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04-11-09, 05:29 PM
Hi Guys, Yes I've researched it, and have found lots of info, but not for my use. I won't be racing or commuting with it. I have a hot trek 520 for my communting and road needs. I bought an extra wheel set and cyclocross tire wheel set to go up the trails. I finally slapped them on this week and huffed and puffed my way up the mountain across from my house. Gearing is all wrong!
When I ride a mountain bike, I usually feel like the crank and wheels are way to small. I had a fully MTB about four years ago and hated it in the end. So much work lost in bouncing around, and heavy. I had three other hardtails since. a merida (german, not good or bad), A hardtail Giant piece of crap, that seemed only slow on the road and even worse on the trail, and a diamond back rigid in 91 that rocked every thing I rode on. I blew everyone I rode with away with that bike. Then it was stolen.
So here I am in Germany. Everyone is riding expensive full suspensions down the road, yes they get up the mountain, where the worst of trails are fully traveled and might have worn to roots and lots of little rocks. Most of the time we're taking pavement and packed road when MTBing here.
I'll post this in MTB and Cyclocross threads. I've been on the side of a cyclocross or a rigid 29, but all the germans are telling me I'm crazy to not go full suspension. I don't want to race, be the best or fastest, but have fun. I do love speed, on the road and even more on the trail, that's why I was thinking cyclocross or even a make-shift cyclo. I've been eyeing a GT KARAKORAM 29er hard tail on ebay germany, but I think it might weigh 30 or 40 pounds? I would consider then a drop bar. Longer crank? I also have an op for a cannndale alu hardtail for almost nothing. I love the idea of having a cyclocross for speed, but I don't want to shake my teeth out down the rocky roads either.
What do you all think? let's think this through!
When I ride a mountain bike, I usually feel like the crank and wheels are way to small. I had a fully MTB about four years ago and hated it in the end. So much work lost in bouncing around, and heavy. I had three other hardtails since. a merida (german, not good or bad), A hardtail Giant piece of crap, that seemed only slow on the road and even worse on the trail, and a diamond back rigid in 91 that rocked every thing I rode on. I blew everyone I rode with away with that bike. Then it was stolen.
So here I am in Germany. Everyone is riding expensive full suspensions down the road, yes they get up the mountain, where the worst of trails are fully traveled and might have worn to roots and lots of little rocks. Most of the time we're taking pavement and packed road when MTBing here.
I'll post this in MTB and Cyclocross threads. I've been on the side of a cyclocross or a rigid 29, but all the germans are telling me I'm crazy to not go full suspension. I don't want to race, be the best or fastest, but have fun. I do love speed, on the road and even more on the trail, that's why I was thinking cyclocross or even a make-shift cyclo. I've been eyeing a GT KARAKORAM 29er hard tail on ebay germany, but I think it might weigh 30 or 40 pounds? I would consider then a drop bar. Longer crank? I also have an op for a cannndale alu hardtail for almost nothing. I love the idea of having a cyclocross for speed, but I don't want to shake my teeth out down the rocky roads either.
What do you all think? let's think this through!