Gonna get a bike for the streets in metro DETROIT
 

I'm thinking of getting a new bike I want a 29er with front shock and disk brakes I'm thinking of going with a ponderosa http://www.rei.com/product/791134 and putting road tires on it (I can get it for a very good price) I thought I would go for the MB so I can get the shock and disks on a tough bike, I want to be able to beat the hell out of it, the roads in the motor city are rated the worst in the country and we make most of the US cars, never said we were smart LOL, does anyone have some thoughts? I'm new to this right now I'm ridding a novara forza http://www.rei.com/product/744791 and don't like the wheel base (too short for me both the WB and the top tube) bad fit I'm told, I have a long torso and short legs so I was told by many shops I need the next size up and I will have to keep the seat low relative to the frame size, it's also pretty weak I have to ride up a few curbs on my comute and already bent the rear wheel I've only been ridding for a little over a month and want some experienced advice.

Wow, that Forza should be good for what you want. Get a tougher back wheel, one with 36 spokes, from somebody like PSIMET psimet.com. A quality wheel, built by a quality builder, with 36 spokes should be almost bombproof.

Will wider tires fit on the Forza? Some 40's or even 45s?

A heavier duty wheel, with tough tires like Schwalbe Marathons, or Marathon Supremes, should even navigate Detroit.....

And why the disc brakes? Do you do a lot of rain riding? V-brakes, with Kool Stop Salmon Pads are awesome, even when wet, and MUCH lighter.....

Why not just take your current bike to a store and have the wheels competently tuned? Then put something like Schwalbe Big Apple or XR balloon tyres on to protect them. ..Oh - you don't like "the wheelbase". Ok. But if you want advice it would help to know if it is too long or too short, etc.

What do you mean, already bent the rear wheel? Is it just rubbing your brakes? If so, just have it re-trued.

And what don't you like about the wheelbase on the Forza?

Yes the wheel base is too short and I had the wheel re-trued but was told I bent it enough that it may not stay true

Are you sure the wheelbase is longer than teh Forza? You may just end up with a tighter cockpit, and no change in ride.

Well Wanderer, first off the web site shows the large frame and I have the med. and I have a long torso with short legs and when I have someone fit me at bike shops they all say go for the larger frame and keep the seat low for overall better fit, I know the front wheel is closer to the peddals and hit my shoe in slow tight turns (with my foot in the correct place) and the other bikes that I've test road have more distance in that area,