gurp13

I started riding back in the early '90's so I wouldn't call myself a newbie. But, in the last few years I haven't been riding much. Been getting back into and want a new bike. I'm currently riding the first MTB I bought, a Trek 830 Mountain Track. It's a Cro-Moly frame, rigid. I've ridden it a lot and would like a better frame, lighter, and better components. I like to ride trails but end up spending a lot of time on roads, too, just to keep in shape. I really enjoy riding up hill and moderate downhills (but not aggro bombing). I don't jump or huck or whatever. :-) I like slow, technical rides that require patience and endurance, not adrenaline and speed. Does this make me a Cross Country rider? Or, if not, what category does this place me in?

Also, I've been looking at bikes. I'd like to spend less than $1K. I really like the Specialized Stumpjumper but it's a bit more than I want to spend. Is it significantly better than the Rockhopper? For my kind of riding will I notice the difference if I spend the extra money? I may not buy another bike for many years so I will justify spending the extra money that way. :-) TIA!

Callaway

I can't say much as to what kind of rider you are. I don't follow your exact line of thought when it comes to riding style, but like you, I don't subscribe to just one line of thought. Therefore, I find it hard to characterize myself in category. The bikes I look at are generally XC, but I do like small drops, going downhill and going fast as well as roots rocks and water. I just look for XC type hardtail bikes that seem to cover more of an expanse and that I could have a good control over.
Also like you, I really like the Stumpjumper. I was getting back into MTBing after a few year hiatus and was originally looking for another $500 bike, then decided why buy a more recent version of the same entry level type bike? So, I decided to upgrade a bit and fell into the Rockhopper. After deciding that I wasn't going to buy another bike for quite a while (maybe a recumbent when I retire- I'm 22) and after the LBS guy explaining to me that the stumpjumper has a better frame and fork and that equals more fun, I decided to pony up the couple extra hundred and get that one. I am currently in the process of buying an '05 closeout and I got it for a steal! Less than $1000. (It is being shipped over from another store, last one in the region in my size. I will probably put it on layaway for 2-3 months )I would say that it is a better bike than the rockhopper, but the rockhopper is an excellent bike as well, just depends on what you are looking for and what feels best to you.

EJ123

i like going on down rought bumpy hills

gurp13

The first part of my question has to do with the variety of terms I've been seeing. I've seen bikes labeled "downhill," "freeride," "cross-country," etc. I've done a little searching but can't seem to find what these mean. I know downhill riders mostly ride downhill for the speed and thrill of it all. (Forgive me if I'm grossly over-generalizing.) But, downhillers don't like to grind out the climb. However, I'm assuming the freerider has a single gear or something. I don't know. And, it seems to me that the the cross-country rider goes all over the mountain, up and down.

For me, I like to ride uphill and around the mountain. I don't necessarily like to bomb down the trail like a mad banshee, though. You're likely to catch me coasting downhill and possibly even enjoying the scenery, if the trail allows. I like to ride the trail but am not an adrenaline junkie. However, my problem is that I still end up doing a lot of riding on the paved roads. I want a real mountain bike with decent components and gearing designed to allow me to attack the climbs but at the same time, I want to be able to ride the roads without wasting a lot of energy.

For this reason, I think I'm looking for a cross-country bike. That's why I've zeroed in on the Stumpjumper or the Rockhopper. I think the primary difference between the two is the components. The Stumpjumper seems to have superior components on the whole, even more so than the Rockhopper Pro Disc.

My LBS suggested that I also look at the Trek bikes. So, I will. But, I like those Specializeds. :-)

iamthetas

if you are over 200 pounds you need to stay away from a racing bike( I know this from experience) go to a local shop and tell then your interests and they will fit you with the right type and even ( as mine did) a little more than you NEED so that as you progress you will not be in need of a new bike. Id say you are a cross country rider. since Im about the 200pound mark I went with an "allmountain" bike. its basically a beefed up cross country bike with a little more travel in the suspension.

I agree that speed is not always as enjoyable on downhills as coasting ad looking at nature but there are times when I want to test my metal as a person ad wanted to have a bike that would hold up.
hope this helps

EJ123

I always like trek..woo i love my bruiser

Callaway

I would really hone in on the stumpjumper; in fact I did- I have one on layaway, but I already love it! The stumppjumper has a better frame and fork than the RH which equals more fun

gurp13

I'm 5'8" and I weigh just about 190lbs. I've been losing weight lately since getting back into riding again. I imagine that if I keep it up I will end up much closer to 170. I wasn't looking in to getting a racing bike, I don't think. I was looking at the Specialized Stumpjumper or Rockhopper. Or, the Trek 8000 or 6700. Those are the four I've narrowed on. Are those considered racing bikes? Do I need a different bike? I didn't think that I would break one of those.

gurp13

That's funny! I just read your sig. I have a Trek 830, but it's from '91! Anyway, if I have my way, I'll be buying the Stumpjumper. I don't know if I can afford it, though. I'm going to try to swing it, though, if I settle on the Specialized. Do you think there's any issue with weight for me as noted above?

Drunken Chicken

You were partly right there: Downhill is people bombing down hills at high speeds, and generally (in bike parks, for example) are taken to the top of the mountain/hill by skilifts (the bikes have so much travel in the suspension and they're so heavy they'd be a pain to pedal up. Same with the freeride bikes, except they are made more for big jumps and tricks, they too weigh quite a bit and also have a lot of travel in the fork and rear shock. XC (cross country) is pretty much all over the mountain, up and down as you said.

Note: It's urban/dirtjump bikes that have singlespeed (generally), not freeride bikes.

Callaway

I wouldn't think so if you are riding the 830 and not having any problems as the Stumpy is a way better bike. But I would go into the LBS and see what they say. I probably can't afford the stumpy either, but I put it on layaway and my lunches are a bit lighter, but i'll have it soon
cheers

gurp13

Thanks, DC, for clearing that up!!! I feel much better know that now. Man, all these different kinds of bikes! It's almost as bad as all the subgenres in metal. :-) There's metal, progressive metal, black metal, death metal, doom metal, hardcore, grindcore, noisecore, screamcore, glam metal, nu metal, etc.