Have I determined my riding style enough to buy a new bike? If so, ...

[dirtyBird]

Note: (I posted this on mtbr but figure I should get some local advice as well)

Any recommendations on a new bike? Ive been riding a hand-me down but I'm planning on making an informed decision in the next few weeks. I'm learning more about what and where I want to ride and would love some advice. Thanks.

I want Full-Suspension
I'll never race
I'll never do big drops
I care more about stability than speed
I'll never just take my to the top of the hill and fly down
I simply enjoy being out in the woods, riding technical (in my eyes) singletrack at a decent pace
I plan on riding only in the woods, no pavement

Thought Id add that right now I typically ride Schaeffer but plan on expanding to more difficult trails with my full suspension bike.

[walsh]

I'll never race
I'll never do big drops
I care more about stability than speed
I'll never just take my to the top of the hill and fly down

One thing I've learned as I've ridden more and improved: never say never. You may be surprised where the sport takes you.

On the other hand, it's equally limiting to fall prey to the mentality that what you can and can't do depends on your equipment. I would guess that 40% of the time someone says that different equipment lets them do something that they couldn't previously do, the only real difference was between their ears. Think Dumbo and the magic feather. Virtually ALL the bikes we choose from today, in their various permutations, are superior to the best bikes availible 15 years ago, and people are still riding the same stuff :rolleyes: Okay, maybe DH/extreme freeride has significantly expanded its boundaries. But folks who own multiple mountain bike (myself included) need to admit that we do it because we want to, not because a specific bike is so highly adapted to some microcosm of the sport that it CANNOT be used for anything else.

Trust your instincts: find the bike you like to ride, that will make you want to ride, and ride it often wherever you want.

[dryfly]

im in the same process your in right now.except i spent a lot of money on strictly a xc bike. i swore by all the same rules you posted up to a couple weeks ago. i did some freeriding with my freinds, and had more fun on a bike then i ever had. although my high dollar xc bike(hardtail) beat the crap out of me. now i want something that does both, an all mountain full suspension. i recommend you check them out, their not xc or freeride-their both.

good luck

[Pinoy Rider]

How much do you want to spend?

[pirate]

i swore by all the same rules you posted up to a couple weeks ago. i did some freeriding with my freinds, and had more fun on a bike then i ever had.

Me too... Now I have a hardtail freeride bike, and NEVER ride my Trek Fuel EX8. Hmmm.... I really ought to sell that sucker.

[dirtyBird]

You're right, I should never say never but I'm probably a few years away. One thing I find myself doing is thinking way too much. I rode with someone new this weekend and I did my best to keep up with him and found myself doing way more than I thought I could. So you're correct in that regard. I'm sure I'll be doing all the things I say I wont, but in the meantime, Id enjoy a good ride while I get there.

As far as what I can spend, I know I'm looking at 2k+. What I prolly need to ask is whats worth it and whats not. What will I notice and what wont I. Basically, I want a good ride that fits me, can go up and downhill, fairly stable on downhill technical parts, and can get me thru the next few years. I've been told the Stumpjumer FSR would be good, but I know there are other brands out there as well.

[pirate]

What size would you need? :D

[dirtyBird]

I'm 6'1, 190lbs. Am I being set-up? :D

[pirate]

I'm 6'1, 190lbs. Am I being set-up? :D

Ah, a perfect fit for my Fuel! ;)

[Pinoy Rider]

The Stumpy FSR is very nice, they have one at Old Towne Bikes for 1999, a 2007 Someone was selling an expert in the Marketplace not too long ago. I have a friend who bought one as his first real bike investment. He loves it. Not to little and or too much travel. Treks got some nice FS bikes EXs. You can look at Titus(high end of 2k), Yeti 575 with enduro kit(2400-2600 dependent on where you buy it). Citybikes carries them. Santa Cruz bikes have different price points also. The superlights, blur XC or LT(high end of 2K). Some people like the cannondales with the lefty's, the prophet. Gary Fischer has some new FS bikes out for 2007. A lot of people say good things about the MKIII from Iron Horse(performance bike shops). Man you have a lot to choose from these days. Some fantastic bikes out there.

[dirtyBird]

Would I even notice the difference between a 2k bike and 3k dollar bike? I mean, its probably a silly question as I know components make up a big part of it. But the Stumpjumer FSR compared to say the Yeti 575 or something thats closer to the 3k range. Is the frame + the components a noticeable difference? What I hope to do is narrow my choices down, and test ride (demo) a few bikes.

[Pinoy Rider]

I guess it depends on the price. If you compare the 2K FSR to the 2300-2600 Yeti, the drive train, brakes, and wheels are similar. Seatpost and stem are probably Specialized branded parts. Where Yeti won't be and dependent on what your looking for and who you buy it from you might be able to trade up. I've heard a number of people swapping out parts(stems, seats, front suspension) for a little extra money for something better or what they really want. That's just componentry. Now as far as ride goes. The Yeti has an inch and change more travel front and back than the FSR. Do you need that extra inch? Well that is rider dependent. The geometry is different also. The Yeti is more upright than the FSR. So that can play in on overall comfort.

[soreback]

you are hitting at the heart of one of the truly most subjective aspects of this sport/endeavor/activity. for instance, i have a mid to high level Cross country FS bike, a new higher end FS trail bike with more travel, and have also been riding an even higher end Cross Country bike that was lent to me. And you want to know what, i cant tell a difference between any of them. there are plenty of people on here who talk about something being stiffer or more plush, more compliant or less compliant, smoother or rougher, and thats great that they can tell the difference, but i cant. the manitou feels the same as the Fox , which feels the same as the RockShox.


I think one of the MOST important issue is fit, you gotta get the right size bike, with proper seat post height, stem length and angle. crank length, etc. of course this could change with your riding style (CC, race, Freeriding, etc). As Pinoy rider said, geometry is also huge, some will feel more or less comfortable.

good luck in whatever you decide upon

Would I even notice the difference between a 2k bike and 3k dollar bike?

[redneckp3ngu1n]

cannondale prophet/rush giant trance and the stumpyfsr are all super bikes. Test them out and deside yourself. Yes components make up a difference in how a bike handles but if you get to ride all your options than youll get a good sense of what you want. Also talk to your local bike shop. Im not talking about REI Performance or revolution, im talking about a true local shop that isnt a big chain such as germantown cycles or city bikes. Though the other shops may have some good employees and bikes the local shops like city bikes and g-town have some very approachable employees and a great bike selection. The only reason i ever go to performance now is to get stuff like tubes and lube. If you talk to a good LBS than youll be set up with good service and a bike that is perfect for your needs at the right price.

Would I even notice the difference between a 2k bike and 3k dollar bike? I mean, its probably a silly question as I know components make up a big part of it.

Maby yes and maby no. The only real difference might be weight and alittle bit of adjustability. Price means nothing though. I have a 1600 dollar 6n6 inch travel fully and a 4 inch travel hardtail that costs less than 1/2 as much and in most cases the cheaper hardtail blows my fully out of the water in fun and performance levels. The Main thing you should look for in a bike is its performance to value ratio. If its expensive but not fun then why have it ? :-)

[DMarchy1]

Ask City bikes if you can try the Yeti 575 on a good long trail ride. I really enjoyed my test ride on one, But I chose the Titus Moto-lite instead. Mostly due to my Odd body geometry. I have very short legs and a very long torso. The Yeti compact cockpit made me feel like I was sitting too straight up and down. If you are more normally proportioned the Yeti could be a perfect fit. The frame and suspension design are time tested, and proven a winner. Heavy duty enough to ride every trail in the area, plus still light enough to Pedal up about every hill in the area. You can build it up economy budget at first, and improve components as your skills grow, or bite the bullet and build it up high end from the start. Dave M.

[werace424]

Me too... Now I have a hardtail freeride bike, and NEVER ride my Trek Fuel EX8. Hmmm.... I really ought to sell that sucker.

How dare you!! :rolleyes: I love my EX8. It is my Slatyfork, WV, to Rosaryville, MD ride.

I LOVE IT!!! :o

Paul

How much you want???

[pirate]

How dare you!! :rolleyes: I love my EX8. It is my Slatyfork, WV, to Rosaryville, MD ride.

I LOVE IT!!! :o

Paul

How much you want???

Actually, I rode the EX8 today, for the first time in a while, and it felt pretty good. I think I'll keep it for now. Maybe turn it back into the real XC machine it is supposed to be. I realized today, that the Marzocchi AM1 fork that I put on it, is WAAAY overkill for that bike. I think I was trying to do too much with the EX8, instead of just getting another bike for the other kinds of riding I do.