Best 29er hardtail on the cheap?

[Their Only Portrait]

Hola,

I'm planning to cycle South America making & printing family portraits for those who've none (www.theironlyportrait.com) and pretty soon I'll be heading to the Amazon for my 2nd warm up trip.
So far, the Project is self-funded and with the Argentinian currency being 13 to 1 with USD and all the gear I needed to upgrade my budget is vanishing... so I's wondering which 29er Hardtail would you recommend to someone with a tight budget?

THANKS,
Federico Cabrera
www.theironlyportrait.com

[geekonabike]

If it was me I'd try to find a lightly use Ebay bike with a seller willing to ship to Argentinia. I'd also thing about going with a rigid fork, much less maintenance & cost.

[Their Only Portrait]

Hola geekonabike,

Thanks for your message! I've the possibility to ship all the gear I buy on the US to a friend's house at Miami... do you've any specific brand to recommend?

Saludos,
Federico

[chrisx]

May, June, and July are the most expensive months to buy a bicycle in North America.   It is now warm out, and everyone wants to cycle.  In August there will be a 10% off sale or some small discount.  November there will be a sale.  In January bike shops will sell left over 2015 bikes for 30%, 40%, 50%, off.  May, June, July you pay more.  November, January, February, you pay less.  Nothing on sale in December, before Christmas. 

[sfuller]

I don't know about "best", but for durability, I'd look into an *older* Surly Karate Monkey (some had both disk and sidepull brake mounts) or the new Surly Ogre. Both had rack and fender mounts and were good all around 29" wheeled mountain bikes. I'd keep the rigid fork on both of them.

[Their Only Portrait]

May, June, and July are the most expensive months to buy a bicycle in North America.   It is now warm out, and everyone wants to cycle.  In August there will be a 10% off sale or some small discount.  November there will be a sale.  In January bike shops will sell left over 2015 bikes for 30%, 40%, 50%, off.  May, June, July you pay more.  November, January, February, you pay less.  Nothing on sale in December, before Christmas. 

Hola Chrisx,

Thanks for the good info, I'll try to remember it for the next time... unfortunately I need to get one now, even if it's the most expensive time of the year

Saludos,
Federico

[Their Only Portrait]

I don't know about "best", but for durability, I'd look into an *older* Surly Karate Monkey (some had both disk and sidepull brake mounts) or the new Surly Ogre. Both had rack and fender mounts and were good all around 29" wheeled mountain bikes. I'd keep the rigid fork on both of them.

Hola Sfuller,

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye open to see if I found one of these online... used Surlys seem to have a great quality/price relation

Saludos,
Federico

[Harley431010]

In the Dallas area, there are several Facebook pages set up for advertising used bikes for sale.  I have seen quite a few used name brand bikes selling for $400 this spring, sometimes less.  They usually appear to be in good riding shape.  Check your area for similar pages.  I wouldn't get hung up on a name brand.  It's more important to get a bike that fits and is in good mechanical condition.  Now if you were racing, then you definitely need a xxxxxxxxx brand carbon fiber bike.  Ha, just kidding on that part.

[Their Only Portrait]

In the Dallas area, there are several Facebook pages set up for advertising used bikes for sale.  I have seen quite a few used name brand bikes selling for $400 this spring, sometimes less.  They usually appear to be in good riding shape.  Check your area for similar pages.  I wouldn't get hung up on a name brand.  It's more important to get a bike that fits and is in good mechanical condition.  Now if you were racing, then you definitely need a xxxxxxxxx brand carbon fiber bike.  Ha, just kidding on that part.

Hola Harley,

Thanks for the info! I'm interested in Surly and any other Brand still using chromoly steel

Saludos,
Federico