A good Mountain Bike?

[Pat "5mph"]

That is true, but @zapshe wouldn't be seen dead on an old 3 speed roadster ... innit?

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Style above substance - the curse of the modern age.

 

[zapshe]

Well Skupdiver John and Pat "5mph", I'm not sure to what to say. I was either dissed or judged.

ANYWAY, I don't live in a third world country or developing country. Moreover, rim brakes vs hydraulic is no competition. Rim could fail in the rain and will have less stopping power. Moreover, I found that, at least with my previous bikes, the rim brakes were something I was constantly having to adjust and then fail on me. Call it a bias, but I'd rather not have a rim brake.

Style above substance - the curse of the modern age.

Style + substance = the modern age. I don't see why the bikes I have listed would have less substance that a bike with less than half the features. The world is moving on. It's similar to those people who say "Kids these days!" and "These damn cellular telephones!".

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I was either dissed or judged.

Not by me lol
I'm 55 and an old 3 speed roadster wouldn't cut it for me either!
Imo, if you can afford it, spend it: money on good, long lasting, efficient components is never wasted.

 

[zapshe]

Not by me lol
I'm 55 and an old 3 speed roadster wouldn't cut it for me either!
Imo, if you can afford it, spend it: money on good, long lasting, efficient components is never wasted.

Good to see that biking never dies

 

[zapshe]

I found another interesting bike recommended to me by a MTN biker.

bikesdirect.com/products/fuji/mountain-bikes-bicycles-mtb/fuji-reveal1p1-275-fullsuspension-bikes.htm

However, how does that bike hold up against these ones? :

bikesdirect.c om/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom29-xt-tcs-mountainbikes.htm
or even
bikesdirect.c om/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom29-nx-tcs-mountainbikes.htm

^Which is best for the price? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jody]

All you actually require for travelling over poor surfaces is a strong bike with robust tyres that don't puncture too easily. There are plenty of people in the developing world that manage fine with an old 3-speed roadster.

But times move on. You can't compare old 90's bikes to modern MTBs. They are an absolute world apart. Even if you can ride the same places they wont be as nice to ride and supple with rough stuff. Its like comparing an Austin Alegro with a modern Ford Focus.

Expanding on this the main revolution in terms of new bike specs are geometry. Manufacturers have honed newer bikes and the way they ride based on tweaking head angles, bottom bracket heights, chainstay lengths, wheel base etc to make them ride great for the specific intended MTB discipline.

 

[Jody]

^Which is best for the price? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Looking at a full suss will open up a completely new can of worms. For the 1000 dollars you are looking at spending you will get a lot lower spec bike and need higher maintanance (rear shock, pivot bearing replacements etc) I rate Manitou forks but don't like single pivot full suss frames.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

But times move on. You can't compare old 90's bikes to modern MTBs...…...
Expanding on this the main revolution in terms of new bike specs are geometry. Manufacturers have honed newer bikes and the way they ride based on tweaking head angles, bottom bracket heights, chainstay lengths, wheel base etc to make them ride great for the specific intended MTB discipline.

That's true, a current style MTB looks nothing like a general purpose all-terrain machine from the 80's or 90's. However, the trend to specialise MTB designs for various disciplines has made the bikes less useable for general mixed surface riding, which is what the OP indicates they want one for. Whilst the typical 90's rigid might be called a "jack of all trades" they are very versatile and can easily be set up as heavy duty rough terrain commuters or tourers at very little cost, and do not carry the extra weight and ongoing maintenance liability of anything with suspension. The only reason suspension has become so common, other than fashion, is that it enables rough terrain to be ridden at higher speeds with less punishment being dished out to the rider. The bike receives MORE punishment though, because they get ridden fast over surfaces a rigid rider would be forced to slow down for. That means more wear & tear & more potential bike damage.

 

[zapshe]

Looking at a full suss will open up a completely new can of worms. For the 1000 dollars you are looking at spending you will get a lot lower spec bike and need higher maintanance (rear shock, pivot bearing replacements etc) I rate Manitou forks but don't like single pivot full suss frames.

However, the trend to specialise MTB designs for various disciplines has made the bikes less useable for general mixed surface riding, which is what the OP indicates they want one for.

Thanks for those insights. I was looking at full suspension since I heard nice things about them. However, if it means lower specs for the money and more maintenance, then I'm opting out of them. The reason I mentioned that Fuji full suspension one was because it was offered as a recommendation.

I am looking for a bike that I can use for all my needs. As you said, one that can be a "jack of all trades". However, the simpler the bike gets, the less options I have with it!

 

[Threevok]

I am looking for a bike that I can use for all my needs. As you said, one that can be a "jack of all trades". However, the simpler the bike gets, the less options I have with it!

In which case, get a good spec hardtail.

Apart from downhill, both the ones I own cover everything, from commute to XC, mountains to roads, tarmac to snow.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

In which case, get a good spec hardtail.

Apart from downhill, both the ones I own cover everything, from commute to XC, mountains to roads, tarmac to snow.

I agree. TrainerRoad podcasts suggest the same thing. You need to spend upwards of £3k to get a decent FS that will do more than just downhill. A hardtail will cover more disciplines. Mine even makes a great off road tourer.

Can I come over and do the Tour Divide? Assuming you are in the USA.

 

[zapshe]

Can I come over and do the Tour Divide? Assuming you are in the USA.

Not sure if you were speaking to me. Don't know what you mean by that. The Tour Divide sounds like a good way to shed off years of life energy out of anyone, but also like a fun experience.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Not sure if you were speaking to me. Don't know what you mean by that. The Tour Divide sounds like a good way to shed off years of life energy out of anyone, but also like a fun experience.

Yes, a tongue in cheek jest. The TD sounds amazing from a couple of books I have read and YouTube videos I have seen. Not sure I could/would race it, but it looks like a great tour at least.

 

[zapshe]

Hi guys, I was recommended a couple of bikes. I wanted to see how they compared to the ones I'v picked out. I had a little while before I need to purchase one, so I was taking my time in choosing. However, I should really purchase one soon!

How does:
https://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/avalanche-comp-1425

Compare to:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom29-xt-tcs-mountainbikes.htm
or
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/29er-mountain-bikes/fantom29-nx-tcs-mountainbikes.htm

Any info would be helpful and appreciated! Thanks!