After years of being out of mountain biking I moved to AZ and started up again, I purchased a 2015 pitch sport. Within a few rides I knew I needed a new forks, the stock one was not doing anything. I picked up a suntour airshock and it made a world of difference and dropped 2.5 lbs. Eventually I switched to a one by eleven and really liked it. As I got better I knew I needed a full suspension. A year later I got a stumppy 6fattie, aside from the suspension the geometry made the pitch feel like a toy. That being said, my pitch is a great entry level bike but knowing what I know now I would look for something with a little more modern geometry, the biggest difference is the confidence and control going downhill. I when I switch between my bikes the front tire on my pitch is just too far back, not enough slack in the headtube angle. Downhills that are horrifying on my pitch are uneventful or casual on my 6fattie. Also just to correct your verbage the steep headtube angles means upright, slack headtube angles means more laid back or chopper like. I would look for something with a 67-68 degree headtube angle.

 

You're right. And it's a universal problem. No experience about what you need. Rent a bike and ride your trails and then think about what you'll want. Save yourself 400 right up front. Ask about free demo days.

 

The Specialized Pitch sport may be as good a bike as you might find new for $400. I'll only say it one time because I am a little bit of a Specialized hater in recent years. Specialized loves to hide the cheapest junk parts in places that can't be seen or noticed when you test ride. The rear hub, headset, and bottom bracket on my sons's Fuse failed in well under a year and when I finally upgraded those parts they were absolute junk. The bearing surfaces actually failed.

If your budget is only $400 you may want to shop used. You can maximize your money that way. The problem is, you will need a bike savy friend or LBS to help. While is is possible to buy a $800 bike for $400 only slightly used, it is also possible to buy a bike that needs $400 in work because it is used up.

Looking at the specs the fork is a weak link on the Pitch. With that said, you aren't going to get a better fork in that price range.

 

Hey thanks for the replies! I gotta figure out how to get email notifications of replies. I thought no one had replied until i logged in. The feedback is priceless with my lack of experience. Also thanks for the verbage correction Yes, the geometry does look too upright. This bike was bought and never rode. So it is used technically. Can anyone recommend a bike in that price range with better slack headtube angle? I would love to spend more but as a father of 4 on single income i simply cant justify it, especially on a first bike. Locally i have access to marin, trek and of course specialized. No one has a good rental program here so i can just cruise around the block and jump curbs. Im going to base most of my decision based on research and input from guys like you. Thanks again!!

 

I am in same boat with specialized... Lots of junk parts... But it may depend on how much you plan to ride. Think if you keep the pitch to some mild single track, np. But definitely find someone who knows bikes and a good used. May be better. FYI, family owns 2 pitches & rockhoppers for racing single track... The cost is getting ugly as we need to upgrade hubs and derailleurs...

 

Im thinking the pitch will be too upright for what i want to do which is pretty much singletrack/trail. Where i live singletracks means plenty of hills. Up and down. Pretty sure the pitch headtube angle sits at 73*

 

70.5* which is just fine. I ride some gnarly trails on my Specialized hardtail that has a 71* hta.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/trail/pitch-sport-650b/106497 scroll to specs at bottom of the page

 

So i cant seem to find the degrees in the specs section but i believe you. So how much difference does a few degrees make?

 

$500 is your price range look at the Kona Lana'I KONA BIKES | MTB | MTB HARDTAIL | Lana'i, I think the geometry is better.

 

Thanks robgdds! Will do! I actually rode a used one and like it but it was too small. 17.5. Could have had it for 260

 

One of my lbs' s is a kona dealer so maybe i can get one through him. Pretty sure im gonna stop searching fb and cr for used bikes and just get one new with lbs support. Im tired of searching!

 

Well you tried your best! Nothing wrong with grabbing a good deal on a new bike! Whatever you choose, go out and have fun on it!

 

Jensen has some great deals on Kona, but of course they are small frame.

I was going to buy a pitch sport, none in stock near me except goodales who would not budge on the msrp.

I tried for a month looking for used on forums and CL, figured I could find a deal. I could not find anything as people think their old bikes are worth a lot.

Went with a SE Bikes Big Mountain 1.0 27.5 w/hydraulic brakes for $300 on Amazon. Much better than I thought it would be and way cheaper than someone's overpriced 2005 bike.

Added my spare parts, Specialized grips, seat and pedals. Ordered raceface 60mm stem, schwalabe tires and continental presta tubes. Next is an air fork on Jensen. All in at $550, new and way better than I could find locally for used.

For the prices some people ask for old bikes, I feel like I gave away my 2016 Specialized Camber Comp Carbon 650b for $2500. But lost job and have to do what you have to do.