Jamis Dakar XC Comp?

[Catrin]

Why do you want a dually for just doing easy peasy rail trails??? A hardtail will do the exact same thing...



I love my dually. We still have my hardtail(now singlespeed) but it's too long in the reach. A hardtail shouldn't be shunned!

I already have two bikes that will do easy rail trails I would like to do more than that, and I've assorted body parts that like to hurt, including lower back issues. I do think that a dually would be kinder to my body in the long run and help me to be less afraid to try more difficult mountain bike trails. I also don't want\have room for more than 3 bikes

I have been told my Gunnar can handle non-techie mountain bike trails - but I don't want to take my beautiful custom go-fast bike where she will likely get scratched up Right horse for the course!

The smallest Dakota XC Race Femme appears to have a longer top tube than the 13 Dakar and they both appear to cost the same. Of all of them, the Durango (in either a 12 or 14 inch) has the shortest top tube. Have you ruled out the Durango? It's price is certainly more attractive.

.....Obviously, there is a flip side to that argument, i.e., that you won't like the sport very much or be very good at it unless you buy a good bike and one that takes into account any physical issues that you have. I do think that's a valid argument, so if that's where you're coming from, I understand.

I've considered all of this, and I do think it is best to get a bike with decent components and one that takes into account my physical issues. If it hurts me then I will be less likely to ride it, or to explore more challenging mountain bike trails. Sure I am starting with easy trails, but knowing me I will want to try more challenging terrain as my skills develop.

About the Durango - I have had more than one person tell me it isn't really suitable for Brown County State Park - it is more suitable to rail trails/gravel riding and that I would not be happy with it on actual mountain bike trails. Not everyone telling me this is trying to sell me a bike

The 13 inch Dakar is probably too small in other ways then the TT, my fitter has told me that I need to look at 15 inch bikes, possibly 14 inch. Because of fitting needs I've been told that it will be quite challenging to find a FS that would fit me properly outside of custom. That doesn't mean I am not looking however Hard tails do tend to have shorter TTT...

Jonathan DID put me on a 12 and 13 inch hard tail last Saturday just to see, but of course they were too small... The test ride of the larger Durangos will give us good information.

I greatly appreciate all of the input here - it really helps me to think things through before I pull the trigger on a third bike. I do expect my mountain bike will need replacing before my other bikes - so upgrading in the future is also in the back of my mind.