Jarrett2

Sorry to start another new to MTB looking for a bike thread. I thought my specifics might be different enough to warrant its own thread.

So my background, I rode BMX bikes as a kid over any thing I could find. Stopped riding for 30 years, now I've been doing the road bike things for the last 2+ years.

Recently, I've been taking my AWOL to the local dirt path and have been chasing the MTB bike guys around. I thought it might be time to invest in a MTB bike so I don't tear up my AWOL in the process.

I'm 280 lbs, 6'1" tall, 44 years old. Decent riding skills already. I'm adept at working on bikes already. At least, hybrids and road bikes and disc brakes.

I already have some MTB shoes with SPD's that I used to clip on my other bikes. I liked the feeling of being clipped in on my AWOL on the dirt paths, so I assume I'll also like being clipped in on a MTB bike as well.

I have a good relationship with a LBS already that sells Specialized, Trek and Santa Cruz MTB bikes. I'm also comfortable with buying from online retailers and have them ship me in a partially complete bike that I have to finish the assembly on. Also, I'm comfortable buying off Craigslist.

All that said, I'm not sure which type of bike to be looking for right now. Steel, Aluminum, hard tail or full suspension, etc. I'm just not that up on the particulars of MTB bikes.

Any suggestions for a seasoned Clyde new to MTB? Thanks in advance.

Jarrett2

I don't want to spend a ton on the first one, maybe up to $1200 new or used?

Also, I have some leads through friends on the hybrids with shocks like the Trek 8.3 or the Specialized Crosstrail, but I assume its better to go ahead and get an actual MTB bike since I already have bikes for riding on the street?

I'm a big fan of steel road bikes, but not sure if that translates into MTB or not. So steel is definitely of interest if applicable. I just want something that makes it easier and safer for me to have some fun in the dirt. I hear you can buy your way into better riding with MTB a little bit.

osco53

Go to the trail head where you will be riding,
See what people your age are riding,
Ask them why this or that bike and where this or that Local bike shop Is...

I see big dudes like you riding fast and furious on all kinds of bikes, Hard Tails and Full Squish.

A thousand Is a good starting price for a Hard Tail that can get things done, $2500 Is a reasonable starting point for full suspension.
Below those price points and your going to want more bike after a few rides.

Big guys with some power/skills seem to do well on 29 Inch wheels but these big hoops need to be very good hoops for a rider your size,, spend a little extra coin and attention on your wheels......

Of course I am talking about real single track riding, not fire road rides....



The first picture was my beginner bike at $600, I quickly surpassed Its limits.
The second bike, a Scott Spark 760 retailed at $1900 I did the year end close out thing ($1500) and traded that first bike in on it,,,
Out the door Tax Included,,,$1280..
Had it one year now, still serves me well. time to replace the drive train, Hey I ride It hard,,, upgrading to a 1X11..

And yeah I clip In,,faster, safer, more fun,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upwJaIlRJN0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qo8KyBNjBw

wvridgerider

I built a Karate Monkey same height and weight. Tuff bike

Chimpotle

Hey Jarret -

I'm new to DFW as of this year, same age, clyde (shorter), and have mostly ridden road bikes around here until this past month (didn't expect that there would be MTB trails and by the time i figured it out everything was flooded). I'm also partial to the shop you mentioned (the one on granbury anyways). Their service dept has been awesome in my experience. Id say from them, maybe look at a trek superfly? Good value. A hardtail will be fine for around here, and tubeless would be optimal.

So, a question: when you say you've been chasing MTB'ers on the local dirt path, are you talking about the crushed gravel on the trinity trail, or have you actually gone to one of the DORBA or FWMBA trails like River Legacy or Gateway?

Jarrett2

I haven't been on the DORBA trails yet.

Canker

I ride with a couple clydes mtbers and they are hard on their rear wheels mainly hubs. One upgraded to dt-swiss and the other rides a hope. Forks are the other issue. Spring forks are going to come setup for 160lb or so riders and I doubt you can get a replacement spring for most of them that are right for 280lbs. Shoot for an air fork.

Chimpotle

Well I recommend, based on my experience there, that you maybe get some inexpensive platforms or combo spd/platform pedals for when you hit those trails. I had combos on my bike and figured I'd be fine clipped in, but i gave up on that quick. Lots of blind corners and unexpected climbs. Not saying you can't ride cliplesss there (I'm sure i will as i get more familiar with the track), but it'd be nice to give yourself that option for the first couple of times you ride a trail. Don't get me wrong, nothings hardcore. You just may have a low speed tipover or two.

If your not that familiar with the DORBA trails, heres a list and map. It also shows whats open at any given time:

Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association

I dont know whereabouts in DFW you are, but River Legacy in Arlington is a pretty good place to start. I'm in Fort Worth and I hear that locally Gateway is a good easy start, but i understand it still needs some trimming from after the rains. I haven't ridden anything but River Legacy.

The DORBA site has pretty good descriptions of what to expect, and the official DORBA trails are pretty well marked

Troggie

Fellow Clyde here.. 280 6'1' as well.

Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29er Mountain Bike - Nashbar Exclusive

I picked up the Diamondback Overdrive Comp and love it. I ride on trails that are either soft sand or hard rock for the past 6 months with no failures. Depending on your inseam you can do either a Large or XL.. I have a 34 in inseam and the XL was the way I went.. may be just a little on the big side for me as I have about an inch and a half clearance off the saddle, but no issues hopping off so far.

DMC707

I make no equipment concessions for my weight which is dangerously close to 300 --- i run Fox air front and back on my 5" trailbike --- the wheelset is an off the shelf Race Face unit ---

I just keep enough air in the suspension to keep it up in the stroke and i try not to donk into and over square edged crap at speed that might compromise my equipment (basically i try to ride "light on my feet" )

For Texas trail riding , i would seriously look into a full suspension Santa Cruz Tallboy since your shop is a Santa Cruz dealer

dodgeboy8888

I'm a bit in same situation . I ride a road bike for last year and a bit like it alot but i have the hitch to get a mtb. Need to let the little boy in me run free.

I am 6 foot 300 pounds down quife a bit.looking not to make a mistake. Would love a fs but i am scared that it wont hold me. Looking to spend a max of $3k.

I live in montreal so its cdn $

I am very confused trying to find a good lbs to help. Where i go for my roadie are not very good with mtb. So any suggestion would be appreciated

DMC707

I just ripped a ski lifted downhill run today on an air sprung Yeti SB-95 (5" travel 29" wheeled trailbike) --- No, i wasnt hitting big drops or getting any air outside of accidental, but it was a blast ---

I have ridden FS bikes at this weight long enough to testify that yes, - they will hold your weight and enhance your ride if you choose carefully

Jarrett2

Thanks for all the info so far.

Is hard tail ok? I don't really want to drop $2500 on first MTB bike.

What about 29 or 27.5?

gsa103

As a decently tall rider, you'll likely appreciate the geometry of a 29er over 27.5. A hardtail 29er is a good starting bike. For steep rocky/rooty areas, or bumpy high-speed descents FS is nice, for flatter areas, hardtails do quite well.

The best way to decide what type of bike is to look at what the other riders on the trails you want to do are riding. If most are on hardtails, you'll be fine with a hardtail. If 90% have FS bikes, then you may want to consider a FS bike.

Jarrett2

Cool, thanks.

Where I ride currently, everyone is on hardtails. I ride it on a gravel/cyclocross type bike today.

gsa103

In that case, get a hardtail 29er, you'll enjoy the ride. At your weight the main concern is making sure the fork is set appropriately for your weight. The RockShox XC32 (or XC28) forks have multiple stiffness springs, you'll want the shop to swap in a stiffer spring. Many of the cheaper Suntour forks only have one spring option, which means you'll be bottoming out a lot. Alternatively, air pressure forks are highly adjustable but generally more expensive.

You may also want 180mm rotors up front for the extra braking.

Daspydyr 

I'm 6' 3" and 230. I still ride a 26 because its what I own. But anyone over 5'10" will benefit from a 29er. I have argued the other way for years. But the advances make it crazy not to just go big brother Clyde. I like a HT. Use your knees for your rear suspension.

Jarrett2

Thanks for all the infos. I decided to go entry level and picked up a Specialized Pitch 650B:

dodgeboy8888

I also bought my bike today. I got a rocky moutain altitude 750.

Cant wait to go ride it