I’m in the market for a new mountain bike as my old one is slowly falling apart. She is a great bike (1995 Gary Fisher Aquilia hardtail) but I have abused her without mercy or remorse. I think it is time to retire her to commute duty. Now I am looking for a full suspension cross-country affair (no downhill for me!). I originally wanted a Klein Mantra, but the only model they offer this year is a comp and that is WAY outside of my price range. Also, I am a clyde of 220 6’1" and I play it a little rough on the trails, so I can end up hammering a frame.
I live in Asheville, N.C. For those of you unfamiliar with the topography it is very muddy with lots of roots and stuff.
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on rides or personal favorites they use. These only two I have specifically investigated are Klein Adept and Gary Fisher Sugar 2. Any advice would be great.
Thanks in advance!
Have you tried riding a seven-speed bike? Based on the old three-speed hub concept, but much improved. I rode my brother’s in Duluth, MN the other day–it was made by Raleigh, very heavy-duty and comfortable, plus you can shift down from a dead stop at the bottom of a hill. Very convenient!
He said seven-speeds are the top models in Europe, but they are discontinuing in the US because Americans are obsessed with mountain bikes.
…I also forgot to mention the in-hub brakes on these seven speeds aren’t affected by rain or riding through water, so they’re safer than the external brake system.
I’ve never heard of this. Do you know any other manufacturers besides Raleigh?
Have you visited http://www.mtbreview.com?
Earthling,
Thanks for the reply. I have, and have done a lot of other research which led me to the Klein and Sugar2. I was wondering if anyone else had any input as to what they have heard or what they ride, that sort of thing.
I’d recommend the K2 Zed. Good aluminum frame. My setup includes Mavic wheels, Shimano Ultegra LX (mid-range) 9 cog cassette. New around $1200. (BTW, it’s a hardtail)
For great information for us Clydedales, look to Keith Bontrager’s site. I can’t seem to find it atm but it is the best, most informative site I have ever found for us and mountain bikers in general. He has set opinions that are based in reality, not some marketing hype.
<b>MikeG</b>,
Wow! Great idea. Thanks for the tip…what do you ride?
…I should preview…so many forums, so many format choices…
There’s a pretty good Mountain Bike forum here:
http://www.mountainbike.com
Hit the FORUMS link
Right now I am on a Trek 8300 carbon fiber/Al composite which I do NOT care for, but since I am strapped for cash it will have to do.
My ideal bike would be a Moots hooked up to an AMP fork.
I ride on Chris King/Mavic 217’s cuz they are sweeeet and Magura hydraulic brakes cuz they will slow my fat ass down in a hurry!
My real life ideal bike would be a good steel frame mountain bike. There are lots of small manufacturers out there, what is your budget? Look at Gunnar, the stock line of Waterford. Nice stuff and good prices.
Yes! For example this belongs in IMHO, so I’ll move it there for you. Looks like you’ve got some good advice so far, though. Jill
JillGat,
Oops…sorry.
MikeG,
The most I can spend is $1500. I’ll check out Gunnar…
Revtim,
I’ll also check out the forums there. Thanks.
My brother’s wife rides a Shimano seven-speed and loves it. Hereis an interesting link where they discuss these bikes in greater detail.
A great place for deals
HOLY FLURKING SCHNITT!!!
Steal the extra hundred bucks! My God this is a good deal!!
GODDAMN my previous employer for laying me off - I would buy this in a heartbeat!
sorry for the exclamation points, but the frame alone is worth like $2500
MikeG,
Danm, that is a great deal. Thanks for the heads up…I’m going to give that guy a call, I think.
leroy_the_mule,
Thanks for this link…I’ll check it out as well!
Another site to check is http://www.bikemagic.com This is a UK based site and we know a thing or seven about what equipment you need for muddy conditions.