Need New Bike!!!

[stumpy]

HELP!!!!
I am starting to shop for a new bike. This is going to be THE bike so I am going to take my time and look at EVERYTHING!!! I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were between soft tails and full suspensions. I currently ride a full suspension and I am somewhat happy with it. However, I can feel the bobbing when I pedal hard up hill and feel like I am losing pedal efficiency. Some people tell me that softtails have the same give as FS but you don't lose pedal power. Others say that I am just crazy because FS is the only way to go and ST are not worth the money. Also, being female, the weight of the bike is somewhat of an issue for me as well.

Anyway, please let me know your thoughts on FS vs ST. Also, if you know of any articles, please refer me to them. Thanks a bunch!!

[JerseyDevil]

Shopping for new bikes is fun! One of my favorite things to do, almost as fun as riding!

The bottom line is, everyone is going to have an opinion. There are no straight FACTS towards what the "best" bike is.

You know how your bike feels now... what you like about it and what you don't. Test ride lots of different bikes. You'll get a feel for them and be able to pick the one that best suits your weight, style, and terrain you ride.

[maxofthmountain]

What I mean by buy a better bike is that you are better off with a high quality HT than a bargain FS. Good shocks and breaks make more difference than having a full suspension. Your trick looking long travel free ride style bike won't do you much good if it has second rate components and you keep dropping your chain because it doesn't shift smoothly. Don't skimp on the components, if that means you can't afford a FS then so be it. The trouble free ride you get from better components will far out weigh the any limitations you might feel a HT will have. Just for the record I like my FS better than the my HT.

[wooglin-at-home]

Trade offs. Less travel on a soft tail, but less maintenance and weight as well. If you're looking for a plush ride then FS is probably better. If you're just looking to take the edge off, then a soft tail will probably do the trick. Moneywise, a soft tail worth your time is pretty spendy. I like the look of the Castellano Fango (Cartecay in Elijay carries them), but its a grand for the frame. Ti will run that much or higher and steel isn't really proven in ST technology. As far as I know, the only one out there is a KHS. Outback might have one. I'd ride both if possible.

[stumpy]

I am very picky about components. My current bike is an FS and I bought the frame used. I hand picked the components for it. I have XTR rear derailleur, XT front derailleur, Chris King headset, RaceFace Stem, Avid Single Digit V brakes, Thompson seat post, Marzocchi front fork, etc. This was my second bike and unfortunately I think I was a little hastey in buying it. The frame is a 15" and just a tad too small for me. I never did get comfortable on it. I am advertising it now and plan on selling it as is. (Wanna buy it?) If I happen to sell it before I get a new one, I have an old hard tail I am building up. Selling this may make me finish building that hard tail sooner.

Anyway, I plan to invest what I need to in order to get MY BIKE.:) I just don't really understand why some people like FS and others like ST. I have never actually ridden a soft tail.

[stumpy]

Dang Wooglin......you and I are totally on the same wave length. I was just looking at the Castellano Fango last night. I am planning to go to The Hub in Athens this weekend to look at one. I would love to go look at it at Cartecay but that is a little further than I want to drive this weekend. Mike Palmeri who owns Cartecay is a good friend of my husband's. I also plan to visit every bike shop in the area too and even look at the bikes I would never consider buying just for comparison shopping.

[wooglin-at-home]

S, if you picked all the components on your current ride, then why aren't you just looking for a frame?

[RoB]

softtail - specalized epic
full suspension - specialized enduro or bighit, depending on your style.

you can thank me later ;]

[JerseyDevil]

Soft tail = Specialized Epic?

[stumpy]

I am selling the bike as is 'cause the frame is a 2000 and I feel like I would get rid of it easier that way. :)

[RoB]

Originally posted by JerseyDevil
Soft tail = Specialized Epic?

close enough. they make a woman's version too.

[stumpy]

I tried on an Epic the other day. I really liked it. Also, fortunately, I am 5'7" so I don't have those fit limitations a lot of other women have so my bike choices are pretty wide open.

[dds]

Could give some resommendations if you have a price in mind.

My dream bike is a Moots YBB

[stumpy]

I have around $2000.00 to spend. If I find a bike I really love, I could probably come up with a tad bit more cash.

[jp10jp]

Hi Stumpy,
I am also looking for a new bike. I have a good HT Trek 7000, but am curious (and drawn) to FS bikes

The one I am eyeballing presently is the Jamis Dakar XC Comp. It is LIGHT!!! Weighs equal or less than my Trek (~23#). For someone like you it might be a winner as well. I weigh 170, and I think that weight will work with a bike this weight and cost ($1400 but sold for $1200 at Performance Bikes).

I have only sat on one but so far I am favorably impressed.

Please let me know if you try one and what you think. I have far from made up my mind, and like you, this next one has to be THE BIKE.

BTW I am 59, so there's some commonality.

Cheers and keep riding,
JP

[josh]

I'm totaly not into the high end components, this past year and a half I broke four rear derailers and I got sick of paying the money for xt- xtr. I went from a XTr to xt then another xt and know I'm using deore. I can't say I have noticed much of a difference in performance and it's alot better on my wallet.

[Nick is Dead]

a kona! buy a kona! :D