"Big" bikes for everyday "XC?"

spincrazy · Apr 14, 2003

I think more and more people are riding the bike that suits there riding style best, not what's an XC bike or a FR bike, whatever.

Friends of mine are also riding bigger, not necessarily trail bikes, on the trail. I rode this Sunday with a guy riding a 38 lb .243. and he's building an Azonic Sager that should weigh in at 36. I also feel that that's why you see 'XC' bikes with 5" of travel nowadays.

Joe Pozer · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by VTinCT
I agree on the longer travel trail bikes theory. Vertically challenged my a$$!

Yeah, long travel bikes are fun on the desecents once you get to the top...but it's not as much fun when you have a ride with 10-15 miles of climbing and over 5k of elevation change. Then you are cursing those 40 pounds.

Still, for rides that I don't have as much climbing to do I really like taking my AC1 out. So much fun flying over rocks, roots, etc.

zibbler · Apr 14, 2003

There's a guy we ride with sometimes that has a Kapriel Armageddon with a 10" travel fork! I don't know how much it weighs, but I would guess at least 55 lbs. He does a lot of big jumps and drops, but also likes to ride xc on it. :eek:

Serial Midget · Apr 14, 2003

I have a 27 pounder and a 38 pounder... both full squishies. I'll take the light one if I think a lot of climbing is involved. I remember when XC bikes came stock with 1.65s... now most of the zippy new ones come with minimum 2.1s - weight means a lot less now than it did 10 years ago.

mrbigisbudgood · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by zibbler
There's a guy we ride with sometimes that has a Kapriel Armageddon with a 10" travel fork! I don't know how much it weighs, but I would guess at least 55 lbs. He does a lot of big jumps and drops, but also likes to ride xc on it.

That's just weird. But since you guys don't have alot of climbing to deal with, it might actually be kinda fun.

I'll totally tear up an XC ride on my AC. I may not be the fastest climber on it, but I'm comfy.

geargrrl · Apr 14, 2003

my bike weighs in at a svelte #25. I've ridden a heavier bike, and being a little person I don't like riding any more weight than I have to.

geargrrl

spincrazy · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by Joe Pozer
Yeah, long travel bikes are fun on the desecents once you get to the top...but it's not as much fun when you have a ride with 10-15 miles of climbing and over 5k of elevation change. Then you are cursing those 40 pounds.

Still, for rides that I don't have as much climbing to do I really like taking my AC1 out. So much fun flying over rocks, roots, etc.

Just makes you stronger and when you do it enough, you don't feel it.

Joe Pozer · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by spincrazy
Just makes you stronger and when you do it enough, you don't feel it.

No thank you...too much suffering for me. If I'm on a long travel bike there better be a shuttle truck to take me to the top

spincrazy · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by Joe Pozer
No thank you...too much suffering for me. If I'm on a long travel bike there better be a shuttle truck to take me to the top

Yeah but....

Is 5" x 5" long travel? If so, and even if it isn't, get an adjustable travel bike like mine.

(3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 4.75 you get the idea) btw, same for the fork. :monkey:

Of course, that bike only weighs 27 lbs due to special something somethings.

Surly · Apr 14, 2003

My AC Air Something Or Other is my all purpose bike. I think it's close to 34-35 lbs, with the 5th Element I added, it doesn't feel too bad! I'm also 200lbs, so...

spincrazy · Apr 14, 2003

Yes yes. There is rider weight and abuse taken to be taken into account as well. Not everyone, even racers, can ride a sub 23 lb bike.

Toshi · Apr 14, 2003

i used to ride an intense uzzi slx for xc, but now have gone to the opposite extreme, and sport a fully rigid steel hardtail. so clean are the lines.

spincrazy · Apr 14, 2003

Originally posted by Toshi
i used to ride an intense uzzi slx for xc, but now have gone to the opposite extreme, and sport a fully rigid steel hardtail. so clean are the lines.

I just hit Tab.

sounds cool. I want a single speed just for the clean lines, simplicity and featherweight of it all. I think an On One would be perfect.

MTBDOC · Apr 15, 2003

As a long time FS believer (racing 4" Ellsworth Truth x 4yrs very seriously) I have recently converted to 29" wheels...playing around with a used Fisher Supercaliber while Titus is putting the finishing touches on my Ti hardtail. The difference in comfort, grip, and technical abilities of the big wheels is amazing.

For you long travel guys, try to get a test ride on the new 29" Sugar as it becomes available. They start out around 28-29# from what I have heard...not a lot of travel, but the big wheels roll over things so smoothly that even rigid feels like 2-3" of suspension...

mrbigisbudgood · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by MTBDOC
As a long time FS believer (racing 4" Ellsworth Truth x 4yrs very seriously) I have recently converted to 29" wheels...playing around with a used Fisher Supercaliber while Titus is putting the finishing touches on my Ti hardtail. The difference in comfort, grip, and technical abilities of the big wheels is amazing.

For you long travel guys, try to get a test ride on the new 29" Sugar as it becomes available. They start out around 28-29# from what I have heard...not a lot of travel, but the big wheels roll over things so smoothly that even rigid feels like 2-3" of suspension...

Dude, I'm 5'6", if I tried to get over the back of a bike with a 29" wheel, my nuts would get sucked in between the tire and seatstays.

Maybe for the taller crowd. For me, no thanks.

sub6 · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by zibbler
There's a guy we ride with sometimes that has a Kapriel Armageddon with a 10" travel fork! I don't know how much it weighs, but I would guess at least 55 lbs. He does a lot of big jumps and drops, but also likes to ride xc on it.

Zibbler, can I ask why someone in Florida needs a 10" travel bike, when there's only like 75 feet of elevation in the whole state? I mean, he could probably safely do a drop from the highest point in FL to the lowest on that bike!

:devil:

SuspectDevice · Apr 15, 2003

i hate big heavy bikes.

i have a couple of heavier, burlier bikes, but im so OG XC that i can out descend myself on a normal trail on my cx bike compared to any of my beefy bikes.
once you start talking about trails with burly stuff (drops over 4 feet, big lipped jumps) i'll think about riding a bike with some suspension or a more upright position.

i guess since i have the ability to have multiple bikes i can be picky, but I like to be able to ride as fast as i possibly can at all times. the wrong bike isn't gonna make that happen.

I went for a trail ride on my old metalhead yesterday, a bike with a single gear (36/16), a back brake, a suspenion and a 17" saddle height. it was fun, but i would have much rather been on something that had more reasonable gears, a rigid fork and a much longer riding postion.

MTBDOC · Apr 15, 2003

Dude, I'm 5'6", if I tried to get over the back of a bike with a 29" wheel, my nuts would get sucked in between the tire and seatstays.

I hear you...on the MTBR 29er board, there have been several threads about smaller riders. The smallest rider I have heard of is 5'4"...My wife is 5'5" and I would like to find her a small Fisher to test. She basically just rides over everything, which is what the big wheels excel at.

If you ever get a chance to try one that fits you, you might be surprised. On REALLY steep downhills, the higher front axle height and improved "roll-over" ability make these things incredibly stable. In a race last week, I was amazed at how effortless straight dropoffs were. Much harder to fly over the bars!

zibbler · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by sub6
Zibbler, can I ask why someone in Florida needs a 10" travel bike, when there's only like 75 feet of elevation in the whole state? I mean, he could probably safely do a drop from the highest point in FL to the lowest on that bike!

:devil:

Because he, like many of us other flatlanders, travel out of state to ride. He often makes trips to Utah, Colo. and BC. Our local MTB club does organized trips to N. Carolina 2-3 times a year, and Colo. once a year. Also, because of the lack of elevation, we have many man-made things here much like they have in BC. The TOE in Tampa is a good example, and our local trail here is shaping up the same.

Joe Pozer · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by spincrazy
Yeah but....

Is 5" x 5" long travel? If so, and even if it isn't, get an adjustable travel bike like mine. (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 4.75 you get the idea) btw, same for the fork. Of course, that bike only weighs 27 lbs due to special something somethings.

You're right...the lines are getting blurred nowadays about what a trail bike really is. A bike like yours I consider to be the perfect trail bike, plenty of travel to make the descents fun but light enough to make the long climbs bearable.

Joe Pozer · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by sub6
Zibbler, can I ask why someone in Florida needs a 10" travel bike, when there's only like 75 feet of elevation in the whole state? I mean, he could probably safely do a drop from the highest point in FL to the lowest on that bike!

:devil:

Sounds like the perfect bike for Fl. You don't have to worry about having to climb on that bike.

Tenchiro · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by zibbler
Because he, like many of us other flatlanders, travel out of state to ride. He often makes trips to Utah, Colo. and BC. Our local MTB club does organized trips to N. Carolina 2-3 times a year, and Colo. once a year. Also, because of the lack of elevation, we have many man-made things here much like they have in BC. The TOE in Tampa is a good example, and our local trail here is shaping up the same.

I thought they were gonna build a wall or dig a trench or something to keep you guys out? :monkey:

zibbler · Apr 15, 2003

Originally posted by Joe Pozer
Sounds like the perfect bike for Fl. You don't have to worry about having to climb on that bike.

Yeah, but what few climbs we have are usually pretty steep, even though they're short. :dead:

mobius · Apr 15, 2003

I took my AC1 that i just built up (thanks mrbig) on my first trail ride which i call trail rides and not XC because its a small area but lots of diff trails just not long long distance involved. Anywho, it weighs 35lbs with fox vanilla 125rlc and i was using 5.15 in the rear. It wasn't bad i was riding flats since i lost my clipless shoes it was fun i couldnt go as fast uphill but who wants to do that when i go good momentum going it was loads of fun flying down the trail fast then up and going through fast lines. Weight wasn't that bad it could lose a pound or two but I prefer riding faster for shorter times then long boring fireroads.

tgaines72 · Apr 15, 2003

I have a bike built for fun, and that is what I ride for.
I'm not going to race XC competitively. I'm only on the DH race scene for the shuttle ride. I'll push it on drops and jumps, but only for the sake of cheap thrills. I ride XC, freeride, dirt jumps and dh. All on the same bike.
I just raise the seat for XC rides, but not too high. I can keep up with all but the XC race crowd, but I like to believe I have all the fun that they are missing. I support the cycling community, and race when I can, but only too support the industry and for the fun of it.
The bottom line is that I ride the Bullit in all situations. I just sold my HT that I was using for urban and dj's. But I will probably replace it with an SC Chameleon when I get the dough. But for know I'm a one bike kinda guy.

Evilmunch · Apr 15, 2003

I love my AC1. I just finished building it up at 36 pounds with a sherman firefly. Hopefully soon it will be 32-33. It can take anything you can throw at it. I ride it mostly for xc.

mobius · Apr 15, 2003

Someday every XC racer will have 5 inches of travel or more under his ass. Longer travel trail bikes and all mountain bikes are the bestest!

Evilmunch · Apr 16, 2003

Originally posted by VTinCT
AC's are my friend! I'm using mine for everything, and the weight is becoming normal. My only gripe so far is the low BB height, I am gona bust pedals every other month at this rate!

I've never had that problem on mine. What fork are you using?

mobius · Apr 16, 2003

I have a fox vanilla 125rlc on my AC1 and have noticed the BB is kinda low but then again thats coming from having a trek 6700 with a 80mm fork then putting a 5 inch on it.

mrbigisbudgood · Apr 16, 2003

Originally posted by VTinCT
the psylo XC it came with...for now. I can't afford a new one this year while my wife is in school....the bike was a stretch!

Do yourself a favor and GET RID OF THAT FORK!!!!!!!!!!!! Sell plasma if you have to, go the the sperm bank, anything.

spincrazy · Apr 16, 2003

I'm really suprised the AC came with such a mediocre fork. :confused:

mrbigisbudgood · Apr 16, 2003

Originally posted by VTinCT
I'm trying to break it as soon as possible! trust me!

Let me help you with that.

Find a staircase about 10' tall. Learn the staircase and how to land it right near the bottom on the stairs. Now approach it just a little bit faster than you learned and when the Psylo lands to flat......PISHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....oil will shoot out everywhere. That's exactly how I broke mine.

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