Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

Hello mountain bike people. Now I've moved to rural parts I want to get mountain bikes for my wife and I to enjoy some of the cross country trails. Nothing too fancy as we're unlikely to ever go all properly mountainbikey, and I don't want rear suspension. I have a budget of max 2k thanks to a refund I'm due.

Would it be mad to buy a couple of Specialized Rockhoppers?

The last mountain bike I had was a Saracen Traverse. I know nothing.

I don't think it'd be mad. If you're not planning on upgrading much I am sure they'll do fine for a lot of riding.

If you are looking for something that's a bit more future proof make sure to have boost spacing and thru axles on the frame. Bonus points for 12 speed drivetrain and microspline freehub body if Shimano. Deore 12 speed is greay value for money I think.

EUR or GBP? Each or both?

Canyon grand canyon comes to mind https://www.canyon.com/en-es/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/grand-canyon/grand-canyon-6/2615.html?dwvar_2615_pv_rahmenfarbe=BK%2FGY

I don't know if they are available anywhere but have a look at the Trek Roscoe, I've heard good things about them.

BMC two stroke has thru axle rear and maybe a tad better geo than the canyon, but groupset isn't as good

https://www.bmc-switzerland.com/eu_en/23-twostroke-al-six-cross-country-mountain-bikes.html

.5 HA and 1deg ST. It's a glorified gravel bike. I don't think either will mater.

I have no affinity to canyon, just a bargain bike for 1k.

Fair point on the rear QR i didn't realise that.

That's a well-fitted battery cover...

Cheers,
I had to look up boost spacing. I was surprised 26 inch wheels were no longer a thing.

I had a BMC Alpenchallenge and the frame broke, hence the refund. Plus it was such a pain in the arse to actually buy in the first place, so I'm not getting another BMC.

@skinny - £2000 in total.
Sigma Sport want me to spend it with them, but they don't want to ship Specialized bikes to France for some stupid Brexity reason. Hopefully I can just persuade them to give me the cash back.

I had to look up boost spacing. I was surprised 26 inch wheels were no longer a thing.

Welcome to my world! :D

I had to learn what all this new shit was last year, having not bought a new MTB since 2000. I still don't know what my suspension fork is doing and you know they have fucking 12 speed now?!

No local bike stores?

Orbea Alma: https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Orbea/Alma-H20-29-Mountain-Bike-2021/QDT7

GT Zaskar: https://www.sigmasports.com/item/GT/Zaskar-LT-AL-Elite-Mountain-Bike-2022/VIX1

I did the first test ride on the Marino yesterday and I'm very happy, the big size feels really good and the grip I have now compared to the hardtail is amazing! My knees and back are also happy with the rear shock.
Only thing is that the shock bottomed out all the time... this is the heaviest progressive spring from Cane Creek 550-670lb. I didn't feel any harsh bottom outs so not sure if this is a problem.
Maybe I can adjust the low speed compression a bit more. How often do you guys bottom out?

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What have you got the low speed (and high speed, if you have it) compression set to?

It only has low speed and that was set somewhere in the middle

You should bottom out a couple of times every ride

Was the frame designed for coil?

Not sure I agree with that. Bottoming out should happen when the bike reaches the limits of the type of riding it was designed for. I couldn't make my enduro bike bottom out on a XC trail unless I was running completely the wrong spring rate.

Your spring rate is dictated by natural frequency (does it feel right) so doesn't change wildly. If you've got the right spring rate, and you're still frequently bottoming out, either you're riding bigger stuff than the frame was intended for (not enough travel), or the kinematics aren't suited to the shock type

Yeah, I should have caveated that with "the riding it was designed for". Riding to the shops on a DH bike probably isn't the best way to dial in the suspension!

It does make you look like a badass though

The definition of a badass!

It also makes you look as if you stole the bike

Crank the low speed up and see if that makes the bike too crashy/loose.

If it does then maybe a shock with hydraulic bottom out, as you're at the heaviest spring weight?

Cheap Eurotunnel day return in a van?

There nothing cheap about french tolls. A round trip would cost near a bike.

More new AXS temptation for you @TotalShanner

https://en.brujulabike.com/schurter-leaks-controller-sram-groupset/