Cyccommute says:
Your sizes seem small for someone who is 6'3". I'm 6' and wear pants with a 32"
inseam and I ride a 58cm road and 19" mountain. You should start looking at a
60 cm road bike and at least a 20" mountain bike. More likely you'll fit on a
22" mountain bike.
This was my first inclination, as well. I was thinking the OP is more like a 61 cm.
A good quality aluminum mountain bike frame from one of the major manufacturers
is going to be far better than a Helmart special. Like I said, I ride aluminum
hard and the durability isn't a concern.
This is true. Thanks to modern-day aluminum technology and bicycle design, there are some pretty durable aluminum bicycle frames that exist, today.
The performance of thinner tires on dirt is what I was talking about. I have
lots of experience and excellent handling skills but even I don't want to ride
skinny tires too far on dirt.
All dirt varies. It could be hard or loose. It could be fine or clumpy. In general, the harder the dirt is, the more hybrid and road bike friendly it becomes, as well. There's certainly no need for a MTB to shy away from just about any type of dirt, whatsoever.
The shock probably wasn't tuned to your weight so it was pretty soft when
engaged. Tuning it would make the ride better off-road. The lockout comes in
very handy for those sections where you stitch trails together, however.
It all depends upon the types of trails being combined during your trek.
Again with the misinformation. Mountain bikes are slower but not that
much slower. JeremyZ's claims notwithstanding, the speed differential is only a
few mph. If you are trying to ride a road bike off-road, you'll be a whole lot
slower on it in the dirt than the mountain bike will be on pavement.
Well by your own admission, MTN bikes are slower on pavement. Now just how much slower might be debatable. However, slower is slower. Nobody mentioned just how much slower. Nonetheless, a comparative assessment can be readily deduced by our combined experience. Since we both know that dual suspension MTN bikes are slower than HT MTN bikes, and that all MTN bikes tend to be slower than road bikes, it's only logical to deduce a progression in the loss of velocity as we continue to add suspension and weight to the MTB.
Of course, it's a given that as the terrain increases in complexity, the MTB has a distinct advantage and its efficiency increases in proportion to that rise in complexity, as the road bike's efficiency decreases.
Then don't go around spreading misinformation.
I only state facts that can be easily researched and confirmed, either by experts in the field, or scientific data that is accessible by all, in the public library.
- Slim