Mountain Biking - cx racer looking for a mtb bike - sggestions

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
dnfcx
02-03-11, 01:02 PM
Im a cx / roadie, but looking to race our local short track series this year. (Portland, OR)

I "could" do it on my cx bike i suppose, but Id rather do it right.

what kind of bike should I be looking for? My initial thought is a 29er as it carries the same wheel size etc.

Or is the 29er not a good ride for a punchy short track?

M_S
02-03-11, 06:54 PM
Is your only use for the bike the Portland Short Track series or do you want to actually go mountain biking? For that series, which is the polar opposite of technical (read: barely more technical than a cross course) a light, rigid mountain bike, 26er or 29er, setup 1x9 with light tires would be perfect. Stock wheels are generally heavy, so it might be worth it to get a lighter set if you can afford it, especially on a 29er. You could start with the nicest hardtail you can afford and sell the suspension fork for a carbon rigid.

For riding actual trails in the region which I highly recommend, like Brown's, Hood River area, Mt. St. helens, etc, as a new mountain biker, you'll probably want at least front suspension and a double crank for cross country riding. Use some light racy tires for the short track series and more durable treads for other riding. Again I'd probably just get the nicest hardtail you can afford in 26 or 29 flavor. I prefer the latter, but again it really doesn't matter that much. You won't know your preferences until you've ridden for a season or two, and then you can decide whether to get another bike.