Mt Bikes

[Wadman]

Does anyone on here ride Mt bikes? I want to get one to help buil my endurance. I think I want a single speed 29'er. Does anyone have any advice for me on what to get and what not to get. Thanks

 

[raisrx251]

About 2 years ago I wanted to do the same thing. I was dead set on getting a 29'er and started reading everything about them. I ended up buying one from bikesdirect.com and was really happy with the bike I got for the price. When I got mine you could not buy the components I got for the price I paid for the complete bike. It is not a famous name but this is the exact same bike that a fuji bike shop sells. Mine was called a Windsor.

I definitely would recommend the 29'er as I think it does make a difference on the ride. By the way I talk the talk about riding a Mountain Bike but I am a poser, I have only ridden my new bike maybe 10 times. Unfortunately there was a brutal crime on the trail I used to go to last summer and for some reason I quit riding there.

 

[Brainflex]

great fun as a lot of the skills crossover. However, single speed bikes give a higher intensity workout in that you cannot switch to an easy gear. My advice is to find the local riders, usually via the local shop and see if anyone can lend you a bike and drag you round the local loops. That way you get a feel for the terrain and whats rideable.
Be careful tho as it can, like any hobby, take over.

 

[Wadman]

Well I did it,but not what I originally intended. I looked at the 29's but thought they were to bulky feeling. So I came home with a geared 26 Specialized Rock Hopper Comp. It is a blast too ride but im very out of shape it seems.

 

[NWRider]

Good choice. All the people I knew on single speeds that actually rode them on trails were in amazing physical condition. Most of us need the lower gears at times. I feel happy if I can keep from getting off and pushing regardless of how low my gearing is. The 26" wheels will also hold up better if you get off the ground and land sideways. In my freeriding days I always ran a beefy 24" rear wheel just so it would survive longer.

 

[proeasy]

I will add my $0.02. I will be 50 Jan 2 and put about 1500 miles a year on my Specialized Stumpjumper PRO (Hardtail, no rear shock) As I live in Michigan, not much of a need in my opion for a full suspension. Trails by me are flat and tight. The hardtails will corner better (no rear end compression) than a full suspension and costs and weighs less. While I have not ridden a 29, some of the guys I know complain about the increased inertia of the larger wheel/tire combo. Quite important when you are the motor that has to overcome this inertia. While the young guys are quite fast on the 29's, they should be as I am spoting them perhaps 30 years.

Personally I like the range of gears, for even Michigans slight hills. Just started DS riding three years ago and the Mountian Biking is a great compliment that perhaps gave me a slight leg up when I started DS riding.

Paul

 

[razornpc]

i used to trail ride a bunch. loved it!

al my friends i used to ride with got out for various reasons and so did i. now i stationary a bout 1/2 hour a night in the basement. id love to get back into it just need to find some riding buddies.

its fun, and for me thats the best way to stay/get in shape. if its fun its not even like your working out.

 

[jckid]

You made a good choice for your first mountain bike. I'm not totally sold on the whole 29er thing. The bigger the wheels, the slower a bike feels.

Depending on exactly the terrain you're riding, and your size and weight, one suggestion I might make is on the tires. Most mountain bikes have 2.1" to 2.3" tires. They're great for larger riders, but I've found that I prefer narrower tires. I'm currently running 1.95" Continentals on my Moots YBB. They feel so much faster than 2.1's, yet are large enough to provide a decent ride. Light tires will also make the bike feel faster and more nimble. I've ridden singletrack in Oregon, including sections of the North Umpqua Trail and McKenzie River Trail, and doubletrack in Moab with no issues. If you're riding super technical terrain, or if your a clydesdale rider, then you may want to stick with wider tires though. Have fun on your new bike!

 

[mxer74]

Good topic! I raced bmx for 10 years when I was a kid ( I was actually part of Team USA at the World Championships in 94, finished 16th in the world....that was pretty cool), so with that said, I still do a lot of bicycling today as a form of exercise. I ride/race bmx during the winter months (indoors of course) to help stay in shape. There is SO much the translates between motocross and bmx it's nit even funny.....line choice, passing, jumping, handling, etc. Anyway, I also have a Haro mountain but it doesn't get used as much as I'd like. My most recent purchase was a Motobecane road bike (from Bikesdirect) a couple years ago and it's what I spend the most time on during race season (I splurged a bit and got the carbon frame, carbon forks, carbon cranks, and on and on). I love bicycling, it's a great workout and it helps with the motorcycle skills too. Thought I'd chime in. Peace.

Blake

 

[Fat Tire Flyer]

I'm currently running 1.95" Continentals on my Moots YBB.

Moots YBB (with Ritchey Speedmax tires) is what I ride as well.. Not lately though since I got bit with Husqvarna fever.. :ride:

P.S. Anyone out there know what my user id "Fat Tire Flyer" is in reference to (without using google search to find answer)..

P.S.S. Also ride Brodie Rodie (road bike).. Thorn Audax (P-B-P brevet bike).. And Ibis Cousin It (mtn bike tandem with wife)..

 

[Vegas Husky]

Moots YBB (with Ritchey Speedmax tires) is what I ride as well.. Not lately though since I got bit with Husqvarna fever.. :ride:

P.S. Anyone out there know what my user id "Fat Tire Flyer" is in reference to (without using google search to find answer)..

P.S.S. Also ride Brodie Rodie (road bike).. Thorn Audax (P-B-P brevet bike).. And Ibis Cousin It (mtn bike tandem with wife)..

Beer???

 

[glangston]

Mountain bike riding, cross country stuff, will definitely improve your fitness.

 

[Fat Tire Flyer]

Beer???

That is correct also (but the beer came much later).. Hint: 1980's / Denise and Charles..

 

[WR BOB]

Well I did it,but not what I originally intended. I looked at the 29's but thought they were to bulky feeling. So I came home with a geared 26 Specialized Rock Hopper Comp. It is a blast too ride but im very out of shape it seems.

Wadman you made the right choice on your bike going with a 26" with gears setup. I've sold Specialized bikes in the past and they make a good product. The Rockhopper was the first mass produced mountain bike ever, so you bought a piece of mountain bike history! Once you learn how to ride it in terms of using your gears, braking etc., buy yourself a pair of clipless pedals and shoes. One of the two best cycling innovations of all times. Keep proper air pressure in the tires, lube the chain from time to time and you'll have a blast adding years to your life with better health.

WR Bob

 

[XLEnduroMan]

I ride a Fisher Bigg'ns (Al Bundy anyone ) but not near as much as I ride my Husky. I really have been out of the Mt. Bike world for to long. Have you guys heard of Paul Components? He is a local guy. I have never offically met Paul, but I was lucky enough to be at his 20th Anniversary Party. Anyways...like the mfg. guys here on CH, he makes nice quality components for bikes. Give his wares a look see.
http://www.paulcomp.com/

 

[2whlrcr]

i used to trail ride a bunch. loved it!

al my friends i used to ride with got out for various reasons and so did i. now i stationary a bout 1/2 hour a night in the basement. id love to get back into it just need to find some riding buddies.

its fun, and for me thats the best way to stay/get in shape. if its fun its not even like your working out.

EXC won't ride with you?

 

[dfeckel]

I got a Santa Cruz Superlight way back in 2000 when I was at the peak of my mountain biking phase. When I went to school in Philly, I had a bunch of cohorts who went almost weekly to Wissahickon park, which believe it or not, has some seriously excellent and technical riding, right in the heart of Philly. I rode it some in Colorado for a year (didn't especially like the ride uphill for 80% of the time to come downhill 20% of the time that you're stuck with in the big mountains of CO), and then I rode it less when I lived in Germany for three years. When I came back to the states and settled in NJ, that's when Husky Fever took hold, and the only riding I do on the bike is on my rollers in the basement. Very sad story. I'm not terribly far from Wissahickon, so it wouldn't be too hard to get back into it, except my riding buddy from school was simultaneously hit with KTM Fever, so all we do is ride things with motors anymore.

 

[High-Side]

I live in the shadow of Mount Tam where some say the mountain bike was invented. Gary Fisher still lives around the corner. Riding a mountain bike is great exercise and a lot of fun. Below is a picture of my 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper FS M2 Comp.

 

[Wadman]

Cool bike but it needs some mud on it.

 

[letitsnow]

I have raced/ridden mtb for a few years and it is addicting! Started on a hardtail, but after some back and rib injuries (from racing atvs), switched to full suspension bikes for a softer ride. Now I can't stand riding a hardtail off road...

I also agree that a singlespeed is for people that are in great shape! I tried one for a summer and I am not good enough to go fast on one. It is too hard on the knees, if you aren't in excellent shape.

Some of the best singletrack trails are in the big metro areas in the midwest.