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06-16-06, 10:22 PM
I have been spending most of my time on my Jamis Dakar XLT these last couple weeks. I haven't weighed in lately but before I had a front derailleur on it it weighed 31.4lbs. I ride at least 2 group rides per week. It's been a little tough staying ahead of the others on their HT's. One friend in particular smokes me anyway's no matter what I ride, but I found it particularly theraputic trying to keep up with him on his 21'ish lb HT. He doesn't get to go out with us very often unfortunately.
Anyway's...I broke out my Fisher 1x8 HT today that weigh's gobs less and I was amazed at how much more energy I had!!! When I got to the climbs, I was basically "running" on my pedals. I could go like full tilt for so much longer. I felt like a freaking climbing machine!
The 5" of Fox travel on the Dakar mixed with heavier wheels and tires make singletrack a chore sometimes. Don't get me wrong, as a trailbike...I love it. BUT, I switch to my 80'ish mm travel stiffy forked hardtail with lighter wheels and tires and WOW!!! I take off like a rocket now!
I really like this situation because I love riding suspension. I love the feel. The extra rotating weight, dead weight, and energy-zapping 5" of coil sprung travel make it more work. This makes riding my hardtail so much fun b/c I feel like Superman when I hop on that lumberwagon.
When I'm tired of getting beat up, wanna jump, descend the gnarlies, or just bump around and have some fun, I go back to the Piggy.
It's a Win/Win situation if you ask me!
It may be kinda cool to get that darn S-works Stumpy FSR that weighs 26lbs (okay really cool), but look at Mark Weir. He gets fast by riding those freakin' 35-40lb long travel machines on all day epic's.
I have thought about selling my Dakar (even though I've only owned it a short time) and getting something like an Anthem or Epic but those larger drops and jumps off the lawnmower dude's trailer @ the cemetary are just too much fun and I think stuff like that would start to tear apart a light XC dually.
I now need a 3rd bike, I guess. Something in between!:beer:
Anyway's...I broke out my Fisher 1x8 HT today that weigh's gobs less and I was amazed at how much more energy I had!!! When I got to the climbs, I was basically "running" on my pedals. I could go like full tilt for so much longer. I felt like a freaking climbing machine!
The 5" of Fox travel on the Dakar mixed with heavier wheels and tires make singletrack a chore sometimes. Don't get me wrong, as a trailbike...I love it. BUT, I switch to my 80'ish mm travel stiffy forked hardtail with lighter wheels and tires and WOW!!! I take off like a rocket now!
I really like this situation because I love riding suspension. I love the feel. The extra rotating weight, dead weight, and energy-zapping 5" of coil sprung travel make it more work. This makes riding my hardtail so much fun b/c I feel like Superman when I hop on that lumberwagon.
When I'm tired of getting beat up, wanna jump, descend the gnarlies, or just bump around and have some fun, I go back to the Piggy.
It's a Win/Win situation if you ask me!
It may be kinda cool to get that darn S-works Stumpy FSR that weighs 26lbs (okay really cool), but look at Mark Weir. He gets fast by riding those freakin' 35-40lb long travel machines on all day epic's.
I have thought about selling my Dakar (even though I've only owned it a short time) and getting something like an Anthem or Epic but those larger drops and jumps off the lawnmower dude's trailer @ the cemetary are just too much fun and I think stuff like that would start to tear apart a light XC dually.
I now need a 3rd bike, I guess. Something in between!:beer: