To the MTB goddesses! Bike advice please!

[bluerider]

Hi ladies,

Does anyone ride a Stumpjumper HT? From what I’ve read, it’s an awesome ride. I’m looking for a HT due to $ but also the riding I’ll mostly be doing is fast, x-country.

I have read tons about the pros and cons regarding disc brakes but am still sitting on the fence on this.

Any other comparable recommendations from you ladies? I have looked at the Kona Kula as well. I’m sure the list is endless but ultimately, weight, quality, and budget are the three key factors.

Thanks for reading! :)

[han-grrl]

Weight is always the most $$ part of a bike.

what is your budget?

disk brakes can add a couple of pounds of weight. IMO, they're a nice to have, but not a necessity (but will depend on the terrain)

a light hard tail is easier to create, FS mtb are much more expensive.

if you are trying to reduce weight on the wheels focus on the outside (ie rims and tires) before focusing on $$ hubs and the like. the outer circumference weight will make you slower. so you can spend a little bit extra on lighter tires and see quite a difference, or a lot on a hub and see little difference.

it really depends what your budget is in terms of what to spend some extra $ on to make your ride lighter.

smile
Han

[bluerider]

Thanks han-grrl. My budget is under $1500. I have pedals/shoes, clothing, so really am spending all of this on the bike.

The terrain I ride won't likely require disc brakes but I think it's one of those things that if I don't buy with the bike, it will be really tough to add afterwards. I'm a roadie so spending $$$ on disc brakes and FS is not something I'm interested. Ack, what to do!!!

But thanks for making me think about balancing weight vs budget.

[Kallisti]

With mountain biking, the weight of the bike is far more important, because you have to throw the bike around and manipulate the weight so much more. For this reason, Specialized bikes can be dudes, because their HTs usually weigh around 30 lbs. That's about 25-30% of the weight of most women, meaning it's a very heavy bike, relatively. Knowing what I know now, if I was to buy a new HT, I'd figure out about 15-20% of my weight, and aim for a bike that weighs around there. From there, it's just a matter of finding the best components and frame I can afford for that weight.
BTW, the best place to take weight off of a bike is in the wheels, tires, and drivetrain (rotational weight).
Brakes are terrain dependent. I live in an area of high sand and mud, so disc brakes help a lot. But I've ridden in areas (hardpack soil) where disc brakes would just be extra weight.

[rocknrollgirl]

Hi Ya,
Well, the DH just built a XC racer for me last fall. His feeling is that you should spend your money on Frame, brakes and fork, in that order.

Now being the rider of that bike, I have to tell you that my hydrolic disc brakes are the BEST feature of my new bike. In my opinion, they are the one mechanical advantage that has improved my perfomance leaps and bounds, because they allow for so much more control.

I have a full ridgid bike with rim brakes, and all mountain bike with mechanical disc brakes( avid BB7) and a racer with hydrolics,(magura marta's) so I can speak from experience.

They may be slightly heavier, and more expensive, but they are worth it.

I agree with the above post about weight. I dropped from 32 pounds to 25 pounds on my new bike.

Just my 2 cents....

BTW my DH is a walking bike build catalog...if you need any more input shoot me a pm

Ruth

[LBTC]

I vote for the disc brakes, too. Not only for the terrain mentioned, but also for wet conditions. Over the years we've spent a lot on various upgrades to our MTBs, all a way of acquiring more skill. The discs (I have old hydraulic hayes and still love them) made the biggest single difference!

It's true that rotational weight is the biggest weight factor, also, but there are sometimes some small weight savers that don't always cost a lot: stem, bar, seatpost are good ones. And, yes, definitely pay attention to the tires. You may even consider going to Stans in your tires instead of tubes. You don't need the heavier tubeless tires to do this, but it does work better with certain rim / tire combinations than with others.

Have fun building and riding your new bike!!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~