Parafly9

OK, well, I have to admit, although I PROMISED myself it wouldn't happen, it did. I hung my Proflex 855 up in my closet one day after I got a job, and now, 2 years later, I am looking at it and I can't believe it's been THAT long since i've ridden.

Well, now I am in major overhaul mode. Don't have the $ for a new bike, so I am gonna fix up my decade-old relic. Tune up, new elastomers (those things are basically useless now), etc.

I was just wondering, what has changed in the past 3-5 years? I notice seating configurations on bikes is different - mentality used to be 3" above the handlebars. Also, seems the upward curving handelabrs are popular. I heard ONZA (my fav clipless pedals!) went out of business.

jeez i have a lot of catching up to do.....

LowCel 

Welcome back. I think the biggest change has been efficiency of suspension. Forks have gotten much better but rear suspension has really improved. There are now 5" travel bikes out there that climb as well or better than hard tails. Another thing that has come out is tubeless tires. Some people love them, some hate them.

As far as pedals go crank brother eggbeaters and times are both pretty big companies anymore. I run eggbeaters and I really like them. Others run times and swear by them. Then there are still a lot of people that run SPD's and have no intentions on switching. Regardless, there are plenty of good options out there now.

outdoorboy

I would second on the eggbeaters. Also, I just recently got a new FS. My old HT had the standard straight handlebar with bar ends. The new bike uses a riser bar. I have been very comfortable on the riser. Something else new is my shifters. I'm currently having a brain fart and can't remember what they are called but they shift opposite from my old ones. Has something to do with shifting to easier gears when climbing is smoother (no more load noises like you're tearing something up when you do it). I like it but some people have problems with getting used to it. Even after 6 years of riding my old bike the new way feels more natural.

Welcome back!

Parafly9

Yeah, i have XTR shifters (from like 99 or so) rapidfires. I was never a fan of gripshift. I am not sure what the new ones are... but my shifters are still in pretty good shape (with the exception of a gear indicator window which broke off when my bike flew off my roof rack on the highway at 80 mph). I think i am gonna get it tuned, and the new elastomers are on the way. I can hardly wait!

Dannihilator

There are still some who swear by bmx platforms.

LowCel 

Yup, great thing about this sport. There is something for everyone no matter what your riding style. There really is no "right or wrong" in this sport, there are just opinions. If I ever found myself on any North Shore type riding I would be on platforms too.

C Law

Rapidrise (aka low normal)

speaking of BMX platforms............since I am a fan of Crank Brothers equipment and service, those new 5050 pedals make me want to try platform pedals again. They just look sweet and I figure they would work great just like any other CB products.

Maelstrom 

Definately suspension. Old school long travel bikes are the norm and outside of racing 5x5 and 6x6 bikes are more and more common. The suspension designs and the shocks themselves are slowly being perfected.

Parafly9

wow, 5" and 6" suspension is now normal... i think I have like 2" and 2" or something. I'll have to research rapidrise. it sounds interesting.

Haha, it's funny to be out of something and then get all this input. I just can't believe it. I used to be a bike fanatic!! I would ride every single day, then i went to college, and it slowed down, then i got a job, and that was the end of it. Even now, I really don't have that much time. I'll be able to ride maybe once a week or once every other week. I found some really nice trails near where I live.

Hard to believe i was doing the NORBA races at Mount Snow 8 years ago!

Maelstrom 

Rapid rise isn't for everyone. I hate it. I switched to sram which has been better overall anyways.

I believe you will find dh has changes as has xc racing. Xc racing is being won on road bikes periodically. The trails are lame...very lame, xc has lost its appeal in many ways because roadies can transition with ease, but without the required skill a mtb race should require.

DH has moved from the kamikazi style to slower speed techy terrain style. Jumps, drops, rock gardens etc..

I think you will find norba has changed too.

Dannihilator

Yeah, for the worst.

da_ilks

Sound like me, although I wasn't out of riding for that long (only 2 years)

Riser bars are definetly the preferred bar nowdays on new bikes. First thing I did when I got my new bike was to swap it for a flat bar with bar ends.

mikejo

Hey, you sound like me!
I did a few NORBA races from '93-'97 and then my mtn. biking days waned to nothing. Got a job, got married, had a kid or two. I became a roadie the last few years doing 100-200 mile rides every now and then. However, I'm rediscovering mountain biking with my Stumpjumper with its over the bars Shimano DX shifters and Mag 21's. Thinking I need to upgrade!

cryptid01

Good riding geometry hasn't changed, just bike geometry, and that is mostly to accomodate longer suspension forks. Lower seats and riser bars facilitate non-traditional riding like jumps, drops, and technical features.

Onza went out of business for a reason - ever try and ride a Porc tire? They made sweet bar ends though.

Forget those old elastomer pedals and try some Crank Bros, Times, or SPDs.

And Rapidrise rules, no question. <ducking>