First mountain bike - advice please

[Drbaitho8]

Hi guys,
Although I'm a cycling fanatic, I haven't cycled bikes for many years.
Anyway, I have a lot of free time now and I would like to get back on the bike, but off the road. I'm thinking of a budget mountain bike for $900.
Any and all suggestions much appreciated.

 

[jmdirt]

$500 is tough and probably not a bike you would upgrade, but sell to buy an upgraded bike.

From my LBS:
https://bobs-bicycles.com/shop/bicycles/hardtail-mtb/29-wheels-hardtail-mtb/2020-talon-29-3/

Or if you prefer, from the manufacturer's web site:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/talon-29-3

 

[GVFTA]

$500 is tough and probably not a bike you would upgrade, but sell to buy an upgraded bike.

From my LBS:
https://bobs-bicycles.com/shop/bicycles/hardtail-mtb/29-wheels-hardtail-mtb/2020-talon-29-3/

Or if you prefer, from the manufacturer's web site:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/talon-29-3

The bottom bracket, cranks and pedals and hubs are all complete junk on that bike.

 

[jmdirt]

The bottom bracket, cranks and pedals and hubs are all complete junk on that bike.

Its a $500 bike. Is there a bike at that price with better BB, cranks, hubs, and pedals? Point the OP to it. I was just trying to give one direction to the OP (yep from my LBS). I honestly don't know anything about bikes at that price point.

 

[Downhillirma]

get full suspension if you can. I got a budget hardtail bike when I got back into it and immediately wished i'd forked out on full suspension

 

[murrayyu]

The bike I've got is pretty decent and pretty cheap Carrera Vengeance was ~£350, 27.5" tyres, fits me (6ft) well

I find it really comfortable for the trails in my area despite it being a hardtail.

Would reccomend for the price.

 

[Intra45]

get full suspension if you can. I got a budget hardtail bike when I got back into it and immediately wished i'd forked out on full suspension

I agree on that sensus, wishing i had been less cheap and gotten a full suspension at the start too instead of a cheap hard tail