Mountain Biking - I love mountain biking but don't love my bike. Any opinions?

So, I moved to Colorado last year for three months and had to leave in a hurry. I wanted a mountain bike so I bought a Motobecane 600ht from bikesdirect.com without much thought.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_600HT07.htm

I'm now riding a lot more and I'm just not digging my bike. It's HEAVY at around 35 lbs and just feels cumbersome. I ride deer trails/trail blaze so I'm off and on my bike, walking it over big logs and other obstructions. On climbs it's very sluggish.

My question is this: Should I upgrade this bike with new components or sell it and buy a new one? I don't think this bike will ever be a lightweight with the existing frame. I don't have a lot of money to spend but would rather spend more and get something that I'll be happy with for years to come. I'm not sure if a full suspension frame is necessary but would go that route if I could afford one without sacrificing components. I want this to be as light as I can afford it to be. My absolute maximum would be 2000.00 but would like to stick to the 1000.00 to 1500.00 range. This is all pending on whether or not I do well at my next art show, so wish me luck!

Thanks for any help. If you guys need more specifics just let me know.

Eric

At that budget I would say sell it and buy a whole new bike. 35lbs is heavy for a non-fr/dh hardtail. Or, keep the components, get a new frame and donate the old one. Thats what I did.

But the frame probably isnt whats weighing it down since "most" aluminum frames are under 6 pounds. Id say the heavy parts are the wheelset, seatpost, saddle, and fork.

I think I'd find myself upgrading components if I went the route of buying a new frame. If I smacked the same wheelset and other heavy components on a new frame wouldn't I be back at square one? And if I bought new components for this frame I think I'd be nearing the price of a new bike. It seems like the higher end motobecanes on bikesdirect would be a good purchase?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fantom_pro08.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_TI_09.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_9357_07instocknow.htm

etc.

Any other options that you guys can think of?

I swapped my components from a heavy frame to a light one and it worked for me only because I have high end components.

Get a new bike, man. (or used on ebay)

Any target used bikes that might be in my price range? I'll just go search.

Any target used bikes that might be in my price range? I'll just go search.

Just go buy a new Stumpy HT.

Would this not be a better deal?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/fly_ti_gallery/

just go to your local bike shop,and check for some last year models on sale

Wonderful idea. Will do.

At $1000-$2000 I can't see keeping any of that old bike, frame or components. Okay, maybe a bottle cage and saddle bag but that's about it. :)

It's important to love the bike you ride and I wouldn't buy any bike in that price range without test riding first and seeing if you love it.

Would this not be a better deal?

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/fly_ti_gallery/

No, no. Bad boy!

Motobecane? ;)

I'm definitely going to check out the LBS. I know motobecane isn't a "hot" brand but for that price the components alone are worth it....as far as I know.

This excites the hell out of me. I can't wait to have a nice ride.

I'm confused on whether or not to go FS or HT. I tend to have a sore lower back after riding and it sometimes sticks with me for weeks. Like I said, I trail blaze/ ride deer trails a lot in Tennessee. I find myself getting off my bike for steep climbs as my rear tire starts to slip on wet areas and perpendicular logs. It seems like FS would enable me to clear more obstructions?

Thanks for the help.

Eric

FS makes it easier for hacks like me to climb because the rear end articulates itself over rocks, roots, etc. No need to finesse it like you do on a HT. More importantly though it takes the impact out of the ride so you can ride farther a lot more comfortably than you can on a HT. If you have discomfort after a ride then a FS may work well for you.

The best way to know is to rent one and try it for a day. My bet is you won't go back to your HT after experiencing full squish.

I tend to be a bit impatient when it comes to buying new things (excitement takes hold) but I really need to take my time here. Thanks.

So, I moved to Colorado last year for three months and had to leave in a hurry. I wanted a mountain bike so I bought a Motobecane 600ht from bikesdirect.com without much thought.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_600HT07.htm

I'm now riding a lot more and I'm just not digging my bike. It's HEAVY at around 35 lbs and just feels cumbersome. I ride deer trails/trail blaze so I'm off and on my bike, walking it over big logs and other obstructions. On climbs it's very sluggish.

My question is this: Should I upgrade this bike with new components or sell it and buy a new one? I don't think this bike will ever be a lightweight with the existing frame. I don't have a lot of money to spend but would rather spend more and get something that I'll be happy with for years to come. I'm not sure if a full suspension frame is necessary but would go that route if I could afford one without sacrificing components. I want this to be as light as I can afford it to be. My absolute maximum would be 2000.00 but would like to stick to the 1000.00 to 1500.00 range. This is all pending on whether or not I do well at my next art show, so wish me luck!

Thanks for any help. If you guys need more specifics just let me know.

Eric

Eric

thanks for your purchase

The 600HT has a great frame - better than on most $1200 to $1500 bikes. But the wheels, tires, and fork are heavy. Durable - but heavy.

Try some light weight tires first - you can drop over a pound of rotational weight.

wheels like this could drop another pound of rotational weight
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=586

-- of course, if you are really into low weight - nothing beats a Fly Team Ti
however, that is a XC race bike - not a DH or AM unit
at 19.5 lbs - it is a serious racer; not a thrasher

If you sell the 600HT; you can recover a lot of your cost on craigs list
some of our customers get more for used Motobecanes than hey paid new [strange but true]

thanks again
mike

Thanks for the reply, Mike. Your presence on the forums is much appreciated.

I'm just going to have to do some research. I need something more versatile than the Ti. I'm leaning towards full suspension but am tempted by the super lightweight hard tails. It's going to take some time for me to weed out the right bike.

Thanks

Eric

I know motobecane isn't a "hot" brand

Having their own forum must mean something.

http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133

Having their own forum must mean something.

http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133

It problably means they have a sponsor who paid for the forum...

Nothing wrong with that (nice of 'em to give owners a place to talk), but it's no indication of popularity.

I hadn't looked at 29ers as an option and I think it might be the way to go...? For the riding I do I think it may be perfect. I'm a tall guy at almost 6' 4. I ride over a lot of obstructions....slower back country kind of stuff. Is there a lightweight 29er that's within my price range, maybe around 1200 or so?

I recommend buy from your LBS, you will get free tune ups for your bike, also your bike will be assembled by a professional, nothing against Motorbecane, just support to your local LBS cuz whenever you will need a inner tube or a special tool, you just cant get that service from your virtual web shop.

I recommend buy from your LBS...

Not to mention you'll actually be able to test-ride the bike before you buy. Buying a bike without riding it first is kinda like an arranged mariage. You know you're gonna "get some" but you don't have a clue what you'll be gettin' until you lift the veil.

Didn't MBA magazine do a $1,500 trail bike shootout awhile back. Lots of really nice bikes to choose from at the $1,500-$2,000 price point. If your wavering between hardtail and FS, get the FS. Lots of Specialized, Canondales, Fishers, Jamis etc. etc. etc.

I'm leaning towards building a Vassago Jabberwocky. I want to give SS a shot on a mtb as that's what I ride on the road. I can always build it geared later. I'm excited.