weight of bike and weight of rider

[SalsaMTB]

I have not yet graduated to plunging off high boulders;

(Bolded added by me). Are you planning on trying this type of riding? If so, I would definitely stay away from a light race oriented XC bike. Go for an all mountain type bike.

Are there any shops in your area that would all you to demo a bike on the trails you ride? If so, that would be ideal.

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, this is a very interesting thread to me. I ride a 24-25 lb. Titus Racer X I bought used last year. I weigh 103 lbs. or so. I LOVE the bike and find it super comfy to ride compared to a hardtail, and way easier to get up the hills than my entry-level hardtail which weighs 32 lbs. HOWEVER, I have a really difficult time on single track, as even with new knobby tires, I feel like I am sliding all over the place. I attributed my problems to my newbieness to the mtb world & just general lack of skills riding the trails. I never thought about it having anything to do with the light weight of the bike and my own light weight. Is it so? Would I do better in rooty singletrack with switchbacks on my heavier hardtail? Liquidfeet, you really got me thinking here....

Thanks!
Emily

[rocknrollgirl]

Emily...one way to find out. Break out the hardtail and give it a go again. Ride something that you ride regularly on your Titus.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily...one way to find out. Break out the hardtail and give it a go again. Ride something that you ride regularly on your Titus.

Good point....duh! I guess I should just try it; I am just stuck at work and wondered if this was a generally known factoid that light riders and light mountain bikes = sucking at rooty singletrack.

Always looking for excuses, I guess!

Emily

[bcipam]

The weight of the bike really has nothing to do with the control of the bike. Handling skills will take care of any issues. Obviously a lighter bike is easier to push up hills and definitely more desirable and costlier than a heavier bike.

A good front suspension fork will take alot of jolt out of the downhills but if you are looking for smooth ride, go full suspension. Sounds like that will take care of your problem. I ride a Santa Cruz Superlight - about 25 lbs. Smooth as glass going downhill but rides up a hardtail going up.

Nowadays with the type of aggressive riding most of us do you should be looking at a bike with at least 4" or more of travel. A light bike and proper technique will roll you right rocks and roots without problem.

You didn't mention the type of tires (and wheels) you ride with. Check with the LBS for the proper tire for your terrain. A good tire, designed for your trails, will help alot.

[bcipam]

A good suggestion for you - check out the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp. 5' travel bike - all mountain, made fr everything. Comes with great components. No upgrades (unless you want bling) necessary!

[SalsaMTB]

Buidling on what BCI said...

Along with tires, for the girls who have f/s light bikes, if you feel like you're bouncing all over, make sure you have your shocks set up properly. If you never bottom out your shock, then you need to make an adjustment! We've had women come into the store with their bikes for a tuneup and I couldn't even compress the fork and rear shock. These were girls who were about 5 inches shorter than me and light weight. There is no way they were getting the benefit of full suspension.

Some bike shops don't take the time to teach you how to properly set up your bike. There should be a little sag in the suspension just sitting on it. After that, take it out for a few rides with a marker on your shock to see how much travel you get. If you don't get full travel during an aggressive ride, adjust it. You don't want to bottom out all the time, but you should be on occsaion. The suspension is definitely something you need to play around with to get it set to your preference. Take a pump to the trail and play with the settings.