Originally Posted by
alathIN
I am glad I went with the PLUS bike concept for my first MTB. I feel a lot more secure/stable/controllable over crazy surfaces; a lot more confident to ride over things and through things that would previously have intimidated me. Given some back issues, I wanted either fat/plus or full suspension to soften up the tail end. A poster here advised that given a plus bike and a full suspension bike at the same price point, the plus bike is probably a bit better quality - "Better to have a mid grade plus bike than a low end FS bike." This seems like good advice so far. I love riding by buddy's FS mountain bike, but it's a high end all carbon one that cost more than all of my bikes put together.
Extremely good well written review and take on these new plus bikes from a newer riders point of view.
I started on a 29er HT when companies were rushing out these bikes to catch up on lost sales. They were heavy with the wrong Geo and just handled poorly, not like modern good 29ers.
I moved to a full suspension for a few years and am back on a 27.5 plus hard tail and very very happy.
What you said below,
" I feel a lot more secure/stable/controllable over crazy surfaces; a lot more confident to ride over things and through things that would previously have intimidated me. Given some back issues, I wanted either fat/plus or full suspension to soften up the tail end."
I want you to know your not alone, I've got 4 years on single tracks, and my plus bike gave me all of this,,
My point? As a new rider you see the value of the plus bike, as a not so new rider I take the pluses you see and turn them Into a faster far more stable safer ride. I am doing more technical trails with greater confidence and doing them faster.
All that traction and the newer slacker Geo combined with the efficiency of a hard tail without the harsh ride of a HT makes these new plus bikes a real game changer.
I've read and agree that the 27.5 plus will really become a big deal for the recreational trail riders, leaving regular 27.5 bikes for the more gonzo riders.
Great write up on BD and your bike buying experience... Kudo's !
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