The Mountain Bike Thread

Amongst the local's here, what is the general opinion on the direct to manufacture brands like YT, and Canyon? It seems after reading a couple articles there may be a large group that looks down on them as they believe it is bad for local mtb shops.

I am buying in less than 30 days and ill admit, the YT Jeffsy is a top 3 for me.
pretty great. some shops will be pissy working on them, but a good shop wont and most stuff you can do at home with a few simple tools. im still a Kona fanboy though (esp since they got sold back to the OG owners recently). They have some bikes that are just as good of value as a canyon, but canyon makes awesome bikes.
 
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That's the beauty of bicycling; much like high end DH ski gear, the used market is full of lightly used once exotic bikes...that function beautifully. Just have to know what you're looking for. A very large fraction of even pricey machines sit unused in the garage shortly after the initial enthusiasm wears off.

For example, 'gravel bikes' have been the rage for awhile, but we're seeing a lot of people realizing that many of the old 26" rigid mtb's can fill that role quite well with minimal modifications...for a small fraction of the price of a new bike.

The longer you've been at any game like bicycling (or flyfishing) the easier it is to ignore newby gear snobs.

$8K of new bike and team lycra kit can't compensate for 40 lbs of stubborn belly fat and a sedentary lifestyle.
 
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That's the beauty of bicycling; much like high end DH ski gear, the used market is full of lightly used once exotic bikes...that function beautifully. Just have to know what you're looking for. A very large fraction of even pricey machines sit unused in the garage shortly after the initial enthusiasm wears off.

For example, 'gravel bikes' have been the rage for awhile, but we're seeing a lot of people realizing that many of the old 26" rigid mtb's can fill that role quite well with minimal modifications...for a small fraction of the price of a new bike.

The longer you've been at any game like bicycling (or flyfishing) the easier it is to ignore newby gear snobs.

$8K of new bike and team lycra can't compensate for 40 lbs of stubborn belly fat and a sedentary lifestyle.
I was looking for a "covid" bike. Data says that those couple years were insane for MTB. "I bought it, used it a few times, and its been in the garage since". Keep in mind, i think I will always be a new gear snob at heart.
 
I was looking for a "covid" bike. Data says that those couple years were insane for MTB. "I bought it, used it a few times, and its been in the garage since". Keep in mind, i think I will always be a new gear snob at heart.
Yup...the bike shops had almost no inventory during the covid years due to high demand.

Nowadays they are packed to the gills with bikes.

The majority of my bikes were purchased new, but I keep them forever. That's why I still have my 1998 Diamondback Axis TR MTB (its ancient Manitou front forks long ago replaced with rigid Surly forks) that works just fine as a 'gravel bike'.
 
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I used to be an avid MTB rider. Full suspension bike,,,,,, ski lifts during summer months, and using two trucks for "drop offs" (one at the top and one at the bottom of the trail)... those were my favorite ways to ride a bike. Using gravity (much like skiing) is quite thrilling on a full suspension bike.. Recently I have been shopping for an E bike. The $4,000 ones are cool. Kinda cheap when you think about a motorcycle. The $1000 "moped style" ones look like a ton of fun. I'd probably hurt myself with a $4,000 bike, but if I was a younger man I'd go for it in a heart beat. On Fidalgo Island and most bike trails (apparently) a "class 1" e-bike can legally be ridden ( 750 W, no throttle, under 20 mph etc)... We have tons of bike trails here, so that narrows the search (for me) to "class1" options. They have class 2 and class 3.....I'm trying not to learn more about them.
 
I used to be an avid MTB rider. Full suspension bike,,,,,, ski lifts during summer months, and using two trucks for "drop offs" (one at the top and one at the bottom of the trail)... those were my favorite ways to ride a bike. Using gravity (much like skiing) is quite thrilling on a full suspension bike.. Recently I have been shopping for an E bike. The $4,000 ones are cool. Kinda cheap when you think about a motorcycle. The $1000 "moped style" ones look like a ton of fun. I'd probably hurt myself with a $4,000 bike, but if I was a younger man I'd go for it in a heart beat. On Fidalgo Island and most bike trails (apparently) a "class 1" e-bike can legally be ridden ( 750 W, no throttle, under 20 mph etc)... We have tons of bike trails here, so that narrows the search (for me) to "class1" options. They have class 2 and class 3.....I'm trying not to learn more about them.
I will own an E Bike one day. Those things can haul ass.
 
I was looking for a "covid" bike. Data says that those couple years were insane for MTB. "I bought it, used it a few times, and its been in the garage since". Keep in mind, i think I will always be a new gear snob at heart.
There's a big difference between simply enjoying and appreciating new gear....and being a snob about it! 😁
 
Resale value on a used MTB is insane. Some guy paid about $9,000 for the bike I bought for $1,000 (Specialized full suspension). Today I saw an E-bike that sold originally for over $5,000 for $1,000.
we have a second hand shop called Second Turn in the Sunriver area. Was dropping stuff off for donation few years back, see the gal ahead of me unload a pristine full suspension Specialized StumpJumper, likely a decade or so old. Asked the shop to price it, paid them on the spot, oldest granddaughter got a 'new' MTB for what was likely 15% of original cost..
MTB's, skiis, snowboards and kayaks, Bend is awash in them on the second hand market. As well as beat to hell, over priced 4x4 trucks..lol
 
I wish this deprecation would hit aluminium boats.

Many of the guys on the large PNW fishing forum continually whine about selling their boats because of how ODFW doesn't give them enough salmon/steelhead fishing time. I'm waiting for them to flood the market.🤣
 
So many markets have been just plain nuts. Only thing I ever got during those covid days was a guitar, and Fender had just cranked up their prices at that time.
 
There's a big difference between simply enjoying and appreciating new gear....and being a snob about it! 😁
Upon further research. There is little reason to buy a new fancy hitch mount rack either. Pennies on the dollar on FB marketplace.
 
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