Time to be a big boy.

Spenlard
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Philipsburg, PA US
Spenlard
Hi all. I've been riding bmx since about 2008, but mainly MTB since around 2018. Moved to Mackinac Island, MI for a seasonal job and brought my uncles old Mongoose Maneuver Rigid from the 90's. Ended up taking it on single track every single day after work around the island, and really fell in love with the sport.

So I took it to the next level, and bought the 2019 Vitus Nucleus VRS 27.5. This thing has seen absolute hell, and I've replaced parts only absolutely as needed, repaired everything I could to the full exent without replacing it. So it's 2022 now, and I'm stepping up a bit more in my trail difficulty back in Pennsylvania. I'm riding lots of big boy shit single track, and even some descents. I ride with a few friends, one on a Nucleus VRS as well (2021) and that's all. For the most part my friends all have a couple year old full builds, full sus, droppers, the works. So now that I'm at some real deal trails, I notice I have the shittiest bike. I find myself more tired than everyone although being more conditioned, and my bike sounds like hell descending.

I could rebuild this Vitus, but I am the only one I ride with who has 27.5" wheels, and I think it does make a difference, so I'm kind of interested in it. To swap to a 29" wheelset, I feel I may as well scrap the whole bike. As all the parts I'd like to reuse are the ones I would be replacing for the 29" setup.
I ride a lot in the mountains of Pennsylvania nowadays, lots of single track. Sometimes rocky climbs, think Trail/Enduro I'd reckon. Not tons of big drops, but lots of fast bumpy trails that DO have some drops.

If you're curious about the sort of riding I do to help me consider what sort of geometry or style bike I should be looking at, check out the Alegrippis trails in Raystown, PA. Or Rothrock trails, State College PA.

What would you guys do? Keep in mind the pockets aren't endless. I'm not really looking to spend more than $2,300 or so.

Thanks in advance for any insight!


NEW BIKE

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Big Bird
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Oceano, CA US
Big Bird 7/30/2022 12:56pm
7/30/2022 12:56pm
I voted Whole New Bike, but I'd say whole New to You used bike. I think you could find something out there for $2,300 that's way better than an off the shelf $2,300 bike.
FullSend
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DE
FullSend 7/30/2022 12:56pm
7/30/2022 12:56pm
It sounds like your riding is progressing and you want to keep going for even gnarlier trails in the future.

In your position I'd take my money and buy a full-suspension trail bike, like a Specialized Stumpjumper or similar.
Spenlard
Profile picture for user Spenlard
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13
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5/29/2011
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Philipsburg, PA US
Spenlard 7/30/2022 1:12pm
7/30/2022 1:12pm
FullSend wrote:
It sounds like your riding is progressing and you want to keep going for even gnarlier trails in the future. In your position I'd take my...
It sounds like your riding is progressing and you want to keep going for even gnarlier trails in the future.

In your position I'd take my money and buy a full-suspension trail bike, like a Specialized Stumpjumper or similar.
So I'd be looking at the base of base model Stumpjumpers in my price range, and I feel specialized isn't so much a brand concerned with value. I've really been trying to study the more budget oriented brands lineups so I can get some bang out of $2,300 or so, and signicantly better specs than my already existing Vitus
Spenlard
Profile picture for user Spenlard
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5/29/2011
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Philipsburg, PA US
Spenlard 7/30/2022 1:15pm
7/30/2022 1:15pm
Big Bird wrote:
I voted Whole New Bike, but I'd say whole New to You used bike. I think you could find something out there for $2,300 that's way...
I voted Whole New Bike, but I'd say whole New to You used bike. I think you could find something out there for $2,300 that's way better than an off the shelf $2,300 bike.
Good idear, think I will scour classifieds for a bit. Would a 2016-2017 bike have any 'outdated' features to say a brand new bike?
Edthorne
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CA
Edthorne 7/30/2022 1:42pm
7/30/2022 1:42pm
Big Bird wrote:
I voted Whole New Bike, but I'd say whole New to You used bike. I think you could find something out there for $2,300 that's way...
I voted Whole New Bike, but I'd say whole New to You used bike. I think you could find something out there for $2,300 that's way better than an off the shelf $2,300 bike.
Spenlard wrote:
Good idear, think I will scour classifieds for a bit. Would a 2016-2017 bike have any 'outdated' features to say a brand new bike?
By 2017 boost spacing (12x148 rear & 15x110 front) was pretty well everywhere, but you would want to be sure your bike has it. It'll make finding replacement wheels easier in the future. That would be the only hard compatibility factor to be on the lookout for. Other stuff like 1x12 vs 1x11 is changeable after the fact.

Other than that asking the seller about maintenance would be absolutely key. Stuff like chain cassette and chainring replacements is all pretty straight forward, but could cost you a decent chunk of change if the bike has an XD driver. Another big one with full suspension bikes would be pivot bearings and fork/shock services. If they haven't done any of those on a bike that age, you could be in for some sizeable repair costs down the line.

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