Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - MTB for Clyde:the next step - 29R? 26? Suspention - hardtail or full?

I've been riding an old Gary Fisher Tassajara this past season, mostly on single track thru the woods. The trails are hilly, narrow, muddy, studded with rocks, fallen logs and lots of "corduroy" sections to navigate. The GF has done me pretty well, but I'm thinking of getting a new bike for next season but all the choices are confusing. The GF is a simple, "no suspention at all, thank you", hard-to-beat bike. Most MTBs now seem to come with at least a front suspension, and lots w/ front and rear. And then there's the standard 26" vs the new 29R question. So, given the type of riding I do, would I be happier w/ a 29R or a 26R? Full suspension or just front forks? I'm @ 6'2" and 220lbs. The Gary Fisher has been good, but what do I replace it with?

Your not really a clyde, but post this in mtbr.com, you'll get more answers

post this in the MTB and you'll get laughed at for not wanting to be cool or elite by having a full suspension bike...

jerks over there I tell you...

NINER makes some seriously sick Reynolds steel framed stuff RIGID at that... $$$ but you have a donor bike for comps or if $ isn't an issue roll with it... S.I.R. 29 (Steel Is Real in Root Beer oooooooooohhhhhh pretty)

I'd keep the GF and ride it til it dies...

I would go for a 29'er but that is me. I don't have the money for one, or that is what I would own. Instead I have a very well used Specialized Hard Rock.

Cylde is 200 and over....I started at 6"4" 240 and i had bought a Trek Fuel ex9.I love it.Great bike,very versitatle.i know there are a lot of good choices now,lots of sales

Your not really a clyde, but post this in mtbr.com, you'll get more answers
Hey, last december I was at 270 and change. I've been working at it for 10 months now and have shed @ 50 lbs. Riding my Surly LHT, my old 74 Gitane TdF, the Gary Fisher MTB and the Schwinn stationary bike in the winter have been a huge help. But I still feel more in tune w/ the Clydes that w/ the "spandex and go-fast" crowd:D

I've been riding an old Gary Fisher Tassajara this past season, mostly on single track thru the woods. The trails are hilly, narrow, muddy, studded with rocks, fallen logs and lots of "corduroy" sections to navigate. The GF has done me pretty well, but I'm thinking of getting a new bike for next season but all the choices are confusing. The GF is a simple, "no suspention at all, thank you", hard-to-beat bike. Most MTBs now seem to come with at least a front suspension, and lots w/ front and rear. And then there's the standard 26" vs the new 29R question. So, given the type of riding I do, would I be happier w/ a 29R or a 26R? Full suspension or just front forks? I'm @ 6'2" and 220lbs. The Gary Fisher has been good, but what do I replace it with?

What's your budget? If you want full-suspension, figure you'll probably need to spend a minimum of $2500-3000 to get something decent. A hardtail (= front suspension only) will be much cheaper. If you're comfortable riding on a fully rigid bike, then you might not need full-suspension unless you're looking to tackle much more difficult trails (or have a much easier time on the current ones).

I'm not sure what to make of the 29" vs 26" debate. My mountain bikes have all used 26" wheels and I haven't had a problem with them. I have enough trouble negotiating tight stuff on a 26" bike, so I haven't been tempted to buy a 29er. Might not be a bad idea to talk to other riders in your area and see what they think. Could be that trails in your area cater heavily to one wheel size or the other.

In addition, keep an eye out for "demo days" in your area. In my area, manufacturers and stores frequently setup days where you can borrow the latest and greatest bikes and take them for a spin on local trails. This is a great way to evaluate bikes you're interested in on the trails where you ride...

What's your budget? ...... If you're comfortable riding on a fully rigid bike, then you might not need full-suspension unless you're looking to tackle much more difficult trails (or have a much easier time on the current ones).
Budget will be @ $1000 - so I guess that eliminates full suspension. I'm fine w/ the rigid Gary Fisher, just thought that having a front suspension might make tough sections on the trails a bit easier to get thru.

Budget will be @ $1000 - so I guess that eliminates full suspension. I'm fine w/ the rigid Gary Fisher, just thought that having a front suspension might make tough sections on the trails a bit easier to get thru.

Front suspension is definitely nice to have... assuming you know how to set it up. Look for something with an air spring; they're easier to tune than coil spring designs. You can probably find a hardtail in that price range, though I've yet to see a hardtail that included a really nice fork...