Mountain Biking - heavy rider issues

Hi guys.

I am about 210lbs(95kgs) doing xc and some MILD dh on trails...not hardcore stuff neither jumps or anything similar. I had a 1993 Scott Competition CST ,Tange MTB db tubing, deore LX/DX components and scott unishock forks. I am planning to get a 2003 Rockhopper A1 Fs , fully butted A1 alluminum frame,X139 mavic rims, Deore equiped,Xt rear mech,EA50 easton bars. I was wondering if the bike i am about to get is a great improvement over the old one and if it can sustain the off road ride i will do. like i said XC. mention...manitou axel elite fork on the rockhopper.
I have heard that alluminum will last if you ride and treat it properly for a lifetime...if you do jumpy stuff it will fail after years...
Also i hear from guys that it will fail...how do they claim that ...allu frames are in the market for 9 yrs...and 2003 frames use much more different alloys than back in 90's.

Thanks
Yannis
Cardiff UK

interestingly enough, my first bike was a 92 Scott chenango, and I now have a 2002 rockhopper frame. I'm about 220lbs fyi.

The most noticable thing you'll notice is the change in ride, the AL bike being harsher. Also, aluminum has a much shorter life span since its stiffer, but should perform better for us big guys than a noodly steel bike.

I would prefer steel for the longevity and the confortable ride, but I ride AL for the stiffness. Just dont expect it to last forever.

Hi lad

I am saying that everybody states things about alluminium based just on theory. A 1999-2003 frame with new alloy mixes hasnt passed the test of time yet, am i correct? you cannot prejudge a material before the test of time. I am part mathematician part aerospace engineer and i know bits about materials. Alluminium is a crap metal as raw material...but its very very good if treated and mixed properly as it is today eg. audi aluminium car bodies etc. Steel is very good but it is also non lasting...since corrosion is a big issue especially for mtbs . The only everlasting material is Ti but then again its better to buy 4 bikes made by allu than a Ti one that will last for 30 years.... plus it will cost you less. :D

ps. Are you happy with the rockhopper?

Theres a bit of unexpected flex in the seatstays with v-brakes, but nothing terrible. So far, I like it alot.

Just a thought, but take a look at the Dean Colonel. Very very beefy Ti frame. You're gonna pay for it, but you also get a bomb proof frame that'll last forever.

And if it DOES break, Ti is easy to fix.

Wheel failures are probably a bit more common than frame failures. How many spokes in your wheels ?
Big guys who ride hard could probably benefit from 36 spokes, rather than 32.
4 extra spokes add hugely to the strength, very little to the weight, and cost practically nothing.

Ensure for good rims as well. I have a 32 hole Mavic 321d. AWESOME rim. Very tough for a 250 pnd freerider. :)