Could I race Xc w/ this?
#1
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Could I race Xc w/ this?
https://konaworld.com/shopping_cart/F...6&parentid=253
It looks too plush to be all that fast. What y'all think? And it also doesn't have a weight posted.
It looks too plush to be all that fast. What y'all think? And it also doesn't have a weight posted.
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It's a shame that most companies don't offer affordable XC bikes anymore . The freeride marketing craze seems to have killed the niche .
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You can race on anything - but you might want to think about how you'll place. Before you buy a bike, consider what sort of courses you'll be racing on. If they're rock-strewn DH or DS courses, then the Kikapu will last for a handful of rides before **** starts breaking off at random. A few things to look for in a XC race bike:
- light weight. You'll have to drag that thing up hills. Every pound you save on the weight of the bike has the potential to save you time, unless the bike lacks...
- durability. The lightest bike in the world won't help you win unless it holds together long enough to get you across the finish line.
- efficiency. As much energy as possible must be channeled from your body to the bike and then to the ground. Most race bikes are still hardtails because most race courses don't require full suspension for an efficient ride. YMMV.
- handling. This is different for everyone. Most XC bikes have 71/73 head/seat angles with 100mm of travel or less. This setup works for a lot of people. Again, YMMV.
I'd suggest you see what the local racers are on, and get something similar to what they have, but in your price range. I'd guess that most are on hardtails. Look at what the top 10 guys are on. If most are on hardtails, I'd suggest you go with that.
- light weight. You'll have to drag that thing up hills. Every pound you save on the weight of the bike has the potential to save you time, unless the bike lacks...
- durability. The lightest bike in the world won't help you win unless it holds together long enough to get you across the finish line.
- efficiency. As much energy as possible must be channeled from your body to the bike and then to the ground. Most race bikes are still hardtails because most race courses don't require full suspension for an efficient ride. YMMV.
- handling. This is different for everyone. Most XC bikes have 71/73 head/seat angles with 100mm of travel or less. This setup works for a lot of people. Again, YMMV.
I'd suggest you see what the local racers are on, and get something similar to what they have, but in your price range. I'd guess that most are on hardtails. Look at what the top 10 guys are on. If most are on hardtails, I'd suggest you go with that.
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Originally Posted by sngltrackdufus
you can win CC races on a toys 'R' us special with enough drive & dedication.
You can't win the race with your bike choice, but you can lose it that way.
If you're just racing with your buds for fun, as Pinkrobe mentioned, almost any bike will do. One of the bigger races around here sees everyone from roadies to huckers to recumbants at the start line.
But no one has ever won the race on anything other than a middle-high-end XC race bike, or cross bike.
And no one ever will.
Because if they pick a bike that's slightly less optimal for the course, someone otherwise slightly slower than them will beat them.
Every time.
And if you are actually burning it trying to win a race, it sucks to know that you might have... had you been on a different bike.
Like I said, if you are racing with your buddies for fun or just trying to finish the course, ride any bike you like and have fun. That's the way it should be, really.
But to win in a big field, you'll need a bike almost perfectly suited to the course.
#8
Throw the stick!!!!
What class will you be racing? If beginner then sure, go for it. If sport or higher then you will want to get a lighter, more efficient bike.
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That would be a good bike to get into racing. It will be better then some others out there, even in the sport class, but definitly not the best. If you find that you realy enjoy racing then down the line you could look into a bike upgrade.
If you find that racing is not for you then you will still have a good trail bike, either way it is a good choice.
DBD
If you find that racing is not for you then you will still have a good trail bike, either way it is a good choice.
DBD
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Originally Posted by lm/-_-lm/
https://konaworld.com/shopping_cart/F...6&parentid=253
It looks too plush to be all that fast. What y'all think? And it also doesn't have a weight posted.
It looks too plush to be all that fast. What y'all think? And it also doesn't have a weight posted.
#11
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Originally Posted by dirtbikedude
That would be a good bike to get into racing. It will be better then some others out there, even in the sport class, but definitly not the best. If you find that you realy enjoy racing then down the line you could look into a bike upgrade.
If you find that racing is not for you then you will still have a good trail bike, either way it is a good choice.
If you find that racing is not for you then you will still have a good trail bike, either way it is a good choice.
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with the Fox Vanilla and Marzocchi MZ-3 and TruVativ, its heavy by just looking at it. the parts and drive gears/chain is not design for racing altho Kona makes great FS frames. Do you need a FS for racing? its really heavy ...for XC...if you say going out for fun and all mountain, its a gd bike...but i would get better parts...but to answer your title "race this on xc" i will choose not to
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i have the 05 and i want to give racing a shot. i think the kikapu is around 30 lbs. its a pretty nice bike. all around kind of low end components though.