![]() So my final criteria was a couple of things. I ride for fun, and exercise, having to stand up in the saddle, and use my legs as the rear suspension is a plus for me. If i was gonna go full suspension, I’d look hard at 27.5+, i really think thats a great middle ground, but having ridden a 29er all these years, im thinking that 29+ Hardtail will be enough of an upgrade for me in terms of climbing, traction, cornering, extra cushion, etc. I dont see myself having more than one bike, as great as that would be, so like in my other sports, im looking for something that does everything pretty well, rather than excel at one thing at the expense of others. I totally appreciate the precision and comfort of a rear suspension, but its just not mandatory to me. Ive smoked plenty of full suspension bikes. Climbing, weight, just feeling everything going on with the back end, simple, having to hit lines precisely, and just that adrenaline rush you get with a squirrelly back end on a fast, steep, technical decent. Im already riding a hardtail, and theres a lot I like about it. Ive ridden both, and i really liked the fuel, but $800 is a lot. My two options would be fuel ex8 at $2800, or a stache 7 at $2000. I basically decided that I would buy from one of my local shops, which meant the best deal was going to be buying a 2019 trek so it came down to what was available. So anyhow, i was thinking my budget for a hardtail for $1500 or a full suspension at $2500 (mainly because i was jonesing for a YT jeffsy, which you can get for that in aluminum). That’s important to me, I want the best components over buying a stripped down full suspension. ![]() As with todays offerings, you get better components at the same price point as full suspension. Back then, the selling point on 29ers was that they absorbed some of the rear end stuff at a lower weight, less cost, and less maintenance. Ive been riding a giant xtc 29er hardtail for the last 8 or 9 years. Some steep stuff here and there, but not long enough to call downhill. I have about 5 or 6 local trail systems I ride, hilly but no excessive climbs, loamy, rocky, gravel, boulder gardens galore, and hardpack. Ive progressed from that to full suspension, back to hardtail, and after researching and test riding a bunch of bikes, ive settled on a trek stache 7. Ive ridden mountain bikes since the days of no suspension.
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