Fifty Plus (50+) - 29'r Mountain Bike

I'm getting the bug really bad for a new mountain bike. I have been looking at the Fuji Tahoe 29'r. Not all that lite. There is quite a lot written here in the 50+ thread on road bikes, but not much for the 50+ mountain biker. We have some great trails to ride around here.

I see a lot of folks coming into the bike shop and will only settle for "full suspension" and even go for lower line components and heavier weight just to get that rear shock. From my past hard tail experience I don't really see the benefit.


Thoughts?

Come on over to the dark side, fthomas. ;)
I wouldn't consider my bike stable complete without a mountain bike or three. There are just too many great bicycling experiences out there to limit myself to just one type of bike.

After a long and agonizing selection process to pick a high end (by my standards) MTB, I recently went with a full suspension bike. The bike that came in a close second place was a fully rigid 29er. The FS bike just made more sense for me at this time and for this one time opportunity to purchase above my normal budget.

I fully expect to own a hardtail or rigid 29er at some point. The Fuji Tahoe looks like a good bike. The Tora Fork is a good one. I would want to compare the ride to a similar bike with a steel frame before deciding.

I have a Wahoo with an upgraded fork (Platinum Black Air) and a Thudbuster.

My back tells me that the next bike will be a duallie.

50+ers and duallies seem to be the way to go.

OK, I'll bite.

I have a great mtn bike trail down the road a bit. My buddy (73 yo) goes there often. I did it once last year, and had a ball. I just haven't gotten back there. And, I ride a totally rigid Spec HR.

But, you have whetted my appetite. As soon as it dries up, I plan on heading that way again. I will have to mount my knobbies, however. I couldn't make the whole thing on my slicks.

Rear suspension on not? Depends on what you're going to ride it on. Smooth fire roads, no need for suspension. Rock gardens, roots, chatter bumps? Full suspension will make it better.
Saturday we did a ride down (and back up) a canyon with creek beds, rocks, rough stuff, etc. My new bike, (full suspension) made it easier than any time I have done this ride on previous bikes, hardtail or short-travel soft tail.

I just bought a Gary Fisher Cobia 29er. I put 230 miles on it in 30 days. About 80 of those are in the dirt, hills, sand, rocks, roots, logs, ramps and bridges. Done allot of net surfing and talking to people at many bike stores before buying and I am very pleased with my new 29er. This is a great fun way to exercise.

I'm getting the bug really bad for a new mountain bike. I have been looking at the Fuji Tahoe 29'r. Not all that lite. There is quite a lot written here in the 50+ thread on road bikes, but not much for the 50+ mountain biker. We have some great trails to ride around here.

I see a lot of folks coming into the bike shop and will only settle for "full suspension" and even go for lower line components and heavier weight just to get that rear shock. From my past hard tail experience I don't really see the benefit.

Thoughts?

I am of a like mind.I started on mountain bikes in 1990 and only went road 2 years ago. Last september I was looking at a new bike and was tempted by a Full suspension- good component bike- But compared to my hardtail- it was heavy. Couldn't take it offfroad but took it up a couple of good slopes to see what it was like. Not only did it feel heavy- It rode heavy aswell. I bought another road bike.

I still get out offroad occasionally and still have the skills to ride gnarly rooty uphill sections. Downhill- I have lost a bit of speed (Or is it confidence) uphills and it still hurts as much as it used to and the flat bits are where I take a rest. If you are going out for cross country riding, and do not intend to take the steep rutted lumpy downhills at speed- then a Full suspension MTB is superfluous. Mind you- The good ones do work- are light but cost a lot more than I am prepared to pay.

Basics of an MTB are the frame- the wheels and the quality of the front fork. My Bianchi has a good frame- The "OLD" Rockshox Judy's still work for me and the handbuilt wheels are XTR or XT hubs on Mavic rims although I also have a pair of Mavic Crossrides aswell (I like good quality wheels that work)

Groupset and the rest of the bike can be changed or upgraded as they wear out but get the basic components as good and a mountain bike is fantastic.

And be prepared to get a workout on a mountain bike- They can be hard work on the right type of Terrain.

Have a look at a single speed 29er. You can get into one on any budget. They are just pure fun.

I have two mountain bikes right now - a Specialized Stumpjumper M4 hardtail and a Santa Cruz Superlight (fully). I used to ride rigid bikes and have tried now and again, singlespeeds and 9ers.

When it comes to full suspension I like "suspension-lite" not some heavily tank like down hill bike. The superlight has 4 " of travel and is fairly light even with disc brakes (I think around 26 lbs). It's great for most terrain and I love the way it smooths out the bumps. Makes going downhill much easier. As I get older, that gets more important.

I still love riding the hardtail and for most trails, especially fast singletrack. there is no equal in handling and climbing. I do agree it is better to get a nice handtail with good components then a cheap fully with bad components. Who wants to ride a 40 lb bike with 2 inches of travel!

But to each their own. I have many friends that ride singlespeed cross-bikes on the gnarliest of trails. Not for me but works for them.