I've long been a steel guy, but I'm very happy with my aluminum Ragley Marley. It rides as well as most of my steel bikes did, and it's lighter and cheaper. The new geo is spectacular downhill and in otherwise sketchy situations.
The best bang for the buck I see right now is: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/vitus-sentier-29-vr-mountain-bike-2021/rp-prod195562 I don't think you'll touch this build (Deore 12 speed, Marzhocchi Z2 bomber fork, and dropper post for $1300) with anything from an LBS. There's a 27.5" version as well, take your pick. I like 27.5, actually, but most folks like 29ers these days. These were briefly in stock last week and sold out quickly. Maybe put in the notification for the in stock notice. Eric On Mon, Sep 21, 2020 at 5:13 PM Jim M. <mather...@gmail.com> wrote: > Niner Air 9 is at the upper end of your price range, if you're looking > new: https://ninerbikes.com/products/air-9?variant=32890770784365 > I've had one for probably 10 years and it's one of my favorite bikes ever, > along with my Rivs. Light, nimble, can convert to single speed if you want. > > Otherwise for your price range, I'd look used. > > jim m > walnut creek > > > <https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0061/0022/2050/products/AIR-9---3S---SS_1300x.jpg?v=1598305355> > > <https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0061/0022/2050/products/AIR-9---2S---SX-Eagle_1300x.jpg?v=1598305355> > > <https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0061/0022/2050/products/AIR9_2star_29_1300-FRAME-ONLY_e655783a-512d-4ead-bdee-f74d1d6b9881_1300x.jpg?v=1598381595> > > > > On Monday, September 21, 2020 at 11:54:21 AM UTC-7 Michael Morrissey wrote: > >> Hi everyone, >> >> I'm thinking about buying myself a new mountain bike, to complement my >> Rivendell and my vintage mtb commuter that is as old as I am. I was >> wondering what people on here might recommend. I want to spend between $700 >> and $1700. I want to be able to bunny-hop, hit trails, drop it in the >> creek, go mud-bogging. I want a bike I can abuse without regret. I have >> taken my Rivendell on trails, but I want to ride more aggressively. I am 6 >> feet tall, 210 lbs. 86cm PBH. >> >> I'd like a steel hardtail, but I'd consider aluminum too I suppose. I was >> thinking something like a Kona Unit X, a Kona Fire Mountain, a Surly >> Wednesday. The Salsa Rangefinder looks good. Has anyone ridden one? >> >> In the past, I have owned a Gary Fisher steel mountain bike from 1997 >> that I bought new, and a Spot single speed, which I built up from parts but >> was a little small for me. >> >> What do you think? >> >> Thanks >> >> Michael >> >> >> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/74e664d6-e5ed-4d54-84c1-d289a18f193en%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/74e664d6-e5ed-4d54-84c1-d289a18f193en%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAHFNW5CNVbd%2Bkm1g8c-z1RXFfjzY9UfA0NvA2mj4XrqbvusKiA%40mail.gmail.com.
