Went out to a few LBSs this weekend, I was pretty sure I wanted a hard tail but most places tried to talk me into a full suspension bike as they had a lot more variety of those in stock and more higher end models as well. Not sold on the idea of full suspension so still trying to decide.
I initially purchased a Cannondale hardtail as our riding around here (Florida), is pretty much cross country type riding. Still, I found that the bumping over the roots etc bothered my lower back. I eventually upgraded to a full suspension 29er and my back is a lot happier.
For the kind of riding that you will be doing it sounds like a HT is the way to go, if you go FS for the same budget you will most likely get a bike with cheaper components and lousy wheels.
Based on the models you listed in your first post, it sounds like your budget is over $2,000. I think most people in the over $2,000 range would prefer a full suspension bike. I think most people for a first mountain bike prefer a lower end hard tail.
Based on the riding you said you would be doing, I think a hard tail is a very good fit. I however, think at least based on what I saw about the Marin pine mountain 2, that bike would be overkill(thru axles, Plus size wheels, and dropper post are really more geared towards downhill oriented folks).
I’d look more at something, keeping with Marin, like the bobcat trail 9.5. That’s more of a bike path, fire road, intro to trails bike. It looks like a good bike, rock shox fork, hydro brakes, 2x10 SLX gears; but none of the overkill on the pine mountain 2.
I’d just be careful to take a good honest look at the type of trails and style of riding you want to do. Are the trails and fire roads better suited to a cyclocross or gravel grind bike? Or do you need a hardtail to manage the trails you are going to ride. The hardtail plus bike you are looking at is cool but may be overkill depending on what you are going to do with it.
With a budget of $2k you could buy both a hardtail MTB and a cross bike. I bought a 2009 Gary Fisher X-Caliber HT last year for $450, but another $200 into a dropper post and a little fixing up and it is great, I ride it all over including downhill enduro style stuff. I also managed to find a Cannondale CAADX with full Ultegra in new condition for $800 last year. So for less than your budget I have both options. I have ridden the cross bike on the same trails as the MTB, different workouts and feels for both. I do want to add a full suspension plus bike for serious enduro riding, but that is going to require a much bigger cash outlay. HT’s especially used are pretty dang cheap.
Based on the models you listed in your first post, it sounds like your budget is over $2,000. I think most people in the over $2,000 range would prefer a full suspension bike. I think most people for a first mountain bike prefer a lower end hard tail.
Based on the riding you said you would be doing, I think a hard tail is a very good fit. I however, think at least based on what I saw about the Marin pine mountain 2, that bike would be overkill(thru axles, Plus size wheels, and dropper post are really more geared towards downhill oriented folks).
I’d look more at something, keeping with Marin, like the bobcat trail 9.5. That’s more of a bike path, fire road, intro to trails bike. It looks like a good bike, rock shox fork, hydro brakes, 2x10 SLX gears; but none of the overkill on the pine mountain 2.
Yeah after some more research and talking with a few places, the Marin I had considered is not a good choice.
I have sort of decided I want the following, hard tail, 29" wheels, 1x10 or 1x11 drivetrain, Deore or better components, I am open to aluminum or carbon, I can see benefits of both.
I have had mountain bikes before but it was 20 years ago.
Have looked for used but there is very little or none that come close to what I want.
One possible downside is that depending on the terrain in your area, it may be difficult to hit targets and stay within a zone if you’re training on singletrack or even fire roads. I race MTB and end up training on the road a lot because of this. There aren’t long fire road climbs in my area though.
Update, checked out many LBS’ none really carry decent 29 hard tails, almost everything is full suspension.
My BIL had a older Motobecane titanium 29er, he let me borrow it for a while to try, it was great. Ended up ordering the latest version from bikesdirect, $1600 for titanium frame full X9, decent RockShox Recon and good wheels and tires. Very easy to put together had to adjust the derailleur a little but pretty easy stuff. It is 3x10 with 11/36 rear cassette, I will probably convert it to a 1x10 with the Race Face front ring either 32t or 30t, the middle one on the 3x is 33 so once I get some more time on it I can decide which to go with.