#!markdown
You came from a strong cycling background (road legs/lungs & BMX skills)
so you may have outgrown your entry level bike a lot faster than the average
rider?
I guess my point being that if someone gave me an entry to BCBR and I had
exactly $1500 to spend on a bike I could enjoy the experience within that
budget. It's not ideal but by the same token you can always spend more/get
more when it comes to bikes.
I do think there is a magic spot between ~3.5k and ~4.5k where you get a
really good alloy full suspension frame, XT (or SLX/XT) components, quality
suspension, good brakes, and a dropper post. There are definitely winners and
duds in that category but by an large its a bike that with proper maintenance
will last a rider a number of years (3-5) assuming they can resist their lust
for the newest and greatest.
But, rideable is:
Sept. 29, 2015, 9:44 a.m. - DrewM
#!markdown You came from a strong cycling background (road legs/lungs & BMX skills) so you may have outgrown your entry level bike a lot faster than the average rider? I guess my point being that if someone gave me an entry to BCBR and I had exactly $1500 to spend on a bike I could enjoy the experience within that budget. It's not ideal but by the same token you can always spend more/get more when it comes to bikes. I do think there is a magic spot between ~3.5k and ~4.5k where you get a really good alloy full suspension frame, XT (or SLX/XT) components, quality suspension, good brakes, and a dropper post. There are definitely winners and duds in that category but by an large its a bike that with proper maintenance will last a rider a number of years (3-5) assuming they can resist their lust for the newest and greatest. But, rideable is: