Buying a new bike

[Ccr323]

Hi everyone. So I’m looking into getting a new bike under $1000. I have my eye on two, Vitus Sentier Deore $770 or Ragley Marley 1.0 $880. Both bikes have almost the exact geometry. Im just wondering is the Marley worth the extra $110.

The Marley has Manitou Minute and SRAM NX11. Are those really worth spending the extra $100?

These are the specs on both.

Vitus Specs

Frame: Triple-Butted 6061-T6 Alloy

Forks: RockShox Recon Silver RL 27.5″, Solo Air with Motion Control Damping, Low Speed Compression Adjustment, 15mm Maxle Thru Axle
Groupset:
Chainset: RaceFace Ride, 175mm, 36tx24t
Bottom Bracket: RaceFace Ride
Shifters: Shimano Deore SL-M610 Rapid Fire Plus, 10-Speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M618, 34.9mm Band
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M615 Shadow Plus
Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50, 11t-36t, 10-Speed
Chain: KMC X10, 10-Speed
Wheelset:
Rims: WTB STP i23, TCS (tubeless ready), 27.5″
Front Hub: Novatec D811 – 6 Bolt, 100mm x 15mm
Rear Hub: Novatec D882 – 6 Bolt, 142mm x 12mm
Spokes: Stainless Double Butted
Tyres: Front – WTB Vigilante Comp, High Grip Compound, 27.5″ x 2.3″ Rear – WTB Trail Boss Comp, 27.5″ x 2.25″
Components:
Front Brake: Shimano BR-M355 Hydraulic Disc, 180mm Rotor
Rear Brake: Shimano BR-M355 Hydraulic Disc, 160mm Rotor
Handlebars: Vitus Riser Bar, 6061 Double Butted Alloy, 15mm Rise, 740mm Wide
Headset: FSA Orbit 1.5E Zero Stack (NO.57E/62 (I/E)) 1.1/8″ – 1.5″

 

Ragley Marley Specs

Frame: Custom butted 6061-T6 Heat Treated Aluminium
Forks: Manitou Minute Comp, 130mm Travel, 15mm Thru-Axle, Tapered Steerer
Groupset:
Chainset: FSA Comet Modular 175mm 1x Direct Mount Mega Exo 32T
Shift Levers: SRAM NX 11 Speed
Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX 11 Speed Long Cage
Cassette: SRAM 1130 11 Speed 11-42T
Chain: FSA – 11 Speed CN-1102N
Wheelset:
Rims: WTB STP I23, TCS, 27.5″, 32 Hole
Front Hub: Novatec D811SB-15 Disc 100mm x 15mm
Rear Hub: Novatec D812SB-A4S Disc Rear 135mm QR
Front Tyre: WTB Vigilante TCS 2.3 – 27.5″ – Light/High Grip Compound (Tubeless Ready)
Rear Tyre: WTB Trail Boss TCS 2.25 – 27.5″ – Light/Fast Compound (Tubeless Ready)
Components:
Front brake: Shimano M506 Deore 180mm
Rear Brake: Shimano M506 Deore 160mm
Handlebars: Ragley – 740mm Wide, 15mm Rise
Grips: Ragley Single Lock On
Headset: FSA NO. 57e

I’m new to MTB but I always had bikes so I know how to ride I just don’t know what’s worth spending money on when it comes to a decent hardtail. I made the mistake of buying a $500 felt that I then found out had pretty much Walmart quality components. Not bashing the brand just the Dispatch 990. Luckily I was able to return it as I rode it once and derailleur already had problems. But I decided I should spend more for a better bike.

Thanks everyone!

[Jeff Barber]

The Marley has Manitou Minute and SRAM NX11. Are those really worth spending the extra $100?

Yes and yes. I love the Manitou Minute and I’m bummed they don’t make it anymore. I’m also a big fan of 1×11 drivetrains, so much so that I can’t imagine riding a bike without one.

[Alvin Mullen]

Have you checked Chain reaction website, it looks like they have reviews on both those bikes, The Ragley gets a 4.7 rating (only 3 reviews), and the Vitus gets a 4.4 rating (13 reviews). I did not read the reviews. It also looks like they both may be cheaper there than what you quoted.

 

I think one of the reasons for the difference in price are the brakes, the M355 brakes are an older, cheaper model that has fixed levers that cannot be changed or adjusted. I have them on my bike and love them, they are excellent brakes for the price, if they fit your hands. M506s are like halfway bettween the m355s and M516s and I am not sure they are worth the extra. Now M516s would probably be worth the extra.

[Ccr323]

Hey yeah that’s what site I’m looking on. I am in the USA so shipping is $95.

I guess a better question would be how much better are the Manitou over the Rockshox?

[BBelfield]

It is a better fork but I would be more concerned with the drivetrain difference. Also, unless your short get the 29er version of either bike. I have a friend that was new to mtb this year and I recommended the Vitus to him; it has worked out great so far.

[Author]

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