|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Now I really want a moutain bike
I am a fairly dedicated roadie but thought I should broaden my horizon
a bit. So I started to shop for a mountain bike. The LBS gave a demo Jamis Dakkar to take on the trail to see how I liked the bike and to just get a feel for the whole notion of taking a bike where no road-bike would ever want to go. To make a long story short: I had a blast. It was beautiful fall day, sunny and 60 degrees. When I finally reached the top of the moutain, I had a great look onto the Hudson and the bright fall colors. I really enjoyed the more varied type of riding which so different from hammering on the roads. The riding itself was a bit humbling, as I got off the bike more often than I expected, sometimes more and sometimes less controlled. It really instilled a bit of humbleness into my opinion about how good I can handle a bicycle. However, that justed added to the fun - a new challenge, whoopdidoo ! I always liked to have a mountain bike, but now I WANT one ! (Even more fun, as I now have to figure out what I want. The LBS is suggesting Specialized Stumpjumper or said Jamis. Any opinions, in addition to what I already saw on mountainbikereview.com ?) I just came back from that ride, so I am still full of the excitement and thought I'd share it with the group. Bengt-Olaf. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
wrote:
I am a fairly dedicated roadie but thought I should broaden my horizon a bit. So I started to shop for a mountain bike. I just came back from that ride, so I am still full of the excitement and thought I'd share it with the group. yea, mountain biking! http://members.cox.net/mtbbill/image...crash-500k.mpg the one part of the mountain bike speak that doesn't need translating was the "did ya get that on film?" bit. -- david reuteler |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
David Reuteler wrote: wrote: I am a fairly dedicated roadie but thought I should broaden my horizon a bit. So I started to shop for a mountain bike. I just came back from that ride, so I am still full of the excitement and thought I'd share it with the group. yea, mountain biking! http://members.cox.net/mtbbill/image...crash-500k.mpg the one part of the mountain bike speak that doesn't need translating was the "did ya get that on film?" bit. -- david reuteler You aren't trying to scare me out of this new found way to spend hours and money in pursuit of happiness? That was a hell of a tumble. You know I don't mind falling, but I'm very particular about the way I land. And that's not how I picture it :-) |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
wrote:
You aren't trying to scare me out of this new found way to spend hours and money in pursuit of happiness? That was a hell of a tumble. You know I don't mind falling, but I'm very particular about the way I land. And that's not how I picture it :-) that's exactly how i picture my fall. he actually survived quite well! http://www.mountainbikebill.com/MilesCrash.htm when i first saw that movie i thought it was local (i live in boise, idaho & that's a spitting image for the local terrain). so far i've taken a few headers -- one head first down 15 feet, a few endos -- but nothing like that. i did manage to break a rib my first ride out, tho. fwiw, i picked up a specialized stumpjumper and i'm reasonably happy with it. -- david reuteler |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Well yeah, if you explain it to me that way :-)
Still I'd rather not take such a fall in the first place. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
On 26 Oct 2004 12:10:32 -0700, wrote:
I am a fairly dedicated roadie but thought I should broaden my horizon a bit. So I started to shop for a mountain bike. The LBS gave a demo Jamis Dakkar to take on the trail to see how I liked the bike and to just get a feel for the whole notion of taking a bike where no road-bike would ever want to go. To make a long story short: I had a blast. It was beautiful fall day, sunny and 60 degrees. When I finally reached the top of the moutain, I had a great look onto the Hudson and the bright fall colors. I really enjoyed the more varied type of riding which so different from hammering on the roads. The riding itself was a bit humbling, as I got off the bike more often than I expected, sometimes more and sometimes less controlled. It really instilled a bit of humbleness into my opinion about how good I can handle a bicycle. However, that justed added to the fun - a new challenge, whoopdidoo ! I always liked to have a mountain bike, but now I WANT one ! (Even more fun, as I now have to figure out what I want. The LBS is suggesting Specialized Stumpjumper or said Jamis. Any opinions, in addition to what I already saw on mountainbikereview.com ?) I just came back from that ride, so I am still full of the excitement and thought I'd share it with the group. Bengt-Olaf. My only comment for you is to go for it and get a mountain bike. I have two MTBs and one road bike that rarely gets a turn. It is just too much fun to be able to go where road bikes fear to tread, or can't. Try riding a road bike through a muddy patch and suddenly you will appreciate those wide mountain bike tires. Also, for some reason, falling hurts less with a mountain bike, maybe because it happens in the weeds and dirt instead of on pavement. Carrying the bike is routine when you go exploring new trails. Many of them are foot trails or even animal trails, but all are fun to follow. Just my two cents. Bill Baka -- Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/ |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Bill Baka wrote:
Also, for some reason, falling hurts less with a mountain bike, maybe because it happens in the weeds and dirt instead of on pavement. Also because you're usually going a lot slower. Still, good riders shouldn't fall and injure themselves in the wilderness. Carrying the bike is routine when you go exploring new trails. Many of them are foot trails or even animal trails, but all are fun to follow. I agree, hike-a-bike is all part of the adventure. Plus the stuff you can't ride the first time is a challenge to master as your skills improve. In southern CA I preferred mountain biking because the varied terrain was much more interesting, and the roads in southern CA are particularly boring. But since I moved to the Appalachians, I hardly ever go mountain biking anymore. Not that the mountain biking isn't good (it is), but the road riding is so interesting. The bottom line is that I enjoy all kinds of riding just as much. One thing to think about is maintenance. Once you start riding off road, your bike will get dirty, and grind itself to pieces if you don't take care of it. Go with reliability and ease of maintenance over sophistication -- for example, get a hardtail with a top quality fork rather than a dual suspension rig with less robust equipment. All drivetrains work pretty well these days, but the difference in suspension quality is still great. Make sure you get stuff that's well supported and will be in the future, because you're going to need things like seals and bushings. Matt O. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for the advice. So far almost everybody I talked to has
suggested that I should get a dual-suspension bike. The argument was that, ignoring comfort, it would track better because the rear wheel would stay on the ground most the time. Are rear suspensions so much more prone to failure than front suspensions ? Do they require more maintenance than front suspensions ? Thanks, Bengt-Olaf. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
On 27 Oct 2004 04:44:26 -0700, Bengt-Olaf wrote:
Thanks for the advice. So far almost everybody I talked to has suggested that I should get a dual-suspension bike. The argument was that, ignoring comfort, it would track better because the rear wheel would stay on the ground most the time. Are rear suspensions so much more prone to failure than front suspensions ? Do they require more maintenance than front suspensions ? Thanks, Bengt-Olaf. You would need to buy a fairly expensive one and test ride it first. I had a Mongoose dual suspension that had a really nice front suspension that saved my wrists from some road/trail bump wear, but the rear was a waste of time. Now it is no suspension for me and haven't had a problem with the rear tracking. Tracking is entirely dependent on how you ride, downhill racer or trail rider. A few problems I have had are the rear locking up on steep descents and washing out the front with too much braking, too steep, maybe should have walked, but adrenalin rush. Crashing due to stupid judgement like trying to ride between two rocks and having a pedal snag on one where I should have stopped and carried. Personally, I like less parts to wear and tear, and yes, you should hose off the bike and oil things after a dusty ride. You just need to work out your own style and go out and have fun. Happy riding, Bill Baka -- Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/ |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for the comments. I also test rode a Specialized FSR and like
the feel of it. So I ordered one. We'll see how well the moving parts in the rear hold up over time. If they break, there is another reason to tinker with the bike. That's good too (just not as good as actually riding). As far as cleaning bikes go, I take much better care of my bikes than of my car despite the factor 10+ difference in investment. Just more fun to take care of the bike. So I'll give that new bike a good home. As far as steep descents and all that goes, I'm sure I'll get myself in over my head early and often. After all, it is a lot easier to tell stories if you have the scars to prove it :-) Bengt-Olaf. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Chain skipping | Micheal Artindale | Mountain Biking | 17 | June 26th 04 12:56 AM |
Bike Stores Endangerd Because of Super Chain Stores? | James Lynx | General | 112 | June 5th 04 01:22 PM |
Trips for Kids 13th Annual Bike Swap & Sale | Marilyn Price | Techniques | 0 | June 1st 04 04:54 AM |
Trips for Kids 13th Annual Bike Swap & Sale | Marilyn Price | General | 0 | June 1st 04 04:52 AM |
Trips for Kids 13th Annual Bike Swap & Sale | Marilyn Price | Recumbent Biking | 0 | June 1st 04 04:49 AM |