Bodeco

I'm nearing my two year anniversary of mountain biking, and I've come to the conclusion that I am ready for a second bike. I tend to break stuff on a somewhat regular basis, and it is unnerving to be without a bike while it's in the shop. I am slowly learning about bike maintenance, but I'm just not there yet.

I've been turning this idea over in my head since I broke my frame back in February, and I've changed my mind 1000 times. Just wanted to step in here and get some thoughts and ideas from you more experienced folk.

I currently ride a Fisher Xcal 29'er, which I absolutely love. My first inclination was to just grab a Fisher Cobia 29'er, which is the model below the Xcal. It would be familiar to me, it has decent components, etc. Then I figured I've never ridden an full suspension bike, so why don't I just grab a decent one. I seriously looked at a Trek Fuel EX 6 and a Fisher Hi Fi Plus. That would at least give me a nice variety from the 29'er hard tail as I'm sure a 26" suspension bike is a much different ride. Then I thought I should just get a second Xcal... parts swapability, familiarity, etc... but no variety.

Then of course my road biking co-worker suggested that I get a road bike for a real change of pace. That sounds great, but I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to mixing it up with these crazy drivers around here. I probably would have bought a road bike long ago if I had a decent route to ride to work. Sure would love to get gutsy about road biking. <sigh>

So anyway... any thoughts out there? I could probably swing up to $2000 on a new ride, but which? I'm not looking so much for advice on make/model, but which kind of bike?

Another 29'er?
Full susp? 26" or 29"?
Road bike?
Hybrid?

Thanks much for reading...

-AC

sparks_219 

What are your goals? I always wanted to get more fit, so I got a road bike to train and race on.

You really should figure out what you really want to improve/accomplish, and then make your decision. There are some nice scenic road routes around me and road riding has done wonders to my fitness, but if you want to stick with mountain biking, I would recommend a full suspension. There's no advantages to having two identical bikes IMO. Say if you swap a part over, you're still stuck on buying a replacement.

epicurean

I would definitely vote for a bike different than your current ride. To me, a little variety is very important. You've already got your 29" and hardtail bases covered, so definitely consider something different. If I were in your position, my wish list would rank in this order (as each is filled, move on to the next):
Full Suspension
Road
Rigid
26" hardtail
singlespeed
(repeat as conditions allow)

Bodeco

Very good question... I think that is what is causing my dilemma. Fitness is definitely part of it. I believe road riding would help my endurance, which is one reason I am thinking about a road bike. Then again, like I said... I'm a chicken when it comes to road riding. Or at least I think I am, never really done it!!

Fun is another big part of it. I absolutely love riding XC. Maybe I need 3 bikes. That's what is great about cycling... there are 2 huge reasons for me to ride. First of all, it's loads of fun. Second of all, it's great exercise. One of the two gets me out at every possible chance! I've been searching for that combination for years... had no idea cycling was so much fun.

I agree though, an identical bike does seem crazy the more that I think about it. I guess I just need to decide between road and full suspension.

I THINK I have my decision narrowed down to these 2:

Lemond Sarthe

Fisher Caliber 29

Thanks for all of the replies guys!

sherpaPeak

road riding is not my thing. risks and monotony are the two main reasons for that. I would stop driving in the roads if I could....so why go bike riding on a road.....my logic is, biking is my hobby and passion....I want to experience it and let my self go when I am biking.....Road riding does not do it for me...I always have the crazy-drivers in my mind (experience from my commute to work for last three years).....so, why let yourself be in somebody (drivers) elases descration when there are perfectly fine trails around you (assuming)......there are risks with trail riding, but that the risk I am willing to take...and its my own decision to take that risk...not some nut job on the road....

now, if I were in your position I would get a decent Full Suspension bike......why,

- it would give you more variety in terms of options
- more fun on difficult or different terrain
- longer and more comfortable ride
- less injury/fatigues on your legs and lower back
- when one bike is in the store for maintainance, you have an able alternative to hit the trails


your fitness goals:
- put some slick tires on the X-cal and go for road riding (if you want). Yes, its not a road bike...but if training and strength building is your goal....it sould be fine, right?....you will get the same amount of workout (x-cal would be havier than a road bike) by riding less miles (read, less time on the road, and less risk from the nutty drivers)...

So, my suggestion would be - Get a nice full suspension bike and have fun....

Santa Cruz Superlight may be a good option for you.....check it out...

pinkrobe

Obviously, you should get a rigid SS XC bike! Seriously, it will help your handling abilities, it's cheap, and it will definitely help your fitness. Misfit Psycles makes a rigid 29, as do many other companies. That would also allow you to get a cheap [read: used] road bike. Why get 1 extra bike when you can get 2?

Bodeco

Funny you should mention that, because I have gotten more of this recommendation from my local riders than anything else. It's tempting, but I honestly feel like that is something I want to save for down the road. Maybe in a few years when I'm bored of the local trails and need some spice, this is the route I will go.

I'm still a tad heavy (currently 240, was 285 when I started biking in 2005) so I feel like that's best suited when I hit my target weight of 180.

I think I agree with the post above about the risks of road riding. As much as I want to try it, I'm afraid after my first close call that my road bike will end up hanging in my basement. I'm seriously leaning towards a Fisher Hi Fi or Super Caliber 29. Both FS. Hmmmm... maybe I'm getting closer to a decision.

FatBomber

Should go go the route of the road bike, I think you would really enjoy the all-steel Lemond. I have had both steel and aluminum roadies and I'd take the steel every single time. The smoothness of the ride is fantastic.

I live in Chicago (not the suburbs, but downtown) and I understand your fears. Riding in the traffic can be dicey and you have to keep your head on a swivel. If you have the ability, take your bike out to a more rural area and ride there. The drive to get there may not be optimal, but the piece of mind you get with your perception of safety may be worth it.

Heck, with the cash you have leftover if you go roadie, you could possibly parlay that into a FS 29er frame and just swap the components over and sell your old frame to make up the difference.

Jameson

Fully suspended, then a singlespeed. I'm of a similar mind about the road bike. Once as a teenager,I watched my Dad walk up the drive way(he commuted most days) with a cake serving knife lodged in his helmet. Some one threw it at him as they passed. The handle hit his shoulder and somehow the big triangular 'blade' wedged into his helmet. He wasn't hurt and later sold the cake knife to an antique store for $90 so I guess he got lucky but I swore off road riding for eternity. He on the other hand now rides multi hundred mile races/events.

epicurean

What a great story! If only expensive antiques were tossed more often than beer and soda bottles, what a wonderful world this would be...

sherpaPeak

knife thrown from the car......no thank you....antique or not...

Jameson

Yeah, it's an odd item to toss. I guess it was really old. The handle was solid mother of pearl or some similar such substance with gold inlay. I believe he kept it for about a year before some family friend with an eye for quasi valuable antiques mentioned selling it.

pinkrobe

I wouldn't consider myself a roadie, but I've been riding road since '88 and have never had anyone throw anything at me, although I got slapped on the ass by some guy who then proceeded to wave and blow me a kiss. Are you people surrounded by *******s or something?

Raiyn

https://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html

Hanzo

If you haven't ridden a FS much I'd go for that. They are fun and it's nice to have options.