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09-24-08, 04:16 PM
After buying a FX for general fitness, I have discovered cycling is something of a new hobby for me. I live on Cooper Lake which offers a multitude of trail and off road paths to ride. I have been riding my 7.3 with another set of wheels and tires meant for off roads applications. I have been tossing the idea around of buying another bike for these type of applications...e.i.MTB. That way I could set up my 7.3 strictly for road and have another bike for trails/ off-road. To be completely honest...I think I'm just trying to justify another bicycle.;) I know my 7.3 is a not and was never meant to serve as a trail bike.....thus my reasoning.
Which brings me to my question. After speaking with three different bike shops and all three giving three different bikes....I'm coming to you guys for guidence. Before I get into the bikes, let me describe the type of terrian I will mainly be riding. Compact dirt, gravel roads, cobblestone, grass fields, and some slightly aggressive whoops/washouts. OF course, as my skill level improves I will probably seek out more aggresive paths.
One shop recommended the Specialized FSR XC or the Specialized FSR XC COMP. Before some of you jump off the deep end. I truely believe the guy was trying to sell me, what he thought, was the right bike. I think in his mind, he believed once I started riding off road I would come to love it, thus buying a good bike one time. With that being said, both those bikes are over $1100. I really don't think I need that much bicycle.
The next shop suggested the Specialized Crosstrail Elite. After looking at this bike, I come any with the thought it was nothing more than my 7.3 with front suspension. Yes, you are right it would probably serve my purpose right now, but I think I would excede the capabilities of the bike if I wanted to become a more serious off road rider. Plus this bike is approximately $800.
The last shop recommended any of the Specialized Rockhopper series. This shop believed the terrian offered in this area would not max out this bike. This bike was the only one I actually got to ride. I like the way it felt and the store manager even let me trash on it a bit. I ran it over some curbs and other obstacles and the bike really soaked them up well.
So what do ya'll think and please throw out any suggestions on what you would choose and it doesn't have to be the above listed. My price ceiling is about $900. All three shops agreed on the fact I probably didn't need disc brakes but I would probably need a lockout on the front forks.
Thanks
Gari
Which brings me to my question. After speaking with three different bike shops and all three giving three different bikes....I'm coming to you guys for guidence. Before I get into the bikes, let me describe the type of terrian I will mainly be riding. Compact dirt, gravel roads, cobblestone, grass fields, and some slightly aggressive whoops/washouts. OF course, as my skill level improves I will probably seek out more aggresive paths.
One shop recommended the Specialized FSR XC or the Specialized FSR XC COMP. Before some of you jump off the deep end. I truely believe the guy was trying to sell me, what he thought, was the right bike. I think in his mind, he believed once I started riding off road I would come to love it, thus buying a good bike one time. With that being said, both those bikes are over $1100. I really don't think I need that much bicycle.
The next shop suggested the Specialized Crosstrail Elite. After looking at this bike, I come any with the thought it was nothing more than my 7.3 with front suspension. Yes, you are right it would probably serve my purpose right now, but I think I would excede the capabilities of the bike if I wanted to become a more serious off road rider. Plus this bike is approximately $800.
The last shop recommended any of the Specialized Rockhopper series. This shop believed the terrian offered in this area would not max out this bike. This bike was the only one I actually got to ride. I like the way it felt and the store manager even let me trash on it a bit. I ran it over some curbs and other obstacles and the bike really soaked them up well.
So what do ya'll think and please throw out any suggestions on what you would choose and it doesn't have to be the above listed. My price ceiling is about $900. All three shops agreed on the fact I probably didn't need disc brakes but I would probably need a lockout on the front forks.
Thanks
Gari