Road bike - Check. Mountain - still searching

[Nomad_K]

'Reasonably' priced titanium or carbon Mountain Bike?

After a few years off the bike I picked up my first road bike, a nice Cervelo RS that weighs next to nothing. I went for a road bike because I have three great paved trails within a mile and a half of my apartment... and little dirt. Having never peddled anything under 20 pounds, I am in heaven, and love finding a rolling stretch of hills with no one in sight - while it doesn't climb like some of the Orbeas I tried, the Cervelo is still wickedly quick.

That said, I miss mountain biking, and as such... was looking to pick up a mountain bike. Are there any carbon or titanium frames going for ~ 2K?

 

[PAFJ]

Are you talking frame only or complete bike? You will not find a complete brand new bike for that price, but evil bay and MTBR's classifieds are a good source for used bikes.

Good Luck!

 

[Nomad_K]

I was looking for a complete bike - used titanium or new carbon (I did find a closeout complete carbon bike for ~ 2000 but wasn't crazy about it...).

At the moment, I am thinking about just saving a few dollars and getting an aluminum bike and a soft seat

 

[hoch]

Are you looking for a hard tail or full suspension? If full susp, ti/carbon/aluminum won't matter that much. Are you looking for a 26" wheels or 29" wheels? Racy frame geo or more laid back?

I've been through most configurations and am currently on a 29er Hard Tail, steel framed single speed (Salsa El Mariachi). I live out in the West, full of rocks, and she does great. You can get a complete (new) for $1,700.

 

[Nomad_K]

Hardtail, 29, and reasonably laid back. At the moment, I am giving Carver (both Ti and Aluminum) a long look. Their 29 front/26 rear bikes look cool.

Single speeds are tempting, and while I might get one for commuting to work, I am not sure I want to pound on one on longer rides...

Many thanks for the replies and suggestions!

 

[Jetboy]

If you're willing to go off brand, this might be an option: SRAM XO, 2x10 Speed 29er Titanium Front Suspension Mountain Bikes - MTB - 2011 Motobecane Fly Titanium 29er | SRAM XO hardtail mountain bikes | Save up to 60% off list prices on new bicycles I have an aluminum 29er I bought from them early last season. It's been everything from a commuter with 38mm slicks, to a few trips around slick rock and downhill through the canyons around here. All in all I've been very pleased with it. FWIW I'm 6'2" and ~210lbs and though not a hardcore biker by any means I'm in good enough shape to run a marathon or two over the summer.

As for the 29er, it's not great as a downhill bike. If that's your thing, I would go full suspension. It does fit much better for me as I'm a larger rider, and I love it for cross country trail riding.

good luck.

 

[mcewan13]

Nomad, what size are you?

We have some 26" carbon Morpheus Cyclops hardtails that are severely discounted as Morpheus has changed directions and is focusing on gravity bikes now. These bikes are part of a demo fleet. Only one or two of the hardtails were ridden as most of the attention was on their dual-squish. If we still have a size that would fit you, I could probably get you a full bike near your pricepoint.

pics and specs are on our demo page here.

No sweat if it's not your bag.
Cheers,
.matthew

 

[Nomad_K]

Matthew - Thanks for the suggestion - I ride a 56 cm roadbike, 18-19 mountain depending on the manufacturer. I'll drop you a PM!

Jetboy - the Motobecane is tempting, especially with an XT/XTR groupo, but a) they were out of 2010 models in my size and b) I would like to grab something welded together in the U.S. if I can (I can handle the longer wait I guess).

Cheers,
Kyle

 

[Jetboy]

Matthew - Thanks for the suggestion - I ride a 56 cm roadbike, 18-19 mountain depending on the manufacturer. I'll drop you a PM!

Jetboy - the Motobecane is tempting, especially with an XT/XTR groupo, but a) they were out of 2010 models in my size and b) I would like to grab something welded together in the U.S. if I can (I can handle the longer wait I guess).

Cheers,
Kyle

If you want a bike from them it seems like you need to be on the mailing list. I get emails of new stock every month or so. Only way to get the better bikes seems to be ordering right away when they get a shipment in. Otherwise they seem to sell out of the popular sizes quickly. Probably just a sales tactic? I think they exaggerate some of the claims as well, but overall I was pleased with the 29er I bought.

 

[hoch]

Hardtail, 29, and reasonably laid back. At the moment, I am giving Carver (both Ti and Aluminum) a long look. Their 29 front/26 rear bikes look cool.

Single speeds are tempting, and while I might get one for commuting to work, I am not sure I want to pound on one on longer rides...

Many thanks for the replies and suggestions!

Well, mine can also be set up as 1x9, as it also has a derailleur hanger. But single speed is fun. You should at least try it. Amazing what you can climb with just one gear.

Is steel out of the question? Gunnar makes some awesome steel frames welded in the US. Waltworks also seems like a great company. For Ti, Quiring makes nice frames at reasonable prices. And you probably know about Lynskey. Aluminum.....Misfit Dissent ALC (not AL) is made on this continent. (Canada). $500, so not bad at all.

As far as the 69er (29 front 26 rear), I would pass. Geo gets too funky on those things. There is a reason why they never caught on. Trek made them for a year or two, but I don't see it on their site any more.