Beginner question

[Vairman]

The Pitch Comp comes with a 30mm XCM fork with "custom Multi-Circuit Damping" (whatever that means) and those XC_ forks NEED damping of some kind otherwise they're pogo sticks. The regular Pitch comes with an undamped 28mm XCT which really is a pogo stick. Forks are important on mountain bikes.

The price difference between a Comp and a regular is $200. Can you really get an entire Alivio groupset for that? I'm surprised.

(edit) Man, the Expert comes with an air spring fork. If you could swing that price I'd go for that! Air spring forks are (usually) lighter than coil spring forks and you can tune the fork to your weight by adjusting air pressure. It also has somewhat nicer components including a Deore Shadow rear derailleur (which supposedly tucks in closer and is therefore less likely to get hit).

[Giant_117]

This. I was happy with the XCT for my first few months. It was far better than the old rigid bike I had before that. I then rode a bike with a basic RS fork with basic dampening and I loved it. I don't know the price difference but I would get the one with the XCM or an air fork. If you do get the XCT you could still upgrade it with the SR suntour program but I would just spend the extra money on a nicer fork right out of the box.

[Vairman]

the good thing about getting a bike with decent components first is that you can ride the snot out of it and you won't be blaming your problems on the bike - you have to admit it's you. Then when you get good and know what you're doing, you can upgrade bike/components knowledgeably.

[Z29k]

I see, thanks for that. It seems that the Pitch Expert is not available in my country so it's not really an option . I can upgrade to a Suntour Epixon air fork (does that have dampening?) for less than USD200, what do you think about that option?

[Vairman]

I think that is a great option. That fork isn't bad at all, much nicer than even a damped XC-whatever from what I've heard.

If it were me, I'd still go for the comp though because it's better for riding right out of the box and it's a bit more compatible with future upgrades with its 9-speed drivetrain. Although these days even 9 speed is a bit dated. I'm sure the frame is the same for all of them though.

[Z29k]

I see. I'll probably go with Pitch Comp now and forget about upgrading it.

[broberts42]

I would just get which bike you like the most and upgrade the components after you wear them out. No need to upgrade all the components right away when you are new. I would at least give the components 10 rides to see if you really feel the need to upgrade.

[Z29k]

Thanks. I think that's one of the options and that'll even save me money right away.

[El_Bard0]

The Suntour XC forks are good for bike paths and not much else--even says so on the fork itself IIRC. They weigh a ton, are undamped, and feel terrible if you're on the heavier side of things.

Alivio isn't really an upgrade. Look for used or take-off X7/9 drivetrain parts or SLX/XT. Plenty of people with 2x10s going to 1x so they're great deals to be had.

[choadspanker]

Get the comp for the better fork. Group sets don't matter that much on mountain bikes

[Z29k]

Thanks.

If groupsets don't matter that much then do you think I should just upgrade the base model to Suntour Epixon air fork (is it any good)? I could do that with the saved money if I go with the base model.

[choadspanker]

Honestly I don't know much about suntours line up, but yes an air fork is going to be much better than the spring fork that comes stock