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My bike has the adjustable Geo, (Rocky mountain). I’ve never messed with it, left it slack. I should try it and see how it changes.
I would look for an XL, they are harder to find used, and for a good price. I am 6’1″, and ride a large. It is a bit small, the seatpost is maxed out for me, and it changes the weight distribution on the bike. It does depend on how long your legs are in relation to your height. I know a guy who is around your height who rides a large just fine, more of his height is in his torso, and has shorter legs. So depending on your situation, it may work out fine for ya.
Good luck,
I started mountain biking with my dad when I was around ten years old. It wasn’t a consistent endeavor back then. For the most part I would ride my rigid Giant 24 speed around my house, and the hundred or so acres of farmland we lived on. My dad would sometimes take my sister and me on rides in the mountains near home, or on our yearly trip to St. George, Utah. The trail that got me hooked is a rocky descent down a steep canyon, often populated by grazing herds of cows. The trail has multiple stream crossings, large boulders, and some very steep declines. I loved it. My dad was patient with us as we slowly worked our way down on rigid frames and weak rim brakes, and put up with our complaints of fatigue on the long climbs or hike-a-bikes. When I was 14 I substituted pedal power for dirt bikes, and did not return to mountain biking until I was 20, even then it took me a few years to find my passion for it. Now, as my wife will attest, I’m completely obsessed. She hates to go to the bike shops with me because I like to browse all of the inventory, dream of collecting all of the varieties of bikes, and talk bikes with anyone around. I read Singletracks first thing every morning to get my wake up fix. Whenever we drive somewhere I point out all of the locations that would make a good spot for a trail. She tolerates it alright, or she just ignores me. She started to ride with me on an old bike I had, she didn’t like they bike, but enjoyed the riding enough. We eventually bought her a lightly used specialized rumor 29er, and it really improved the experience for her. We have quite a ways yet to go though, she doesn’t strive to ride everything imaginable yet, the mark of a true mountain biker.
I would go for the fork. I have been debating myself about buying one, but there is not an alternative purchase that I’m weighing it against, simply the cost of the fork. It completely transforms the ride and the control. I couldn’t see the dropper being particularly necessary without the fork.
I wear Tifosi glasses, they come with a dark mirrored lens, and a light amber lens. I just always ride with the amber. It helps on bright days a bit, but it is light enough to still maintain good visibility in lower light conditions. They provide decent air flow, only fog when it is cool out and I am stopped. I prefer to ride with glasses to keep the bugs, dirt, and other airborne objects out of my eyes. these have proven, so far, to be the best option for me. The Tifosi glasses were marked at 80, I still spent 40 dollars on them, which is more than I prefer to spend on a small plastic piece of equipment. So far they have been worth it, and I have not lost or broken them.
Buying newer, you will benefit from the more modern geometries, and better components. While rim brakes certainly got the job done, even a cable disc setup can be far easier on the hands, and offer better stopping power. Larger diameter wheels have better roll over capabilities and tubeless is one of the greatest things to hit mountain biking. I would say upgrade, just be cautious buying used, watch for worn out parts and beat up bikes. You can buy a really good bike for $1500. And that will give you full suspension as well, or a nice hard tail. The experience offered by new bikes is one of more fun, more stable riding, which could be considered safer riding.
