I'll send you a PM. Don't want to bore everyone here with the whole story. :scowl:
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Any mountain bikers??
- Thread starter iamdenialNJ
- Start date
I'll send you a PM. Don't want to bore everyone here with the whole story. :scowl:
Ugh... Had a hard reality check last week. Thought I was jumping into a Stump Jumper Comp 29 HT. Turns out, my connection, who is a bike shop owner, just ended his ties with Specialized and will only be taking orders on Specialized bikes til the end of the month. As a result, he would have been able to cut me a deal on stock, but he has no stock (except boingers), so I think I'm resigning to the fact that I'm going to be jumping into a Carve Expert. Not quite the bike I was hoping for, but still a cool bike. I'm ordering it tomorrow. Should have it in a couple of weeks. In other words, I totally jinxed myself.
Good to hear there's still folks who dig the HT's!
It gets old hearing how much life is better on a FS. When you tell them that you prefer a HT over a FS ... they look at you like a dog that hears a strange noise.
Good to hear there's still folks who dig the HT's!
It gets old hearing how much life is better on a FS. When you tell them that you prefer a HT over a FS ... they look at you like a dog that hears a strange noise.
Horses for courses. I think most people would find riding a hardtail on our local trails to be tiresome and brutal (and my experience is just that). FS bikes just work better on technical terrain like ours for most riders. Now a friend of mine lives on Long Island where the trails are smooth and flowy. I don't see the point of a FS bike there and if I rode there I would definitely go with a HT. Of course there are outliers. I know a few guys who just kill it on HTs in the most heinous terrain, but these guys could school me on a Wal-Mart bike.
I've found that some HT riders look down on FS as being inferior based on the FS frame designs and shocks available 15 years ago as opposed to the current frames/shocks which have largely negated the old issues of pedal induced bob and/or brake jack/squat.
At any rate, anyone who rides a HT and/or a singlespeed here has my respect.
Horses for courses. I think most people would find riding a hardtail on our local trails to be tiresome and brutal (and my experience is just that). FS bikes just work better on technical terrain like ours for most riders. Now a friend of mine lives on Long Island where the trails are smooth and flowy. I don't see the point of a FS bike there and if I rode there I would definitely go with a HT. Of course there are outliers. I know a few guys who just kill it on HTs in the most heinous terrain, but these guys could school me on a Wal-Mart bike.
I've found that some HT riders look down on FS as being inferior based on the FS frame designs and shocks available 15 years ago as opposed to the current frames/shocks which have largely negated the old issues of pedal induced bob and/or brake jack/squat.
At any rate, anyone who rides a HT and/or a singlespeed here has my respect.
Right on.
Where I ride is pretty typical older mountain pine forests (Pisgah National Forest area) ... technical, twisty, very root laden, quick downhills, and dogged climbes. Rock gardens are not very common ... unlike when I lived in Connecticut ... so a FS isn't something that I find to be much more of an advantage. Smoother yes; a bit quicker in spots ... overall, not really.
Although I'm in the minority of technical trail riders, sporting HT's; I find a HT with slack geometry to be a great fit ... quick acceleration, handles the twists & turns like a champ ... and climbes like a goat. ... albiet bumpy & a bit slower in sections.
Granted the bumpy ride does become tiresome at times ... but then again, I'm standing on my pedals most of the time anyway. I guess when my knees can't take it, and I'm doing more "sit and spinning" than standing ... I'll look to a FS for that extra cushion.
Slack geo and a steel frame are musts around here for a HT. I am planning to build up an On-One 456 as a complement to my 6x6" FS rig. I don't see me riding it all the time or on the gnarliest trails but you never know. One the really tech stuff you still have to stand on a FS bike (or I do anyway) but the squish mitigates the constant pounding on the lower back and does help with traction. Definitely no smug attitude from me towards HT riders.
Good to hear there's still folks who dig the HT's!
It gets old hearing how much life is better on a FS. When you tell them that you prefer a HT over a FS ... they look at you like a dog that hears a strange noise.
Horses for courses. I think most people would find riding a hardtail on our local trails to be tiresome and brutal (and my experience is just that). FS bikes just work better on technical terrain like ours for most riders. Now a friend of mine lives on Long Island where the trails are smooth and flowy. I don't see the point of a FS bike there and if I rode there I would definitely go with a HT. Of course there are outliers. I know a few guys who just kill it on HTs in the most heinous terrain, but these guys could school me on a Wal-Mart bike.
I've found that some HT riders look down on FS as being inferior based on the FS frame designs and shocks available 15 years ago as opposed to the current frames/shocks which have largely negated the old issues of pedal induced bob and/or brake jack/squat.
At any rate, anyone who rides a HT and/or a singlespeed here has my respect.
I'm not going to bring up a debate, I just know my own personal experience. I've ridden trails primarily on a hard tail and even when encountering technical stuff, I just don't really ever think to myself 'man I wish I have a FS bike'. I've ridden both, and I've just come to like the feel of a hard tail better than a FS. I can't climb worth crap on a FS even if I lock out the rear shock. It's the whole climbing while seated thing that I just don't like. I grew up riding bmx bikes, and I've always associated standing up as another gear within a gear kind of thing. If I'm climbing, I can always stand on it to get where I'm going, where as on a FS bike I just spin out when I stand on it. I think it's primarily the geometry that is necessary for a FS bike. I don't know, I just like what I like. I can't imagine myself riding anything other than a HT. Not out to start a mac vs pc argument. Whatever works to get you on the trail is a win as far as I'm concerned. Even if it's a wallmart bike.
Awesome, 12 miles from stateline, not too bad, so about 15 miles from my buddies house. Plus it looks badass!
Didn't take my bike with me this time, instead did a hike to vikings house, eagle falls and a bit more, around 4 mile hike, it was fun... Not biking but still good.
Next time, will try that trail, my buddy said he is going to take his bike up next time as well.
Link Removed
Thank you, i like it.
Awesome! thank you
FINALLY got round to ordering seals for my 05 Gemini 900's Sherman fork. The plan is that it will be my only geared MTB. A pig, but some go for that.
On a lighter note, went for a mellow SS spin w/the 10-yr-old middle child this eve- she is fun. Hitting all the curbs jumps, goin fast.
On a lighter note, went for a mellow SS spin w/the 10-yr-old middle child this eve- she is fun. Hitting all the curbs jumps, goin fast.
I stand all the time on tough climbs on my bike... The VPP linkage and pedaling platform on the shock negate almost 100% of the pedal-induced bob. This also drives the rear tire into the trail tread and increases traction. But yes, the general rule is that you'd sit and spin (yuk yuk
) more on a FS bike. The advantage of that is that you can keep a more consistent cadence than you can standing. Of course proper suspension setup is key and improper settings will result in awful performance. It takes some getting used to coming off a HT, I've been there. And some folks just prefer the feel of a HT and that's ok. Personally, given the terrain I ride and my old carcass, I don't see me ever going back to a HT as my primary bike.I totally agree with your last sentence, though a WalMart special would last about 5 minutes on our trails.
With increasing price, off the top of my head:
On-One 456
Ragley Blue Pig
NS Surge
Evil Sovereign
And at the lust-inducing end of the scale: Chromag, though not sure if most frames are SS capable.
The 456 is a spectacular deal and can be gotten with horizontal dropouts afaik.
You can't really go wrong with any of those.
The 456 & Blue Pig look to be the best deals out there. Especially on the used market.
The Pig seems to be the "in" HT nowadays ... can't say I'm surprised ... they're wicked. and have a cool name ta boot...
IIRC ... I think the Monk is the only SS frame that Chromag makes. I soooo covet Chromags ... a bit too pricey for my blood. I'm still kicking myself for not hopping on a used Stylus frame that I came across. :headagainstwall:
Nice- will do some research and talk *next build* in a bit; going SSing w/middle child now
(she's geared for now but wants a SS. She is also 10).
(she's geared for now but wants a SS. She is also 10). Hmmmm ... glad you mentioned growing up riding BMX bikes. That really drives home what I've been thinking in relationship to my own preference of HT vs FS.
I've always figured that my BMX background is what keeps me dig'n the HT's over the FS's. To me they just feel like what an "off-road" bike is supposed to feel. I grew up bombing the bumpy, hilly, rocky, logging trails of Connecticut; as well as some BMX racing. So being able to feel exactly what the bike is doing underneath me is something that I come to expect. Also something that I am accustomed to feel; which helps me react in kind. I find the dampened feedback you get while on a FS just feels strange to me. I liken it to watching a TV sporting event on mute ... you know what's going on ... but you're not getting the full effect.
With that said ... I have nothing against FS bikes. In fact, I think they are cool as heck. I know I will own a FS at some point ... but until I'm living in an area where a FS is the right tool for more tasks than not ... I'll be sticking with my HT's.
I wonder how many other HT riders, whos BMX backgrounds keep them choosing HT's over FS's.
I am an ex/sometimes still BMXer- I actually own a 2001 Vegas, although #1 son has for the most part absconded w/it(w/my blessing of course ).
My history: Second-hand Stingray at 7- wooden jump ramps in the street, off-road w/dad on his English three-speed. He taught me how to get the front wheel up & over a curb as well as how to rebuild several different coaster brakes. Also how to ride backwards, sitting on bars. Next was a cheapo actual BMX bike, more jumping, some racing, a better bike, more bikes, scant success but TONS of fun racing. Next was a transitional phase on cruisers, increasingly geared toward MTB-type riding. First true MTB was the 83 Lawwill-Knight Pro Cruiser that I rode today. Many MTB races(w/better results than BMX, woohoo)and bikes later, I went full-sus; a 99(01? Can't recall)Spec'd Enduro. Coil shock, no lockout, low BB. GREAT handling, SUPER speed on DH- and my back LOVED the disconnect from the bumps. I rode my typical XC-type stuff, had quit racing by this time, but also kept a shorty stem & stubby seatpost & saddle; 5 minutes' work=dirtjump playbike. In that guise, the suspension truly kept the bike up. I've had at least one FS bike(as well as a pile of HT's)ever since.
That said, as for *old ex-BMXers favoring HT's*, I like both. My next buildup will be the Gemini- which amazingly, at 39 lbs & 6-7" of non-pedalling platform, single-pivot, GUSHY-ass travel front & rear, has an incredibly lively feel- once it gets going. SUPER-solid feel on descents. It's been parked far too long, in need of a fork rebuild(ordered seals last night, wooHOO), but every time I got on it I vowed to keep it. Sucky for standing- on THAT note, I stand a lot. I think it allows some of the *sit/spin* muscles to recover somewhat, and vice-versa.
).My history: Second-hand Stingray at 7- wooden jump ramps in the street, off-road w/dad on his English three-speed. He taught me how to get the front wheel up & over a curb as well as how to rebuild several different coaster brakes. Also how to ride backwards, sitting on bars. Next was a cheapo actual BMX bike, more jumping, some racing, a better bike, more bikes, scant success but TONS of fun racing. Next was a transitional phase on cruisers, increasingly geared toward MTB-type riding. First true MTB was the 83 Lawwill-Knight Pro Cruiser that I rode today. Many MTB races(w/better results than BMX, woohoo)and bikes later, I went full-sus; a 99(01? Can't recall)Spec'd Enduro. Coil shock, no lockout, low BB. GREAT handling, SUPER speed on DH- and my back LOVED the disconnect from the bumps. I rode my typical XC-type stuff, had quit racing by this time, but also kept a shorty stem & stubby seatpost & saddle; 5 minutes' work=dirtjump playbike. In that guise, the suspension truly kept the bike up. I've had at least one FS bike(as well as a pile of HT's)ever since.
That said, as for *old ex-BMXers favoring HT's*, I like both. My next buildup will be the Gemini- which amazingly, at 39 lbs & 6-7" of non-pedalling platform, single-pivot, GUSHY-ass travel front & rear, has an incredibly lively feel- once it gets going. SUPER-solid feel on descents. It's been parked far too long, in need of a fork rebuild(ordered seals last night, wooHOO), but every time I got on it I vowed to keep it. Sucky for standing- on THAT note, I stand a lot. I think it allows some of the *sit/spin* muscles to recover somewhat, and vice-versa.
Here's one old ex-BMXer thing that I've held onto, for which I get grief about from HT & FS riders alike ... but I find extremely helpful on saving my back ...
Laid back/Set back seatposts.
My main ride sports an older Titec HellBent laid back post with a whopping 20mm setback. I dig it.
I find that it help the sway of my back to absorb the bumps vs. the natural shock absorbtion of my discs. Without stretching me out. Just positioning my posture different. Then of course there is the extra traction as well as the ease of lifting the front end over obstaciles while climbing seated. ... as well as many other bike control things I picked up while BMX racing.
Long live the laid back posts!
Laid back/Set back seatposts.
My main ride sports an older Titec HellBent laid back post with a whopping 20mm setback. I dig it.
I find that it help the sway of my back to absorb the bumps vs. the natural shock absorbtion of my discs. Without stretching me out. Just positioning my posture different. Then of course there is the extra traction as well as the ease of lifting the front end over obstaciles while climbing seated. ... as well as many other bike control things I picked up while BMX racing.
Long live the laid back posts!
Laidback is laid back, yo.
A CL weirdo I spied: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
What the flerp
A CL weirdo I spied: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
What the flerp
You can't really go wrong with any of those.
The 456 & Blue Pig look to be the best deals out there. Especially on the used market.
The Pig seems to be the "in" HT nowadays ... can't say I'm surprised ... they're wicked. and have a cool name ta boot...
IIRC ... I think the Monk is the only SS frame that Chromag makes. I soooo covet Chromags ... a bit too pricey for my blood. I'm still kicking myself for not hopping on a used Stylus frame that I came across. :headagainstwall:
I have a bit of a Chromag boner as well. I'd love to have a Samurai but it's not in the cards right now. Bar, stem and saddle on my Tracer are all Chromag. Best bars on the planet. Perfect sweep and rise for my tastes.
Nice- will do some research and talk *next build* in a bit; going SSing w/middle child now
The 456 can be had for as little as $150.
Laidback is laid back, yo.
A CL weirdo I spied: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
What the flerp
Wow, that's a strange one for sure. Very 2000. Reminds me of the Karpiel Armageddon that Josh Bender used to ride off 55 foot cliffs, usually unsuccessfully.
The lowers on that fork have no arch. That's a lot of space between axle and crown with no support. Holy flex and imprecise steering, Batman!!
