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Depends on the ride. More than an hour? Pack. Less than an hour? Bottle cages.
For those packless rides, I keep everything that I would need in my jersey pockets and a tube gets taped to the top tube at the seat post. With the pack, I am able to cram in much more, including a tire/shock pump as apposed to a CO2.
Might also want to look into the Trek Stache series. They all have ‘stranglehold’ dropouts on the rear end, which allow you to dial in the tension you would need. In addition to that, the 29+ wheels/tires will give you a bit of added cushion, with the benefit of added traction.
It’s also belt drive compatible if that is your thing.
Just got my hands on a Salsa Beargrease x5. Sub 30 pounds, while it’s not as light as the carbon versions, it comes in at an MSRP of 1400 bucks. I think it’s a pretty tough deal to beat. Tubeless ready out of the box, and if you are after a “big name” bike, I think it would be the one to start with. Stretch your budget to 2k, and you can get into a full carbon version of the same rig with a full NX drive-train.
I would try saving up and stretching that budget just a little further. 700 dollars will get you an adequate bike, but 1000-1200 will get you a great bike that will be upgradeable in the future. Look for things like a tapered headtube, and thru-axles if possible. You don’t want to get stuck with a bike with a lousy fork that you can’t swap out because it has a straight steerer tube.
My other recommendation is hit up your local bike shop. This is the perfect time of year to get last years model for a steal of a deal. You may even be able to get something that was in the sub 1000 dollar range for the price point you have set.
My vote though is the Marin Pine Mountain or a Salsa Timberjack. Both are easily upgradeable and trail ready right out of the box.
Most bike shops will list on facebook or their website what brands they carry. Or just give a couple in your area a call and ask! Any good local bike shop will be happy to help you out!
Had the LBS order in a Salsa Beargrease X5. Should be picking it up later this week! And if the weather plays nice and doesn’t melt more of the snow, I should be able to enjoy it this weekend too with a good break in ride.
I ordered a new bike today, does that count?
Name: Christopher
Age: 22
Occupation: Mechanical Drafter/Project Management
Education: AAS Drafting & Design, Certificate Mechanical Graphics & Design
Location: Utah
Lives with: Wife to be
Quote (think of something that you say pretty often):
About (just general who you are, what you do, some key characteristics of yourself): Laid back, outdoorsy, beer snob, obsessed with all things bikes
Likes: A good stout or ipa, being outside, exploring parts unknown, cars, bikes!, music
Dislikes: Bad beer
Needs/Goals: I strive to always build on my skills as a mountain biker
A day in the life (what does a regular day look like): Wake up, go to work, suffer, go home, go to the gym, suffer, go home, sleep, repeat 5x. Weekend, ride as much as possible.
I had a really great relationship with my LBS back in Wyoming. First name basis since I used to make them coffee at the local downtown shop all the time. I never had to even ask about a discount, it was just always thrown in for bike purchases. Other supplemental purchases were usually in the form of a buy one get one free tire (usually a takeoff) or a 20ish% discount thrown in.
Now that I live in Utah, I haven’t had the same experience, but I just now finally found a shop that I like. So I feel like once I get in a few rides with their staff and help on dig days, that relationship will start to happen.
For service, I won’t even bother haggling. Shop rate is typically how a shop keeps the lights on, and I absolutely respect that.
I live in Logan Utah and can confirm that just about any school in Utah is a good choice if you have a love for dirt.
Used Salsa Vaya or Fargo?
Since I’m only 22, I don’t have a great first mountain bike story. But my first “bike” was a Target Schwinn Ranger. My girlfriend (now soon to be wife) wanted me to learn how to ride when I was 18 because she couldn’t believe I didn’t know how to ride. I got right up on that bike and rode it without any lessons. I rode it for a couple years and eventually found my obsession with dirt growing. When I finally felt comfortable enough with the prospect of spending some serious money on a bike I sprung for a Last Years Special. I got a 2014 Trek Stache 7 for a steal and it has been an absolute treat to hone my skills on.
I ride a 2×10, but that is mainly because it’s what I can afford at the moment. I find it to be a good balance though. A lot of the trails I ride are “in-out” trails, so I find that I spend a lot of time climbing with no relief of a downhill until it’s time to turn around. Being able to spin that 22 tooth chain ring is amazing, especially with bum knees that might as well be made of glass (gotta love genetics, amIright?). I know there is a similar range with the larger rear cassettes and a 30 or 32 tooth front ring on the 1x systems, but for the price, it currently isn’t justifiable for me.
However, I will say that I really would enjoy a wide range 1×11 on my next mountain bike, and that it will be a key part of the components that I look for.
I want to:
1- Mountain bike more often, see more trails around Utah
2- Gain confidence in areas I struggle (steep switchbacks)
3- Teach my older brother how to ride and successfully ride a full trail with him
4- Not quite mountain bike, but I want to participate in the last leg in an office relay for LOTOJA this summer
Not sure about availability, but I am a huge fan of the Zonker Stout from Snake River Brewery in Jackson Wyoming.
A more mainstream one I have only had once that I thought was pretty good was the Rogue double chocolate stout.
Thanks everyone for the tips! I will check out what is on here as well as the mtbproject.
