We're super stoked to announce that we are now partnering with @bikesonline! They are a distributer for two of the bikes on this list; the Marin San Quentin 1 and the Polygon Xtrada 7. If you're interested in purchasing either of these bikes, doing so through the affiliate like below will help support our channel. Thanks! 2023 Marin San Quentin 1: bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/Y9DvQq 2022 Polygon Xtrada 7: bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/5gaD6D
Interesting, I’m just going off of the spec list on Polygon’s website, which you can look at here: www.polygonbikes.com/xtrada-7/ I’m pretty new to working with bikesonline.com, so I couldn’t tell you why/if they’re swapping OEM parts
I wish someone would make a vid breaking down the differences between a $200-$300 Walmart MTB, a “good value” under $1K MTB and a $5-7k MTB. It seems a bike only has a limited amount of components, they all get you from point A to B, while the prices vary drastically but look the same to a person with an untrained eye.
My first hardtail cost me £430 and I didn't understand why I would need to spend more than that on a bike. Fast forward to a year later when I rode my first over £1000 hardtail and I thought "oh wow, now I understand why people spend so much on these things". The difference was truly night and day.
I'm broke and ride pretty hard, I bought the Marin Bobcat Trail 5 used in brand new condition in my size and It's been pretty good. Didn't get to test it on the trails, but it's amazing for urban freeride and some jumps
Bro I just bought a Cannondale Trail SE 4 for $819!!! I couldn’t find a reason not to for that price. This in my first MTB and with all the research I’ve done that seems like a steal to me. Not sure why more people aren’t talking about that sale!
I went for the used market and just got a 2018 Norco Fluid HT 2 for $750 CAD ($550 USD). Nice that it has a dropper post and front air suspension for that year. If I was shopping new, the best I could have gotten was a Norco Storm 5 or a Trek Marlin 4 which are both considerably worse builds. Shop around in the used market folks! don't have to buy new if you're unsure what you're getting yourself into with the bike life
Killer deal, nice bike man! I’m thinking of making a “5 tips when buying used bikes” video, most of my bikes have been bought used, it’s a great way to go!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy Mind you that was $750 CAD so I guess like $550ish USD. I did the same thing, looked up a couple quick vids before I left on what to look for when testing out a used bike (brakes, front/ rear tire wobble, gear shift, dmg to frame, chain, tire tread, when/ what the last maintenance covered). These things really help and would be a huge asset vid to have on your channel to compliment this vid. Please do that! I will have to buy new tires but this should get me riding for about half a season I hope. Cheers!
Last year I bought a trek marlin 8 2022 2nd gen. Its the Best bike ive ever riden and I upgraded it and now its great.but the canondale and the polygon look realy cool too and cheaper than my marlin
I having been following this guy for a while. I love about your recommendation for bikes based on the criteria. Criteria is important. Know about your criteria 🤘. I would like to see hardtails Under $1500. A lot of options on that category tho
I still run a scott aspect the frames are awesome for the money, never skipped a beat. I did run a talon 3 from 2017 till 2022 and that was really reliable the stock parts were solid for the £625 i paid, was 1 of the last of the 30speeds to
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy cheers bro got stolen! Last of the 30s man that thing moved for a 650b it fucking had it son! Me been a 6ft5 neanderthal the scott fits lovely xxl on 29s, full shimano setup it's nice bro for the paper
Great review; with bikes that are featured on our shortlist while looking for something for my wife. For those watching, who are in Canada, Polygon bikes can be bought at MEC stores. They just started stocking them late last year.
When it comes to wheels, you can always by thru axles with a conversion kits for a QR axle. I bought a set of Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels, did that with the back wheel and it works great. Plus, those wheels come with a Bontrager hub with 108 points of engagement. I ended up spending a little over $350 for the set, conversion kit included.
I love those Line hubs, some of the best for your money! I used a generic conversion on an older bike of mine and to be honest it felt a bit sketchy, so I always advise people looking to get a new bike to go for an option with modern standards whenever price allows
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy I added them to an entry level bike I bought on Offerup. 2019 GT Avalanche with dropouts. The way I understand it, it's not as strong as a thru axle, but stronger than a QR axle. I don't ride gnarly stuff, but I've hit my fair share of rocks, roots, curbs and small jumps and they feel perfectly stable. I agree though, for the price, they're pretty damn good.
Awesome, I enjoyed your video. I'm thinking about buying a Cannondale Trail 7.1, and I am thinking about joining a club to go on a group ride every now and then. Right now I am riding a Cannondale F400 from the 90's, with a slightly bent front wheel, a frame that is one size too big, a headshok that has been permanently locked solid, and I've only ever ridden by myself. Looks like a great hobby to take up. Thanks.
Went to a bike shop today,seen all kinds of mountain bikes around 600 or less and they were trek and fujis.i don't have any use for those fragile carbon frame bikes,I watched enough videos on them.now carbon works better for road bikes in the right climate.
This is one of only a couple videos I’ve seen that talks about the trail se. It’s a surprisingly fun bike to ride. I bought mine about 2 years back and have upgraded most of the bike now just because I enjoy it so much, and as you noted..upgrades are easy. Now it’s not just fun, but light. Stock it was 32lbs, and I need to check again after my last set of updates but I’m betting it’s about 25lbs now.
Awesome! It would do me a huge favor if you buy it from this link, as I’ll get small kick back from Bikes Online (same price for you): bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/5gaD6D
Got one about six months ago. Although it’s my first hardtail I love this bike. I think sometimes we’re prone to think we need to spend big to get high quality, but the Bizango is a great buy. In my opinion 😊
You’re speaking my language haha! I work at a pretty bougie bike shop where people think any bike under $5,000 is garbage 😖 Then we got on group rides and I smoke them on a $2,000 hardtail lol
I got my first MTB recently (Superior XP 939) and there's a cheaper version (Superior XP 909) that has the same frame and decent parts, currently often discounted, which hits around the $1000 mark. I was very skeptical about the brand at first (it's a Czech brand, seems to lack in the marketing department) but damn, the parts were decent spec and the weight of the whole bike is around 11.8 kilograms which I could not get anywhere close with other aluminum frames and even the cheapest carbon bikes were heavier.
Whattabout acessories mounting points like parrier racks, water bottles, kickstand etc. More important in this price bracket as many will use in town or commuting.
I have had this Xtrada 7 for a year now. I’m 6’2” and 245lbs. I live in the pineywoods of East Texas and mostly ride single track switchbacks in sandy loam and oak roots. I also ride the hills of Austin, TX about once a month. Even spent some time at Slaughter Pen in Bentonville. This bike has healed up incredibly on some chunky downhill stuff! I have upgraded the tires & gone tubeless. Also the bars were a little flat for me so I have some PNW bars. Added a dropper post. The Deore 12 speed is flawless and works great but I needed it for another bike so I slapped a Shimano XT shifter & mec on the Polygon. Did it need all these upgrades, no. It’s plenty capable as is new. These things were to suite my riding style. Most of my buddies ride hardtails. It’s not even a value thing, just a bike preference on efficiency & maintenance. My brother in law rides a Specialized 10K carbon hardtail & a Banshee Paradox HT. My son rides a 15K Moots Mountaineer titanium soft tail. None of us are beginners, it’s just our preference. Never assume someone’s a beginner because they are on a HT. They may smoke you! I have personally been on a bike since 1976!
I'm thinking about buying this bike. There are 3 "week" points in the spec according to reviews and I'd like to hear your opinion about these: 1. the SunTour XCR32 fork. Some say it's so bad (leaks, and doesn't do the job) that it's not worth to buy this bike, some (especially those who are coming from a department store bike) are OK with it. 2. The 2.25" tires are kind of on the small side. How much bigger tires can be fitted on the bike? 3. almost all other bikes in this price range have 180mm front rotor. How much of a disadvantage is that this has only 160mm?
Honestly, for the price your not gonna find a better fork, just about everything under $1,000 will be coil sprung. The tires are definitely on the XC side of the spectrum, but will work for more general trail riding too. Polygon doesn’t say on their site but in the pictures it looks like there’s plenty of clearance, I’d guess you could run a 2.4”. I don’t think you’ll notice the smaller rotors, honestly all the brakes on these value bikes leave a bit to be desired when things get steep and fast. That said a buying a bigger rotor is only about $50 bucks and super easy to install yourself!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy I found another review since: ua-cam.com/video/9bstrskOB2o/v-deo.html He tried the 2.4" tires and it's ok for the back but only left a tiny clearance in the fork so he recommends not going over 2.3".
@@GavrielFleischer the bike can take up to a 2.6 tire. I’m running Maxxis 2.4 &2.5 with no problems. It is a cheap air fork but works alright. Mines over a year old and used extensively and never had leaking problems. I did put a set 180 SLX rotors but honestly, the 160’s were fine for most I do. It’s the best spec for under $1000 you’re going to find.
I still have my old skool talon stock 3X9 Shimano set up with the hydraulic disc brakes still in great condition 💪 I took it in for a tune-up & they were like man you take good care of this 🚲💨. My 🐕 decided to chew up the brake cable 🤦
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy thanks for the video and pricing all these out Nice work & a lot of research on your part! I would like to get the updated version but if mines working I'm not going to trade it up lol
I've owned and purchased more than a dozen quality mtn bikes..but never in Arizona. I'm ready to do so again but the dealers just do not seem to have knowledgeable or patient sales staffs. So, I'll probably get in vehicle and drive the 800 miles to SF area to see real bicycle shop people.
Well, I just bought a Marin bobcat trail 5. My first real bike, I hope I'm going to enjoy the ride. By the way, I upgraded the pedals and grip. 😂🎉 Let's ride.
Probably a Cannondale Habit HT 3. I actually have a full video on that bike, check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/VpX3F4lEYXo/v-deo.htmlsi=ckeNYH_5ak2bK3DR
I know the focus here is on bikes under $1k but for people who'd be willing to spend a little more, Wiggle & CRC are currently offering the 2022 Ragley Marley 1.0 for $1230. Not sure if there's a sweeter deal anywhere for the $$ right now. Tempted to buy one myself even though I just bought a bike a couple months ago and don't really need another one LOL. Hard to pass it up at that price.
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy well......I ended up with the 2023 SQ2 (i keep 'em forever and never sell so the frame is better for long term). Like the colour more than the tan sq1 and at this price, i wanted thru axle honestly.....the fork should've been at least last year's model but whatever, when it will be time , i'll change it to an entry air fork.....Now time to have some fun! :)
Hey I currently have a 2021 talon 2 and I haaate it, it's just soo big for me. I casually ride with my gf and want to start riding trail. Could I still get away with the sq1 as an all arounder? My lbs is a marin dealer so readily available parts
Hey I currently have a 2021 talon 2 and I haaate it, it's just soo big for me. I casually ride with my gf and want to start riding trail. Could I still get away with the sq1 as an all arounder? My lbs is a marin dealer so readily available parts
What are your thoughts on the Giant Talon 1 29 vs the Specialized fuse 27.5? The specialized seems to be more nimble, but my question is more about the components (forks, wheel, brakes etc..) Is the fuse worth the extra $500? Appreciate your time.
To be honest you’re paying for the S on the headtube haha. The Talon 1 is an awesome bike! But yes, if you want the nimble feel of 27.5 wheels Giant won’t be the ticket
Sorry, going to buy my first bike. What would i feel different in between 29 wheels and 27.5 wheels. I will be doing asphalt ,some gravel and some trail. Nothomg very radical.
Very different bikes! Get the SQ1 if most of your riding is on steep, rocky trails or jumps and the Xtrada 7 if you’re on more rolling terrain or prioritize climbing speed
What do you think of the Scott Aspect? I'm looking a decent hardtail to go on trails and light downhill when my main bike needs maintenance. Something for under 1000 USD preferably.
It’s a solid bike, and if you find a great deal go for it! Otherwise I’d say the bikes in this video offer a bit better value in terms of part spec, frame features, geometry, etc
Hello Good Day! I am a hardtail user ever since. I love watching your content every time. Can you make a review on DARTMOOR HORNET hardtail frame? I think this frame is underrated in some countries but here in the Philippines, it is the go-to hardtail frame for enduro and trail riding. It is also the most popular enduro hardtail frame. I hope this will get to you and make a good content about this. Thank you in advance.
Most of the bikes shown in the video are unfortunately not for sale in Ukraine. I'm a beginner, so I don't know much, but I like the Merida big trail 200 and 400, I don't know if it's worth buying or not. There's aggressive frame geometry, thru axle front and rear, hydraulic brakes, etc.
i'd like to know why rocky mountain and marin don't use the wider range advent cassette. you can get a 46-11. but do my eyes decieve me, or does the marin have a bolt on crank? I loved my Xtrada. but the XCR fork is NOT boost. just standard 100mm
I have does Clarks 2 piston hydraulic brakes near a year and can say are awesome for the price, it uses the same G label pads as the Shimano Deore(it does have space for the ice tech pads) the power is really impressive they have a little bit of progresión but still keeping that strong bite feeling The braking force is really great something like a mt400 brakes but you can make it better changing the pads but even the stock ones are really great
Really?! I don’t think these do; but that’s just I for from the website. There’s a chance that individual Giant retailers may set the bikes up that way in shop though!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy nope, they used to come with Maxxis Tubeless Ready tires and Tubeless ready wheels, and some shops set them up tubeless out the door since at that point it was about the same amount of $ to throw in tubeless valves and sealant as it was to throw tubes in. They definitely downgraded the tires, probably in exchange for other components as opposed to what they had 2 years ago in their $750 Talon
Hi. Been seriously contemplating between the Xtrada 7 and the new Giant Fathom 2 (as its on sale). Any thoughts on which is better. Both upgradable in the future. Both good specs. Fathom has the dropper post since its a bit more expensive.. Thanks.
The Fathom has a bit more progressive geometry (slacker head tube, lower BB, longer reach). I’d say if you want more of a trail bike go with the Fathom, or the Xxtrada 7 for more of an XC bike
“$700-$1k” is a “budget” bike? My $115 Schwinn was ridden hard and lasted me my entire youth(5-15 yo). They must be embedding gold and diamonds into the paint of these modern bikes.
BTW, Giant's retail price on the Talon 1 is $900 not $990. Gonna throw another Giant comment. The Rocky Mountain on sale is speced very similar to a Talon 2 which retails at $730 every day. Yes, I do work for a Giant dealer. The Polygon sounds great. If you are a competent mechanic.
Good luck getting either in the US now but the entry level Nukeproof Scout and Vitus Sentier were >1000$ and much better deals than everything presented here
Check out the Marin San Quentin 2, Rocky Mountain Growler 20, both dialed, dropper equipped, wide range drivetrains, with air sprung forks for around $1,500!
Hey i would recommend checking the Voodoo Bizango Pro from Halfords if your in the uk the spec is 130mm Rockshox 35 gold forks 12 speed shimano deore groupset shimano mt400 brakes front and rear through axels and currently selling for £855 down from £950 crazy value for money
Have you looked at the spec of the Voodoo Bizango Carbon Pro? I'm seriously considering it but I'm a novice and don't know if it's a good spec for the price.
Great bike! You’ll probably want to replace some of the components on there (brakes, fork, seat post) down the road, but you’ll have a great frame to bolt your upgrades to
It went together easily in less than an hour. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
If you can afford the 7 it's a big upgrade! But yes, definitely still a good value for the price. And if you buy it through our affiliate link on BikesOnline we'll get a small commission! www.bikesonline.com/2023-polygon-xtrada-5-hardtail-mountain-bike
Thank you man! Ya, running on a tight (read zero lol) budget and filming on iPhone, maybe throw some money into it some day but for now I'd rather buy bikes
Air forks are lighter, but overrated, because people don't know how to tune a spring fork. Springs are hard to beat if you know how to tune them. 12 speeds are over rated as the range (from top to bottom), is about the same as a 10 speed. Both will get killed for higher speeds of a 3 chain ring crank from the 90's. Top speed from a single chain ring is pathetic.
I sadly don’t, I’d have to do some shopping for brands that sell an XXL. Check out Specialized, they make a size called S6 which is basically their XXL, but it’s only offered on some models
They’re both super similar; really the only difference is that the Marin has a 1X drivetrain, which is more in line with most modern mountain bikes, so I’d recommend going with that. If you purchase it from my affiliate link with bikes online I’d really appreciate it! I get a small commission on the sale, but the cost is the same for you. bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/JzK217
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy ok. But i see bobcat series has straight head tube and xtrada series has tapered head tube....does it make any major difference.....
Not necessarily; you would just need to purchase a new headset (roughly $50) if/when you choose to upgrade your fork to one with a tapered steerer tube. It’s called a ZS44/EC44. A lot of high end hardtails have straight head tubes like this as well, so a quick google search should show you plenty of examples of what I’m taking about
Sure! It’s not exactly a conversion, just a different type of headset. This is the one I have on my RSD Middlechild with the same headtube as yours: Cane Creek 40 ZS44/28.6 EC44/40 Headset Black a.co/d/8sQQVHl
All these bikes are nice but being a 1 or few under 1k smh just call the 1k bike the taxes will bring it over that anyway. Oh and thanks for the info on them I appreciate it have a day
Absolutely man! And sadly that 1K price point is such an industry cut off, brands strive to get bikes just under it, which is why those bikes in the $900-$1000 range are so competitive and usually MUCH better speced than bikes that are just $100-$200 cheaper
Nope, the Marlin 6 has a coil fork and 10 speed deore drivetrain, as opposed to the Xtrada 7 with an air fork and 12 speed deore drivetrain. The Trek also has QR dropouts whereas the Polygon has through axels. You’re typically not going to find the best value from big name brands like Trek and Specialized, your honestly just paying for the badge haha
@ridingwithjoshandwendy ok, since it's over my budget anyways.. What if I go for the Xtrada 6 vs Marlin 6 gen 3? Is it still a better choice (xtrada 6) ?
Those two are a bit more similar in spec. The Trek is on sale right now too I believe, which puts the prices more similar. I think both would be good options, but if you are able to save up a bit more I think the Xtrada 7 is significantly better
@ridingwithjoshandwendy can't do it since the Xtrada 7 costs $ 1130 around here, and they don't have size M in stock. So I guess the Xtrada 6 is the next best thing.. Thanks for your help with this 🙏😊
whut up all the hype on the dropper post //dont see how people ride wth the seat post 10 feet in the air,,,, been riding 50 plus years think they are a fad never used one never will 29 in 2020 gt avalanche with my seat slammed to the bottom
Hello Good Day! I am a hardtail user ever since. I love watching your content every time. Can you make a review on DARTMOOR HORNET hardtail frame? I think this frame is underrated in some countries but here in the Philippines, it is the go-to hardtail frame for enduro and trail riding. It is also the most popular enduro hardtail frame. I hope this will get to you and make a good content about this. Thank you in advance.
We're super stoked to announce that we are now partnering with @bikesonline! They are a distributer for two of the bikes on this list; the Marin San Quentin 1 and the Polygon Xtrada 7. If you're interested in purchasing either of these bikes, doing so through the affiliate like below will help support our channel. Thanks!
2023 Marin San Quentin 1: bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/Y9DvQq
2022 Polygon Xtrada 7: bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/5gaD6D
Guess they will have to send you some more demo bikes!
You know it!! And you’ll find all those reviews here 🤙
Nope! It comes with an SR Suntour XCR 32 air 👌
Interesting, I’m just going off of the spec list on Polygon’s website, which you can look at here: www.polygonbikes.com/xtrada-7/ I’m pretty new to working with bikesonline.com, so I couldn’t tell you why/if they’re swapping OEM parts
Interesting, sorry for the misinformation!
I wish someone would make a vid breaking down the differences between a $200-$300 Walmart MTB, a “good value” under $1K MTB and a $5-7k MTB. It seems a bike only has a limited amount of components, they all get you from point A to B, while the prices vary drastically but look the same to a person with an untrained eye.
My first hardtail cost me £430 and I didn't understand why I would need to spend more than that on a bike. Fast forward to a year later when I rode my first over £1000 hardtail and I thought "oh wow, now I understand why people spend so much on these things". The difference was truly night and day.
It really is! Sometimes I wish I had never had the chance to taste the difference lol 😂
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy Yeah my bank account would be healthier if I hadn't. Oh well this way I have better bikes so I call that a win.😎
😂my wife also dont understand,she wil stil learn😊
I'm broke and ride pretty hard, I bought the Marin Bobcat Trail 5 used in brand new condition in my size and It's been pretty good. Didn't get to test it on the trails, but it's amazing for urban freeride and some jumps
Bro I just bought a Cannondale Trail SE 4 for $819!!! I couldn’t find a reason not to for that price. This in my first MTB and with all the research I’ve done that seems like a steal to me. Not sure why more people aren’t talking about that sale!
Killer deal man 🤙🤙 I think you’ll love it!
I went for the used market and just got a 2018 Norco Fluid HT 2 for $750 CAD ($550 USD). Nice that it has a dropper post and front air suspension for that year. If I was shopping new, the best I could have gotten was a Norco Storm 5 or a Trek Marlin 4 which are both considerably worse builds. Shop around in the used market folks! don't have to buy new if you're unsure what you're getting yourself into with the bike life
Killer deal, nice bike man! I’m thinking of making a “5 tips when buying used bikes” video, most of my bikes have been bought used, it’s a great way to go!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy Mind you that was $750 CAD so I guess like $550ish USD. I did the same thing, looked up a couple quick vids before I left on what to look for when testing out a used bike (brakes, front/ rear tire wobble, gear shift, dmg to frame, chain, tire tread, when/ what the last maintenance covered). These things really help and would be a huge asset vid to have on your channel to compliment this vid. Please do that! I will have to buy new tires but this should get me riding for about half a season I hope. Cheers!
Last year I bought a trek marlin 8 2022 2nd gen. Its the Best bike ive ever riden and I upgraded it and now its great.but the canondale and the polygon look realy cool too and cheaper than my marlin
I having been following this guy for a while. I love about your recommendation for bikes based on the criteria. Criteria is important. Know about your criteria 🤘. I would like to see hardtails Under $1500. A lot of options on that category tho
Thank you Sujan! Man that would be a hard one, so many good bikes in that price range!
I still run a scott aspect the frames are awesome for the money, never skipped a beat.
I did run a talon 3 from 2017 till 2022 and that was really reliable the stock parts were solid for the £625 i paid, was 1 of the last of the 30speeds to
Nice!!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy cheers bro got stolen! Last of the 30s man that thing moved for a 650b it fucking had it son! Me been a 6ft5 neanderthal the scott fits lovely xxl on 29s, full shimano setup it's nice bro for the paper
I've been looking at the Aspect. Have you tried upgrading it at all? I'm thinking 120 mm fork and wider tyres?
Great review; with bikes that are featured on our shortlist while looking for something for my wife.
For those watching, who are in Canada, Polygon bikes can be bought at MEC stores. They just started stocking them late last year.
Right on! Thanks for sharing!
When it comes to wheels, you can always by thru axles with a conversion kits for a QR axle. I bought a set of Bontrager Line Comp 30 wheels, did that with the back wheel and it works great. Plus, those wheels come with a Bontrager hub with 108 points of engagement. I ended up spending a little over $350 for the set, conversion kit included.
I love those Line hubs, some of the best for your money! I used a generic conversion on an older bike of mine and to be honest it felt a bit sketchy, so I always advise people looking to get a new bike to go for an option with modern standards whenever price allows
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy I added them to an entry level bike I bought on Offerup. 2019 GT Avalanche with dropouts. The way I understand it, it's not as strong as a thru axle, but stronger than a QR axle. I don't ride gnarly stuff, but I've hit my fair share of rocks, roots, curbs and small jumps and they feel perfectly stable.
I agree though, for the price, they're pretty damn good.
Awesome, I enjoyed your video. I'm thinking about buying a Cannondale Trail 7.1, and I am thinking about joining a club to go on a group ride every now and then. Right now I am riding a Cannondale F400 from the 90's, with a slightly bent front wheel, a frame that is one size too big, a headshok that has been permanently locked solid, and I've only ever ridden by myself. Looks like a great hobby to take up. Thanks.
Heck yeah, welcome!
Went to a bike shop today,seen all kinds of mountain bikes around 600 or less and they were trek and fujis.i don't have any use for those fragile carbon frame bikes,I watched enough videos on them.now carbon works better for road bikes in the right climate.
This is one of only a couple videos I’ve seen that talks about the trail se. It’s a surprisingly fun bike to ride. I bought mine about 2 years back and have upgraded most of the bike now just because I enjoy it so much, and as you noted..upgrades are easy. Now it’s not just fun, but light. Stock it was 32lbs, and I need to check again after my last set of updates but I’m betting it’s about 25lbs now.
Canyon bikes I think it's great bang for the buck and you'll get some stellar components for $600-$800.
My First hardtail was a Voodoo Bantu 2018 mdl for £639 from that I bought a Boardman for £1050 and the difference for me was quite disturbing.
What do you mean by the difference between those 2 bikes was disturbing?
Thanks for the list. I was torn on whether I wanted to get the Polygon and you sold me.
Awesome! It would do me a huge favor if you buy it from this link, as I’ll get small kick back from Bikes Online (same price for you): bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/5gaD6D
If you can afford a little over 1000, the Voodoo Bizango Pro is the best hardtail. Very solid parts for the price. Very hard to find though.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve heard a few people talk about this bike, definitely looks like a great bargain if you’re in the UK!
Got one about six months ago. Although it’s my first hardtail I love this bike. I think sometimes we’re prone to think we need to spend big to get high quality, but the Bizango is a great buy. In my opinion 😊
You’re speaking my language haha! I work at a pretty bougie bike shop where people think any bike under $5,000 is garbage 😖 Then we got on group rides and I smoke them on a $2,000 hardtail lol
I got my first MTB recently (Superior XP 939) and there's a cheaper version (Superior XP 909) that has the same frame and decent parts, currently often discounted, which hits around the $1000 mark.
I was very skeptical about the brand at first (it's a Czech brand, seems to lack in the marketing department) but damn, the parts were decent spec and the weight of the whole bike is around 11.8 kilograms which I could not get anywhere close with other aluminum frames and even the cheapest carbon bikes were heavier.
That’s awesome man! Sounds like you found a rad deal 🤙
Ragley Marley 2.0 on chain reaction cycles, $990.00 also Voodoo Wazooo, I think with sipping $952.00.
Great deals, thanks for sharing!!
Yeah, I'm saving my $ for a Polygon Xtrada 7.
Nice, definitely a rad bike!! Buy it from the link in the description if you can, as that will help out our channel!
Whattabout acessories mounting points like parrier racks, water bottles, kickstand etc. More important in this price bracket as many will use in town or commuting.
Great Video Josh, thanks for repping the hardtail👑
Always 🤘 Thank you man!
I have had this Xtrada 7 for a year now. I’m 6’2” and 245lbs. I live in the pineywoods of East Texas and mostly ride single track switchbacks in sandy loam and oak roots. I also ride the hills of Austin, TX about once a month. Even spent some time at Slaughter Pen in Bentonville. This bike has healed up incredibly on some chunky downhill stuff! I have upgraded the tires & gone tubeless. Also the bars were a little flat for me so I have some PNW bars. Added a dropper post. The Deore 12 speed is flawless and works great but I needed it for another bike so I slapped a Shimano XT shifter & mec on the Polygon. Did it need all these upgrades, no. It’s plenty capable as is new. These things were to suite my riding style. Most of my buddies ride hardtails. It’s not even a value thing, just a bike preference on efficiency & maintenance. My brother in law rides a Specialized 10K carbon hardtail & a Banshee Paradox HT. My son rides a 15K Moots Mountaineer titanium soft tail. None of us are beginners, it’s just our preference. Never assume someone’s a beginner because they are on a HT. They may smoke you! I have personally been on a bike since 1976!
Thanks for sharing your experience on the bike with our viewers! Glad you’ve had such great success with the bike, I hope to try one out soon!!
I'm thinking about buying this bike. There are 3 "week" points in the spec according to reviews and I'd like to hear your opinion about these: 1. the SunTour XCR32 fork. Some say it's so bad (leaks, and doesn't do the job) that it's not worth to buy this bike, some (especially those who are coming from a department store bike) are OK with it. 2. The 2.25" tires are kind of on the small side. How much bigger tires can be fitted on the bike? 3. almost all other bikes in this price range have 180mm front rotor. How much of a disadvantage is that this has only 160mm?
Honestly, for the price your not gonna find a better fork, just about everything under $1,000 will be coil sprung. The tires are definitely on the XC side of the spectrum, but will work for more general trail riding too. Polygon doesn’t say on their site but in the pictures it looks like there’s plenty of clearance, I’d guess you could run a 2.4”. I don’t think you’ll notice the smaller rotors, honestly all the brakes on these value bikes leave a bit to be desired when things get steep and fast. That said a buying a bigger rotor is only about $50 bucks and super easy to install yourself!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy I found another review since: ua-cam.com/video/9bstrskOB2o/v-deo.html He tried the 2.4" tires and it's ok for the back but only left a tiny clearance in the fork so he recommends not going over 2.3".
@@GavrielFleischer the bike can take up to a 2.6 tire. I’m running Maxxis 2.4 &2.5 with no problems. It is a cheap air fork but works alright. Mines over a year old and used extensively and never had leaking problems. I did put a set 180 SLX rotors but honestly, the 160’s were fine for most I do. It’s the best spec for under $1000 you’re going to find.
I still have my old skool talon stock 3X9 Shimano set up with the hydraulic disc brakes still in great condition 💪 I took it in for a tune-up & they were like man you take good care of this 🚲💨. My 🐕 decided to chew up the brake cable 🤦
Bummer about the dog, but way to go keeping that bike in great condition 🤙
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy thanks for the video and pricing all these out Nice work & a lot of research on your part! I would like to get the updated version but if mines working I'm not going to trade it up lol
Absolutely man, if it’s not broke don’t fix it 🤙
Love my giant talon 1 but that polygon looks great …
I've owned and purchased more than a dozen quality mtn bikes..but never in Arizona. I'm ready to do so again but the dealers just do not seem to have knowledgeable or patient sales staffs. So, I'll probably get in vehicle and drive the 800 miles to SF area to see real bicycle shop people.
Well, I just bought a Marin bobcat trail 5. My first real bike, I hope I'm going to enjoy the ride. By the way, I upgraded the pedals and grip. 😂🎉
Let's ride.
Enjoy it 🤙🤙
Do you have any opinions on the bikes that retail at REI? They told me that Salsa Habit HT3 is comparable to the Trek Roscoe 6.
Probably a Cannondale Habit HT 3. I actually have a full video on that bike, check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/VpX3F4lEYXo/v-deo.htmlsi=ckeNYH_5ak2bK3DR
I know the focus here is on bikes under $1k but for people who'd be willing to spend a little more, Wiggle & CRC are currently offering the 2022 Ragley Marley 1.0 for $1230. Not sure if there's a sweeter deal anywhere for the $$ right now. Tempted to buy one myself even though I just bought a bike a couple months ago and don't really need another one LOL. Hard to pass it up at that price.
Definitely a killer deal, the Marley is a rad bike!! Thanks for sharing 🤙
That bike so good ? 989 right now from 1599 ,, its my First hardtail bike.,
It’s super good, but it haha!!
bikes from bikes online in Australia come with all the tools needed to assemble the bike even a touque metre
13:25 I had to do a double take because that looks exactly like a polygon xtrada, I was looking at.
Curious on your thoughts for the Poseidon Norton. Going for $999, 65 degree head tube, 140mm travel fork.
Looks pretty awesome! I’m a big fan of @Spindatt who helped design it, check out his channel to learn more about it!
waiting for my 2023 San Quentin 1. should arrive next week
Nice, you’re gonna love it!!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy well......I ended up with the 2023 SQ2 (i keep 'em forever and never sell so the frame is better for long term). Like the colour more than the tan sq1 and at this price, i wanted thru axle honestly.....the fork should've been at least last year's model but whatever, when it will be time , i'll change it to an entry air fork.....Now time to have some fun! :)
Right on! Ya, good call with the 2 and the through axel. I think the SQ2 is definitely worth the extra $500
Hey I currently have a 2021 talon 2 and I haaate it, it's just soo big for me. I casually ride with my gf and want to start riding trail. Could I still get away with the sq1 as an all arounder? My lbs is a marin dealer so readily available parts
Hey I currently have a 2021 talon 2 and I haaate it, it's just soo big for me. I casually ride with my gf and want to start riding trail. Could I still get away with the sq1 as an all arounder? My lbs is a marin dealer so readily available parts
What are your thoughts on the Giant Talon 1 29 vs the Specialized fuse 27.5? The specialized seems to be more nimble, but my question is more about the components (forks, wheel, brakes etc..) Is the fuse worth the extra $500? Appreciate your time.
To be honest you’re paying for the S on the headtube haha. The Talon 1 is an awesome bike! But yes, if you want the nimble feel of 27.5 wheels Giant won’t be the ticket
Charl south Africa Thank You for video APPRECIATE it
Right on man, thank you for letting me know 🤙
Sorry, going to buy my first bike. What would i feel different in between 29 wheels and 27.5 wheels. I will be doing asphalt ,some gravel and some trail. Nothomg very radical.
#1 for me is Trek Marlin 6 gen 3 , woulda been the Polygon Xtrada 7 if it wasnt for the color
Bummer that the Marlin doesn't have a through axel...
Marin Q 1 vs Polygon Xtrada 7 ? Wich one is better
Very different bikes! Get the SQ1 if most of your riding is on steep, rocky trails or jumps and the Xtrada 7 if you’re on more rolling terrain or prioritize climbing speed
What do you think of the Scott Aspect? I'm looking a decent hardtail to go on trails and light downhill when my main bike needs maintenance. Something for under 1000 USD preferably.
It’s a solid bike, and if you find a great deal go for it! Otherwise I’d say the bikes in this video offer a bit better value in terms of part spec, frame features, geometry, etc
Great insights thanks!
For sure 🤙🤙
Hello Good Day!
I am a hardtail user ever since. I love watching your content every time.
Can you make a review on DARTMOOR HORNET hardtail frame? I think this frame is underrated in some countries but here in the Philippines, it is the go-to hardtail frame for enduro and trail riding. It is also the most popular enduro hardtail frame.
I hope this will get to you and make a good content about this. Thank you in advance.
Most of the bikes shown in the video are unfortunately not for sale in Ukraine. I'm a beginner, so I don't know much, but I like the Merida big trail 200 and 400, I don't know if it's worth buying or not. There's aggressive frame geometry, thru axle front and rear, hydraulic brakes, etc.
Never ridden one, but they definitely look like a rad bike and great value! Praying for your country regularly, stay safe 🤙
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy Thanks, I will definitely buy it)
Enjoyed the vids as we’re always looking for bikes for the kids. RSD sticker, you up here in Canada?
You can build the wheel you want from your stock hubs, drop out or not.
canyon stoic 2-3 is the best bike every for under 1k pounds
Super rad video!!
Thank you man! Which one would you buy?
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy San Quentin 3 all day🤩
Dido 🤘🤘
i'd like to know why rocky mountain and marin don't use the wider range advent cassette. you can get a 46-11. but do my eyes decieve me, or does the marin have a bolt on crank?
I loved my Xtrada. but the XCR fork is NOT boost. just standard 100mm
Thoughts on the Cannondale Trail 7.1?
Not bad for the price! But you’d likely want to make some upgrades relatively on (drivetrain, stronger brakes, air sprung fork)
I have does Clarks 2 piston hydraulic brakes near a year and can say are awesome for the price, it uses the same G label pads as the Shimano Deore(it does have space for the ice tech pads) the power is really impressive they have a little bit of progresión but still keeping that strong bite feeling
The braking force is really great something like a mt400 brakes but you can make it better changing the pads but even the stock ones are really great
Oh awesome!! Thanks for sharing Nelson 🤙
I've been riding a hybrid and realized I ride too aggressive and should have gotten hardtail mtb
They're some of the most versatile bikes!
What about the superior xp 919? Never heard of the brand before but speced well
Hello, the number one bike you recommended is the 7. Can a larger chain ring be used, like maybe 38 or a little bit larger? 06/225/24
i liked polygon xtrada 7 my dream)
Nice 🤙🤙
I can't believe Giant downgraded the Talons. I have a 2019 Talon 2 29 and the Liv equivalent....they both came Tubeless, from the store.
Really?! I don’t think these do; but that’s just I for from the website. There’s a chance that individual Giant retailers may set the bikes up that way in shop though!
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy nope, they used to come with Maxxis Tubeless Ready tires and Tubeless ready wheels, and some shops set them up tubeless out the door since at that point it was about the same amount of $ to throw in tubeless valves and sealant as it was to throw tubes in. They definitely downgraded the tires, probably in exchange for other components as opposed to what they had 2 years ago in their $750 Talon
Ah bummer man!
Hi. Been seriously contemplating between the Xtrada 7 and the new Giant Fathom 2 (as its on sale). Any thoughts on which is better. Both upgradable in the future. Both good specs. Fathom has the dropper post since its a bit more expensive.. Thanks.
The Fathom has a bit more progressive geometry (slacker head tube, lower BB, longer reach). I’d say if you want more of a trail bike go with the Fathom, or the Xxtrada 7 for more of an XC bike
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy okay cool. That makes sense. Thanks.
“$700-$1k” is a “budget” bike? My $115 Schwinn was ridden hard and lasted me my entire youth(5-15 yo). They must be embedding gold and diamonds into the paint of these modern bikes.
You can throw a 130 travel fork on the front of that polygon and you have a nice rowdy bike to bomb through the woods.
Very true!!
120 isn't enough??
Depends on what your riding!
There’s actually a canyon that’s $600 right now
I’m trying to decide between the talon and Rocky Mountain soul 20. I’m not sure which one is more upgradable. Thoughts?
I’d go with the Rocky Mountain, the geometry on that bike is a bit more in line with a higher end hardtail
And Fuji Nevada?
Definitely a rad little bike too!
BTW, Giant's retail price on the Talon 1 is $900 not $990.
Gonna throw another Giant comment. The Rocky Mountain on sale is speced very similar to a Talon 2 which retails at $730 every day.
Yes, I do work for a Giant dealer.
The Polygon sounds great. If you are a competent mechanic.
BB height is 320mm. Here's a link to the geo chart rsdbikes.com/middlechild-v2-aluminum/
@ridingwithjoshandwendy
Not sure what you are referencing this for. Doesn't seem to relate to my comment. 🤔
How is anything outdated when people upgrade old 90s MTB 26 explain,lot of these bikes won't be around in the next decade
Good luck getting either in the US now but the entry level Nukeproof Scout and Vitus Sentier were >1000$ and much better deals than everything presented here
I know right?! Such a huge bummer!
trek marin 8 gen 3 is a good bike? from my country i can buy it under 1000 euro, seems a good deal, or just better save up to buy other bike
Ya, it’ll definitely get the job done 🤙
Real problem is that 1-2k range. It feels like there’s nothing in the middle, either 1700+ or back down to 1k.
Check out the Marin San Quentin 2, Rocky Mountain Growler 20, both dialed, dropper equipped, wide range drivetrains, with air sprung forks for around $1,500!
Hey i would recommend checking the Voodoo Bizango Pro from Halfords if your in the uk the spec is 130mm Rockshox 35 gold forks 12 speed shimano deore groupset shimano mt400 brakes front and rear through axels and currently selling for £855 down from £950 crazy value for money
Thanks for sharing 🤙 Definitely quite a bargain for the spec you’re getting at that price!
Have you looked at the spec of the Voodoo Bizango Carbon Pro? I'm seriously considering it but I'm a novice and don't know if it's a good spec for the price.
It’s pretty dang good for the price! The frame geometry, which is more important in my opinion, looks solid too.
what do u think abt the canyon stioc 2
Great bike! You’ll probably want to replace some of the components on there (brakes, fork, seat post) down the road, but you’ll have a great frame to bolt your upgrades to
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy okay thanks for the information
It went together easily in less than an hour. ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
Probably not, I believe the weight limit on most mountain bike components is about 350 lbs
Is the xtrada 5 decent for somebody on a tight budget?
If you can afford the 7 it's a big upgrade! But yes, definitely still a good value for the price. And if you buy it through our affiliate link on BikesOnline we'll get a small commission! www.bikesonline.com/2023-polygon-xtrada-5-hardtail-mountain-bike
Good rundown but hard to listen to without a proper mic.
Thank you man! Ya, running on a tight (read zero lol) budget and filming on iPhone, maybe throw some money into it some day but for now I'd rather buy bikes
Air forks are lighter, but overrated, because people don't know how to tune a spring fork. Springs are hard to beat if you know how to tune them.
12 speeds are over rated as the range (from top to bottom), is about the same as a 10 speed. Both will get killed for higher speeds of a 3 chain ring crank from the 90's. Top speed from a single chain ring is pathetic.
Epik 🤘👍
Thank you 🤙🤙
The Talon's rims are tubeless compatible.
Thanks for the insight! Most forums I’ve found have said that the GX03V aren’t, sounds like you’ve had success with them though?
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy my 2021 talon 4 is set up tubeless, ghetto style. The stock rims, Gorilla tape & $1 sealant. 😁
Haha heck ya, glad it’s holding up for you 🤙🤙
You forgot the Canyon Stoic 2!!
Great bike! But not under $1,000 😕 I recently did a video with the Stoic 4, check it out here! ua-cam.com/video/7iaF3D5JvGA/v-deo.html
Do you have a list for someone that is 6'6"?
I sadly don’t, I’d have to do some shopping for brands that sell an XXL. Check out Specialized, they make a size called S6 which is basically their XXL, but it’s only offered on some models
Marin bobcat trail 4 or polygon xtrada 5.....which is better ?
They’re both super similar; really the only difference is that the Marin has a 1X drivetrain, which is more in line with most modern mountain bikes, so I’d recommend going with that. If you purchase it from my affiliate link with bikes online I’d really appreciate it! I get a small commission on the sale, but the cost is the same for you. bikesonline-usa.sjv.io/JzK217
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy ok. But i see bobcat series has straight head tube and xtrada series has tapered head tube....does it make any major difference.....
Not necessarily; you would just need to purchase a new headset (roughly $50) if/when you choose to upgrade your fork to one with a tapered steerer tube. It’s called a ZS44/EC44. A lot of high end hardtails have straight head tubes like this as well, so a quick google search should show you plenty of examples of what I’m taking about
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy ok. Thanks for your suggestion. Can you share a buy link for conversion so that i can understand much better
Sure! It’s not exactly a conversion, just a different type of headset. This is the one I have on my RSD Middlechild with the same headtube as yours: Cane Creek 40 ZS44/28.6 EC44/40 Headset Black a.co/d/8sQQVHl
All these bikes are nice but being a 1 or few under 1k smh just call the 1k bike the taxes will bring it over that anyway. Oh and thanks for the info on them I appreciate it have a day
Absolutely man! And sadly that 1K price point is such an industry cut off, brands strive to get bikes just under it, which is why those bikes in the $900-$1000 range are so competitive and usually MUCH better speced than bikes that are just $100-$200 cheaper
Why didn't you mention the Trek Marlin 6 2023 gen 3?
It seems like it has a better spec than this Polygon Xtrada 7...
Nope, the Marlin 6 has a coil fork and 10 speed deore drivetrain, as opposed to the Xtrada 7 with an air fork and 12 speed deore drivetrain. The Trek also has QR dropouts whereas the Polygon has through axels. You’re typically not going to find the best value from big name brands like Trek and Specialized, your honestly just paying for the badge haha
@ridingwithjoshandwendy ok, since it's over my budget anyways..
What if I go for the Xtrada 6 vs Marlin 6 gen 3? Is it still a better choice (xtrada 6) ?
Those two are a bit more similar in spec. The Trek is on sale right now too I believe, which puts the prices more similar. I think both would be good options, but if you are able to save up a bit more I think the Xtrada 7 is significantly better
@ridingwithjoshandwendy can't do it since the Xtrada 7 costs $ 1130 around here, and they don't have size M in stock. So I guess the Xtrada 6 is the next best thing..
Thanks for your help with this 🙏😊
your bikes online links dont work. might wanna fix that
Thanks for the catch!
No Ragleys?
Not for under a grand haha!
Do you guys not count sales tax lol
Nope, varies way too much. We don't even have sales tax here in Oregon!
whut up all the hype on the dropper post //dont see how people ride wth the seat post 10 feet in the air,,,, been riding 50 plus years think they are a fad never used one never will 29 in 2020 gt avalanche with my seat slammed to the bottom
Having your seat up helps with efficiency on the climbs, and lowering it helps with mobility on the descents
thankyou@@ridingwithjoshandwendy
So basically mountain biking is yet another hobby only for people with money.
Nope! It’s cheaper than the newest x box, a TV subscription, or eating out weekly. It’s all about priorities haha
To bad the polygon only has a 27.2 mm seat post.
Vitus Sentier 27 vr???
Great bike! But not under $1,000
@@ridingwithjoshandwendy its going for £619.99 on chain reaction cycles at the moment so roughly 796.04 usd
Hello Good Day!
I am a hardtail user ever since. I love watching your content every time.
Can you make a review on DARTMOOR HORNET hardtail frame? I think this frame is underrated in some countries but here in the Philippines, it is the go-to hardtail frame for enduro and trail riding. It is also the most popular enduro hardtail frame.
I hope this will get to you and make a good content about this. Thank you in advance.