Thinking about buying a mountain bike

[BadgerGirl]

Alright, my goal for this year was to buy a mountain bike. That was before I decided to move to Wisconsin. Love Wisconsin, but I came from Colorado. (enough said) Anyways, I was looking at a full suspension Giant. The Trance to be exact. I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion about having a full suspension bike is worth it in Wisconsin. I know I will go back to Colorado (for vacation or possibly for good!). I also want to go to Moab and South Dakota. But trips to big mountain areas will be limited for a couple of years. Is it worth it?

Can anyone give me some places to ride too? I am aware of the Kettle Moraine area. Any other places you like in WI or even MN?

Just a little background...I used to BMX and have a hard tail mountain bike which I enjoyed urban terrain with. I currently have a road bike for road riding and triathlons.

[Di bear]

"Thinking about buying a mountain bike"

This is a good thought.

I personally would explore the idea of getting something other than a Trance. For some reason, that bike doesn't sound good to me. I know some people who have Trance problems of late. Overall, Giant is a good company. Maybe the new Trances are just fine.

As far as riding goes, you REALLY need to get up to Michigan. Come to Houghton/Hancock. Check out the Michigan Mountain Biking Association forum if you decide to come. I say go there cuz you're more likely to get in touch with me and others who are willing to point you in the right direction in this area. We LOVE showing people our trails.

Coming from Colorado, I think you'll really appreciate Copper Harbor. It's very challenging. It has long climbs and descents and lots of technical terrain. Something I would think you'd find quite refreshing after riding in Wisconsin.

I would not rule out getting a FS MTB. Make sure you get something with a good shock. Make sure the rear shock feels good to you when you lock it out. It's very easy to test because you should take it on the road and see how badly it bobs and how annoying it is. Example: I like my RockShox shock on my old bike, but I never lock it out cuz it does this annoying jarring motion with strong pedal strokes. It's not that big of a deal because I usually stick to bumpy trails. I love technical. My new Fox shock has pro pedal which doesn't lock it out, but minimizes bob. My new shock feels REALLY good.

We're mountain biking freaks up here, and the terrain is great for it, so I hope you do get a chance to visit.

We're heading down the Iola this weekend for the WORS race, so that will be my first WI mountain biking experience.

[Red Rock]

BadgerGirl- I've been looking as well. Today, I was on the Giant site and looked around. Another thred mentioned the Giant Trance being a good bike. The ones that caught my eye were the Reign 1 and 2 in the All Mountain section. The Trance was in the trail section, so I figured that would not be so good around Southwestern Utah, or if I have the desire to go to other parts of the West.

I have looked at Konas (to me seemed to heavy for me), and Santa Cruz ( did not test ride). My younger brother has a Specialized Stumpjumper and really enjoys it a lot. I would suggest viewing on mtb.com the section of the type of bike your intrested in if you have not already. There is a lot of information there.

I hope this helps

Red Rock

[ikkin]

santa cruz juliana. awesome cross country bike. super light, cushy, fits women, hooray!

[bouncybouncy]

I second the Santa Cruz Julianna (or Superlight) I would not trade my first few years of mtbiking for another bike...I have just recently up(stimulus)graded to a sweeeet Yeti!!! because after all those years I realized I needed a longer top-tube. I just so happen to be a woman in a non-typical body with really short legs...arg!

[bounceswoosh]

I think you just gotta test ride a few bikes, on real trails, not just on the street in front of the shop.

This really hit home for me when I was looking at a Yeti vs. an Ellsworth last year. I ended up demo'ing both on the same day, so I could compare them directly. A friend of mine (guy, same height) also tried both.

I fell in love with the Ellsworth, couldn't stand the Yeti, even though I was dead set on loving the Yeti, and I really thought Ellsworths were kind of snooty and not my personality at all. My friend had the exact opposite experience -- the Yeti worked for him and the Ellsworth just didn't.

Mountain bikes have such differences in suspension design and geometry that I just don't think anyone's opinion counts much aside from your own.

That being said, my first mountain bike I didn't do any research, and it was fine for a couple of years till it got run over. But after those couple of years, I did find myself interested in seeing what else is out there.

[BadgerGirl]

Thank you for all of the input. I have considered the SC Juliana too. I wasn't sure if I could get it to fit me since I am 5'11" and all legs...Since I just moved, I have not had time to check the shops out here. If I went with Giant, I would go back to my old shop in Boulder! (I am too loyal to them. And no Giant shops w/in 150 miles!)

Thank you for the input about Michigan. I have not visited MI in a long time! Thank you for the link Bear.

Bounceswoosh, you have a good point. We are all different. I was just worries I would get a mtn bike that was too much suspension for a flat WI! He he. Alright, I need to be nice to WI...it has some good traits!

Thank you everybody for the help.

[rocknrollgirl]

I have a FS Titus and I love it. Nuff said.....

[sundial]

The Titus is a great looking bike and looks ready for any challenge.

I've been chatting with Running Mommy about FS mtbs, specifically the Santa Cruz Blur. She recommended Giant and I'd like to give a Trance a test ride.

[BadgerGirl]

There are a lot of good bikes out there! Which is always good because you can find something to fit you, your style, and budget too. Anyone have any experience with Maverick? Thank you gals for all of your help!

[bounceswoosh]

Bounceswoosh, you have a good point. We are all different. I was just worries I would get a mtn bike that was too much suspension for a flat WI! He he. Alright, I need to be nice to WI...it has some good traits!
Thank you everybody for the help.

I ride my full suspension bike on trails that need it (for comfort over lots of rocks, not so much for drops), and I also ride it on flat dirt roads sometimes. Sure, you'll always get some bob, but what is your major worry in terms of going FS rather than hardtail?

You can also get lockout for front and back shocks. I had front lockout on my last mountain bike and found it a little weird, but both might be okay. For my current bike, I opted to believe the manufacturer; they claim their suspension design is so superior that lockouts aren't necessary ... I could have replaced the non-locking shock they used for the rear, but decided not to, and so far, I certainly haven't missed it. Not that I'd ever had it to compare.

Speaking of demoing -- you could demo a hardtail and a FS and see what you think on those WI trails.

If I had infinite money and room, I think I'd want a hardtail in my garage, just to have that option ... but with only one bike, FS can do more (comfortably) than hardtail.

[atombessy]

I have a Julianna as well, love love love it. One of the only things I wish I'd gotten (and will probably upgrade to in the future) is a rear shock that locks out. Definitely something to keep in mind, depending on the variety of trails you'll be riding...

[BadgerGirl]

I do have a hardtail, but it is going to get converted to a commuter bike. Yea! I should test the trails here with a bike I am looking at but two of the three manufacturers are not in this state. Santa Cruz bikes are one that I can test here, so I think I will do that soon. The others will have to wait...

[SalsaMTB]

Ah....the old HT vs FS debate. I live in MI, so I can't comment on WI terrain, but it it's anything like metro detroit, FS is not necessary. BUT...you mention you want to go on some bike trips, so I would get a FS.

The only reason I would recommend HT over FS is if you plan on racing (assuming terrain is similar to MI of course). If you don't plan on racing and plan trips out west, stick with FS, maybe something like 4-5 inches of travel.

Depending on your budget, some bikes I'm digging right now are.....

Turner Flux or 5.5Spot
BMC Fourstroke or Trailfox
Salsa El Santo

My husband had the Klien Palomino for a while (uses Maverick suspension design) and he loved it. It was one of his favorite bikes, so based on that, I would think the Maverick would be a good choice also.