Looking to appreciatively bump and hijack this. Read through the entire 8 pages and appreciate the advice to OP.
I'm full noob like OP was a year ago, but have road and flat trail experience. Used to ride Triathlons, but that's it and that was 10+ years ago. I ride a roller on state flat trails with my family today.
My son and I rented FS last fall in the Tetons for the first time and we both loved it. Beyond loved it. Can't wait to do it again some day. We had as much fun together doing that as we do skiing.
"Unfortunately" the rental place gave me a Yeti FS which was probably akin to giving someone Blue Magic Heroin for the first time (ref American Gangster movie).
I've never experienced a bike like that. It was pure joy (we rode up and down "Green" trails in Victor Idaho south of town).
I later rode hard tails and it was simply difficult for me to not want to go back to FS. Obviously a lot of moving parts, but just the feel of the FS was unreal.
I am comfortable with paying for a good FS although don't want to make noob mistakes and don't have a strong desire to overpay-v my -experience level. That said, I learned on skiing that when I bought entry level I almost hated it within a year and sold them all out within 2 years and just jumped into advanced gear by end of year 2. So anecdotally I don't want to buy too entry level. Don't want to trade up right away. Comfortable with the economic risk of it and assume I can just resale if I make a mistake and willing to eat the margin as a learning experience if it doesn't work.
Given my budget affords FS though, would the members have any additional advice on whether I do this and from there brand focus?
I'm comfortable buying used as well but there are not a lot on the market here. New inventory is just hitting the stores locally and we're partial to supporting local shops for both social reasons and we value the onsite tips and support. The local one we prefer stocks Specialized and Santa Cruz (possibly Yeti, however I haven't seen one on site). We also have a Trek shop near us, but I prefer the other shops service. I plan to demo everything I look at as well. My son has a Specialized HT and he's only 9 so at this point thinking he's fine with that bike for a while unless you think otherwise.
Appreciate any feedback and tips. Appreciate being told not to do FS as well with ways to pivot.
Thank you.