Kind of Bike

[Ruler]

What kind of mountain bike do you have? I have a front suspension and really like how it cushions the impact of bumps. I wish the descent full suspensions were reasonably priced!

[Ron L]

I've got a Nuke Proof titanium with Judy XC front suspension only. Here in Michigan, I've only ridden a few trails that the ride from a full suspension would make up for the extra weight. With a decent front setup, it's easier to stand up and simply let the bike float underneath you.

[Spinner]

One of my friends has a 2,600 dollar Klien full suspension mountain bike. It is awesome but for 2,600 dollars I can't justify the full suspension. You need to spend a good amount of money on the full suspension bikes to get the right setup. Otherwise like Ron L said the full suspension isn't worth it. Just my .02 cents

SPINNER

[YPSIFLY]

I don't do too much trail riding. I usually just ride around Ypsi, to class, to work...etc. I have three inexpensive bikes: Giant 760, Bridgestone mb5, and a Stump Jumper. None of them have any suspension. I have tried out bikes with suspension and it took a while to get used to.

[Steve]

$2600?!!! For that kind of cash I could buy a nice dirt bike with an engine and not have to pedal :)

[Spinner]

I know Steve I can't imagine spending that kind of money for a bike. I thought I was nuts dropping 500 bucks down for mine.

SPINNER

[Ron L]

Well I couldn't afford that kind of coin either, but I lucked into my bike. I painted the Nuke Proof van several years ago and they gave me the titanium frame, a carbon fiber handlebar, front shock, and a wheelset built on carbon fiber hubs in exchange. It was probably around a $2K package, but I only paid for materials and invested my time. I wouldn't have ever been able to actually BUY something like that.

But then again, what makes someone buy a Holland & Holland or a $300 fly fishing reel when something less expensive will do the job?

[Liver and Onions]

If anyone is interested in racing, there are few listed in the "Michigan Sports and Fitness" magazine that can be found at your local bike shop. It also lists triathlons with off-road bikes....something that I'm interested in.
L & O

[Swamp Monster]

I have a Fisher Paragon with a Rock Shox Judy XC front suspension. I prefer the light weight of my aluminum hardtail instead of full suspension but thats just me. I have not been riding a whole lot in the last couple of years and I'm way out of shape to be hammerin' the trails to hard but I have been riding a bit this year and I will get into shape!

[Liver and Onions]

Swamp Monster,
Ah yes, the power of positive thinking ! If you are like me, you will need to sign up for a couple of races to motivate yourself to get into racing condition.
L & O

[Swamp Monster]

I just actually checked out the race schedule from MMBA and it gave me a little food for thought! I need to drop about 50 lbs first or I'll just drop dead!! I am gonna try and catch some early races this year just to see what they are all about, had always wanted to run a few races when I was in college but never did. I think I have a goal to work to know! At this point, my big ol' gut is plenty of motivation!! I just started roller blading to, so that should help with the stamina. At my current size, I'd be the bike shops best friend if I hammered to hard on the trail......be breakin' parts left and right!

[Liver and Onions]

50 lbs !! You should be ready to go by Labor Day Weekend. I have two friends that lost a lot of weight and and have kept it off on the modified no carbohydrate diet. They ate no carbs until their evening meal. Only meat and lots of salads/vegetables during the day. According to them, the carbs seem to trigger their appetite. They consumed a lot less calories and therefore lost weight. They both look a lot better now and both claim that their bedroom activities have improved.
L & O

[Swamp Monster]

L & O, that sounds pretty close to what I am starting, lots of fruits, veggies and protien and cut back on breads and carbs. I take in way to much carbs and not enough protien. I'm not really calling it a diet, just changing the foods I eat. Been riding every day now for about a week. I've been thinking about investing in a road bike but I don't want to spend a mint. I may just have a wheel set built strictly for road use instead.
I appreciate the advice!

[Ron L]

Swamp Monster, quite a few years ago, I did just what you're talking about. I had another off-road rimset made up, not the best stuff, but decent hubs (XT), double-butted spokes (DT), and rims (Mavic), and then put a set of road tires on them. I kept the "good" wheelset reserved for off-road. At that time, I was using Specialized Fat Boy slicks as a road tire. I could easily change wheelsets for whatever kind of riding I was going to do. It also gave me a backup wheel in case I taco'd one of my off-road wheels. You'll be surprised how smooth those road tires roll on a mountain bike. When you do this though, try to get a new rim that's the same width as your current rim so you won't have to readjust the brakes.

[Swamp Monster]

Ron, that was exactly what I was thinking about doing! I just need a solid set of wheels, nothing exotic. They still wont be real cheap but they should do the trick. I'm living in the city at the moment (hopefully not for too long) and sometimes it just takes to much time to drive to the trails so the road is my only choice due to time restraints. I'm also considering upgrading to V-brakes. My wife has an inexpensive (yet nice for the price) Giant that has basic Shimano V-brakes and they are a huge improvement over my LX cantilevers! And at my size, powerful brakes are a must!! Thanks for the advice!

[Ron L]

You should be able to pick up a decent wheelset for ~$150-200. These will at least suffice for road work and as an off-road backup. But if you'll allow me to offer a little advice.

I tend to stay behind the technology curve. I didn't go V-brakes until a couple of years after they first came out. I still use only an 8 speed cluster. As for wheels, I only weigh 160, but my wheelsets still use 32 spokes. Sure, you can get some ultra-light 24 spoke wheels, but I get what I do and it lasts. I can go lighter, but I've never, NEVER taco'd a wheel. In fact, my wheels are not that heavy but I hardly ever have to true them up. Of course, it helps to have someone build a set that really knows what they're doing. I'd rather ride a few more ounces than carry the whole thing.

How retro can I go? I've still got a Trek 700 with the Trek DS2 fork, Dia Compe cantilever brakes, 7 speed cluster and Shimano XT thumbshifters. Yes, thumbshifters. The bike may weigh a little more than modern high-scoot rigs, but hey, it just works and rides fine and has never left me stranded.

[Swamp Monster]

Ron,
I feel the same way about the technology curve. My bike is a 95-96 model and hasn't seen any major upgrades at all (except for the Judy shock which I used to replace the Rock Shox model 10). It came with an XT/LX drivetrain with Grip Shift X-ray's and I have yet to feel the need to upgrade any of those items, well except the brakes. The parts package on this bike are all proven pieces and sure, I could buy lighter more expensive parts but don't feel the need. At my size light parts (some) will just break easier! My current wheel sets are Bontrager BCS with 32 DT spokes. Although the rear needs some minor tweaking, they have held up very well. For my purposes, I think any quality double walled rim with 32 spokes and at least a Deore rear hub and 8 speed cassette should work just fine. Nothing fancy, just dependable. I am thinking about putting a riser bar on when I do the brake upgrade, haven't made up my mind yet. Thanks for the advice, its always welcomed!

[outdoorsman69]

I got a standard diamondback sorreno. does the trick for street riding. plus I live in the saginaw valley ( yes Im a flatlander:) )so most of the dirt riding I do is pretty flat also.

DCG

[jnpcook]

I have a Cannondale F-600 Hardtail I bought off my friend a couple years ago. It seems to work well for me. I haven't ridden in a while after a nasty crash but am looking forward to getting back into it this year.

John

[gregm]

I have a Specialized Rockhopper Comp A1 hardtail with RockSox Judy up front. I have had this same bike since the early 90's when I was at Grand Valley State. I spent $1300 on it brand new. I know that sounds like a lot, but it was well worth it. The bike is very light and has been a trooper for me. Due to my constant bashing of the front chainrings on rocks, logs, etc... they need replaced, but everything else except the rubber is original. I have rode this thing 1000's of mile in 15 different states over the last 10 years. I have recently tried the new Specialized FSR-XC (full suspension racing - cross country). What a ride!!!!! But want to talk about expensive, I just can't justify it over my old Rockhopper.

[Swamp Monster]

Gregm, are you sure its a Rockhopper? Sounds to me like a Stumpjumper. When I bought my Fisher Paragon, I was also looking at a Specialized Stumpjumper comp A1 with a judy. They both were in the$1200-$1300 range but I went with the Fisher, I guess it just fit me better but I would have been happy to have the specialized.
I could be mistaken, if thats the case just call me an idiot and tell me to shut up!!

[gregm]

Nope, she's a Rockhopper. I had the Judy put on as an option versus the lower quality Rock Shox model they had on the bike. I was told the "Comp A1" designation for Specialized bikes used to mean thier Competition ready frames. Now, they're called "FSR" or full suspension racing with either an XC or DH for cross country or down hill. They do still make hardtail racers, but the emphasis has been with the FSR program.

Remember, though, I bought this bike in the early 90's so much has changed with model designations at the Big Red "S" since then. By the way, I was very limited in my selection where I bought mine (in Indiana), but I did have the opportunity to look at Fisher's that other people had on trails, I have to say -- Impressive bikes.

[Swamp Monster]

Cool, learn somethin' everyday. Thanks for clarifiying that. I bought mine in 95 or 96 so I'm sure models changed in that time, they seem to change yearly!. I have a friend that has a Rockhopper with no suspension, and steel frame that he likes a lot. Has served him well for the last 8 years or so. Specialized has always made a quality bike and their FSR designs are nice. They say within a year or so, hardtails will be very scarce, to non existant, atleast in a quality bike, because there will be many more quality suspension bikes at all price levels. But, they said this about 5 years ago, so I don't buy it!! there will definetely be more quality suspension rides but Hardtails will always be popular, especially in the midwest.