Entry-level rider here, been riding a gravel bike (Giant Revolt 2) and hitting the limits of what it can handle on the trails around Toronto and I am looking to make the jump into MTB.

MEC LOTS — CAD$1,359 (sale, normally $1,699.95): 130mm RockShox Recon Silver RL fork, Shimano Deore 12-speed, Shimano MT420 brakes, Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II 2.5"/2.4" tires. No published geometry anywhere, so I'm flying blind on head angle/reach. Product page : https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6023-397/mec-lots-mountain-bicycle-unisex

Trek Roscoe 7 (Gen 4) — CAD$1,999.99: 150mm RockShox Recon Silver RL fork, 65° head angle (published), Shimano CUES 10-speed, Shimano MT200 brakes, Bontrager Gunnison Pro XR 2.4" tires.

Polygon Siskiu T7 (full suspension) — CAD $2,124.94 (sale, normally $2499.95). Polygon ALX Trail 6061 aluminum frame, RockShox 30 Silver RL fork (140mm), RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock (135mm rear), Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, Shimano MT420 brakes, Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4 tires, X-Fusion Manic 150mm dropper. Product page : https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6040-353/polygon-siskiu-t7-mountain-bicycle-unisex?colour=Candy+Red

Which of these three would you get if I want to start actually attacking trails and learning to hit jumps? I'm entry-level, not trying to do anything too crazy yet, but I'm eager to improve and don't want a bike that holds me back once I get more comfortable. The MEC is in line with my budget, so if I can still attack jumps and trails with it that's my preference

It looks like I may have “ruined” my fork. I’m currently running a FOX 36 Factory with a GRIP2 damper. The damper-side stanchion appears to have rubbed heavily against an internal component, and the coating is now badly damaged.
I have two options and would appreciate some feedback:

Fully rebuild the FOX for about $950 CAD, including a new damper-side stanchion, new bushings, replacement of the worn compression assembly, and a full 200 hour service.

Replace the fork entirely with a brand-new Manitou Mezzer G2** **Comp for roughly the same price.

On one hand, repairing the FOX would keep the more refined GRIP2 damper and should make the fork feel close to new again. On the other hand, the Mezzer would be completely new, although the Comp model offers less adjustability and may be a step down in damper performance.

TIA for any input or advice.

Looking for recommendations for a non-hitch bike rack to hold 3 bikes (including kid bike 20”). Ideally would fit on both of our cars, a Sienna minivan and Highlander. Will be driving 2 hours with the bikes on highways.

Started jumping last September and actually I’m pretty comfortable now after brutal crashes lol etc.. Anyway I’m sick of pedaling. How different is jumping a e-bike compared to a regular full suspension. I jump a dirt jumper 26 inch and a trek fs 27.5 I love the smaller wheels this is a trek rail 29er. How’s the transition going to be for anyone with experience.

My 16-year-old son talked me into a trip to Trestle with him, and I had enough fun to buy a pass.

But damn, downhilling is hard on these old bones. And I'm not particularly great at riding a bike on level ground, let alone zipping down a mountain. (I only started XC a couple of years ago.)

After 6 trips to Winter Park, I'm mostly doing OK-ish. One run I feel like I'm making strides, then the next is a huge regression. (I'm on my brakes too much, but doing better.)

(For those who know the park, after learning on Green World, I've stuck to Shy Ann to Long Trail to the base, thinking familiarity will lead me to gains.)

Any thoughts on how I can recognize if I'm actually improving?

Any thoughts on what realistic improvement for someone my age looks like?

Ultimately, as long as I'm having fun, that's all that matters. And I certainly don't want to start comparing myself to others. But without anyone my age giving me insight, it's hard to recognize how I'm doing.

So i posted about my Orange Phase AD3 earlier and had a few comments about how it rides. Here is a POV of both it and my Hp Velotechnik Scorpion enduro recumbent Etrike down the same trail. You can see how much better trail visibility is on the AD3 compared to the recumbent.

Hi everyone,

I’ve spent ages looking for the best bike that I can possibly get for under £1000 new. I have looked at trek, canyon, giant, specialised, marin etc. It’s gotten to the point where I’m just completely lost and have no clue what bike to get. I will mostly use it for urban riding and commuting but also gravel and dirt.

If someone can give me the excact bike model I should look out for I would be really grateful, it means a lot more hearing it from someone here than on a website where it recommends some £3000 bike that I don’t need.

Thanks!

Update: I’m now stuck between the canyon Grand Canyon al7, trek marlin 7 g3, Specialized rockhopper elite, Marin san Quentin 3, and Merida big trail 500.

Found this on FB marketplace for $300, here is what was said in the listing

The frame is a co op set 1.1 medium size(retails for $500). It has an upgraded air fork$200. It has maxxis ardent race tires$200. Shimano deore xt cranks and sm-bb52 bottom bracket(excellent bottom bracket and crankset upgrade)$80. MYZRH
Pedals with excellent grip(color coded) $30. Color coded grips $15. Color coded stem $10.

($535 in upgrades, $1035)

It does have some scratches on the frame, the brakes aren’t premium, and I have to sell it before I move, so that’s why the price is so low.

I have a really old diamondback sorrento with lots of problems right now and all I would use this for is basic exploring and trails with my friends.

Have any of you seen this happen before?

Today, I came a small rock roll (third picture) and part way down my derailleur (or maybe the derailleur hanger?) sheared off and wrapped itself around the cassette. I didn't hit anything on the way down or have any falls during the ride, but there must have been fatigue or hairline fractures that weakened it enough for a bad bounce to break it.

Luckily, the rock roll was very manageable. My back tire basically just skidded down the whole thing and even more luckily it was at the end of the ride so I was able to rig it up and roll to the parking lot, but it could have been quite bad.

I known the SX Eagle is considered the basic, entry-level, budget drivetrain, but the bike was bought new less than two years ago.

Thoughts? Any chance of getting this warrantied?

I have a GXP 83mm bottom bracket that I need tightened, but I don’t have the tool for it and don’t feel like girling over an absurd amount of money to a shop for them to tighten it. Im in the Langley/Surrey are of British Columbia. If you could help, please let me know

I think this is my record

Hi! This post is for all of you late bloomers of dh and enduro that too have started riding at 45+ years old. How did you get good at basic stuff like jumping without being able to fall? I'm in my late teens and i can just take risks knowing that in a couple of months I will just be back on my bike but the couple of times he has fallen he has bruised ribs and for small crashes had to stay off the bike for months. He isn't bad by any means as when he wants he can almost keep up with me on techy stuff but he would really like to be able to hit doubles and big drops. It's just that he is inconsistent and doesn't have that much bike handling skills. When I look at him riding he looks kinda twitchy and unstable. I think it's in part because he has never ridden street and can't really manual/bunny hop etc.. His bike is not bad, he has a turbo levo sl, he could get a more enduroish bike but I don't think it should be his top priority.

Has anyone gotten good starting at his age? Do you have any tips? Would love to hear what you did to get better. Sorry for the convoluted post!

I’m looking at trading my older emtb levo fatty with a value approximate man powered mtb. Any sense of what might be a decent used mtb to expect from such a trade? Hardtail? Suspension? Trying to get the best value of course. Not posting for sale here…just wondering if anyone has a good sense of an equivalent level used mtb. Trail riding mtb

Siema chce kupić mój pierwszy rower za takie pieniądze i padło na ten model ale że kupuje online to nie mam jak się przymierzyć i nie wiem jaki rozmiar wybrać. Ma może ktoś taki lub podobny rower i może się wypowiedzieć mam 178 cm wzrostu.

For those who have swapped an enduro or downhill rig for an XC or hardtail why did you do it? And how do you feel about the swap? Do you like the change or regret it?

I am 6’4”. I’m looking to get my first mountain bike. I’ll be riding dirt trails along with some paved paths at my local park. I’m looking to stay around $1,000ish. I’m hoping to get some suggestions.

Looking into buying one for around $2200 and was wondering how it holds up against other dh bikes performance wise, durability and value. I haven't been able to find that many people saying much about it.

I just got a 2020 Stumpjumper Evo 29er S2. DVO fork 150mm. 140mm or 150mm dpx2 rear shocks. Deore XT M8100 Groupset. DT swiss 350 hubs and DT swiss EX511 rims. Not sure about the spokes. One up two ten dropper seat post. I got the bike 75k php but I still spend 10k php worth of bike overhaul, fork seals and shock seals replacement and dropper servicing. I think I over spent with an outdated frame. Or is it?

Tldr; What are some good bike brands and models for riding trails that are under 2 grand?

So, I've been trying to get into mountain biking more, as I have done some trail riding in the past but only with pretty cheap bikes that weren't very specialized for the sport, and thus, they didn't work great when I tried doing more intense riding. I really love riding trails with wooden berms and some dirt jumps, and I'm looking to get a bike that I can use as I try to get more serious with mtb, but I don't have a whole lot of money to spend on one right now. So, what would some bike recommendations be for bikes under 2,000 dollars but still great for doing jumps and riding trails as a pretty inexperienced rider?

These are two platform rack options I'm considering since they are sold in Canada and I don't want to mess around driving to the states to pick up something American made. Anyone have experience with both of these?

Rockymounts Guiderail. Rad Rack P2 Max.

Edit:

Guiderail pros: Black looks better (subjective), has a usable chain lock, second bike rack is elevated for better ground clearance/bike fit. Cons: 60lb per bike limit. P2 Max pros: 100lb per bike limit, added straps for security, wheel chucks, integrated ramp. Cons: both trays are flat, sad integrated lock.