Giant or trek

Odders..ntmk

Looking at getting into mtb nothing serious so don't want to go mad crazy spending.... Was looking at giant fathom 2 or the trek roscoe 7 anyone any preference

Wanderer78

Both great brands, try them both out, if possible, and preferably on trails

fatbhoy

For me, neither: I'd join a couple of Facebook MTB groups (like MTB Ireland, and MTB Buy & Sell, etc.) and either keep an eye on what appears for sale, or put up a post saying you're looking for a full-suss enduro and your budget is e.g. 1.5K.

There are frequently great bargains due to a lot of people wanting to upgrade to the latest new thing and then have to get rid of their old bike, usually at a huge depreciation loss.

boomdocker

Personally, I wouldn't be advising a new entrant on buying second hand full-sus
So many things to check, which could prove costly if not in good shape...eg
Forks (stanchion wear, performance, service history)
Shock (similar to above)
Shock bushings
Frame bearings (this in particular)
Wheel bearings
Brakes (need bleeding)
etc. etc...
In my view, a newbie doesn't have the requisite skills or knowledge to adequately examine (even ask the right questions) about a full sus - thus leaving themselves completely open to the sellers out there who don't care if their bike is a pile of crap needing €€€€ of work done

Secondhand hardtail is a different matter - less to check

On the OP's original question...wot Wanderer78 says.....

xxyyzz

Vitus sentier.

fatbhoy

boomdocker wrote: »

Personally, I wouldn't be advising a new entrant on buying second hand full-sus
So many things to check, which could prove costly if not in good shape...eg
Forks (stanchion wear, performance, service history)
Shock (similar to above)
Shock bushings
Frame bearings (this in particular)
Wheel bearings
Brakes (need bleeding)
etc. etc...
In my view, a newbie doesn't have the requisite skills or knowledge to adequately examine (even ask the right questions) about a full sus - thus leaving themselves completely open to the sellers out there who don't care if their bike is a pile of crap needing €€€€ of work done

Secondhand hardtail is a different matter - less to check

On the OP's original question...wot Wanderer78 says.....

Well, what I'd say to that would be if you were buying a car, would you buy new just because you didn't know much about cars, or would you bring someone who knew about cars to various second-hand ones that you fancied? The same applies to bikes; there are serious bargains out there to be had, secondhand.

boomdocker

Fair point but the key addition above is that you would bring someone who knew something about what they are looking at - in which case no issue with buying second hand.

fatbhoy

boomdocker wrote: »

Fair point but the key addition above is that you would bring someone who knew something about what they are looking at - in which case no issue with buying second hand.

No, you're absolutely right about it being kind of a minefield for a noob to buy a secondhand MTB, considering the punishment the bikes endure, and the maintenance that they require.

danoriordan1402

xxyyzz wrote: »

Vitus sentier.

This - am in a similar position to the OP and most of my reseach lands me back to the sentier having had a short spin on one before. Unfortunaltey out of stock til June everywhere :eek: guts of 1k however