The all about Bicycling thread

Blaine, I would say that it really depends on what you are going to be doing with a full suspension 29er. I ride off road with some friends who are very dedicated to off roading. They all ride full suspension bikes, one even rides a 29er.

As above, if you are just tooling around town, stick to a hardtail. But if you are going to be riding trails, and not just flow-y trails, I would go for suspension. I have been using my hardtail to ride with my friends and it can get pretty tough. The trails we ride a riddled with roots and rocks. I just picked up a used full suspension bike and am going to take it out this weekend to try it out.

As for the 29er, you will lose a little bit in the turn radius but, if you are riding trails with a lot of rough spots you will glide over them with ease (at least that's what my friend says and he's always out front of the rest of us).

 

Good advice. Thanks. I ride trails in my local state park-- close by-- often. Lots of roots and rocks and steep up and down. Looking to get faster and get over obstacles better and to climb hills better. I am getting older and thought to get one last really good bike. I really enjoy being on the trails.

 

Blaine, I took my new bike out this weekend. As above, the trails here are very technical with a tonne of rocks and roots and short nasty hills and switch backs. This was my first time on a full suspension... it was a world of difference. I had a lot more control over the bike, especially on the downhill bits. My nuts were thanking me profusely, too.

 

Thanks for the update. I definitely leaning that way-- now that I am over the sticker shock

 

Okay, you all... Which paint color do you like best on this frame?



(Disclaimer: the top green is the original photo; the rest are mockups)

 

I would like it in red first. Orange second. Yellow third. Two of those aren't options though for some reason.

If it is for a girl, then pink would be first.

 

Red and Yellow are both in the company's palette, just not among my first choices.

And who says a man can't ride a pink bike?

 

I prefer the green, personally.

 

I like the green and I like the orange.

I'd happily ride either one.

 

I have a thing for orange bikes, so that's what I would pick.
They're just faster!

 

Ordered the Giant trail bike Trance x 29. It just came in. Full suspension -- 5 inches of travel, dropper post on the seat, the Fox boostvalve CTD shocks front and back, tubeless ready wheels and tires. 29 inch wheels. It has taken a little adjustment, but I love it. It is much faster than my old hardtail. It just came in last week.

 

Blaine Henry, you need to post some photos!

 

I didn't even know they made 29" wheels.

I replaced my worn out front tire (the outer stubby part), and it is like I got a brand new bike. The vibration is gone, it is perfectly smooth now, and it goes straight.

 

You have to also buy the right size frame as well. The 29ers are a lot of fun to ride when you are off road. All the little rocks and roots just become something to roll over.

I just replaced my braking system. The Avid disc brakes I had were constantly seizing. It turns out that their hydraulic system sucks in hot conditions in which I ride. I picked up some Shimano XTs that should solve my issues.

Now I just need to figure out when I can get back on the trails. Too many busy weekends!

 

Congratulations, I long for a 29er but current housing situation even prevents me from riding. I believe that a hardtail suits my use better than a full suspension.

 

Packed up for demonstration purposes—I'll be teaching a class to some 4H participants with whom I'm riding the C&O canal trail from DC to Cumberland later this summer. My rig, as pictured above, has everything I'll need for that trip—tent with rain fly, tent footprint, cooking kit, sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping pad, bike tools and multitool—except clothes, food and toiletries. I'll need to figure out exactly where that stuff is going to go.

 

You have all that stuff packed on there?
What bag is on your front rack? It's hard to see behind your helmet.

 

It's actually my sleeping bag and my inflatable mattress pad strapped to a small front rack with some elastic cargo netting. I took a better picture on the trail today and will post that later. Shows the front stuff better.

 

After riding my bike into a 20 mph headwind for ~8 miles today, I figured that I need to look into adding an electric motor/hub and a small battery pack to my mountain bike.

I am also surprised that very few long distance bikers use electric hub motors to assist them in climbing hills and headwinds. I would think it would help them travel farther each day too. If I find the time and have nothing to do(i.e. no job), then I am taking off on my bike for a ride to the West as far as I can go.

 

As promised—loaded steed out in the wild.