I need MTB Recs

Hey All,

My fiance agreed to buy me a mountain bike instead of a wedding ring. I have a $2k budget.

Here are my thoughts so far:

• I want a playful/rowdy hardtail with front-end suspension. 
• I've always thought of steel, but maybe aluminum. 
• The bike will mostly be ridden unloaded but also needs to perform when loaded on bike packs. 
• Sliding or horizontal dropouts would be cool (for riding SS) 

You folx have any recommendations for manufacturers/complete builds?

Steel with horizontal dropouts will definitely push you towards the more niche/boutique manufacturers, and at that point your budget gets a bit challenging.

The one general piece of advice I'd give for a hardtail is consider a frame that can handle 27+ and 29er wheels (so, most modern/boost 29ers essentially...). I recently bought a hardtail bike to leave at a buddy's place ($500 used Breezer Thunder Pro 27.5+) and expected it to be a bear to ride (since I normally ride full suspension). I ultimately had a fantastic time with the plus sized tires on trails where I had previously ridden my full suspension 29er. The nice thing is, with another $200, you could get a second (used) wheelset with skinny 29er tires and have yourself a two-for-one bike.

Whenever someone asks for a Swiss Army knife bike on a budget I always suggest Salsa. The timberjack checks all your boxes. The one thing would be to see if there’s any deals you could grab because the XT version at $2500 is the one I’d get (if I didn’t already ride an el mariachi ti)

Spopepro O. wrote:

Whenever someone asks for a Swiss Army knife bike on a budget I always suggest Salsa. The timberjack checks all your boxes. The one thing would be to see if there’s any deals you could grab because the XT version at $2500 is the one I’d get (if I didn’t already ride an el mariachi ti)

Damn, that does look like it checks all the boxes, you even get close to $2k if you get the SLX model.

Spopepro O. wrote:

Whenever someone asks for a Swiss Army knife bike on a budget I always suggest Salsa. The timberjack checks all your boxes. The one thing would be to see if there’s any deals you could grab because the XT version at $2500 is the one I’d get (if I didn’t already ride an el mariachi ti)

Yes! The Timberjack has been pinging my radar for a little while. Maybe it's the one.

https://www.backcountry.com/b/santa-cruz-bicycles-chameleon-mx-d-mountain-bike-snzk1e6?CMP_SKU=SNZK1E6&MER=0406&skid=SNZK1E6-GLONAVBLU-L&mr:trackingCode=0C4CE90A-158A-EC11-8122-005056944E17&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=_k_CjwKCAjw9J2iBhBPEiwAErwpeXAe9XeuHTN8pozRAHpNZW38MLwKN6m0wWZLJk5rUpfEQrfQF03TgBoCGRsQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_id=go_cmp-12868123408_adg-121976316392_ad-517539169331_pla-491145036164_dev-c_ext-_prd-SNZK1E6-GLONAVBLU-L_mca-7811_sig-CjwKCAjw9J2iBhBPEiwAErwpeXAe9XeuHTN8pozRAHpNZW38MLwKN6m0wWZLJk5rUpfEQrfQF03TgBoCGRsQAvD_BwE&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw9J2iBhBPEiwAErwpeXAe9XeuHTN8pozRAHpNZW38MLwKN6m0wWZLJk5rUpfEQrfQF03TgBoCGRsQAvD_BwE

Santa Cruz Chameleon

Mike V. wrote:

Steel with horizontal dropouts will definitely push you towards the more niche/boutique manufacturers, and at that point your budget gets a bit challenging.

The one general piece of advice I'd give for a hardtail is consider a frame that can handle 27+ and 29er wheels (so, most modern/boost 29ers essentially...). I recently bought a hardtail bike to leave at a buddy's place ($500 used Breezer Thunder Pro 27.5+) and expected it to be a bear to ride (since I normally ride full suspension). I ultimately had a fantastic time with the plus sized tires on trails where I had previously ridden my full suspension 29er. The nice thing is, with another $200, you could get a second (used) wheelset with skinny 29er tires and have yourself a two-for-one bike.

Thanks, this is helpful info also!

Teddy Dondanville wrote:

Yes! The Timberjack has been pinging my radar for a little while. Maybe it's the one.

Almost certainly. Other bikes do certain things better, but salsa consistently packs in features (like those dropouts) that otherwise don’t make it into high volume (read: affordable) bikes. The next step up is calling Kris at FourtyFour bicycles and get something done, but that level of awesome has a price. 

This is my 2017 build: Soma Juice Frame, includes horizontal dropouts which is awesome for single speed as seen here. In this picture I have it set up with my 29er wheels. I have a set of 27.5 x 3" I can also run. Right now I have it set up as an 11 speed. It will take up to 3" tires in the rear, even though it is only rated for 2.8". The Jones handlebars are amazing, no more numb hands and lots of leverage.

The Soma frame is all steel. Aluminum frames have a limited lifespan. I love the versatility of running different wheelsets, single-speed or gears.

My other recommendation for a killer steel frame would be a Surly Karate Monkey (I'd actually prefer that frame). Either one should last a lifetime.

i don't know what the used bike market is around you, but out here it's insane. there is never any shortage of rich people who get new bikes every other year which keeps the used market well stocked.  my last 4 bikes have been used.

Rich Ludwig wrote:

This is my 2017 build: Soma Juice Frame, includes horizontal dropouts which is awesome for single speed as seen here. In this picture I have it set up with my 29er wheels. I have a set of 27.5 x 3" I can also run. Right now I have it set up as an 11 speed. It will take up to 3" tires in the rear, even though it is only rated for 2.8". The Jones handlebars are amazing, no more numb hands and lots of leverage.

The Soma frame is all steel. Aluminum frames have a limited lifespan. I love the versatility of running different wheelsets, single-speed or gears.

My other recommendation for a killer steel frame would be a Surly Karate Monkey (I'd actually prefer that frame). Either one should last a lifetime.

Sweet rig, but no... Well made aluminum will last longer than you will. The "fatigue limit" "planing" and other bs really should have died with the crappy welding on cannondale frames from the 80s that led people to misunderstand alu.

I would never, ever, every suggest that anyone consider riding old tech steel (4130 DB) up any sort of incline. The Karate Monkey frame weighs 10lbs! And I say that as someone who loved my Soma Stanyan and thinks the world of my fillet brazed steel porteur bike.

Have you ridden a gravel bike?  Depending on terrain, can be more fun than MTB.  In Tahoe, trails are rock-based and rough - not fun on gravel bike.  In Santa Cruz Mtns, trails are dirt-based and I ride gravel on everything that I used to ride w/ MTB.  Gravel faster, more fun, and rips on pavement enabling all kinds of "mixed" rides.  Singletrack is no prob.  Have fun shopping.

I have a Kona Big Honzo Steel and it almost exactly fits your wish list, including budget. I’ve never ridden it loaded with bags though — that’s what gravel bikes are for. 

Anyone looking to ride together in Las Vegas?

I've been riding a steel Surly gravel bike since before gravel bikes were cool. That's what I load down and take on bike packs. And it's the reason I've made it this long without an MTB, because– it's that dang capable.

But alas, it's time for something with front-end suspension and a dropper post so I can explore more technical terrain. 

I'm currently rocking a salsa Timberjack SS in mullet and absolutely love it!! I'm gonna forever think about a SS Kona honzo St though. Both seem to fit your bill 

I agree. I had a great deal on one Big Honzo slip through my fingers a month ago. Now I'm scoping for another deal.  

Thoughts on this one? How's the price point? 

Used Steel Honzo on Pinkbike

With a $2k budget, you've got some great options. Check out brands like Santa Cruz, Kona, and Norco – they offer playful hardtails with durable builds. Steel frames from Surly or aluminum from Trek can provide the versatility you're looking for. Keep an eye out for models with sliding dropouts like the Surly Karate Monkey.

Hey Teddy if you're somewhat experienced with bikes, check out Marino. They build custom steel frames in Peru for a very affordable price (starting around $350 I think). A few different steel options, and geometry is totally custom, so you can copy a well known bike like a Chameleon or Honzo, or totally go your own route. I had one built last year and was able to build the bike for ~$2k with a mid range fork and Deore brakes/12 speed drivetrain. I got it to get into bikepacking, but it's such a fun bike it's become my main bike over the full suspension. This year I helped my friend and girlfriend build theirs too, and they were also able to keep them to around $2000. I've found the trick is the scour pinkbike and Facebook for lightly used/take off parts. On Facebook if you make a WTB post you'll get much further than just looking for things for sale, plenty of people with parts just laying around that they're too lazy to post for sale. Hope this helps!

I can also suggest checking Canyon MTB out. They are of high quality and can meet your budget. 

But when choosing a bike, I'd consider not only the price and brand, but also the size, height, and inseam length. Here I can recommend this source https://www.bikertricks.com/bike-size-chart/ in the hope you'll find it helpful.