So I'm hoping you guys can shed some light on my situation. I'm currently in the market for a new bike. I originally wanted a mountain bike, but a few of the bike shops, in addition to some of the research I was doing myself, opened my eyes to other alternatives, like 29ers, or a hybrid style bike.
Most of my riding will be done on pavement (I'd say 80/20 on/offroad). I'm going on 27, am almost 6'2" and weigh about 245 lbs., but my goal is to get below 215 within the next few months. I come from a BMX/freestyle riding childhood and my only experience with mountain bikes is a 2006 Trek 6700 I owned for a short period of time, but got rid of because I ended up not using it (due to laziness and lack of motivation). I'd like to get back into riding, but like I said, most of my time will be spent on pavement, so nothing hardcore. HOWEVER, I find that I can not ride like a civilized person (haha), probably due to my BMX background. Wheelies, bunny hops, grasshoppers (are they still called that?), etc... I have a natural tendency to want to do these things. If there's a curb, I want to jump it. If there's something I can spring off of, I'll try it. I can't ride in a straight line because I always find myself maneuvering and if there's a choice of pavement or rocky gravel off to the side, I'll choose the gravel for the excitement factor. I like to stand on my pedals a lot and also like sprinting. Basically, I want something that CAN take a beating if need be, but my skills are pretty low-level so it's not like I'll be doing any 5 foot drops or fancy tricks. I've never had friends who mountain biked and never lived by any trails, so I don't have any experience off-road, but it's DEFINITELY something I'd like to give a shot.
Stumpjumpers have always been my favorite mountain bikes (based on looks and reviews, not experience), but I've come to realize it's more of a race oriented XC bike, and after test riding one, I didn't feel all that comfortable on it. It's also out of my price range right now.
After riding a Rockhopper though, I immediately felt comfortable on the bike and confident that the bike could take a bit of a beating.
Then, after visiting one of my LBS and explaining where and how I'd be riding, they recommended the Specialized Crosstrail. I have to say, I wasn't too crazy about this bike at first (or the idea of 29" wheels), but after riding it, I really REALLY enjoyed it. The larger wheels really get that bike rolling and the semi-slicks make for a comfortable, fast ride on the pavement, while the beefiness and treading on the sides give you a little bit of traction for the rough stuff. I think it's got a larger outer chain ring, (higher gearing? correct me if I'm wrong) so it can sustain higher speeds than the Rockhopper, which I like because I enjoy going fast and have the leg power to really push it.
I know that the Crosstrail is not a true mountain bike (more of a cross between a mtb and road bike) and some people argue that a hybrid is the worst of both worlds, but for my skill level, and anticipated riding style, I've got to say, I felt like the bike suited me perfectly.
Only problem being, FIT. On the Rockhopper, I ride a 21" frame comfortably. On the Crosstrail, I'm at a 19.5" (I don't think I'd have any stand-over clearance on a 21.5"). So after riding the Crosstrail for about 15 minutes, I noticed my arms and shoulders were supporting a lot of my weight. It started to feel like I had been doing a pushup the whole time. I didn't notice this right away, but after a while, my palms felt a lot of pressure from the handlebars (even though the grips are really soft and comfortable) and I feel like it might make my shoulders and back hurt on a long ride. The guy at the LBS (who was extremely helpful) adjusted seat height, seat fore-aft position, seat angle, and even switched out the stem for something longer with a higher rise angle. All of these adjustments helped a tad, but didn't cure the problem completely I don't think.
Q: Are there any other adjustments (or changing of parts) that can be made to alleviate this problem, or could it be that my body geometry just does not agree with the bike's geometry? On the other hand, is this a problem people learn to live with?
The Crosstrail is $700 (upper end of my budget) at my LBS and has a pretty respectable componentry spec. LX rear derailer, Avid BB5 mech disc brakes, RST Vogue Comp fork (which I never heard of but actually feels pretty nice and has a great lockout). The Rockhopper on the end (base model, which I believe is a better value than the entry Disc), has nothing, and is selling for $470, which is substantially cheaper. Given my experience level and conditioning though, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to start low end and upgrade as I come into more of a defined riding style and am able to better pinpoint my needs.
I visited the Clydesdale section and noticed lots of people recommending Rockhoppers for heavier riders.
Q: Do you guys think the Crosstrail will be suitable for heavy riders as well? Again, I probably won't be venturing into any hardcore trails anytime soon, but then again, I'm not a completely civilized pavement rider.
Crosstrail Expert Pros: smooth and fast on pavement, handles well at slower cruising speeds, can be used for light off road.
Crosstrail Expert Cons: higher price point, issue with leaning over handlebars too much, questionable fork durability.
Rockhopper (base) Pros: feel comfortable on bike, can handle true off road, lower price.
Rockhopper (base) Cons: not as forgiving or fast on pavement, low componentry spec.
Like I said, I'd like to venture into mountain biking eventually, but for the near future, my needs are getting/keeping in shape, having fun, going on long rides, and being able to handle some unpaved here and there.
Q: Can any of you experts can shed some light on the fitting issue and possibly give your opinions on a decision? I would seriously appreciate your help.
I'm open to alternatives as well - although Trek hardtails in my price range aren't available here (Portland, OR). I've tried Konas which I liked, but can not find the model I want around here. Tried a couple of Gary Fishers which were ok, and tried a Cannondale or two which I did not like.
Please excuse my "noobness" on this matter. I am just trying to protect my investment by making sure I get something that is fun, will benefit me physically, and will actually get used (as opposed to my 6700). I apologize for the long post, but I wanted to get it all out there and be as detailed as possible. Thanks in advance
