Trail or All Mountain?

[cal4ever]

Greetings, Ladies! I've been a long time lurker and have gotten fantastic advice from just reading the forum. I'm hoping that someone can help me with my dilemma.

I'm a road cyclist turned mountain biker. I still love my road bike (I ride a 2010 44cm Ruby Expert [bought a test bike for an amazing deal!!]), but I've recently been bitten by the mountain biking bug. Actually, I've been bitten HARD! I'm currently riding a small 2011 Myka FSR comp. It's definitely fine and suits my current skill level, but it is a little heavy and I wouldn't mind a little more travel.

My dilemma is whether I should look into trail bikes or all mountain bikes? Granted, there are more trail bikes out there that are my size (i.e. safire pro, xxs pivot and so forth), but I haven't found a lot of all mountain bikes that would fit me. I intend to do a lot of climbing with my bike and various descents (though nothing where I would drop 2 or 3 feet!!!!). Would a trail bike be sufficient? And if so, any recommendations would be great!!!

Again, thanks!

[Irulan]

What's the the difference in travel? I tend to put all mountain and trail in the same category which I know may not be accurate. IIRC all mountain has a little more travel and a little more slack geometry... is that correct ( brain is fuzzy this morning)

[SheFly]

What's the the difference in travel? I tend to put all mountain and trail in the same category which I know may not be accurate. IIRC all mountain has a little more travel and a little more slack geometry... is that correct ( brain is fuzzy this morning)

You are correct. The all mountain bikes are heavier, have more travel both front and rear, and do have a different geometry. They' in between a trail bike and a downhill bike - good for free-riding.

A cross country bike will be lighter and have less travel (but likely enough for what you will be doing). I currently have a cross country bike, but have had both. I race, so prefer the cross country, and can still manage any type of free ride-type stuff I want to do (which is limited). Would I ride this down a mountain? Yes, but not on downhill-specific trails, likely.

Try both, but that should help you clarify the differences.

SheFly

ETA: the travel difference is usually 1". A cross country will have 4" vs 5" for an all mountain, for example...

[Artista]

I vote for fit over travel. I ended choosing an XXS Pivot Mach 4 because of the fit. I'm excited about not hitting the top bar the way I have been on my too big Specialized when I have to come off the saddle hard & fast. We small women can improve our skills to overcome lack of travel but we can't grow longer legs or torso if we get a bike that's too big.

About climbing, my understanding is that the XC geometry is more conducive to climbing than all mountain geometry.

[cal4ever]

Thanks for the suggestion, everyone! I've tried a few bikes, and so far, Specialized bikes fit me the best. I'll have to try a Pivot xxs.

[Artista]

Based on my experience, you may have a tough time finding an XXS Pivot to test ride. None of the dealers in my state stocked that size. Fortunately, someone was sponsoring a Pivot demo within a month of when I began shopping. I am so glad that I waited to make my decision until after the demo. The Pivot was awesome & turned out to be THE ONE, but there was no way that I would have invested that kind of $$$ in a bike without test riding it first.

Here's a link to Pivot's demo schedule in case you have the same difficulties locating an XXS that I did. http://www.pivotcycles.com/demo I'd call Pivot if you don't see a demo in your area. They may be able to hook up with an LBS near you so that you can test one, (or 2 or 3 or 4). The great thing about Pivot's demos is that they bring all of their bikes in all of the sizes. You can do back-to-back test rides on Pivot's XC & all mountain bikes in various sizes to determine which suits you best.

[cal4ever]

Thanks, Ladies!!

So, I tried a Specialized Era comp today -- a bike I was not looking at all. And then, it happened...I fell in love!!! I know I was looking at either a trail or an all mountain, but I could NOT help but fall in love with the speed of the Era! It was just so light and so fluid in the climbs and it did pretty well on my descents too. Oh boy, what have I done?!

[cal4ever]

Well, a funny thing happened...I forgot to mention that when I bought my Era, I also tried an XS pivot 5.7. Well, I didn't buy it the Pivot last week. I bought the Era, but I couldn't stop thinking about the Pivot. So, I called the owner of my LBS and told him my situation. He said "so, you want to exchange your bike and pay the difference?" And I said, "uh, yes." Now I am the proud owner of a Pivot 5.7!!!!!!! She's a beauty!

[Artista]

Good for you for getting what you really wanted. When I was waffling on buying the Pivot, my very wise mother pointed out that life is short, that I'm not getting any younger, that I should get what I really wanted & ride the heck out of it. She was so right! Now that I have the Pivot & I'm over the buyer's remorse, I'm having an absolute ball on it. I fall asleep at night reliving my best rides & wake up in the morning looking forward to my next ride.

That's one proactive LBS. Good on them for making it possible for you to get what you really wanted.

Enjoy the ride!

[jessmarimba]

cal4ever, I want your new bike!

And Artista, I want your mom. Mine says, "I just don't see what's the matter with the bikes at Wal-mart. Why do you need a bike that costs more than your car?"

[Artista]

And Artista, I want your mom. Mine says, "I just don't see what's the matter with the bikes at Wal-mart. Why do you need a bike that costs more than your car?"

You can tell a real Coloradoan when the bike & rack on the car are worth more than the car they're on :D

[cal4ever]

Jess - it's truly amazing bike. It was more than what I wanted to spend, especially at my current level, but wow. Seriously, wow.

Artista - you already know how awesome it is having a Pivot, but wow! :)