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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,593
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Time for a new mountain bike....
I had a nice Cannondale mountain bike stolen a few years back, and replaced it with a road bike, which I get more use out of.
But now I'm really missing the off-road action. My question: I've never had a bike with suspension. How much energy is lost riding a suspension bike? Or should I stick with a hard-tail? The Cannondale was a joy to ride. I bought it used, and had no idea when I bought it how much I would enjoy it's quality. What say the Pelican Brainiacs? |
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08-03-2007, 12:20 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Usa
Posts: 5,573
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The amount of energy sucked up by the suspension is going to vary significantly with the suspension type. If you are staying with a lightweight cross-country type full suspension bike, the difference is much smaller than with, say, a full down-hill type bike.
I do 24 hour races as a solo rider. I'm very slow, but I can ride for 24 without stopping. I did one on a hardtail and have done 6 or 7 on my full suspension (Giant NRS-1). On fast trail, the hard tail is definately quicker offering very direct transmission of power. You know, like an old 911. But the full suspension bike, in spite of 4 pounds more weight, is actually quicker on technical climbs. I seem to be more able to put power to the rear wheel on rough climbs with the full suspension. I concede that I'm losing a small percentage of energy to the rear suspension, but it makes up for that by keeping traction. The difference on my lower back was the main reason I ride the full boinger on the long races. I have no lower back pain. Nice... The only drawback to full suspension that bothers me is not the added weight or the small pedal efficiency loss, it is the maintenance. I go thru rear suspension bushings about every 6 months. The bike starts to ghost shift under power and no amount of tuning will cure it. Time for bushings and then all is good in my bike world! angela
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Hello http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1102514-we-lost-amazing-woman-yesterday.html |
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08-03-2007, 12:53 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bay Area, CA.
Posts: 2,047
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Hello
I am not sure what your budget is, but check out our bikes www.sycip.com email me if interested, I may be able to give a discount to fellow pelican 
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08-03-2007, 01:07 PM
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Unconstitutional Patriot
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: volunteer state
Posts: 5,620
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Quote:
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08-03-2007, 01:21 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bay Area, CA.
Posts: 2,047
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hahha I am serious about the discount by the way.... you need to contact me when your ready.....
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08-03-2007, 01:52 PM
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Registered
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Depends on what kind of trails you are riding... Go to a bike shop and test ride a hardtail and suspension frame back to back.
A cross country bike with just a few inches of travel won't be that huge of a burden on pedal efficiency. A DH bike with 6"+ will make you b*tch and moan.
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991.1 RS - Lava Orange 991.1 GT3 - Sapphire Blue - gone 997.2 GT3 - Guards Red - gone 996 GT3 4 Liter - Basalt Black - gone |
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08-03-2007, 03:03 PM
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is this thing on?
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Franklin, NJ
Posts: 2,527
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i just bought a k2 lithium 4.0, awesome bike....i got lucky and it was scratched in shippment and then k2 shipped me a k2 lithium 5.75
http://www.rei.com/product/747792 ...check out www.thebicycleoutlet.com or rscycle.com...great places. |
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08-03-2007, 03:38 PM
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Dog-faced pony soldier
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Lovin' my Cannondale here.
Great advice on this forum - I hang out on it frequently: http://www.bikeforums.net
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A car, a 911, a motorbike and a few surfboards Black Cars Matter |
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08-03-2007, 06:59 PM
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Moderator
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Don Plumley M235i memories: 87 911, 96 993, 13 Cayenne |
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08-03-2007, 08:40 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bay Area, CA.
Posts: 2,047
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Hello Don We are located in Santa Rosa... |
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08-04-2007, 06:48 AM
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,593
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Thanks for all the tips. Bike Forums is an information overload. I got some reading to do!
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08-04-2007, 05:34 PM
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,593
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The Verdict:
I bought a full-suspension Cannondale today. Makes my old hard-tail seem pretty obsolete. Pretty comfy on the street, climbs better than anything I've been on before, and I was really suprised at the confidence level on a relatively rough, steep downhill trail I just took it on. I couldn't be happier. |
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08-08-2007, 05:21 PM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5 l 8v I-4
1987 Porsche Carrera 3.2 
