Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Mountain Biking
Reload this Page >

Why's this?

Notices
Mountain Biking Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking.

Why's this?

Old 04-26-03, 02:44 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Diamond_Back_03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 40
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Why's this?

I went for a little mountain bike ride yesterday with my friend when i tried his bike, just to see how it feels (its a cheap Radius mountain bike) and to my surprise, it was so smooth!!! The pedals were smooth, and it was such an easy ride. My bike is a GT Avalanche 3.0, and its a $600 AU bike, and his is a $300 AU bike, pretty big difference. Although, his tyres werent the offroad type, and mine were (Tioga Factory XC). Is this why his was so smooth? (the tyres) :confused:
Diamond_Back_03 is offline  
Old 04-26-03, 06:38 AM
  #2  
DiL
Senior Member
 
DiL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: US:AZ
Posts: 362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If I were a betting man, I would say your bike isn't properly set up. There is also the chance that the bike doesn't really fit you. When people ask what bike they should buy everyone here will tell them to ride as many as possible. The one that feels best is the one you should buy.
DiL is offline  
Old 04-26-03, 07:49 AM
  #3  
I ride a REAL Schwinn!
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NH, USA
Posts: 607

Bikes: Lemond Nevada City (stock), '00 Schwinn Moab 3 (very upgraded)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Based on the bike in the pic you posted in the your other recent post, it looks like your seat is set way too low (kind of hard to tell from the pic). When you ride your bike, does each leg nearly extend all of the way when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke? Your leg should not lock out straight, but it should have a slight bend at the knee. You shouldn't feel like you are overextending your leg when you pedal, either. It does feel wierd to some people to ride like this at first because they are not used to a proper riding position.

Other than this, the only other thing contributing to the rough ride of your current bike could be that you are riding an aluminum bike, while your friend could be riding a heavy steel bike. Your aluminum bike could give you a stiffer, and therefore "bumpier" or "harsher" ride than your friends heavy steel bike (most dept. store bikes).

Were you riding on the trails or on the road? His semi-slicks or slicks could make a big difference on the road in terms of comfort and harshness of the ride.

You seemed concerned about owning a GT because of their buy-out. GT is still a reputable brand that (at least around here) isn't being sold in the dept. stores. The way I understood it, Pacific bought out Schwinn and GT. I thought that Schwinn would turn into the dept. store bike line, while GT would remain in LBS's for the most part. Either way, just because a brand is now sold in dept. stores, it doesn't mean that the bikes made previously aren't of good quality. I ride a Schwinn from before they were bought out, and it has held up great. Other than the occasional glances at races (everyone seems to think that it must be from a dept. store because it's a Schwinn), the name on the bike doesn't bother me. Ride your bike into the ground, and then look at other brands that interest you.

-Moab
moabrider47 is offline  
Old 04-26-03, 07:55 AM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Diamond_Back_03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 40
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Moab, you were a real help, we were riding on road at the time, he does have semi-slick tires, and his frame is steel, mines all the opposite, aluminum frame and XC tires. Thanx man
Diamond_Back_03 is offline  
Old 04-26-03, 08:05 AM
  #5  
Gravity Is Yer Friend
 
dirtbikedude's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: "Over the Hill" and going down fast in the 805.
Posts: 2,961

Bikes: Scott Gambler, Scott Ransom, Kona Bear, Bianchi 928 Carbon/Chorus, C'Dale Rize4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Dito what the others have said.

What you should try as an expirement, try his bike off-road. Since you now know the differance in feeling on the road, check and see if his still rides smoother in the dirt. If it still does then you may want to work on how your bike is set up.



dirtbikedude is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.