Help me choose a new bike

Hello, I am trying to choose a new bike.

MTB riding skill level - beginner/green trails. Hopping to progress to blue but not there yet.
Have only been riding hard tails.

Bike building skill level - intermediate to advanced.

I am 40 years old and very cautious rider.

 

I’m not very familiar with any of those bikes. Can you offer some insight into what draws you to them in particular?

 

Hello Yuri from Sydney...

 

And this is the point where we get a response with some link….

 

Trek Top Fuel 8
https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/...y-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-8/p/35072/
+ Geometry feels more natural for me when I seat on it. It maybe because I am more used to hardtails.
+ Newer frame design
- Aluminum
- 120mm RockShox SID fork
- 120mm RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT, 185 mm x 50 mm

Fuel EX 9.7 Gen 5
https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/...tain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-9-7-gen-5/p/35050/
- Geometry feels cramped for me when I seat on it. It maybe because I am more used to hardtails.
- Older frame design
+ Carbon
+ 140mm Fox Rhythm 36, Float EVOL air spring, GRIP damper
+ 130mm Fox Performance Float EVOL, 3-position RE: aktiv damper, tuned by Trek Suspension Lab, 210 mm x 55 mm

Canyon Neuron CF8
https://www.canyon.com/en-au/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/neuron/cf/neuron-cf-8/3160.html
I am not able to test ride it but the specs look good and there is 30 day return policy.

 

More than one!!! Bonanza!!

 

I ride one of those!

 

which one?

 

A bonanza.
I’d go with the 2023 Fuel EX.

 

N+1 obviously!

Give up attachment to the idea of one.

 

Either of the treks are good bikes, Can't go wrong. The 8 has a 120 fork so pretty limited to xc/Mild down hill, the 9.7 being 140/130 travel is a bit more dh oriented. I can't chose for you, but me Id probably go for the 9.7.


There's some canyons around here, but never ridden one.

 

I say buy used and save some dough. There's a few cool kids around here that still ride V1 Hightower's and enjoy them and can hold there own.

 

Allegedly he is in Sydney, so shipping a used bike may be pricey.

 

Unfortunately "hardtail" is vague. A Trek Marlin and a Commencal Meta are not the same. The Marlin would be rough on blue trails, the Meta would send black trails with ease.

Buy used, buy cheap. Until you learn what kind of MTB rider you are, it's hard to chose a bike. My girlfriend is a newer rider and has two used bikes; one long travel enduro and one XC hardtail. She already has a multi bike garage (road bike too) and rides black diamond trails.

 

My second back-up is a Novara Ponderosa. Hard tail with rack SPD's, Judy shock and two good tires, both flat. Great camping machine with front and rear panniers. And purple bar ends to match the frame. 1993, my first front suspension bike.