Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 08:24pm PT
|
Ed ,I work in a bike shop and have been riding MTB'S since 88.
What kind of bike are you looking for,and what kind of riding?
I like to help.
|
|
SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 08:36pm PT
|
Hey Wilbeer....chiming in here too and looking for advice. I have been thinking of upgrading. I always thought I would go to a 29er. But I'm now getting swayed towards 27.5. I'm short, 5'5". I'm not a balls to the wall technical rider but for my age do ok. A lot of riding on the mid tech trails in Santa Cruz Mtns and several trips to Moab every year.
I am partial towards Santa Cruz and Specialized but open to other. Not interested in anything over 5k. Thoughts?
My current ride is an 8 year old Specialized StumpJumper
Susan
|
|
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
SLO, Ca
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 08:47pm PT
|
I recently got a MTB after many years without. While shopping I was surprised by the prices and choices. It's like entering the auto market with no prior experience. So, there are a billion opinions, most seeming to relate to weight and the quality of components. So in the end I ditched the weight and the components!
I figured I would start cheap and simple and then add things when I know what I want. I have yet to miss gears and think I can stick with a single speed- quiet, simple and light. I'm at least going to add front suspension and see if that is enough for what I am doing.
|
|
Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 08:54pm PT
|
My Old Skool MTB
Giant ATX sans shocks, and I'll still kick yer ass
Funny story:
Back in 1994 I dated a totally hot semi-pro MTB racer and triathelete. She told me that if I wanted to hang with her that I would have to get back into MTB.
Now, I could afford running gear and I was into running trail ultras, but this MTB thing was a different $$$ animal. I really wanted a Stumpjumper but I couldn't afford it.
So I showed up at the trailhead one day with my Giant - and this chick took one look at my $300 MTB and dumped me on the spot. I went on to ride with pros on this Giant and I kept with them the whole time. They tried to lose me on the Porcupine Rim climb and descent (we did the entire loop), but they couldn't lose me.
BTW I started MTB in 1964 in the hills around Los Angeles. We didn't have MTB and didn't call it MTB but we were riding downhill single tracks and jumps and stuff that was rad for the mid-60s.
|
|
wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 09:14pm PT
|
SC, I am a mechanic and rider,not a sales guy.
If you are shorter ,yes consider a 27.5.
They are the best of both worlds.The only problem ,might be ,say trashing a wheel on a trip somewhere.Not to many bshops are going to have one sitting there,just an example.
27.5 rides like bigger wheels and is a great compromise ,but ,it will not be long and 27.5 stuff will be everywhere.
29er's do rule for taller folks.
That's a great shot in Moab Harry!
|
|
Jeff Gorris
climber
Not from, Portlandia
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 09:28pm PT
|
Why are 29ers "in"? The really cool kids are riding FAT BIKES: http://fat-bike.com/
If you like Surly (and who doesn't) they have 2 fat bike frames to choose from.
Just Sayin.
|
|
SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 09:33pm PT
|
Love the Slickrock!
Determined. Old. Lady. Gasping.
Susan
|
|
wilbeer
Mountain climber
honeoye falls,ny.greeneck alleghenys
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 09:34pm PT
|
Fadbikes,Meh,29=porn
|
|
dee ee
Mountain climber
citizen of planet Earth
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 09:37pm PT
|
I haven't read the thread but 29 isn't in, 27.5 is.
According to my young friend at "The Path", "29 is dead."
But actually it's all BS. All the sizes are optimal for what you like. Just decide and go for it.
A guy I work with said "CD's and DVD's are dead." What an idiot.
|
|
TGT
Social climber
So Cal
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 09:59pm PT
|
Before you dump a lot of dough on a "name" check out the Motobecane's"
I don't do much off road, but I've got about 600 miles on one of their Ti cyclocross bikes now. A complete bike, 62cm frame is about 20lb. I'm really happy with it and the only changes have been to change to a brooks saddle and a setback seatpost. As ridden with the heavier seat, toolkit, and spare tube I'm at 24 lb.
Workmanship and components as good as anything selling for two to three times the price.
As far as I can tell, they only sell direct. They have something at about every price point, size and style.
bikesdirect.com
To get your hands on one of the higher end models in the average sizes you will probably have to pre-order and wait though. One of the ways they keep the price down is they charge your credit card when you order, not when they ship. But, I just figured I doubled my money on a three week loan. $1,500 for a bike that I couldn't touch for $3,000 in a local shop or $5K at REI.
|
|
crankster
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 10:14pm PT
|
Rolls over obstacles better. Faster. 26" is dead. Like straight skis. Or shoes before sticky rubber.
27.5" replacing it. People who say otherwise are clueless.
|
|
Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 10:22pm PT
|
My bro Brian still rides an old beater rigid 26er Cannondale with a soft ride head set. I guarantee he can out ride any one here both technically and cardio endurance, yet, he seldom rides these days. I ride my SC Blur all the time and can not come close to keeping up with him.
So it is not about the new fangled bike friends.
That said I've got my sites on the new Santa Cruz 27.5er. Oh Yea.
|
|
SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 10:30pm PT
|
That said I've got my sites on the new Santa Cruz 27.5er. Oh Yea.
Me too, but pricey. Considering I frequently ride by the Santa Cruz factory I was hoping for a factory special... Closest to that is that they are allowing demos at the factory several days a week starting this month.
Susan
|
|
crankster
Trad climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 10:33pm PT
|
Agree about the rider bring the main component, but times are changing and I would not buy a new 26" mtb. There's a reason for the switch. 27.5" is all-around better than 26" with very few exceptions.
|
|
looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 10:38pm PT
|
26 is sorta old school and a lot of people have plunked down on 29ers the last few years. But, it seems like 27.5 is the new hot thing. As someone who is not super tall, with somewhat shorter legs, about 1.5 years ago, I stuck with a 26 as the 29 seemed too big and didn't seem to be ideally suited to technical single track climbs (for me).
If money were no object, I'd probably buy another bike: a 27.5 with 1 x 11 gearing.
But, I really like my current ride (SC Blur TRC @23.5 lbs)... any new bike takes a while to get used to for me... and the limitation is not the bike.
Plunking serious money down on a bike is more than worth it if you ride a lot.
|
|
steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 11:25pm PT
|
Yeah, funny how the industry make sure everyone that wants to be cool keeps buying all new stuff ever couple of years. Prediction: 26-ers will be back in vogue pretty soon after they've exhausted the 27.5 pool.
I'm still old skool...rode my buddy's 29-er and the one thing I really noticed is that it's a bunch more work pushing those big suckers uphill. Unfortunately, a lot of "kids" these days just get someone to shuttle them to the top and then go blasting down like it's some kind of ski run. I prefer the workout. I'll stick with my Turner 5-Spot until it's time for replacement.
Hey Sketchy, nice SC. You know anything about the trail systems up in Big Bear? They any good? Been wanting to check them out one of these days. Would be nice to ride with someone who knows the place. After it warms up, obviously.
|
|
weezy
climber
|
|
|
Jan 20, 2014 - 11:28pm PT
|
chim-chim like smaller wheel
smaller wheel turn faster
make chim-chim happy
edit:I'd probably buy another bike: a 27.5 with 1 x 11 gearing.
i think this setup will be the new standard for a trail bike.
|
|
rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
|
|
|
Jan 21, 2014 - 02:38am PT
|
29ers without saddles are the next IN thing...just wait...
|
|
Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
|
|
|
Jan 21, 2014 - 02:59am PT
|
my interest is to take advantage of the various trails that are close by my house, Del Valle has both single track and dirt roads with some long rides I don't have to drive to get to.
More interested in going up then down, going down in control... I'm looking for conditioning and I'm not racing... so no need to go crazy there.
Basically looking for something appropriate for going off road.
Thanks for the tips so far!
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!