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Mtn Bike / mtb Shock Questions?

lefty

lefty

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 24, 2002
Location
Menlo Park, CA USA
Moto(s)
'05 ZRX1200
Name
Ed
Let me start by saying that I "used to be a hard-core mtn biker and road biker". I did a lot of weekend racing. I fatigued 2 road bike frames and stopped replacing them. I then stayed only with mtn bikes.

I have not been a hardcore rider for over 12 years. I have a 10 y/o Giant Aluminum Hardtail that has Deore LX level components. I replaced the Marzochi front shock with a Rock Shox (SRAM) Recon Silver. I paid $325 for it last year. I weigh 210 lbs.
I replaced the Marzochi because it needed a rebuild, and Marzocchi no longer supports the old models. The seals were shot- it would not hold air for long. I hate a mushy front fork. So, I purchased this Recon.

The bike has been sitting (with the new shock) for over 6 months. I just started riding again and this fork feels like a POS!!! I have been riding around with it on 'lock-out' for the entire ride. I spoke with a bicycle mechanic and he stated that I will ruin the shock by doing that. He said "increase the air pressure". I have increased the air pressure from 70 psi to 93 psi.

I went for a ride after work and the fork was still bottoming out on fast descents. I have been told (today) by SRAM that I can go up to 135 psi.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE-

I went to look at bikes during lunch and I fell in lust with a couple of Scott dual suspension bikes. One is Spar 50 for $1,300 (reg. $2,100) and the other is a Genious for $2K (reg. $3,500). The Spar has SLX and XT, the Genious has all XT.

Any opinions?

I may go and put a deposit on the Spark 50. If I put $100 on iit- they will hold it for 7 days.

I have not even considered dual suspensions- because I like to climb, and I did not want to be on a pogo stick that robbed my energy while going uphill. Nowadays the bikes have full lockout and I can make the rear (and front) end fully locked out via a lever on the bars.

MTB'ers- please give me your opinions.
 
stay away from a full susser - no trails in the bay area (that a casual rider would ride) will require anything close to a FS rig....

how tall are you? I have a neighbor with a virtually unused 2009(?) Felt 29'er he'll let go for around $900 (originally was $1800).

If you're interested I'll take a look and a mess of photos...provided you are around 6'0" - 6' 2"

and if you like it I can take you on a tour of some local singletrack goodness....

EDIT: forgot to add a FS rig requires much more maintenance than a HT or rigid rig...hell, you should just go for a fun cheap steel SS rigid bike :)
 
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I prefer to ride a big heavy dual susp bike.

1. Because I can rip gnarly stuff and enjoy riding without breaking shit.
2. Because I can pedal it, it's a bigger work out, but I already know I'm not the fast uphill guy.

My buddy just "ovalized" his headtube on a Ibis Mojo HD, mostly because he's a masher riding trails over the bikes design.

I don't know how you like to ride, but I prefer D/S on trails.
 
fawndog said:
I prefer to ride a big heavy dual susp bike.

1. Because I can rip gnarly stuff and enjoy riding without breaking shit.
2. Because I can pedal it, it's a bigger work out, but I already know I'm not the fast uphill guy.

My buddy just "ovalized" his headtube on a Ibis Mojo HD, mostly because he's a masher riding trails over the bikes design.

I don't know how you like to ride, but I prefer D/S on trails.
Click to expand...

:laughing I somehow doubt you and lefty have the same riding 'style'

:teeth
 
Cannondale: Making the Lefty Headshock fork, with full locking front and rear suspension mountain bikes for over a decade. ;)

2011-cannondale-scalpel-mountain-bike-03.jpg

lefty-fork.jpg
 
Ps limit any suspension consideration to Fox, or Rock Shox.
Easy to replace, modify and attach new wheels to.
 
Chum-

I am 5'9.5". I tried several tall frames at lunch, but there was very little clearance. I spoke with some friends who are hard core mtn bikers and they all said- "get a medium, that salesman was trying to screw you". I too had that opinion of dual suspension. I have been told that the new d/s does not rob you of energy. Also the bikes I tested weigh the same as my 10 y/o hardtail-- and those were the LARGE frames.

I called the shop and they have a medium Cannondale Jekyll 5 on closeout. I put a deposit on it and they are going to build it for me. I will let you all know how I like that. I can get it for 1, 399.
 
lefty said:
Chum-

I am 5'9.5". I tried several tall frames at lunch, but there was very little clearance. I spoke with some friends who are hard core mtn bikers and they all said- "get a medium, that salesman was trying to screw you". I too had that opinion of dual suspension. I have been told that the new d/s does not rob you of energy. Also the bikes I tested weigh the same as my 10 y/o hardtail-- and those were the LARGE frames.

I called the shop and they have a medium Cannondale Jekyll 5 on closeout. I put a deposit on it and they are going to build it for me. I will let you all know how I like that. I can get it for 1, 399.
Click to expand...

Nice.
Congrats.
While its true a lot of the BA trails don't "require" DS or even much travel from one, its nice to have a bike that can survive and be comfortable doing the features that do exist on some BA trails. That is if you are so inclined to hit them.
Just riding buff single track and fire roads is boring. If your gonna do that you might as well stick to a road bike. IMO:)
 
lefty said:
I called the shop and they have a medium Cannondale Jekyll 5 on closeout. I put a deposit on it and they are going to build it for me. I will let you all know how I like that. I can get it for 1, 399.
Click to expand...

:thumbup I bought a Jekyll in Germany and took it with me everywhere. BTW: Those frames have a lifetime warranty. :ride

I've also had this other C-Dale mountain bike for years called the Super V 2000XL, that I've taken up and down the stairs, and rocks of every California park around the BA..! :party :laughing
 
I'm still riding a Fuel.

4" Fox in the front, 3" fox for the rear.

Cross country is the way to go IMO. Climb, descend, rolling whoop de doo's.

Santa Cruz is a nice bike.
 
lefty said:
Chum-

I am 5'9.5". I tried several tall frames at lunch, but there was very little clearance. I spoke with some friends who are hard core mtn bikers and they all said- "get a medium, that salesman was trying to screw you". I too had that opinion of dual suspension. I have been told that the new d/s does not rob you of energy. Also the bikes I tested weigh the same as my 10 y/o hardtail-- and those were the LARGE frames.

I called the shop and they have a medium Cannondale Jekyll 5 on closeout. I put a deposit on it and they are going to build it for me. I will let you all know how I like that. I can get it for 1, 399.
Click to expand...

Medium sounds right :thumbup

New suspension design works great :thumbup

The Jekyll is a fine rig :thumbup

my point was maintenance....that's all.

Chances are if you are excited about the bike you will ride the bike - and that's a good thing :teeth

Let me know if you want a tour of trails you've never heard of :cool
 
J- said:
Nice.
Congrats.
While its true a lot of the BA trails don't "require" DS or even much travel from one, its nice to have a bike that can survive and be comfortable doing the features that do exist on some BA trails. That is if you are so inclined to hit them.
Just riding buff single track and fire roads is boring. If your gonna do that you might as well stick to a road bike. IMO:)
Click to expand...

:| :twofinger :p
 
J- said:
Nice.
Congrats.
While its true a lot of the BA trails don't "require" DS or even much travel from one, its nice to have a bike that can survive and be comfortable doing the features that do exist on some BA trails. That is if you are so inclined to hit them.
Just riding buff single track and fire roads is boring. If your gonna do that you might as well stick to a road bike. IMO:)
Click to expand...

:| :twofinger :p

599433_10150956511586225_1046054691_n.jpg
 
I agree with V4-

That is a nice bike. I too used to say that I would Never get a d/s, but nowadays it's hard to find a good hardtail. Also everyone wants to push the damned 29ers on you. Thanks to everyone for the feedback.
 
They're trying to unload the 29ers before the 27.5s hit the market. Get the bike that gives you the biggest hard on, and it'll keep you motivated to ride. Buy something that your not super stoked on or it'll sit there collecting dust.
 
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lots of excellent 29er hard tails out there. ds 29ers are the new thing, and 650b (aka 27.5) the next fad.
you can also hit up some demo days, mikes is having a set (both days this weekend and next) for specialized, other companies and shops have them too.
note that suspensions make climbing easier on technical stuff. though yeah long travel is absurd around here
 
fads are how you keep selling people bike shit, 26" 8spd was fine :|
 
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