Mt Bike Recs

[Velobambina]

Can anyone recommend a quality--but not high end--mountain bike? Entertaining the thought of getting one to ride on the C&O canal and off-road. I have a cross bike but I want something w/some suspension. My middle-age body just doesn't dig the jarring around.

Stupid question---do they come in WSD models, if so prefer something that will accommodate my shorter reach.

I did search the forums but couldn't find any more recent threads.

[SadieKate]

Shorter reach as in short top tube or shorter brake reach? Many of the brake levers have adjustable reach. There are WSD mtb but brand to brand the top tubes vary anyway.

Specialized and Trek both make (or made) WSD models. If you're feeling the jarring (and I empathize) you'll have to go with full suspension for the best cush. Softail and hardtail with a suspension post only soften the jarring when you're sitting - though this may be the more economical way to go.

Of course, a used bike could be the way to go for cost/value. Also, this time of year, you could get some deals on new bikes.

[LBTC]

Velo, you're going to love the dirt!

There are lots and lots of mountain bike to choose from.

I'm short (5' 1.5") and have small hands, and I love my Santa Cruz Juliana. I changed the levers to adjustable Razorrocks, just to add some comfort for my short hands. I think there are lots of levels of the Juliana SuperLight, so you don't need super high end.

I'll PM you a link to some sale priced Jamis bikes from a couple of years ago. These aren't WSD, but my girlfriend who is remarkably close in size to me, has the 2.0 in a 15" and it fits her great.

Have fun researching and riding! The dirt is FUN!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Tri Girl]

Oh, mtn biking is so much fun!!!

I have a Cannondale F5 that I like very much. It's a bit heavier than some, but it's not like I lift it other than getting it in and out of the truck. In fact, I like the weight because I find going downhill and on technical stuff I feel more stable than when I was on a lighter bike. It's not WS, but it fits me well (I have a size small and I'm barely 5'3").

No matter what you choose- mtn biking is so much fun- and the shocks really do take the jarring out.

[emily_in_nc]

Yes, there are quite a few WSD mountain bikes around. I have one from REI that is a nice bike but not high-end. It's a Novara Bonita, XS size (2004 model). The 2008 model is $589. I'm looking to sell mine as I've upgraded to a Titus Racer X, which I bought used on Ebay. The Titus not WSD, but is a size XS, and Titus tends to have short top tubes. The geometry and effective TT is virtually identical to my Bonita, even though the Bonita is a 13.5", and the Titus is a 15", so they all run differently, so you do need to go and test ride some and see what length top tube you need. For me, I use a longer TT than on a road bike due to the flat handlebars making for a shorter reach. For example, on my road bikes, my TT length (c-to-c) is around 19-19.5", where on the mtb it's more like 20.5". I am 5'1.5", by the way, just like LBTC!

If you were in my area and my size, I'd certainly be happy to sell you my Bonita for a great price . It would be great for the C&O. Though I should probably hold onto it, because Tri Girl does make a good point about a slightly heavier bike being a bit easier (at least for a beginner like me) on technical stuff. My Titus tends to slide around more than I like on roots since it's a "race" bike and quite light. That makes it great for climbs, of course!

Good luck and keep us posted -- it will be fun to find out what you choose!

Emily

[LBTC]

My Titus tends to slide around more than I like on roots since it's a "race" bike and quite light.

Have you tried out different tires? They make such a HUGE difference to handling! In our usually dry conditions I LOVE the Continental Vertical Pro on the front and a Continental Explorer Pro on the back. The traction is phenomenal and they are still pretty light. I can get lots of lean in the corners at speed without sliding out; and I can spin out on a root or rock three times and then catch and keep going. I haven't been able to do that on any other tire.

Sorry for the thread drift. Please return to your scheduled discussion.

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[SadieKate]

I have a Titus Racer-X and I don't have that problem (though I rarely ride lots of wet roots like you have in the East). Try different tires. Ask what others in the area are riding and use that in the biggest size you can get on there. I remember when going to a 2.1 was a big thing but I just put Conti Vertical Pros in 2.3 on my Racer-X and it's almost like a new bike. I'm amazed at the difference. You want a big, light tire with the right tread for your trail conditions.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the tire recs! Sorry for the thread drift, but I'll look into the Contis. 2.3" sound great! Not sure if they're too large for my rims, but I'll look into it. I did put new knobby tires on last summer (can't remember the brand and it's too late to run out to the garage to check), but they might not have been the best type for the trails I ride. This summer has been very dry and dusty, with some deep, sandy places on the trails I ride; that's probably a tough terrain for any tire. I didn't fall once all summer (but I also got off and walked the trickier sections), but I do feel the back tire trying to wash out. My weight might have something to do with it too as I am very light (103-104ish). And I'm a very inexperienced MTBer (been doing it for about 1.5 years but don't ride that often), so I am sure my poor technique is a large part of what I notice as instability on the bike too.

Thanks gals,
Emily

[SadieKate]

Emily, why do you keep thinking your weight has anything to do with it? You weigh more than the bike. The bike will go where you go. You go where your head and eyes go.

Sand is tricky for anyone, but light riders keeping up his/her speed should float through it better than a heavier rider. Smooth stroke, good cadence, and ski the bike through.

Sand is a fact 'o life here in the west.

You may just need to think more about moving/balancing your weight over front or rear tire more depending on the condition. In sand, you should really just be using the front tire as steering control so only as much weight on it to steer. Tires slide in the sand, period. But a little more weight over the back could keep it hooked up and propelling you forward.

[SadieKate]

Emily, I'm pondering your focus on weight. At what PSI are you running your tires? MTBs get better traction if you run your tires as low as possible. Since you are light, you should be able to go pretty low on a FS bike. A good way to determine this is to lower the pressure until you start to get pinch flats. Add back a few pounds of air and that's the pressure you want.

I'm 134-140 depending on my consumption of naughty things and run my tires about 32 psi. This is on all my MTBs and we have lots of nice sharp lava rocks around here.

[emily_in_nc]

Emily, I'm pondering your focus on weight. At what PSI are you running your tires? MTBs get better traction if you run your tires as low as possible. Since you are light, you should be able to go pretty low on a FS bike. A good way to determine this is to lower the pressure until you start to get pinch flats. Add back a few pounds of air and that's the pressure you want.

I typically pump them up to 40 psi (tires say 40-60 PSI, but I do know that since I'm lighter I should err towards the low side) then let them mellow for a
few weeks before pumping them again (VERY different from road tires where I pump at least once a week!) So exactly what PSI they gradually get to is going to be a little different week by week. I have never gotten a flat on my mtb, though, if that's any indication. And I really don't want to run my tires so low I start flatting. I am not great at changing tires and hardly ever get one on road bikes either so haven't had to change many.

Part of the issue is that I ride in one park that has mostly fire roads and one very smooth double-track trail. No roots, but some sand/washed out areas and ruts. Lots of long climbs. So, I like to keep my tire pressure higher for riding there as I am afraid that very low pressure will be super sluggish on long climbs.

The other park is twisty, rooty singletrack, and I do know to have lower PSI there, but perhaps it's still not low enough. If I'm going to ride there, I never pump the tires, but I don't let air out either. Maybe I should be.

I am sure weight (of the bike or of me) is only a small factor, if it is a factor at all. I did notice that my Titus is much more responsive (twitchy) than my heavier Novara Bonita on the trails, so I figured weight mattered somewhat, but maybe it's all geometry, wheelbase, or the difference between FS and HT? But I remember reading in the past that bike weight makes some difference in stability on the trails, and then Tri Girl's post in this this thread kinda reinforced that, but maybe it's not the case, since you don't seem to think so. I stand corrected.

I am sure my inexperience is my main problem I have as I am relatively new to MTB (been riding on the road for years) and don't have anyone experienced to ride with and learn from except every now and then, when a guy from work joins my friend and I on our rides, so I just have to learn as I go. I do okay, no falls this year, actually, but I do get off and walk the hairy parts. My riding buddy is inexperienced too, so can't help with technique. And I've never seen a mtb class or clinic around here. I'm sure that would help a lot.

I probably won't be able to work on my technique much until next year as it is too dark to ride after work now, and we travel a lot on weekends, so I probably won't get too many MTB rides in 'til next spring. I'm not nearly as serious about it as a lot of gals on here; I just enjoy getting out and riding in the woods, but I have so many other activities I do when I'm not at work that I'm a jack of all trades, master of none. If I really put my mind to mtbing and did it often, I am sure I'd improve a lot more than I have over the last year+.

Sorry again for the thread drift, Velobambina. Have you gotten to try out any MTBs yet? It really is loads of fun, though I don't think I was really prepared for how much I was going to fall (compared to road riding) in my first season (summer/fall 2006) of riding. I am not fond of falling, but have been staying upright lately!

Emily

[divingbiker]

Velobambina, since you're in the DC area, I'd suggest you go to The Bike Lane in Burke to see what they've got and to talk to them. Also check out their Buyers Guide to Mountain Bikes. They seem to know more about mountain bikes than most other LBS's in the area that I've been to. I took a mountain biking clinic from them last spring, and they sponsor a women's team, so they're very familiar with women and MTB's.

(And when you get that bike, please join the rest of us in the TE-Mid-Atlantic forum for our occasional rides in Rosaryville State Park.)

[Velobambina]

Thanks for all the feedback. If I decide to take the plunge and buy a mt bike, I'll check out the Bike Lane. I've heard great things about that shop, so it's a good excuse to visit.

I just got a step increase so I can start saving (for you non-Feddies out there, that's a small promotion). A mt. bike would be a good way to mark twenty long years of fed'l govt service -- only 11 years and three months to go! LOL.

[hiker chick]

Love riding the C&O. I started out with a Novara Bonita but gave it to my sister after riding a Rocky Mountain Vertex 30. The Rocky Mt is not WSD but it fit me perfectly.

Hudson Trail Outfitter carries Rocky Mountain (I bought a white '07 at the Pentagon Row store) as does Big Wheel Bikes on Spout Run (where I bought a black '06).

Good luck! If you see a white dog pulling a Rocky Mountain Vertex 30 on the C&O (or the Mall or Great Falls NP), that'd be me and my Samoyed, Gidget.