Originally Posted by cydewaze

Good tips above. I'd also like to add that I've found that shorter chainstay length = better climbing. I have an old AlpineStars Al-Mega with super-short chainstays (so short that they had to bend the seat tube around the rear tire) and that thing stuck like glue to any surface.

Tough to find a sort chainstay mountain bike these days. All the hardtails seem to be stuck in the 16.9" range, and the full suspension bikes aren't any better because shorter chainstays usually mean a bit less travel.

Hope to get my AlpineStars back on the trail soon.