REI Co-op Members: Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Mountain Bike - $479 + Free Store Pickup

Is this a decent beginner trail bike/ good deal? Or should I be looking more at something used? Looking to get into trail riding.

I see Scheels has a trek Marlin 5 for $600

Tourney is garbage. This is very overpriced.

Is this a decent beginner trail bike/ good deal? Or should I be looking more at something used? Looking to get into trail riding.

I see Scheels has a trek Marlin 5 for $600

edit: also the GT aggressor pro is only $300 which leaves wiggle room for upgrades.

Is this a decent beginner trail bike/ good deal? Or should I be looking more at something used? Looking to get into trail riding.

I see Scheels has a trek Marlin 5 for $600

edit: also the GT aggressor pro is only $300 which leaves wiggle room for upgrades.

I'm no expert, but the biggest problems I see are quick release(QR) axles, 27.5" wheels, and 3x7 drivetrain.

Axles - QR allows the possibility of your wheel falling out when you're in mid air, since it's retained through pinching instead of being contained in it's entire circumference by the frame /fork material. So it's a U socket that gets pinched for retension vs a pass through axle that's bolted in.

Wheels - 29" wheels are the standard for mountain bikes now because they have less rolling resistance when rolling over objects, such as rocks, roots, branches, etc. Larger wheels make it easier to roll over things due to physics. If you're riding your bike on flat surface with no obstacles this is less of a concern.

Drivetrain - The higher spec'd bikes all use a 1x drivetrain because it allows less chain jumping/chain loss. Meaning the chain won't come completely off the gears and need to be manually placed back on the gears. In a 1x drivetrain there is no front derailer because there is only one cog at the crank(pedals.) You still retain full width of drivetrain capability because the variation of teeth on the cassette is wider to make up for the lost gearing at the crank.

All that being said, if this is gonna be used for leisurely rides with mostly flat terrain once or twice a year, this is still a solid bike. If you're buying the bike for upgradablity or to go on more action packed rides with climbs, decents, obstacles, with the intent on improving your skill and trying harder tracks over time, this is not the place to spend your money.

None of those are a problem, except the 3x7.

Virtually every bike in this price range will have QR axles. QR had been in use for decades. You don't need boost, especially if you're shopping in this price range.

29er vs 27.5 is more a function of height than anything. I'm 6'1, and still prefer 27.5, but if you're below about 5'6", 29er starts feeling big.

3x7 was the standard from the 80s though much of the 90s, but now it is all tourney. They've abandoned those old designs.

REI house brand Co-Op is fine and the big plus is their service with free adjustments or parts replacement if needed. I've found they always do a good job with having knowledgeable techs working on bikes.
Regarding the Marlin 5: nothing there to make the jump from the Co-Op to the Marlin 5. Ignore the guy bashing the Tourney rear der..it's a easily replaced part for $30. with Deore when it's worn out. The GT Agressor Pro is a definite step down and I would certainly avoid having Dick's handle any bike issue. With REI you get a no questions asked return if needed and the points can be used for swag.

Service is good, but there are not many people who live closer to an rei than a bike shop.

Yes, an Altus derailer is under $20, which makes the choice of tourney embarrassing.
https://www.amazon.com/JKSPORTS-S...07ZV4Y72K/

You are comparing two entry level components and not one better than the other. YOur comments show you either don't ride mt, have never built a bike from frame up, or both. Arguing entry level rear der's is pointless unless one moves way up the ladder and that's only as good as it's adjusted correctly. Shimano's entry level stuff works and when worn (years later for 95% of riders) move up for cheap.

I've built plenty of bikes and you clearly have never worked with tourney (lucky you).

I put one on a kids half bike, and it literally fell apart...on asphalt... unloaded.
There are countless accounts of how shitty these are online as well.

Altus/Acera is the bare minimum, and that is apparently what REI chose for the shifters, luckily (rapidfire).

any component can fail. I group ride mt and see some new riders go all year without issues on entry level mt bikes. Rear der's are the least of entry level parts to be concerned as the bigger failures are front susp., cheap wheels that bend and shifters. Here in N Cal we have some nasty trails so I'm not talking bike park/smooth trails or fire roads.

When in the same gear, 29" wheels are faster off the line because each complete rotation of the crank moves you further, since the wheel is larger.