Looking to get a new mountain bike. Want to be able to ride around the neighborhood with the kids, but also hit some trails and use it on our asheville trip in a couple weeks. What is a good starter mountain bike? I don't want to spend too much on it. I'd prefer around $500-600 but realize that i'll likely be in the $700-800 range depending on availability. I really like the Trek Marlin 4 and Marlin 5. Also looked at the GT Aggressor Expert 29 Hardtail online and liked them.

Also, where is the best place to shop for one in BR? Checked one of the capital cyclery shops, but all they had was the Trek Marlin 5 in my size, and they were around $700. Also, didn't care for the color.

LINK I've been using this link for reference.

This post was edited on 10/14/21 at 7:58 am

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Posted by Walter White Jr

Member since Aug 2021

712 posts

Posted on 10/14/21 at 8:11 am to BugAC

I really like my Trek Marlin 5. Great all around hybrid for the money. Have you tried calling Capitol Cyclery in Lafayette? Not sure if you’re willing to drive an hour, but they might have more color options you’d like.

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Posted by BugAC

St. George

Member since Oct 2007

57882 posts

Posted on 10/14/21 at 8:43 am to Walter White Jr

quote:
I really like my Trek Marlin 5. Great all around hybrid for the money. Have you tried calling Capitol Cyclery in Lafayette? Not sure if you’re willing to drive an hour, but they might have more color options you’d like.

No. I was gonna call all of the BR stores first. The bike zone in Covington appears to have the Marlin 4 that i want, just have to see if they have the right size. Mandeville also has a Trek shop. So no, i don't mind driving an hour this weekend to pick it up. If those places don't have what i want, i'll call Lafayette.

This post was edited on 10/14/21 at 8:44 am

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Posted by DeoreDX

Member since Oct 2010

4337 posts

Posted on 10/14/21 at 1:42 pm to BugAC

My suggestion is to stay away from the Marlin 4, or at least understand what you are getting. If you like the bike as is and don't ever want to upgrade anything on the bike it's fine for what it is, but they way it is speced it's a dead end. You can't upgrade the drivetrain without buying new cranks and new wheels. As a general rule stay away from any bike that has 7 gears on the rear cassette as those use what is called a freewheel and can not be upgraded to anything else. 8 speeds or above will have a freehub and gives you a lot of options to upgrade in the future. Marlin 4 is a bike you buy and ride, and if you get into the sport you sell it and buy something else. I think some of the older Marlin 5's are 7 speed too. Stay away from any bike with a 7 speed cassette it will cost you in the future.

The margins are so thin on the low end bikes there isn't a giant difference between most of the bikes in that price range.

If you order online considering you get free shipping and no tax the Xtrada 5 isn't too crazy above your budget. It would be a good gateway bike. Very well speced at $799 and not just upgradable but the frame geometry is progressive enough it don't be the bottle neck if you progress to more difficult trails. Similar to the 2022 version of the Marlin 6 spec wise.

LINK

This post was edited on 10/14/21 at 1:44 pm

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Posted by killinme_smalls

Baton Rouge

Member since Jul 2005

503 posts

Posted on 10/21/21 at 4:13 pm to Walter White Jr

Same here. Got the Marlin 5 large frame. All they had at Essen was a teal color but they called around and the store by Cortana had the charcoal color.

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Posted by BugAC

St. George

Member since Oct 2007

57882 posts

Posted on 10/21/21 at 10:12 pm to killinme_smalls

I ended up getting the Marlin 5. Haven’t had a chance to take it off road yet, but bringing it on my Asheville trip next week.