Help me pick a mountain bike.

[lendaddy]

I had a K2 Proflex 4000 SE years ago and sold it because it was not fun to ride. It was heavy and the parasitic rear suspension made you feel like you were riding uphill everywhere.

Are my observations correct and I might really like a hardtail or am I just fat and lazy and even a hardtail won't be fun to ride like when I was kid?

I NEED exorcise, and I have a 15 mile network of trails directly behind my house. I feel really guilty for not using them

[bryanthompson]

I'm 3 houses away from the bike path here... I wondered around a few bike shops, but nothing really got my attention. Waaay too many choices.

[legion]

I've ridden both, and I'll go for a hardtail every time. I've had a Trek 6000 for 8 years and other than standard things wearing out, it's been great. I've rode it so much I actually wore out the gears!

(Right now it's sitting in the garage disused since an off-road triathlon in September. I bent the rear deraileur hanger. I was going to get it fixed this week, but the BOV on my 951 broke. Priorities and all. )

[turbo6bar]

Figure out what size you need and buy a cheap Cannondale from eBay. For simplicty, you could even go with a single speed. I bought a single speed mountain bike a few months ago, and I love riding it. I don't take it on trails, but for tooling around, it can't be beat. Light, stiff, very low maintenance.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by turbo6bar
Figure out what size you need and buy a cheap Cannondale from eBay. For simplicty, you could even go with a single speed. I bought a single speed mountain bike a few months ago, and I love riding it. I don't take it on trails, but for tooling around, it can't be beat. Light, stiff, very low maintenance.

The trails behind my house have a TON of elevation changes and technical areas. It's really a competition circuit not a leisure trail. This I actually like, as I use to race MX and a little "on the edge" is more than welcome. But I think a single speed is out of the question.

What I really want to know is the difference in feel on a hardtail and a FS bike. Are the parasitic losses really as bad as I remember or am I (again) just fat and lazy now?

[RickM]

I've just started taking advantage of the large network of paths here with the wife and daughter. Don't laugh but I'm pretty happy with the $200 anchor that I bought at Costco. I get a good work out for sure

[David]

It seems like Trek and Specialized have many good bikes in the sub $1000 range. Many bike shops are selling below the list price seen on the manufacturers websites. I bought my wife a Trek for less then $400 and I think it's better than the $1200 bikes were not too many years ago.

[will944]

Full suspension bikes have come a long way since the early 90s. They are far more advanced and cross-country friendly.

If I were you, I would get the best full suspension you can afford. The better the components, the longer they will last before having to tune them. I can't tell you how often I tune friends bikes (low budget stuff). I hammer my bike week after week and never have to tune it.

Look at Trek, Giant, Specialized. All are large companies that offer some pretty good deals. Look at Gary Fisher too....look at their FS bike w/ 29 inch wheels. They're a blast!!

I personally will not own a FS. But that's my preference after years of cycling.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by will944
I personally will not own a FS. But that's my preference after years of cycling.

Thanks for the info, but did you mean "you don't own one" or " You won't own one"? If so why, after such a glowing appraisal?

[turbo6bar]

lenster, I think you're missing the forest. Get out and ride. I don't think full suspension/hardtail will mean the difference between a good ride and bad ride. If a FS bike is not fun to ride, I suppose a hardtail won't be a revelation. Now, if you're a techo-geek, perhaps the latest is exactly what you need.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by turbo6bar
lenster, I think you're missing the forest. Get out and ride. I don't think full suspension/hardtail will mean the difference between a good ride and bad ride. If a FS bike is not fun to ride, I suppose a hardtail won't be a revelation. Now, if you're a techo-geek, perhaps the latest is exactly what you need.

Hmm, not what I wanted to hear. I just remember riding being somewhat easy except when going uphill or pushing it for acceleration and my FS bike was a struggle all the time. Perhaps I underestimate the vitality of youth

[nostatic]

what's your budget? What kind of trails? What kind of riding?

I owned some of the best FS designs a few years back including Ellsworth Truth and Titus Racer-X. I always came back to my Moots YBBeat softail...a bike that I will never sell.

If you are in rut infested trails and like to bomb downhill fast, a FS is probably the way to go. If you really like to climb and your trails are fairly smooth, HT. If it is a mix, it depends on what is more important to you. No FS design is as efficient climbing as a HT *unless* the trail is very technical and/or you have poor technique. Technology can cover a lot of problems (think traction control, etc), but it also allows you to go fast and get in over your head.

[JavaBrewer]

Len,

I have a very similar experience with a GT LTS that I rode many years ago. It was one of the first FS bikes on the market. Other than bombing downhills (which I never enjoyed anyway) the FS diminished the ride on flats and uphills. I sold that bike on Craigs list 2 years ago. In shopping for a replacement I was determined to get a HT for simplicity with good components and frame. I ended up buying a Giant from Performance Cycle on sale with Deore LX components, disk brakes f/r, decent front fork, and quality light weight frame for $600 with lifetime free service/adjustments. In my cycling days of past I never would have shopped at Performance (bicycling equal to Sears) but have to admit the bike has been great so far (14 months). The <$1K mtb market to be pretty lean. Most of the good bikes (quality components, frame, light weight) started in the $2K and up range. I think going for a HT over a FS in the same price braket will buy you better components and frame.

If I start to up my riding time first up on the upgrade block will be wheels, hubs, and crank set. Quality wheelsets are key when your legs are the motor.

Edit - page 6 on this thread has a post from me with a picture of the then new Giant.

[CRH911S]

I ride a FS Specialized and the only reason I did this is because of a history of back problems-2 herniated discs. At the time of purchase I had the shop install a stronger progressive spring in the rear and I dumped the knobby tires for full pavement type. Last but not least invest in a good helmet.
Reflecting on the vitality of youth should be an encouragement. Find someone to ride with enjoy your great trail system. Oh, and one other thing? Thank the liberal politicians that funded those trails that put those conservatives to work. Just kidding. Enjoy!

[will944]

Originally posted by lendaddy
Thanks for the info, but did you mean "you don't own one" or " You won't own one"? If so why, after such a glowing appraisal?

It means I DID own one....and went back to hardtail. Since...I've never looked back. I prefer the control of a hardtail. I also love to climb....so it works much better for me.


My opinion is - if you're getting back into the sport and unsure about what you want or need. A new FS is a safe bet. It will be very comfortable, and will allow you to stay in the saddle more when riding over roots etc etc.

When I am extremely tired, I find I'm not quick to get out of my saddle. In this cases....a FS bike would be a much better ride!

Try and find something with 2.5-3 inches of travel. that's a good amount for a x-country bike.

[lendaddy]

Thanks guys,

I would probably get a used bike and trick it out as needed (that's what I do, get toys for my toys)

Todd,

The trails are hard pack mostly, virtually no rock work, plenty of road I'm sure as well.

[Rodeo]

Originally posted by lendaddy The trails are hard pack mostly, virtually no rock work, plenty of road I'm sure as well. [/B]

Based on that statement, and your adversion to extra weight, definitely go with hard tail. FS bikes have come a long way in recent years (I still have my K2 Proflex though), but the trend seems to be toward very heavy bikes even for cross country.

I don't like that trend at all, I prefer light and agile (I do drive an Elise!), so unless I'm doing serious rocks/downhill, I take out my ancient Brigestone with Judy SL front fork and I'm very happy!

[Drago]

Based on your comments I'd recommend a good steel hard tail frame with a decent quality fork. Steel is more forgiving than aluminum and a lot cheaper than Ti. Good wheels, hand built preferably, would be good as your a bigger guy. Shimano LX and up for components (or Campy if you got the $$$).

I'm going in this Friday to be fit for a custom steel frame from these guys.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by lendaddy


The trails are hard pack mostly, virtually no rock work, plenty of road I'm sure as well.

yeah, hardtail. Just get a big fat rear tire. That and riding technique gives all the "suspension" you'll likely need. Plus maintenance is a lot less...

Use the money you saved to by Ti goodies

http://www.moots.com

[lendaddy]

I went and looked at a Gary Fisher X-Caliber with 29" Wheels and disc brakes and a bunch of other goodies. I like the way it looked

Do you guys know much about this 29" trend? Is it bunk?
How about Fisher bikes? I can pick this one up new for a little over a grand.


I assume a 19" frame is good for my 6'2" bod? Or should I go 21"?

This is the bike (I would get Black)



Here are the specs:

Sizes SM (15.5") | MD (17.5") | LG (19") | XL (21") (Sizing)

Main frame Platinum Series ZR9000 internally and externally butted aluminum | Disc Specific | Genesis 29" Geometry

Fork RockShox Reba SL Dual Air 29 | External rebound, internal floodgate, external compression and lock-out | Butted aluminum steerer | 80mm travel

Headset Aheadset | Semi-cartridge | Sealed

Bottom bracket TruVativ ISIS GigaPipe

Crank Bontrager Select 44/32/22

Pedals Shimano M505 ATB clipless

Front derailleur Shimano M-510 Deore

Rear derailleur SRAM X.7

Shifters SRAM X.7 Triggers

Cassette SRAM PG950 | 11-34 | 9spd

Chain Shimano HG73

Front wheel Bontrager Superstock 29 Disc wheelsystem

Rear wheel Bontrager Superstock 29 Disc wheelsystem

Front Tire Bontrager Jones XR 29x2.25

Rear tire Bontrager Jones XR 29x2.2

Front brake Avid BB7 mechanical disc | 6" rotor

Rear brake Avid BB7 mechanical disc | 6" rotor

Brake levers Avid FR5

Handlebar Bontrager Select OS

Stem Bontrager Select OS | 7d rise

Grips Bontrager Dual Density

Saddle Bontrager Race Lux

Seatpost Bontrager Sport