How to Choose Mountain Bikes

Build your confidence and become an expert on your local trail systems with the Salsa Rangefinder Deore 12-speed 29 bike. This hardtail's ready for singletrack, doubletrack and even bikepacking trips.
Imported.
Best Use | Mountain Biking |
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Mountain Bike Style | All-mountain |
Frame | Aluminum |
Bike Suspension | Front Suspension |
Fork | SR Suntour XCR34 Boost, Air, LOR, DS, 120 mm OR RST Aerial 110-15, Air, TNL, 120 mm |
Fork Travel | 120 millimeters |
Crankset | Shimano MT501, 30T |
Shifters | Shimano Deore M6100 |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore M6100 SGS |
Rear Cogs | Shimano Deore M6100 10-51T, 12-speed |
Number of Gears | 12 gear(s) |
Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brake |
Brakes | Shimano MT200 OR Tektro M520 OR Promax DSK-925 |
Rims | WTB ST i30 32 h 29 |
Front Hub | Shimano MT400 Center Lock 15 x 110 mm thru axle |
Rear Hub | Shimano MT200 Center Lock 10 x 141 mm quick-release |
Wheel Size | 29 inches |
Tires | Maxxis Rekon 29 x 2.6 in., EXO Wire Bead |
Tire Width | 2.6 inches |
Handlebar Shape | Riser Bar |
Handlebar | Salsa Rustler 31.8, 800 mm width |
Stem | Salsa Guide 31.8, 60 mm, 6 d |
Seat Post | TranzX YSP18PLQ 130 mm dropper |
Saddle | WTB Volt Medium, steel, 142 x 265 mm |
Pedals | Not included |
Headset | FSA Orbit NO.57E 1.5 ZS |
Chain | Shimano Deore M6100 |
Weight | Unavailable |
Gender | Unisex |
Dropper Post | Yes |
XS | S | M | L | XL | |
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Height Range | 5'2" - 5'6" | 5'3" - 5'9" | 5'8" - 6' | 5'11" - 6'3" | 6'2" and up |
Reach | 400.6 | 421.5 | 444.4 | 470.4 | 494.3 |
Stack | 601.9 | 606.4 | 611 | 620.1 | 629.3 |
Effective Top Tube | 566.7 | 589 | 613.3 | 641.9 | 668.5 |
Seat Tube Center-Top | 355 | 381 | 431 | 470 | 508 |
Standover Height | 688.6 | 708.3 | 747.2 | 779.1 | 808.7 |
Head Tube Length | 95 | 100 | 105 | 115 | 125 |
Head Tube Angle (degrees) | 68.6 | 68.6 | 68.6 | 68.5 | 68.5 |
Seat Tube Angle (degrees) | 74.6 | 74.6 | 74.6 | 74.5 | 74.5 |
Wheelbase | 1,101.9 | 1,124.7 | 1,149.6 | 1,179.4 | 1,207.1 |
Chainstay | 439 | 439 | 439 | 439 | 439 |
Fork Offset | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 | 51 |
Measurements are stated in centimeters unless otherwise indicated.
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I've had my Rangefinder Deore 12-speed 29er for a year now and I honestly think it's one of the best bang-for-your-buck all-round MTBs out there. I bought it to use for bike packing purposes, not wanting to break the bank, and it's been wonderful. I use it for moderate mountain biking as well - nothing too technical - and it's been delightful there as well. I think this is remarkably well equipped for the price. I knocked it down one star because my front rotor/brakes started a metallic vibrating when riding on pavement, so it hasn't been flawless. Some components are a little bit more entry level. But for the price, I didn't expect perfection. It's a great bike.
Great bike that is a notch above entry/budget level MTB. Things I love- the 12speed Deore, dropper post, boost sizing, 120mm air fork (which I extended to 130mm), decent geometry (extending fork travel slacked the head tube angle), 2.6" tire clearance. Things I am less pleased about- rear hub is QR, tires were not tubeless capable (although rims are!), brakes levers are lowest level Shimano (I upgraded to Deore).
Rangefinder is a good strong runner and the 29'er with 12 speed drivetrain keeps up with the rest and won't keep you back. I found myself changing gears less and riding harder as the Deore seemed a bit clunky on gear changes. This hardtail was solid and had no issues with the hydraulic brakes, chain stretched out by mile 500 which is average for my riding style.
Bought this bike online and when it arrived my jaw dropped at how bad this bike was. This bike is built up with the quality of a $750 bike. I was coming from a Co-op DRT 1.2 so I assumed this would be an overall upgrade but it’s a huge downgrade. Unless there’s some compelling reason you need to have this bike, I’d go for something else with better components and a usable fork. This fork is dangerous.
I was searching for an entry-level bike that supports 60% road and 40% off-road riding. Also I wanted one that supports my hight well (6’2). I was surprised that size Large was big enough but with the 29” wheels it feels bigger than it is. Riding is smooth on both terrains - I have already given it some hard bumps in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Also, I like the suspension in the front - I can adjust it to the terrain easily while riding.
Good Bike for climbing. I used this bike every day to climb 1500 feet. Gears, brakes, etc, all work great. I could use for light mountain biking. If it was really technical I have a different bike for that. This bike is my every day climber
So far Im a fan. For the price its light and fun to ride. I plan to take this on the CT next August. One of the bonus to my purchase has been the customer service I have got from the OKC REI bike shop.
The parts on this bike seem to be the absolute lowest you can use and still justify selling it for over $1k. I had to change the front tube after only one real ride, because the bike shop at REI Fairfax, VA put the stem in crooked, causing it to rupture. I'm a fairly the strong guy, but the tire was ridiculously hard to remove, and even harder to get back on. I was sweating. Then, after a casual ride down to the end of my driveway to test the brake alignment, the chain slipped out of place and bent the derailleur so hopelessly out of shape that I finally gave up repairing it. I stopped immediately after it happened, and carried my bike back into the garage. But it was too late. I suppose I should have been more careful, though I'm not sure how. None of my cheapo bikes required such tender care. They took all kinds of abuse from riding and my own mechanical ineptitude, and kept right on going. Imagine having parts like this out on a long trail. Unfortunately, (how many times have you read this in a review), life happened right after I bought the bike, so that I didn't get a chance to really ride it until just a few weeks after the one year return deadline. Now after one good ride, I have an expensive garage ornament. I suppose I'm going to have to refit the bike with some better parts. I'd thought, hey, Shimano, they should be decent. I just wished I'd spent the money on a better base to start from. Besides that, the rear chain guard was so flimsily attached that it would have been better not to use it at all. I don't think I'd buy another bike from REI. Either I'll build it myself, or go to the local bike shop where they pay more attention to detail.