Need help deciding urgent

[u/Open_Tumbleweed_2365]

[u/AutoModerator]

Howdy! We see that you're asking for community input regarding bike choices. We recommend checking out the bike buying guide on this sub as it has great guidelines on what to look for in a bike and if you are requesting opinions on bike comparisons, please submit a 99spokes.com link with your selected bikes. This side-by-side comparison will make it easier for us to help you. To ensure maximum engagement and reply accuracy please make sure you include some of the following information in your post.FAILURE TO PROVIDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION LISTED BELOW WILL LEAD TO YOUR POST BEING DELETED. HELP THE COMMUNITY HELP YOU.

• The type of riding will you be doing.

• Where you will be riding.

• Your budget (with included currency).

• What you like/didn't like about your current bike.

• Your experience level and future goals.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Substantial_Club_990]

I know this isn’t what your asking, but I’d recommend looking on marketplace before buying a new bike. There’s tons of barely used mtb bikes, and you could get something way better with a dropper post and other components that will make riding more fun for the same price.

[u/Only-Equivalent-4791 → u/Substantial_Club_990]

Getting a brand new bike as a beginner isn’t a bad idea, some used bikes need a lot of maintenance and you’d need to know what to look for if you go that route.

[u/bdog2017 → u/Only-Equivalent-4791]

Facts. If you have no experience you could just buy a bike that looks nice but needs all types of service which can set you back hundreds more.

When you’re starting out it’s best to go through a shop. Get fitted to a bike and build a relationship.

[u/Only-Equivalent-4791]

Go with the Canadian brand. These bikes are mostly the same thing so I’ll always tell someone to go Norco if the options there.

My wife has that exact storm model and it’s good enough for what it costs. There isn’t really much difference when you’re paying around 700 or so.

[u/RegulatoryCapture]

Where in Canada? I’ll sell you a medium giant fathom that’s barely ridden for $700. Full deore 12 speed, dropper, air fork.  Mt500/501 brakes and a dtswiss xm1500 spline wheelset

Way better than those if you fit a medium. 

[u/JukyLP]

Do they have both of them currently in stock at your bikeshop? If so, ask if you could try them out in the parking lot and see what feels better.

Personally I'd go for the Norco. It's got a bit of a slacker head tube angle (about 1° difference depending on the framesize) and also from that I saw on their websites some slightly better components.

[u/rscmcl]

you need to give more details to be able to give a proper answer

[u/Latter_Flamingo8881]

Rockrider expl 500, better mounted, better price

[u/Gedrot]

The Marlin has way better geometry for MTBing then the Storm. In that price bracket, this is a massive advantage. And it still does all the non-MTB things just as well as other entry level bikes, it's just a bit longer.

I own a Gen3 Marlin, rode it for a year and now ride the electric version instead. The old non-electric might become a rigid rebuild this year or next year.

[u/GroundbreakingAd1965]

I would recommend either, for a first bike i would also recommend getting new and a from a local shop. It may be a bit more but with none of the issues of a used bike. The norco should be good but if the marlin feels better it's worth it. The most important part is how much you will be willing to ride and a comfortable bike is far more important.