Weight of a mtb compared to a Trek hybrid

[pardes]

Thanks Tahoey, I'll check it out.

In fact you almost answered a question I was about to post that would help newbies like me to shop for bikes.

Question:
If you look at 1) a top of the line bike, 2) a midline bike, and 3) an entry level bike, what problems are you likely to encounter with each. In other words, is it worth it to be a higher level bike if you can afford it? If you buy a bike at a mid level or entry level, what parts are likely to not be so good or should be replaced immediately?

[sundial]

I think you pay for a lighter bike and better/quicker shifting components. One of the reasons I sold my Rockhopper to a friend was so that I could get an Epic that had hydraulic disc brakes and better shifters. Oh, and the full suspension too. I had toyed with putting better components on the Rockhopper but knew in the end I would prefer a full suspension bike. I've been very pleased with my decision. I think that if one can, one should consider the mid-higher end models.

[pardes]

Sundial, how much would you say your Epic weighs? I checked them out online and found a dealer that is local. Which particular model would you recomment in the Epic line?

[sundial]

If you wait for the 09's, there is a significant weight drop, say from ~24 to ~21.5 lbs in the Epic, but I don't know if it's available in the mid-range (expert) or higher range (marathon). Specialized hasn't updated their website yet with the new bikes but it's rolling in the shops now.

You might want to also consider the Era if you fit a women's specific design. It's the women's version of the Epic. It is designed to be lighter than other WSD mtb's for that reason.

I have the '08 Epic Comp and it weighs about 24 lbs. I do think about some day upgrading to the Marathon series to get the bike in carbon fiber. But I also remember that lighter sometimes means it won't absorb as much shock if you barrel down a mountain, lol. I exercise the dogs with it and I banged my body around with it in a race and I have to say I'm more than pleased with the performance--excellent handling, good brakes, and rapid shifting. It's not too bad to lift, just kinda awkward compared to handling carbon fiber mtb. Say, you don't have one of those in your steed yet, right? Hmmmmm.

[pardes]

Thanks, Sundial. We have a local distributor and I'll go heckle them for a while. However, the last time I was in their bike store, they didn't even acknowledge my existence....as if I was invisible, so I left. Perhaps they thought I was someone's grandmother who had wandered in by mistake.

[Becky]

Thanks, Sundial. We have a local distributor and I'll go heckle them for a while. However, the last time I was in their bike store, they didn't even acknowledge my existence....as if I was invisible, so I left. Perhaps they thought I was someone's grandmother who had wandered in by mistake.

Having just looked up who the local dealers are, I'm not surprised.... I think I've feuded with every LBS in northern DE

BTW, isn't the Epic full-suspension....?

[sundial]

We have a local distributor and I'll go heckle them for a while. However, the last time I was in their bike store, they didn't even acknowledge my existence....as if I was invisible, so I left.

Ooooh, that would prompt me to be even more persistent about showing them! You know, one of the perks of being older and wiser is you can get by with a whole lot more stuff than people your junior. That includes miffery. Miffery is giving them the audible "Hmpf!" and, "Well I guess I don't need that measley carbon fiber mountain bike after all. Maybe I'll go to that OTHER bike shop."

Did I tell you about the awesome mountain biker that left EVERYBODY in the dust? Know what? SHE was in her 50's. And she could haul her happy hiney anywhere she wanted and nobody could keep up, lol. She raced with the experts (all pro roadies that were men). I want to grow up to be like her. I'll bet some bike shops misjudged her and wanted to write her off.

Don't let them write you off. You march back in the store and you get that bike of your dreams. If you want a full suspension bike with bells and whistles then you show 'em! Heck, call Running Mommy. She offers EXCELLENT customer service and has some dandy mountain bikes at her store. And I'll bet she'll throw in a hunk to ride with you on the trail.

[withm]

Pardes - your Trek 7.2 will be just fine until we get snow. Then.... do you really want to be riding your bike? If so, change the tires to something with a little more agressive tread (snow tires if you will). Or give yourself a break and wait for the snow to melt before venturing out again. If you really really want to ride in snow, wide knobby tires, the biggest that you can fit, and FENDERS will make winter commutes bearable.

For more, check out the Ice Bike thread in Bike Journal - there are many many posts there by people that do this every day in very cold climates.

But really, your bike will serve you well.

Now if you are looking for an excuse for another bike, and have the space to keep it.... by all means, get a beater bike and studded tires if you like for the snow. But I can hardly believe you would want to buy a nice new bike and ride it in snow and salt... and then have to clean the bike every couple of days for the pleasure of riding in the snow. Remember how messy your car gets when driving in slush? Transfer that to you, your clothes, your panniers, the contents, not to mention your drive train.....

For more, see the Ice Bike website:
http://www.icebike.org/

The clean up alone keeps me from riding voluntarily in the rain/snow. If it happens while I'm out there that's one thing, but ......