had to wing it and hopefully made a good choice, but won't find out til I pick it up next week.

 

haha I was in Ireland and off TW lol

well if you need any help or advice hit me up!

 

May be too late. Already paid! Ha.

 

Nothing on CL yet

https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/search/bia?query=29er

This is a bike I'd rock, although depending on what you ride, it might be too much bike: https://bham.craigslist.org/bik/d/prattville-2018-kona-process-er-large/6998390472.html

 

I'd be interested in that bike, especially for that price. Looks like a good deal with the upgrades.

 

that is a good looking bike. since you're the knowledgeable man, help me out here, and Wes can chime in too since he rides the areas I ride too.

I don't think I should get a full suspension just yet. Price is a factor, but the used market for FS gets you some good finds to match brand new hardtails so...what would you say determines getting hardtail vs full suspension if I know I'm not bombing downhills and jumping gaps?

 

haha! truth.

I just personally feel hardtail is more appropriate for what we ride, and I also feel like it's more "natural" to me and good for me learning. I could be wrong though. Just want to know if for the price of a new/lightly used hardtail, should I just go ahead and get a used FS...I don't know that answer. Wes smoked us on some stuff, but I think that's physical capabilities...not bike.

 

I agree with your assessment, and I would say the same for my GT, but there are upgrades I want...that I can't justify doing to this bike or simply can't do. Those being the items I want in the next hardtail lol (29er, 1x, dropper post, etc)

 

I rode a hard tail for a long time and even through college with my time on a BMX bike. Riding a full suspension definitely allowed me ride faster through sections I would've slowed down/ lost traction with my bike tire through. Going fast is a lot more comfortable on a FS compared to a hard tail due to the fact you don't have to soak up all the hits with your body. I prefer a FS because they're just fun on the trail for how I ride. I like being grossly negligent when traversing rocks and roots. Lol.

 

so, for the simple fact a used FS can be gotten for a new hardtail price....and what we ride, do you say go FS?

 

If you prefer riding downhill vs uphill, then yes. Ride mine sometime and compare it to yours and you can decide for yourself.

 

I don't think it's a matter of preference of uphill vs downhill.

I can PREFER downhill all I want, but that doesn't mean I'll be riding downhill more because of what we have (and don't have) available around us.

 

My biggest factors if I had to choose between a hardtail and FS would be:

• Value - bang for buck, what components are you getting? Do you have to spend anything additional to "dial" it in? What suspension? I prefer rockshox to fox for service reasons, but a Pike vs a Recon Air is a big difference.
• Local Trails - for me, We have tons of rough rocks. a line for a hardtail vs FS could be different, and often times you must be more precise on a hardtail.
• Length of rides - if you don't plan on going on long epics, FS might not be needed. But your Ass and back will feel the difference between 15 miles of the same trail on a hardtail vs FS
• Bike Geometry - This is why my screen name is Nimble9. It was one of the earliest adopters of short chainstays and a slack head tube angle. It was also steel and set up SS so it was too fun. Bike Geometry (which you'll have to find out after trying a lot of bikes out) is huge, and will determine things like comfort, to how much fun you'll have on the trails themselves.
• Bike Parks - I love to take my bike to bike parks. I would definitely have less fun on a hard tail. Also not having to rent saves a ton of money.

Personally, I started out on a cheap coil sprung 29er. After a year or so (when I got my fitness level up), I got a FS bike. Depending on the trails I feel like riding that day, I'll switch up what bike I'll bring. My go to bike for most situations, is my niner Rip9. It climbs really well, and descends very well. When I ride smoother, more flowy trails, I bring my hardtail. Both have air forks, both are 1x11, both have shimano brakes, both have dropper posts, both are set up tubeless.

Personally, I would never upgrade a big box store bike. I wouldn't necessarily get rid of it, as it'd be a great bike to have to use on the rail trails, or to let friends borrow. I'd ride it until I felt I needed to upgrade. Also, go to your local bike shop's demo days. whenever you can test as many bikes as you like for free, do it. It helps shape your preferences.

 

I'm saying if you prefer to go fast downhill, a full suspension will be more fun. If you like climbing, a hardtail is more your friend. But really those aren't the only deciding factors. You just need to ride one and decide for yourself. There are trade offs for both.

 

good information, thank you.

I like having these conversations.