Need Mountain Bike advice!

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:20 pm

I am shopping for a new mountain bike so that I can get back into riding on a more regular basis. I have been riding on and off with my GT hardtail bike for the past 10 years but when I went to get back into biking this past summer I realized that the frame that fit me 10 years ago was now too small and my wrists would hurt quite bad after 20-30 minutes of riding. When I hop onto a larger frame that is not a problem.

What I need advice on are basically two things and those are:

1. Hydraulic vs. Cable disc brakes
2. 26 inch vs. 29 inch wheels

I know we have a decent contingent of riders on here that should be able to help me out a bit. Thanks in advance.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:45 pm

Hydraulic brakes for sure.

I've never ridden a 29er but I imagine its something you have to experience. Most of the shops around have bikes you can demo. I currently have a Santa Cruz blur lt1 and love it.

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:10 pm

MarcusMcRae wrote:

Hydraulic brakes for sure.

I've never ridden a 29er but I imagine its something you have to experience. Most of the shops around have bikes you can demo. I currently have a Santa Cruz blur lt1 and love it.

Thanks Marcus. I actually spent about 2 hours at the local Performance Bike this afternoon riding a few different bikes trying to decide. I like the feeling of the 29er but a 29er with hydraulic brakes is not in my budget right now from the bikes I have shopped unless I can find the right size frame with the right components cheaper than I have found so far.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

what size frame do you need? i have a very nice FS bike in my garage that i never ride, been meaning to put it on CL.

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:30 pm

Jason Tower wrote:

what size frame do you need? i have a very nice FS bike in my garage that i never ride, been meaning to put it on CL.

I need a 20.5-21 inch frame to be comfortable.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

mine's definitely too small. good luck with your search

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:45 pm

i and my father have 26 inch mountain bike tires. mongoose made bikes. .. full suspension.. spring over shock thing in the rear.. shocks on the front. 21 speeds with a real low first gear low range.
deep aftermarket tread on the rear, stock dirt tread on the front. ride it at lake crabtree alot and other places in spring and fall adn early summer.great fun. mine is blue his is orange.

hand op brakes on rim, front and rear.. they are good enough.grip shift.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:50 pm

Keith Vail wrote:

MarcusMcRae wrote:

Hydraulic brakes for sure.

I've never ridden a 29er but I imagine its something you have to experience. Most of the shops around have bikes you can demo. I currently have a Santa Cruz blur lt1 and love it.

Thanks Marcus. I actually spent about 2 hours at the local Performance Bike this afternoon riding a few different bikes trying to decide. I like the feeling of the 29er but a 29er with hydraulic brakes is not in my budget right now from the bikes I have shopped unless I can find the right size frame with the right components cheaper than I have found so far.

I think the bicycle chain is having a sale right now. You should check out their glenwood location. And always check CL and the triangle mtb forum if you find one you like a lot before you buy new. There are some nice used bikes for cheap.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:41 am

Yep, check out the Bicycle Chain on Glenwood across from the main Umstead entrance. It's my old 'alma mater' (was a mechanic & builder there in college) and the guys that work there are really helpful compared to most local bike shops. Plus, their selection of what they actually have in stock trumps most of the other local shops just because it's the distribution center for all the shops in that network (5-6 shops under the same ownership).

They're closing out the '11 bikes at 30% off but the pickings might be slim. http://thebicyclechain.com/product-list ... tartRow=81

You'd probably ride a "large" which is equilavent to a 19" effective seat tube length and if hydralic disks are in the budget (~$1000 min. I'd imagine), then do it. The cable disks just aren't the same due to power and more brake effort. You'll probably be limited to aluminum as far as frame material, which is tried and true, plus a carbon frame is $$$ and steel frames are going the way of the dinosaur, although I miss the ones I've owned.

29er's are the way to go and I'm making the transition in February. More contact patch, more distribution of shock & impact, smoother ride, more climbing traction, and more energy are the main benefits. More rotational weight on the climbs is really the main drawback but the pros outweigh the cons.

good luck Keith!

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:13 am

29er hardtail is perfect for around here, and you definitely want hydraulic brakes. Don't forget to cruise the TriangleMTB.com classifieds, too...

--Donnie

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:18 am

Matt McGrain wrote:

You'd probably ride a "large" which is equilavent to a 19" effective seat tube length and if hydralic disks are in the budget (~$1000 min. I'd imagine), then do it. The cable disks just aren't the same due to power and more brake effort. You'll probably be limited to aluminum as far as frame material, which is tried and true, plus a carbon frame is $$$ and steel frames are going the way of the dinosaur, although I miss the ones I've owned.

I am definitely going aluminum frame. There is no way I am getting a carbon frame when I am just getting back into it. I was actually most comfortable on the XL GT Frame or Large (21 inch) Fuji frame. The frame I have now is an 18.5 inch and I have my seat almost as far up as it can be adjusted to get my legs in a good position for my knees to not bug me but then my wrists started hurting from leaning forward so far to the bars.

Everyone thanks for the advice. I will have to stop by The Bicycle Chain after work one day this week.

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

fwiw all star bike shop is owned by a motorhead named jeff hutchinson, he has a garage full of very tasty toys including a supercharged nsx. tell them you'll buy a bike if jeff gives you a ride

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 12:46 pm

Ok, so I have narrowed it down to two bikes so far after going to two different bicycle chains and a performance bike along with research and browsing the local forums and craigslist.

2011 GT Karakoram 2.0 29er - Performance bike is running a fire sale on them at like 45% off. It felt really good when I demo'ed it. Has mechanical discs and a Rock Shox Dart 3 fork.

2011 Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29'er - Bicycle Chain in Apex has one in the right size for me but it is only 20% off. The plus is that it has hydraulic brakes but it will cost me almost $300 more than the GT.

What say the resident experts?

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:10 pm

Specialized > GT

Specialized is all I've ridden for the last few seasons and they're tough to beat for the price IMO. You'll probably never have to go down this road, but if you have a warranty issue, they're the best and quickest. If the $300 difference is something you are willing to do, you won't regret it, especially if it means the difference between the hydraulic and cable actuated brakes. Plus, as a rule of thumb, the other components will have a little more aluminum in the componentry and stronger wheels.

Those bikes they're clearing out aren't bad deals at all. Have fun!

I'm getting a new Specialized in February from the Bicycle Chain on Glenwood and can't wait.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2011 2:12 pm

+1 Specialized.

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