Mountain Biking - Project Bike?

I am looking to start a project bike. Preferably start with a 2-3 year old frame.

Can't decide on hard tail or full suspension. I already have a hard tail, but feel like keeping this one stock, and building a new one up.

I would most likely be riding through stuff like this:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b262/Mikeo321/DSCN0717-1.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b262/Mikeo321/DSCN0720-1.jpg

I am only considering a hard tail because it seems it would be better for the mud and water.

Opinions?

Be better on the buget for a hardtail. The land doesn't look that rough soo...

I am only considering a hard tail because it seems it would be better for the mud and water.


I've never heard that line of reasoning before - why do you think that?

build up a singlespeed. like i am right now.

build up a singlespeed. like i am right now.


+1 that looks like sweet rigid single speed terrain!

I am building a cheapo out of an old 80's panasonic frame right now with horizontal dropouts...

Mike321 - where in michigan are you at? singlespeeds are great for michigan trails.

I've never heard that line of reasoning before - why do you think that?


I am using reasoning of offroading dirt bikes and ATVs, the shocks will actually push the rear axle deeper in the mud...

I would imagine it wouldnt cause that much of a problem because bikes are lighter, but then again they are slower so you cant just fly through the mud

Mike321 - where in michigan are you at? singlespeeds are great for michigan trails.

All over.. those trails I posted are from a branch of trails off of the Paint Creek system. I am currently in Mt Pleasant going to school at CMU.. My parents live in the Metro Detroit area, and we have a vacation home up north.

Is there a FAQ section for single speeds, I have never even looked into them

i'm in brighton. go chips.

for singlespeed info you could always go to sheldon brown's website (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html). also, you can get a singlespeed conversion kit for cheap at chuck's bikes (http://www.chucksbikes.com/). this is similar to how my new set-up is going to look like:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/single-conv.gif

are you familiar with the mmba's website (http://www.mmba.org)? i bet you probably are... here are what some fellow michigan mountain bikers' singlespeeds look like:

http://www.pfigura.com/photos/bike/indyfab.jpg
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1252/creepingdeath2jq2.jpg
http://www.teamdangerdudes.com/photos/bikes/p3_3.jpghttp://mysinglespeed.com/galerie/bilder/bild-285.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/collegebum/First%20X-mas/100_0035.jpg


if you have any other questions or anything, just give me a holler via PM.