About to Start - Marlin 6

Discussion in 'Say Hello!' started by deesalsa25, Jun 8, 2018.


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  1. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Hey all! Going to be buying my FIRST, entry-level MTB within the next two weeks. Marlin 6.

    I am 6'1, 175 lbs and plan on doing beginner trails around LA (OC maybe). Budget is around $500-$700 unless you guys have another suggestion for a bike. Super excited to start this!!
     
    CBone, herzalot, Danimal and 9 others like this.
  2. LLPoolJ

    LLPoolJ iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Moreno Valley
    Name:
    James Johnson
    Current Bike:
    Specy Epic, Stumpu and Enduro
    Take it slow on your 1st few rides if you havent hit the trails before. Things come up quick. Good luck on your purchase.
     
    herzalot, Cyclotourist, Mikie and 6 others like this.
  3. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Welcome! Buy it, ride the wheels off of it, post the results of those rides here on IMTBtrails, buy an upgrade. Rinse. Repeat. :thumbsup:

    I started with a Trek Mamba myself.
     
    herzalot, Cyclotourist, Mikie and 4 others like this.
  4. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Somebody sounds excited!

    Welcome to the dirt. :thumbsup: I started with a Diamondback Overdrive that had similar specs to the Trek you're getting. I rode that thing for 4,000 miles and had a riot the whole time. If I had to do it all over, the only thing I'd do differently is to learn the basic maintenance dos and donts. I made some pretty silly mistakes. I still make a lot of mistakes, but my beginner mistakes were legendary. :D :p

    Ask for help, and you'll be a lot farther along than I was... :thumbsup:
     
  5. Redman

    Redman iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Henderson, Nv
    Name:
    Kevin
    Current Bike:
    SC OG Hightower 29'r
    Welcome to the site!

    $500 - $700 budget. Have you considered buying a used bike? You can get a lot more bike in your price range if you go used.
     
  6. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Interesting. What model would you consider? Do you know of good website to find used bikes besides CL?
     
    herzalot, Cyclotourist, Mikie and 3 others like this.
  7. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Thanks for the heat check. Probably needed it. Haha.
     
  8. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Love the Diamondback Overdrive. Wish it cost a little less!
     
    herzalot, Cyclotourist, Mikie and 2 others like this.
  9. Faust29

    Faust29 Moderator

    Location:
    irgendwo
    Name:
    B. Bunny
    Current Bike:
    I gots some bikes.
    Wow... I just looked at their site. When I bought mine, there were a lot more entry level options. I think I paid $699 for mine.
     
  10. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Yeah man. I really the the overdrive but the price hurts lol
     
    Cyclotourist, Mikie and Danmtchl like this.
  11. Redman

    Redman iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Henderson, Nv
    Name:
    Kevin
    Current Bike:
    SC OG Hightower 29'r
    checkout.... https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/
    Not likely you'll find something. but, it don't hurt to look.
     
    Cyclotourist, Mikie and SnakeCharmer like this.
  12. SnakeCharmer

    SnakeCharmer iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Front Range, San Gabes
    Name:
    Mike, aka "Ssnake"
    Current Bike:
    YT Izzo
    Mikie and DangerDirtyD like this.
  13. Sasquatch9billion

    Sasquatch9billion iMTB Rockstah

    Name:
    trinidad j. mendez
    Welcome man,
    I'm not sure if they still have it but, CoCo's Variety had a really good deal on a 2015 stumpy a few days ago on their instagramz.
     
    Redman, Cyclotourist and Mikie like this.
  14. Mikie

    Mikie Admin/iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    NW Arkansas
    Name:
    Mikie Watson
    Current Bike:
    Ibis DV9 / SC Hightower
    @Demetrio GQ !
    Dood! I dig the stoke!
    @Redman is indeed making a good point. You can get way more bang for your buck with a used bike. Just take someone with you that REALLY knows bikes to make sure you are in the good. But if not, get your first beast and ride it like you stole it!

    Like @Faust29 said, don’t be afraid to ask ANY questions here on imtbtrails. There are a ton of absolute experts here very willing to help launch your MTB success!

    Welcome Dee!

    Mikie
    imtbtrails
     
    Luis, kioti, DangerDirtyD and 4 others like this.
  15. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    That Specialized looks like it's taken. Nice one though.
     
    Cyclotourist and Mikie like this.
  16. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    And just a hint...you may want to put up an avatar. I'm sure you have a few days, but if you don't, one may be provided to you at no charge. :whistling:
     
    kioti, DangerDirtyD, herzalot and 3 others like this.
  17. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Done lol
     
  18. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    If I were you, id try for a 3*9 drive train..
     
    Cyclotourist likes this.
  19. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    Just starting out...doesn't really matter. I knew nothing about gearing when I started off, and happened to buy a bike with a 3x9. It worked great for me, was in my budget, and I rode the crap out of that bike. Even on a ride that took me over 10,000 feet altitude. At the beginning it doesn't really matter what you're riding; it only matters that you are riding. Fitness and endurance will come with time. If he's sure he enjoys it, he'll save up the ducats to upgrade. :thumbsup:

    If it turns out it isn't his thing, he hasn't wasted time or money.
     
    Luis, deesalsa25 and Cyclotourist like this.
  20. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Welcome, and while there is a bit of a cost of entry to the sport, once in, it's really up to you to decide how much time, energy, and money you'll put into it. Find a good, solid bike at the right price. $700-$1000 should get you just such a bike. Buy it on sale. Someone is always having a sale. Find a good shop. Maybe put up where you're looking and you can get some recommendations for just such a place. The bike will be heavy, but other than that, everything should work fine on it. Then just get on it and ride it. Ride until you figure out what works, what doesn't, what you want to upgrade, and what you want to get rid of. At that point, it can start getting expensive, but it's one of those things we all justify for the physical and mental benefits. It's not just entertainment, or recreation, but therapy for many here. If you fall into that category... well, there are many therapists, but S. Cruz definitely takes referrals!
     
    kioti and Runs with Scissors like this.
  21. Runs with Scissors

    Runs with Scissors iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    West Anaheim
    Name:
    Mark Whitaker
    Current Bike:
    Giant XTC with pedals
    He's in LA, not OC, so he can't buy a Santa Cruz. :rolleyes:
     
    tick, kioti, herzalot and 4 others like this.
  22. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    Just be patient...
     
    Runs with Scissors likes this.
  23. Derkderkall

    Derkderkall iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Monrovia
    Name:
    Derek Allison
    Current Bike:
    2020 Specialized Fuse 29
    I'm just going from my own experience, should have expanded more on my suggestion. I'm not the strongest climber out there by far, usually at least one time per ride I hit somewhere that i'm on the largest ring. As a beginner, I think it would make it more enjoyable and less grueling to have that one extra option.

    Out east where my average elevation per ride was less than 1000 feet, yeah 3x8 would be fine for beginner, but riding in so cal means climbing, if only to get to the good stuff.
     
  24. mtnbikej

    mtnbikej J-Zilla

    Location:
    Orange
    Name:
    J
    Current Bike:
    SC Chameleon SS, SC Hightower

    You are in a good time of year to buy.....most bikes shops are looking to start clearing out last year's models to make room for the 2019's that will start showing up in the next month or 2.

    First and foremost is the fit......no matter how good the price is, if it doesn't fit....then it's not a good deal.

    Most bikes in that $600-700 price range are pretty much gonna be the same. But each manufacturer will fit a little different. Giant has historically been the best bang for the buck. Stretching the budget even to $900 opens up a better set of options when it comes to bikes. Mostly in the area of better suspension.

    At your size, you will like the 29" wheels.

    If you are going to look used, bikes in the 3-4 year old range usually can be found in your budget.....sometimes even full suspension.
     
  25. Diytypeofguy

    Diytypeofguy Member

    Location:
    Rancho Cucamonga
    Name:
    Henry Sanchez
    Current Bike:
    Epic HT
    First of all, welcome. I was in your same situation late last year. I saw a bike on craigslist for a good deal and jumped on it. It was a 2012 Rockhopper for $300, hardly used. Super reliable bike. I like it a lot for working out around town and I’ve taken it to a couple of local trails. That bike really helped me learn a lot. Then I found a hardtail Stumpjumper on a deal that I couldn't pass up while looking for parts. I use that bike more for trail riding since it's lighter and it's easier to ascend. I really do like both my bikes for what I paid.

    Anywho, I found a bike that I'm sure you will enjoy and I'm sure you can get the guy to get within your budget. I would jump on it before someone else does.

    https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/d/2014-specialized-stumpjumper/6590110138.html

    -Henry
     
    Luis, kioti, Cyclotourist and 3 others like this.
  26. herzalot

    herzalot iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    Name:
    Chris
    Current Bike:
    2020 Revel Rail,Yeti SB 130 LR
    Welcome! Ride a lot. Tell us how it's going. And always, always ALWAYS wear a helmet.
     
  27. LLPoolJ

    LLPoolJ iMTB Rockstah

    Location:
    Moreno Valley
    Name:
    James Johnson
    Current Bike:
    Specy Epic, Stumpu and Enduro
    Agreed this bike will work great.
     
  28. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Because of everything I've read and what I saw on another forum, now I'm thinking I should get the Roscoe 7, Ghost Kato or a Dback. But holy F, those prices. Man.
     
  29. deesalsa25

    deesalsa25 Member

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Name:
    Dee
    Cannondale Trail 5 29 Bike looks like a solid option too. I'll wait for your thoughts guys!
     
  30. Cyclotourist

    Cyclotourist iMTB Hooligan

    Location:
    Redlands
    Name:
    David
    Current Bike:
    Don't fence me in!
    DangerDirtyD likes this.
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As a former Amazon Associate I continue to get screwed trying to stay qualified as an Amazon Affiliate. So I quit!


Want to donate to imtbtrails?