Quote:
Originally Posted by VincentVega
Paying a little more for disc brakes is $$ well spent if you are going to ride hard at all.
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+1.... but only if you plan to ride hard or want to keep up with a fast group of riders.
I consider myself a fairly avid cyclist and I do ride all type and terrain. A few weeks ago I looked over some new Giant ATB, 2014 closeouts. There's some decent mid-grade deals in that $1k range. Terrific bikes and all that but then while closing my eyes, lifted each one that I was admiring. They all weigh like fat little pigs ready for the butcher. To get something light, you've got to open the wallet considerably.
I'm thinking to myself, I'm not racing, in no hurry while out in the back country and no longer launch like a lunatic. So, I'm rather impressed with an old bike. Just going my pace on a simple, vintage 21 lbs Specialized Stumpjumper, Tange Prestige tubed that's robust and proven with old Shimano XT / LX stuff. All nominal maintenance and takes a few knocks and abuse. No monkey motion suspension with problematic pivots and bushings. Its riding on 26" rubber but not as fast as the ones noted below.
BTW: The Stumpy mentioned was $40.
Other bikes I ride off-road:
A vintage Motobecane upper-end road bike, drop bar, steel Reynolds 531 tubing throughout including fork. Geared for the occasional challenging climb and 700 x 34C cross tires. Its 21 /22 lbs. and with this diameter fast rubber it tackles the majority of single track and gravel really well. Granted this particular bike has an unusual rake and geometry of that era yet happens to be ideal off-road and climbing. Quite a hoot sometimes pouncing past young guys on their high zoot FS bikes. They can get a short burst and pull but not for long. The weight handicap, too much pogo suspension burning efficiency and run out of endurance.
Next is a late model (2010) Giant Rapid 1. Sub 20 lbs., hydro formed aluminum frame with carbon fork. Again, I've done some gearing changes and set-up a second set of wheels for a quick swap for off-road. 700 x 34C knobbies. I fit them under the caliper brakes by first deflating the tire and then squeeze under them, then inflate. It has a flat bar with typical index shifters but I added road drop bar ends. Harsher ride but this bike hauls and climbs like a rabbit. The sacrifice is not being able to scream down rough descents but more like technical crawl.
Lastly, I use a Camelback for all of my riding off-road. Take the weight off the chassis and no worry of flying loose bottles. All my tools, spares are in the Camelback. For the above bikes and when off-road, slap on a neoprene / velro chainstay protector.