Experienced roadie considering 1st MTB…advice needed

[out_spokin']

So I’m thinking of adding to my repertoire and bike stable and could use the help of the forum. I’ve been interested in doing more off-road riding lately (have been riding cyclocross bike on a few easy trails), and think I'm ready to take the plunge and buy an MTB.

My idea of a fun time will be the “flowy mostly smooth singletrack” variety. Rock gardens and drops not so much - my joints hurt just saying it. Can’t imagine that I’d ever race. I want to increase my bike handling skills, do more group riding and have more variety in my rides, especially in the cooler months. There are fantastic beginner-intermediate trails (single track and jeep road type) within an easy ride from my home.

I’m tall (5’10”) but have very long legs/short torso, so geometry WILL be an issue. But before I deal with that, wondering what you all think about an appropriate first bike? My budget says: mid-range hard tail, entry-level dual, or hard tail 29er. Test riding tells me little because suspension is completely new to me and riding down the street from a shop hardly foreshadows how I’ll feel on a trail.

I’m philosophically leaning towards a 29er but not sure I’ll be able to pull off the reach (not many WSD choices). I very much like the idea of the better components and lighter weight I’ll get in a hard tail. I know a lot of people say when learning a hard tail will teach me better skills. Others say if you can afford a dualie you should start there for more overall fun & comfort...What do YOU say, and why??? Thanks in advance!

[jessmarimba]

Heyyy!!

Hard-tail 29er is what I would go for. Relatively affordable, depending on the frame, and tons of fun.

Gary Fisher/Trek is making (I believe) 2 WSD 29ers starting in 2011. Specialized is also, and I believe they have a hard-tail starting at $990. Many of the other ones I've looked at or ridden have a shorter reach than my old 26 inch bike, too.

I haven't test-ridden either of these, but I will vouch that you are much more cushioned on a hard-tail 29er than you are on a hard-tail 26. I haven't ridden a FS 29er but didn't think I needed one after feeling the difference between a HT 29er and my old mountain bike. The last FS 26 I rode, which was awhile ago, I felt like I was losing some power on the uphill but with the suspension lock-out that isn't as big of a deal. I was completely ready to buy just HT, though. (I might need FS now, but that's to cushion/baby the recent metal additions to my spine).

It's also easier to go up and over things on a 29er - I felt invincible

Don't know where you are in CO, but Golden bike shop has a ton of bikes to demo and a cool demo program, lots of 29ers in-stock too.

Can I ask where your beginner-intermediate trails are? I'm tired of ones that go straight up and then right back down.

Good luck! Keep us posted

[Becky]

If it were me, I'd go with a HT for 2 reasons: better bike handling and MTBing skills and more bang for the buck. FS is nice for the "get out and have fun" aspect. It depends on which philosophy is more in line with your goals. I learned how to ride on a HT and am glad I did for the skills that it taught me. I do love my FS, but missed having a good HT, and recently built up a HT 29er to fill that gap.

Definitely 29er if you can swing the fit. I'm only 5'4" and short torso/long legs, but mine fits me well. I actually feel a little forward on it, in part due to the higher front end than my FS 26, and will probably tinker with the parts a little more before buying the final cockpit. Reach is definitely not an issue for me. It rolls like crazy over everything, but still corners really nicely. I'm still learning how to handle it, but it's an enjoyable learning process.

Ride a bunch of bikes, and see what feels good fit-wise. Test rides are free!

[out_spokin']

Thanks for the input so far!

@jessmarimba - thanks for the Golden Bike Shop advice. I haven't been out there for bikes since the Self-Propulsion shop closed. I still work in Denver 3 days/week so will have to check it out. I live in Colo Springs. While we have a bunch of Apex-like ups/downs, there are also a lot of flatter/rolling options. Red Rock Canyon Park, Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park...come on down sometime after I get my bike - I'll trade ya new terrain for some skills!

Other opinions? If you were starting out now, what would you get?

[loveaz]

Love my hardtail Scott Scale 29er - I'm 5'7, about 150 lbs. I bought this ride ($1600) with all high-end components (remote front suspension lock-out, juicy hydraulics, etc. etc-I'm not very tech savy) and I love how these components have held-up to the desert terrain here in Phoenix. Previously I had Specialized Rockhopper, but now that I've gone 29er I would never go back. Smoother ride, easier climbs, more responsive downhills.

[pumpkinpony]

I started on a HT, rode it for about 8 years, and recently got a FS. I did one or two rides on the HT since I bought the FS, and I can say I don't miss the HT. The FS is so much nicer and easier on the joints! Since you mention joints in your post, I'd lean towards a full-suspension.

I picked up a 2009 Trek Fuel EX8 for a good price, good components, and love it. It is a bit on the heavy side (28 lbs) but I only notice that when I go to put it in the car. The Pro-Pedal works great going up hills... No bobbing at all.

[Aggie_Ama]

For the riding in my area a full suspension is heavenly but we do have lots of rock gardens. That being said I learned to ride HT and I wouldn't recommend anyone start on FS. In my opinion you learn more skills on the HT and I am glad I started with one. For me my FS climbs better, although DH says the opposite, but with 5" of travel I get a bit complacent on descents and don't always use the correct form. The FS will compensate but I do not think you should let it because I recently had my first downhill crash from not being far enough back. One of the women I ride with took her 12 year old's FS away and put him back on a HT because he was doing the same. If I was to advise someone on starting on FS I would tell them to lock out the rear or ride in pro pedal. For me wide open gives me the maximum fun but does lead to my being a bit relaxed.

My husband is on the fence about the 29ers he has rented, I have never ridden one so I can't comment. I do know Specialized makes the Rockhopper in a 29er. My experience is Specialized has short top tubes with my short torso and long legs (but only 5'2") I hated their WSD. If I had gone Specialized I would have likely tried the men's bikes because I felt squished on the WSD.

Can you rent some to try on the trail? I was completely comfortable on a Specialized Myka in the parking lot, took a Safire out on the trail and felt like I was going over the bars. But it did help me realize I definitely wanted a full suspension. I couldn't rent my bike but I did have the promise of my LBS that I could return it if I hated it. Luckily the trail ride echoed the love of the bike I had in the parking lot.

[Drtgirl]

I think Specialized is coming out with a women's specific 29-er for 2011.

[jessmarimba]

f flatter/rolling options. Red Rock Canyon Park, Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park...come on down sometime after I get my bike - I'll trade ya new terrain for some skills!

Haha I've got no skills If I did I'd be allowed to ride right now! but I'll trade what I've got for road skills, since that's all I can do for the next 10 or so months.

[Cato]

I ride all 3 - road, full suspension 26" mtn Flux and hard tail Kona Kula 29'er single speed. The 29'er is my go to bike for most all dirt rides, it's fast, light, fast handling and most importantly FUN!

I would recommend a 29'er, esp. if you've been riding road bikes with similar wheel size, it may feel more intuitive than smaller wheels. The larger wheels roll over obstacles better than 26", helping to smooth out the terrain. If you have the option for tubeless rims and tires, do that. You can run lower pressures (23- 25lbs) to soften the ride up a bit. Wider tires also help. Good luck!

[out_spokin']

Thanks for all the input everyone...looks like I better go ride some bikes! I'm going to talk to my fitter tomorrow to narrow down some options!

[Aggie_Ama]

I saw in the newest Mountain Bike Magazine Specialized has released a Myka Comp 29er. Retail price is $1,200, here's a link http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...cname=Mountain.

[out_spokin']

Well I've gotten to do some test rides over the past few weeks and yesterday finally got to really demo a couple of bikes on trail. The test rides were OK in terms of sorting out a few fit issues, but not much else, as suspected. For example, the Giant XTC 29er got my attention for value and long shot on fit, but after a 5 minute ride my shoulders and neck felt stressed out like on my first road bike -- too long to fix with part swaps. My body is NOT built for stock bikes...

It seems like the WSD 29ers mentioned here are probably not tall enough, but at any rate I haven't yet found them to ride -- either high demand and/or not yet available early in the 2011 model year. I'm still interested and will do some more calling this week.

General thoughts: the FS bikes I've ridden feel more like bulky machines rather than the freedom devices I like bikes to be. However the first time I decided to take one hard, tight and fast around a corner (on pavement, but still) I had the lightbulb moment about why FS can be so cool. Wow do they hook up on turns. Haven't ridden one that sings to me yet, in 26 or 29.

Despite the geometry looking impossible, my closest LBS kept telling me to try their hardtail 29er demo (GT Peace 9er, lots of upgrades including front shock). It's not a total match on fit, but better than most I've tried, and what a fun bike to ride. I was instantly more confident on the singletrack section I rode. Some due no doubt to the similarity to my road/cross bike in some ways...

It also seems that despite quite amazing suspension front and rear (serious improvements from last time I played on any bike with it!) that I am one of those people who is sensitive to aluminum "buzz". I really liked the ride quality of the Peace 9er and forgot it was steel til I thought about it on the way back. And I've not yet really enjoyed a ride on an aluminum bike. I know there are other factors (tires/pressure, quality of the shock, etc.) but that might help me decide.

I had the opportunity to borrow a used Dean Titanium hard tail 26er to demo. The fit is better than some, but still would take some significant tweaks to get even in the "oh heck I'll just learn to ride this over the winter and think about something else later" ballpark. I wasn't as comfortable as with the Peace 9er, but I did like it better than any other hard tail 26er I've tried. The frame just feels good (and light!). I could definitely see what some of you have said about having to pick better lines and stay attentive without FS, and why that might be better for learning.

So....still no decisions, but really appreciating the insights from this group as I think about another round of visiting bike shops.

[jessmarimba]

I most appreciate FS when I really have to pee and the trail is too open to hide anywhere makes the ride back to the trailhead outhouses a little easier!

I definitely appreciate you updating us though! I'll keep everything you've said in mind when it's my turn to buy.

[out_spokin']

Hi all,
I'll post details once I get a couple more rides in and some pictures taken, but wanted to thank everyone for the advice here and elsewhere in the forum. Some thoughts to summarize for future reference:

FS: I really did learn to appreciate FS bikes and if I could have stretched my budget or ridden one that was truly my size I might have gone that direction. I decided to go lower budget in a hard tail which leaves me a bit of breathing room for upgrades and/or a start for the FS bike fund if I really get into MTB. The main trouble for me was not enough options in getting to try a WSD in a demo ride and not just short pavement test rides. I plan on paying much more attention to when travelling demo programs are in and around town over the spring/summer so I have a better chance of riding in real conditions. If anyone has insight on how to be sure to find out about them please post!

29ers: Just too much fun, and yeah, more confidence! There are a bunch of WSD's now showing up in showrooms for 2011. I rode the Specialized Myka 29er (nice, good price/value on the upper level one), the Giant Rainier 29er (good entry level package but felt too cheap for my experience), and a few other non-WSD bikes. Cannondale doesn't indicate anything on their website, but I spoke to an LBS owner friend and it seems they might have a WSD 29er coming, and the specs we looked at made it my favorite concept (geometry/value/components). But didn't want to wait!

Geometry - there didn't seem to be a ton of differences in geometry, at least not as much of a range as with the road bike companies I'm familiar with. The rule seems to be Looooong top tubes. What saved me in my purchase was the seat tube and head tube angles, which got me into the realm of being able to use stem length and angle to get my reach doable. In the long run I can see either going with the shortest WSD top tube possible if they go tall enough, or even going custom again. (more than a few local builders moving to a high percentage of 29ers!)

Learning - In two short-ish rides I'm already seeing the consequences of picking a good line vs. attempting to rely on suspension. I've already lowered the tire pressure and think eventually going tubeless to go lower will make a difference in my confidence/skills/comfort level in a sort of in-between FS and hardtail kind of way. I'm definitely looking forward to skills clinics in the spring and soaking up whatever I can in between now and then.

So....sometime after Christmas I'll post an introduction to my new bike.