5 replies to this topic

[Jimothy]

So I got into mountian biking about a year ago, I've been riding the GT Aggressor Pro and I'm looking into getting my first full suspension bike. I mostly ride grotpeter and have recently started to ride Zombie and Lone wolf. I would like the bike to be able to handle Chubb and Pisgah for when I eventually go there. I've narrowed it down to two bikes. The Stumpy and Hawk Hill. The Stumpjumper is great because of FSR and it being a stumpjumper but lacks in components (Tektro Brakes, X-Fusion Shock). I rode it in a parking lot the other day and it felt great though. The marin is a steal, I get debon air Rockshox Deluxe and Shimano Brakes. What do you think?

Marin:https://www.marinbik.../20-hawk-hill-2

Stumpy:https://www.speciali...r=274062-170586

[Eazy_E]

Honestly, first and foremost, the new stumpjumper looks like absolute garbage, especially with the non symmetrical shock. FSR is another way to say Horst link, and the patent expired so if you like that, you can get it other places besides the Big S now.

Have you checked Pinkbike? Their buy/sell is a gold mine of one or two year old bikes. Those Freds are always on the upgrade life. Transition bikes are a pretty good deal on there all the time if you want a Horst link system.

Of the two choices in the op, I'd go with the Marin.

[Jimothy]

1. I think it looks good with the asymmetric side arm looks good. If your talking about the color I think the teal and black look good but the pink looks bad. 

2. Horst Link: Do you know any other bikes with it?

3. Pinkbike: I'm looking to buy new because I want a new (when it was made and how much its been used) and modern frame to upgrade a little over time.

Thanks for letting me know that FSR is (or is very similar to) horst link.

[estoys]

I would second the used route just because you can get a heck of a deal.  Your $2k can get you a bike that was 3000+ just and year or so ago.

 

In regards to the new choices you gave, I've had a bunch of stumpjumpers over the years and the frames themselves have always been durable for me.  I would really suggest upgrading the brakes no matter which of the new bikes you pick.  Especially if you are intending to go to North Carolina or out west.  They have real mountains in either of those places!  As a mid-westerner I didn't realize that brake fade was a real thing until I started traveling.  :-)

[Josiah]

I have been riding the Stumpjumper St since it came out last year. Before I bought it I rode just about every bike in the 2k range I could find local, both hard tail and full squish.

All of them were significantly "worse" than the next price tier bike. That said, I was upgrading from a 7 year old entry level hardtail so anything was a significant improvement.

I chose the stumpjumper because it fit most of the things I was looking for within my price range, and more importantly it was the best fitting bike for me.

Most parts are good enough. The Xfusion shock has been surprisingly good. The brakes are horrible. Period. Everything else is comparable to most other bikes in the price range short mail order bikes like Canyon. I added a dropper post and changed the tires to tubeless.

I like my stumpy, but I highly recommend riding the bikes you are considering before buying one.

[Jimothy]

Oh the new one also comes with a dropper and is tubless ready. That’s what’s got me stumped the parts are good enough and the frame functions and looks great. But the Marin has great parts for the money but it’s frame isn’t as good. I knew from the start that riding them was the most important though, I’m just looking for input on the bikes.