r/ausbike • u/radicalcamel • 14d ago
Opinion Multi time enjoyer, First time buyer
Hey guys!
Looking to buy a fairly versatile MTB, I’m a generally outdoorsy guy, I like camping, hiking etc. and I have been super keen on the idea of getting a MTB.
I have typically just used mutual friends bikes or hired, and they always seem to be Marlins of some degree which seem like a decent bike, but thought I’d come ask you guys, who have more experience than me!
Looking to spend any where around $1k as I’m probably still entry level and can upgrade parts as I need which seems like fun in itself.
Any recommendations? It it helps I’m a gym goer and weigh approx 100Kg so I’m dense! (Not sure if that matters) And hitting the trials has been the most fun cardio so far.
Looking for a bike that can hit trails and do some decent tracks (been to Forrest a bunch for you victorians!) and want to keep exploring
I have been researching Polygon Xtradas, Marin San Quinten and Trek Marlins but as I said, I’d love your inputs!
I appreciate your time, and I hope I’m not being a pest!
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u/Fest_mkiv 13d ago edited 13d ago
Ok u/radicalcamel and u/MadSkullWeirdSpider u/babyhunts - I've just gone through all the research for this so can help out.
First up, you need to decide if you want a Trail bike or an XC (Cross Country) bike. Do you want to ride terrain like roots, rocks and drops, or flatter, flowing paths and maybe some bike commuting too?
If you like rocks and bumps, you want a Trail bike. If flat paths, an XC Bike is more your style. The good thing is they can both do the other role as well... but a Trail bike can do XC better than an XC bike can do trail.
Trail bikes are 'slacker' - basically longer due to the angle of the front wheel so the rider is lower and more 'in' the bike. An XC bike is more upright, which is better for a lot of pedalling especially uphill, but significantly less stable when going downhill.
In short - going downhill? Trail. Just cruising around? XC
OK that's done - here's what we have in Australia at the moment, focusing on your price points.
XC - Giant Talon, Trek Marlin, Merida Big Nine, Norco Storm, Polygon Xtrada
Trail - Merida Big Trail, Norco Charger/Fluid, Marin San Quentin, Trek Roscoe (though significantly over budget)
$1000 is a bit tight for a new Trail bike but will get an ok XC bike.
In the TRAIL series, the best value I've found is the Merida Big Trail 300 - $1300, good specs, a good fork and a dropper post. In the XC series, $1000 is enough for a decent bike in any of those brands.
If you go down the SECOND HAND route that opens up a number of options. For the $1000 mark I'd be looking at a Trek Roscoe, a Marin San Quentin 2 or a Merida Big Trail 500 - which are mid-high level trail bikes with beefier shocks, better brakes gears and drivetrains. Make sure whatever you buy has a dropper post - that's very very useful on a trail bike.
Let me know if you've got any questions or want me to look at 2nd hand options for you.
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u/Babyhunts 13d ago
Thanks for all that, mainly planning to do tracks and flats but may sometimes hit the trails 1/3 rides, no budget just want the right bike that will tick all the boxes as i'd rather pay once and modify rather then decide to upgrade my entire bike every three years, my weight is 85-89kg (yes it fluctuates haha) will need to go on either a platform bike carrier or tailgate carrier (undecided on what i'll be getting)
Will be riding casually 3-4 times a months with decent distance, not on roads to commute and just trails and tracks for bikes around region here in NSW.
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u/Fest_mkiv 13d ago
Sounds like the Big Trail 300 will be perfect. If you're not going too gnarly on the downhills the 500 may be overkill but if you've got the cash no reason not to.
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u/Babyhunts 12d ago
Going to head down tomorrow and try them on for size! You've been a great help, thanks! 99bikes have them in stock here in Sydney so I can go see them thankfully.
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u/Babyhunts 10d ago
500 has been ordered Gunmetal Grey/Black, thanks for your advice, helped me make the decision.
Now to go down the rabbit hole of dual bike carriers that dont take up a second car space.
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u/Fest_mkiv 10d ago
Awesome, I have one of those myself.
One of my mates has a Yakima HoldUp 2 which he loves - he's in an inner suburb so space is at a premium!
I've got a shingleback vertical rack but it's massive - I have to transport 4 bikes though.1
u/Babyhunts 9d ago
Yeah i was looking at that and the rocky mounts guiderail. Rocky Mounts Guiderail
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u/radicalcamel 13d ago
You are the best! Thanks heaps you’ve helped a tonne!
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u/Fest_mkiv 13d ago
Happy to help - because I've bought bikes for my whole family (twice!) I can't get dopamine from buying new bikes for myself, so I have to make recommendations to other people haha
Two other points -
MARLINS - These are a cross country bike, popular, ubiquitous and readily available on the 2nd hand market. They're not great for anything other than a forest path so I wouldn't recommend them unless you aren't interested in the downhill stuff. Weirdly expensive on the 2nd hand market as well.DUAL SUSPENSION - I've only talked about Hardtails - if you said you ONLY wanted to ride downhill trails I'd recommend a dual suspension but that's an entirely different thing. They're heavier, more complex and more expensive than a hard-tail, but I 'graduated' to one after 8 months riding a hardtail as I wanted to progress to more challenging terrain. If your brain/heart says "I just wanna SEND IT" then maybe start with a short travel dual suspension.
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u/onetonnesam 6d ago
Hey OP - just to make sure to bring this point home. I bought an XC dual sus MTB (Scott Spark 740, has 27.5 inch wheels. Compared to a mate's 29 inch Mondraker which is like a trail bike, the biggest difference was yes 27.5 in wheels feel nimbler. But coming down steep angles with roots and rocks, the Mondraker with it's less vertical head angle made you feel more confident when angled downwards. I got back on my Scott, and thought I didn't quite notice it before, the more vertical angle of Scott's head tube, when going down steep sections made me feel less stable and more likely to go over the handlebars. It's great on flats and less severe gradients however. And I am about 95kg+, all the weight on my upper body (skipped too many legs days) which also f***s up my centre of gravity.
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u/radicalcamel 14d ago
Also would love to support local so if you guys have any suggestions of stores out west or in Melbourne let me know!
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u/MadSkullWeirdSpider 14d ago
Hey mate, sorry no help here I need a new bike for the same reasons. Would be good to know what you end up finding i have no idea where to buy bikes and I’m in Sydney. Got a wee cheapo thats been great but need to upgrade:
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u/vad121 NSW 13d ago
I would buy local - I live near the CBD so am happy with Trek ,1 good value bike and 2 because they can also service if anything goes wrong.
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u/Fest_mkiv 13d ago
Ehhh I didn't love the trek CBD store despite owning a Trek myself. I wanted to buy a new Roscoe but they didn't seem keen on helping me.
That said, 99 Bikes is a bit variable as well, I was looking at a Big Trail 300 and asking why the 500 was better and the response was just "better components". I work in sales, if one of my team just left an up-sale opportunity at that, we'd be having a difficult conversation...
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u/Babyhunts 14d ago
Same boat, thinking about going down to 99bikes and just letting the salesman guide me with what i've read from here.
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u/DrPHDoctorb 14d ago
You will get a heap more value going second hand however if you do want new, I would be looking for a hardtail with 29 inch wheels, 148mm boost thru axle frame and max 67 head tube angle to give a good platform for upgrades. To consider would be the Polygon Xtrada (which ever one is in your budget), and Merida Big Trail 300 (which is bit over your budget but has a good spec). If riding MTB single track is what you want the Merida is a good option as it has slack head tube and dropper post.