What is the best HT MTB around $1,000?

I’m 6′4″ 220 getting back into biking after 10+ yrs. I’m looking for a bike to bomb around the local trails.

I’ve done a fair bit of research - here’s what I’ve come up with. I’m looking for some experienced advise - thanks

TREK Marlin 7 | $969.99 | Shimano Acera M3000 Marlin 7 | https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/marlin/marlin-7/p/23120/

TREK Roscoe 6 | $1,069.99 | Shimano Deore M6000, Shadow Plus Roscoe 6 | https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/roscoe/roscoe-6/p/24011/?colorCode=red

GIANT Talon 1 | $1,199 | Shimano Deore, Shadow+ https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ca/talon-1

KONA Blast | $1,199 | Shimano Deore KONA BIKES | MTB | MTB HARDTAIL | https://www.konaworld.com/blast.cfm

SPECIALIZED | Rockhopper Expert | $1,249.00 | Shimano Deore 9-speed Men's Rockhopper Expert | https://www.specialized.com/ca/en/mens-rockhopper-expert/p/154449?color=236335-154449

Cannondale Trail 5 | $1,039.99 | Shimano Deore M6000 10-speed Shadow Plus | https://www.bspbikes.com/product/cannondale-trail-5-309337-1.htm

NORCO | FLUID HT 2 | $1,299.00 | SRAM NX, 11 Speed | https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/fluid-ht-aluminum/fluid-ht-2/

NORCO | FLUID HT 3 | $1,125.00 | SRAM NX, 11 Speed | https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/fluid-ht-aluminum/fluid-ht-3/

The Cannondale caught my eye since I recognized the brand of pretty much every part on it. At first glance, it looks like a product manager made a effort to maximize the value and minimize the cost of it. I didn't do any extra research to figure out its geometry though.

The Kona looks great. The XL actually appears to be pretty big and it looks like it might be a little more comfortable just to go have fun on the trails on than some of the more XC looking bikes. It is air sprung over coil sprung though (which may or may not be a negative for you).

At 220, I'm thinking you'll want decent brakes (I don't know anything about Tektro brakes, but the Cannondale, Kona, and Specialized have Shimano Hydraulic Disk Brakes) and potentially coil sprung over air if the shop you buy from has the correct weight coil spring for you. This is just my experience riding aggressively, but as I approached 200lbs, an air-sprung fork had the tendency to push air from the positive spring to the negative spring and start to feel really terribly really quickly. It's not as easy to change how stiff your suspension is with coil, so you'll want to make sure the shop you buy from takes the time and has the parts and knowledge to swap a spring for you if the XL doesn't come with a stiff enough spring (in my experience, even an XL is setup for a 180lb rider).

The Kona looks good. Just that front shock on anything besides Bend, Oregon style smooth single track won't stand up to your weight. So be a fork replace down the road or look at the Honzo. You may save money in the long run.

None of those will last more than 6 months at your height/weight/our local trails (you don't say where you're local to, so I assumed...). None of them are intended for you to get 'wheels off the ground', more than occasionally riding off a curb - and at 220Lbs even that will put wear and tear on these bikes.

Find a friend that really knows their shit and go buy a second hand bike off Pinkbike. A little haggling and you'll be on something that'll keep you rolling for a couple of years.

https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/list/?location=35--&category=2&price=1000..1500&framesize=32,37,38,39,40,48,49

Edit - but if you HAVE to make life harder for yourself (or live somewhere with 'not here' levels of trail gnarliness - The Roscoe, or any mid fat bike would be my suggestion.

I was going to say the same, the best $1000 HT is a used $2000 HT.

If you are local and the right size, something like this:

https://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/2604808/

The used market has slim pickings for someone 6'4"

Thanks All!  Really appreciate the input. 

Local = Vancouver/Fraser Valley Canada

Cheez1ts is right, other than the link Kenny sent, there is virtually nothing on the used market for someone 6'4"

If you can spend a few more dollars I would highly recommend the Giant Fathom 2. You get solid components that will last and you get plus size tire to help cushion.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ca/fathom-2

Posted by: heathen

If you can spend a few more dollars I would highly recommend the Giant Fathom 2. You get solid components that will last and you get plus size tire to help cushion.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ca/fathom-2

Nice find. Interesting build

Posted by: Boldfish

Thanks All!  Really appreciate the input. 

Local = Vancouver/Fraser Valley Canada

Cheez1ts is right, other than the link Kenny sent, there is virtually nothing on the used market for someone 6'4"

That Chromag is barely a fit for someone at 6' never mind 6'4".

Posted by: nouseforaname

Posted by: Boldfish

Thanks All!  Really appreciate the input. 

Local = Vancouver/Fraser Valley Canada

Cheez1ts is right, other than the link Kenny sent, there is virtually nothing on the used market for someone 6'4"

That Chromag is barely a fit for someone at 6' never mind 6'4".

Yeah I missed the 6'4" part and just posed a random bike. That said, something similar in an XL will certainly come up. 

IMO buying on a budget is a game of patience to some degree, if you want to get the best bang for your buck.

Posted by: heathen

If you can spend a few more dollars I would highly recommend the Giant Fathom 2. You get solid components that will last and you get plus size tire to help cushion.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/ca/fathom-2

If he can spend a bit more, he can stop being a poor and buy a full suspension bike. And enjoy coming back to the sport instead of hating himself for large portions of the ride. 

Here's 30+ bikes in XL or XXL all sub $1700 - so all easily haggle-able down to $1400 or less IMO.

Unless he also enjoys self flagellation - in which case roll on OP - no further judgement from me!

I am riding an XL Chromag Rootdown and I am 6'4" and 260LBS...and it's a ton of fun! But more than you want to spend. Check out the DiamondBack Sync'r ... it looks very capable and not a bad price:

https://www.diamondback.com/mountain-bikes/hardtail/syncr-d42

If you can be patient there are some screaming deals that can be had on the Pinkbike Buy and Sell...but it's slim pickens for big dudes.

I totally disagree with nouseforaname. A cheap hardtail can’t be beat.

I’ve been doing the Trailforks 30 day ride challenges on a singlespeed ‘06 Kona Cowan hardtail and I have really enjoyed myself so far. I can cruise the UBC endowment lands with my girlfriend (surprisingly she really enjoys it and now rides them without me) down to the beach leave and leave it with my shoes while I jump in for a swim without too much fear of my prized possession getting ripped off. I can ride around Vancouver roads and trails and enjoy skills parks when I find them, and I can even ride lunch time Burnaby mountain laps when my workday is light.

There’s something to be said about a bike that’s fun on the road and mellow trails and can also take some abuse. It’s even better when I’m comfortable having with me at all times (with wheels off, my hardtail fits behind the back seats of my SUV, although it’s not an XL :P). It’s just fun to ride bikes and nice to get a bit of exercise.