ed 

Disagree.

If you ride a suspended bike the same way you would ride a rigid bike you would be wasting your time and resources. Threading the needle on a 6x6 is a little pointless when you're threading throung a garden of crap that the 6x6 would make dissapear. There used to be a 6"diam log across a section of my local trail. I always hopped over it. I took a spin on an SX Trail and just blew through it...didn't even feel it. If I were going down some gnarly sketch trying to ride my same line on the SXT that I do on the HT...I would be slower than blasting through, no doubt.



Now that that's out of the way, there's nothing wrong with threading the needle on a 6x6 or any bike, big or small if that's how you want to ride and where your fun-factor is.

But if you're strictly speaking in terms of efficiency and hypothetical race situations...still disagree. Incidentally...how many people who need to squeeze every bit of efficiency out of their bike..."actually NEED it"? Probably a small percentage. I think it's more for bragging rights.

ed 

That said, I am enjoying the new rigid SS build. When i get a tensioner, I'll swap out the 15t for a 17t and see how that goes for the climbs. Right now, it's kickin' my hiney. There is a different sort of "fun feel" to riding the rigid. I don't usually like to be "connected" to the trail, rather I stay disconnected via airing out over terrain...so the connection isn't what's attracting me, I don't think. Def. somthing though.

sunset1123

I don't know if this qualifies, but I run a rigid Monocog with a Thudbuster seatpost. Sure, it's _almost_ suspension, but doesn't make the bike feel like a softtail, and needs almost zero maintenance (a little clean and lube every once in a while).

I love the feeling of riding rigid, esp. how the fork doesn't compress and change the handling of the bike, but you need some pretty large volume tires to keep the wheels rolling through the rough bits.

So... large volume, low pressure tires = almost suspension.... thudbuster = almost suspension... I guess I run a full suspension bike with 1" of front and rear travel.

Thisisit

I just got my first mountain bike, new to me 07 Specialized stumjumper comp with a pro xcr carbon fork. Having no idea what suspension feels like it has been a blast. I've had it for a week and been out almost everyday. At first I was considering buying a suspension fork with my next pay cheque but I think I'm going to wait until I really want one.

Also, as a converted roadi/tourer/commuter mountain biking is AWESOME.

armybikerider

Full rigid........'92 Specialized M2.

David

Spanky-G-Master

I just switched to a suspension fork on my one bike today, but before today it was used as a daily commuter with weekly runs threw the local single track. I found that by riding a rigid bike made me pick better lines on my "regular" mountain bike, I certainly learned to flow better. I just have an extra suspension fork around I thought I would tryout, but I'm pretty sure the rigid will be back soon , I like the extra challenge of those rock gardens

Singlespeed92

Yep. Most ridden bike (offroad anyways). Don't need no stinkin 'spension fork!

Singlespeed92

Wuss (and that's all there is to say about that)

ed 

There's nuttin wrong with suspension...I like both...I ride both.

There is however possibly maybe could be something wrong with your black Man-Panties thereSS92

Singlespeed92

My baggies were crusted with mud and in the washer during that ride.
Besides,surely you're secure enuff in your manhood to wear lycra when ya has to,right?

(and what are ya doing looking at my arse anyhoo? )

Spanky-G-Master

The trails I ride once or twice a week are "advanced" single track and locals claim you need 5" of suspension front and rear, I just smile and roll my eyes. As an update, I did try a bouncy fork on the above posted bike, it lasted one ride and has been switched back to a full rigid.

ed 

You seem to be the Masta'of'Smiley's...


...I don't recall ever "has to" wear lycra w/o protection

Singlespeed92

So that would be a "no"...ya ain't secure enough in yer manhood. Nothing wrong with that,Bro,I don't judge.

ed 

I'm secure enough in my manhood to ride full-on-buck-wild-seat-in-the-crack-naked...but not in those


Am diggin the Thrush though.

Singlespeed92

LMAO!!! Now there was a comeback

I only gots the one pair o' baggies,so's I wind up in those every once in a while

goalieMN

1992 Diamondback Ascent.

BearSquirrel

No doubt that some accomodation for suspension is necessary. Such as anticipating fork dive and getting farther back on the bike to avoid endoes.

Well, it might be "easier" but remember that energy gets sucked up by the suspension. The most efficient way is to bunny hop the obstacle to maintain forward momentum instead of bashing it and allowing your shocks to turn that momentum into heat.

As a "larger" rider I try to be as efficient as possible. The line that maintains the most momentum is the one that requires less effort to get back up to speed. True I am not a racer like say ... Ned Overend.

I highlight Ned because he is well into his 30s and he is still winning. You know damn well he doesn't have the same cardio and strength that he used to. So somehow he has to be making up for it with his smarts are riding efficiently. A lot of younger, skinny riders have such an engine that they really don't need to be concerned with technique. They'll skid their rear wheel around corners, get up on their honches and BOOM they're gone. It doesn't phaze them. That would take a toll on me.

So If I want to stay up with the faster guys ... I need to pick lines carefully and squeeze every bit I can out of downhill sections (to the point where I typically dust the faster riders on downhills). And for the record, you won't see anyone racing on 6x6 suspensions because the shocks and weight would rob them of too much energy.

Spanky-G-Master

Sure, I've seen them race, they are the guys pushing their bikes up hills as the hardtail and full rigid guys spin on past.

ed 

[quote=BearSquirrel;9102706]No doubt that some accomodation for suspension is necessary. Such as anticipating fork dive and getting farther back on the bike to avoid endoes.QUOTE]
You're missing my point entirely. I don't worry about fork dive and endo's. I'm talking about avoiding obstacles that would go un-noticed on a suspended bike.


so do the rest of us


Except say...Mark Weir.



You're totally missing my point. You originally said that riding rigid will make you a better rider on your suspended bike. My retort was that if you ride a suspended bike in the same manner as you ride a rigid bike...you will be wasting your resources b/c you need to carefully pick a line sometimes on the rigid whereas on the suspended bike...you don't need to go around the obstacles. The quickest way from A to B is a straight line. You can bunnyhop a dually the same as you can a rigid.

This isn't a "rigid vs. suspended: which is more efficient?" debate for me...it's a "you will ride each type of bike differently" sorta thing.



Example: We have a long'ish (for KS) rocky rooty descent at my local trails that I need to pick a good line on. Even on my 5" travel hardtail...I pick a good line to get down it quickly. I can't bunnyhop the whole dadgum thing...it's humanly impossible.

My friend (Jeremy) has an Intense 6x6 and a Giant Team DH. He can just point a straight line down it and the suspension sucks it up. (especially on the Giant with an 888) He's obviously gonna make it to the bottom before me unless he rides my line which would slow him down. If I took his line, I'd destroy my rear wheel on the front susp. HT and Lord knows what I'd do to the rigid bike




Sure, bearsq...a non-suspended bike will be more efficient on cross country terrain...especially when climbing. (over all) But that's not what I was talking about.

LesterOfPuppets

I'm in this boat. Tried cheap sproing fork on my Mongoose for a while, but I need to save up for a real one. I got the stock rigid fork back on her for now.

Spanky-G-Master

Actually the original post just asked who rides rigid bikes. Several rigid riders pointed out the benefits of riding all natural when you f/s guys started in on us. For the record I have become a better rider (on all of my bikes even the bouncy ones) since I've been taking my fully rigid to the trails on a regular basis.

ed 

Oooops...sorry. Well the original post that I was disagree'ing with that Bearsquirrel didn't jive with had nothing to do with which was better. All I'm saying is that riding a suspended bike the same way you'd ride a rigid...is a step backward.