Hard tail or Soft tail Mountain Bike?

[Christophe Noel]

I didn't bolt on a carbon fiber bar for it's bling factor

Anyway go ride some of that Prescott singletrack for me, My local trails are under about 4+ feet of snow so its snowshoeing for me for now.

I'm certainly guilty of lusting after bling factor. If you don't look good.....

Are you using locking grips? I forget the study I found a couple years ago, but with regard to high frequency vibrations, it was discovered that lock on grips like those from ODI and Ergon did the most to attenuate vibrations. Makes sense. Sure has helped me.

And we Prescottonians will be trainer bound for a while. I woke up to 6" of snow this morning. It's probably rained an inch since. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse. Bummer.

 

[STREGA]

I'm certainly guilty of lusting after bling factor. If you don't look good.....

Are you using locking grips? I forget the study I found a couple years ago, but with regard to high frequency vibrations, it was discovered that lock on grips like those from ODI and Ergon did the most to attenuate vibrations. Makes sense. Sure has helped me.

And we Prescottonians will be trainer bound for a while. I woke up to 6" of snow this morning. It's probably rained an inch since. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse. Bummer.

No amout of bling will ever make me look good, but when you work @ a bike shop its hard not to buy all the candy lol

Never used the locking grips, but it does make sense it would kinda be like handlebar wieghts like they use on motorcycles

The up side of moisture on the trails is the traction after it drys up, ya it looks like you guys are going to get hammered down there, we been getting more than our fair share here. :bike_rider:

 

[DaveInDenver]

And we Prescottonians will be trainer bound for a while. I woke up to 6" of snow this morning. It's probably rained an inch since. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse. Bummer.

Whimps. We ride year 'round (well as long as there's snow and ice on the trails).

A box of panhead screws and an old pair of tires keeps you going. However I just invested in actual winter tires, a Kenda Klondike and a Nokian Extreme, to save a little weight. Turns out that 250 #6 stainless panheads screwed into an old Smoke weighs about 1,600 grams. The Nokian weights about 950 grams and the Kenda about 990 grams. Total saving will be more than a kg, well over a pound per tire rotating. Yeah! I might actually roll faster than I walk now...

 

[jammyauto]

Ok so I've spent many hours parousing the net and reading magazines and buyers guides. I've been to my LBS and looked at a few bikes but have not had the chance yet to ride anything. So far I've narrowed it down to two possibilities; The Specialized Epic comp 29er or the Gary Fisher HiFi 29er (the middle range one, can't remember the name). Both bike are about 2500.00. I'm leaning toward the Specialized because 1. The reviews I've read give me the impression that the brain will make this bike a better climbing bike (I like to climb and there lots of mountains around here) and 2. I like the specialized dealer better than the GF dealer (not the same store). So what do you all think? Any other rides I should consider in the 29er FS under 3K range?

Next question is pedals. The buyers guide I got at borders has nothing about pedals. I want something that I can ride both clipless or with sneakers. My road bike has speedplay pedals and I've ridden it with sneakers a couple miles once and it's really a no go. Reccomendations please ?

 

[Corey]

Get the Specialized bike, I like them, very good quality.
I have a thread around here on pedals.
It might be in my bike build thread.

I have had two sets of clipless pedals, and I do not like them.
I am switching back to my Straitline pedals this weekend with Five Ten shoes that have a very sticky sole.

Many who ride trails swear by this combo over being clipped in.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I like the idea of buying the bike you think is the more cooler. I know, it's a very scientific method, but seriously, there gets to be a point when bike technology is not just good but probably better than any of us as riders. I also like the idea of buying from the shop you like as you may need to go back for tune ups, widgets, advice, etc.

On the pedal thing - there's going to be huge doses of personal opinion there. For me, if you took away my clipless pedals, I'd take up lawn bowling. I'd hate to ride without them and the tweener pedals with clipless on one side and platforms on the other are a cruel joke. Don't go there. If you already use road clipless, chances are you'll like the bennies of mtb clipless, but you'll never know unless you try. If you go that route, my experience has lead me to think Shimano SPDs are the better bet. I've busted many Egg Beaters, and Speedplays, but SPDs are pretty solid, common and reliable. TIME is another very good system.

 

[chris_the_wrench]

Ok so I've spent many hours parousing the net and reading magazines and buyers guides. I've been to my LBS and looked at a few bikes but have not had the chance yet to ride anything. So far I've narrowed it down to two possibilities; The Specialized Epic comp 29er or the Gary Fisher HiFi 29er (the middle range one, can't remember the name). Both bike are about 2500.00. I'm leaning toward the Specialized because 1. The reviews I've read give me the impression that the brain will make this bike a better climbing bike (I like to climb and there lots of mountains around here) and 2. I like the specialized dealer better than the GF dealer (not the same store). So what do you all think? Any other rides I should consider in the 29er FS under 3K range?

Did you goto Bicycle Bob's there in SB?

 

[Corey]

Here are the pedals I will be putting back on too.
No more clipless for me, especially trail riding.
I hate stopping fast and having trouble getting my foot out fast.
http://www.straitlinecomponents.com/products/pedals.php

Pedals are totally rebuildable, they have videos on the site.
Here is the only picture I have of them on the bike.
With these pedals and the Five Ten shoes, the shoes stay planted very well.

If I was sticking to street riding only I would stay with the clipless, but here is the type of stuff I will be riding, and being able to take your foot off for balance in a split second is not something I can do while clipped in.

http://vimeo.com/8417542

http://vimeo.com/8955469

 

[trailsurfer]

Ok so I've spent many hours parousing the net and reading magazines and buyers guides. I've been to my LBS and looked at a few bikes but have not had the chance yet to ride anything. So far I've narrowed it down to two possibilities; The Specialized Epic comp 29er or the Gary Fisher HiFi 29er (the middle range one, can't remember the name). Both bike are about 2500.00. I'm leaning toward the Specialized because 1. The reviews I've read give me the impression that the brain will make this bike a better climbing bike (I like to climb and there lots of mountains around here) and 2. I like the specialized dealer better than the GF dealer (not the same store). So what do you all think? Any other rides I should consider in the 29er FS under 3K range?

Next question is pedals. The buyers guide I got at borders has nothing about pedals. I want something that I can ride both clipless or with sneakers. My road bike has speedplay pedals and I've ridden it with sneakers a couple miles once and it's really a no go. Reccomendations please ?

I think the Epic29er is a great choice. A couple of good friends have them, and they could not be happier. I agree with Flounder on the Pedals. I would go with the Shimano SPD's. I have had Crank Brothers and Speedplays, and they all have broken many times while the SPD's have been bomb proof.

 

[jammyauto]

Did you goto Bicycle Bob's there in SB?

Yes, Bob brings his vanagon to my shop for repairs so I always try to reciprocate my business with my customers. Hazzard's is also a great shop and they are specialized dealers as well. So two great choices in this town for specialized. I don't dislike the GF dealer, I just don't know them.

That's two reccomendations for the SPD's so I guess I'll give'em a try. As a road bike rider I could'nt imagine not being able to click in. Especially climbing hills. BTW why do we clip in to clipless pedals?

Thanks everyone for the input. It ill be a few days before I place the order and probably a few more days to get the bike. At anyrate I hope to be riding it in a couple weeks time.

 

[Christophe Noel]

BTW why do we clip in to clipless pedals?

Excellent question. Before 1984 every racer used pedals with toe clips. The cream of the crop being Campy Super Record pedals and toe clips with Alfredo Binda toe straps. Then, in 1984 LOOK came out with the first "clipless" pedal using LOOK's ski binding technology. So long toe clip. Since Bernard Hinault used them, I sure had to, and bought my first pair of LOOKs in 1985. Mavic released similar pedals in 85. Early clipless were heavy like boat anchors, had terrible clearance, required you to drill your own cleat holes in your shoes which often ripped apart but, they were pretty cool. TIME was the next big brand on the scene. Shimano was a tad late to the game but others like Sampson, and Aerolite were also popular in the 80s. I think it's interesting to note, LOOK's cleat and pedal system has remained the same (mostly) since 1984. Shimano's SPD system which hit the market in the late 80s is also largely unchanged.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I owned a $6K Seven Cycles Teres softtail and hated it...sold it for 1/2 of what I paid 1 1/2 months later. To qualify this, I'm 6'0", and the frame was fairly large and "noodly". My friend rode the same model bike, but is shorter and his frame was more compact. He liked his, and didn't feel that it was noodly at all.

I'm a hardtail guy, and that won't change. My advice is worth what you paid for it. :sombrero:

Craig

 

[Cackalak Han]

Never had a softtail, but plenty of full suspensions. Now they're all sold. I like feeling the trail more with a hard tail, and of course a lighter bike is also a benefit. It's also a deterrant to keep me from bombing down rocky trails. :sombrero:

Currently, I don't own a single bike with suspension.

My advice is worth what you paid for it. :sombrero:

Priceless? :elkgrin:

 

[EricBirk]

I am dh'er so its no secret where my loyalty lies. I however would love to get my hands on a steel or Ti 29er for bombing around on.

Comfort for REALLY long rides and the ability to ride almost all terrain, go with a duallie. Suspension these days is so good my dh bike actually climbs hills half assed not so bad!!!! now thats saying something.
Right now I have a Marin Quake with the custom 8" travel rear link that I got from Shaums March, and a Boxxer on the front. All my buddies ride Intense (m6's, m3's, socoms, 951) I however chose the Marin because it is my "all purpose" dh rig. It can go down with the best of em and still go flat and climb when I need it too.

When I get on a Marin Attack Trail I am in absolute love. In my opinion the quad link is the most under rated suspension system out today. Anyone who rides one and says it rides like crap either has no idea, or doesnt have it setup right.

Anyways thats the end of my Marin rant. Go with a duallie!! oh and I really like the Ibis too :victory: