AZ BS Thread 4²0

Who do you suggest?

 

1. New or used?
2. Carbon or alum?
3. Riding style/travel desired?
4. Budget?

 

Sitting at PCH for training all day. Not too bad, unlimited, free, Monsters and food.

Back to Prescott tomorrow morning.

 

Now you guys have me wanting to retire my old Santa Cruz Heckler and get something new! Thanks a lot!!

 

Funny you say that, I'm considering selling my carbon SC bromad 27.5. It just never sees any action with my 29er and dh rigs.

 

All you Mtn Bikers, any do the MBAA races?

 

My suggestion is always to try riding different bikes. If there are people on here you will ride with, try their bike out for a trail. Rent/demo different bikes from shops in town etc. At first glance bikes all look like they would ride the same, its a bike, its not though. Especially these days. Between geometry, suspension tuning, wheel/tire size it can be a totally different experience from bike to bike. My personal opinion of the best bike for AZ riding is a full suspension 29er with 4 or 5 inches of travel. Ride as many as you can and buy the one you like the best. It's worth shelling out $50-75 (each ride) to try a few nicer demo bikes and make sure you are getting what is most comfortable and confidence inspiring. In the grand scheme of spending $2000+ spending $200 on demos to make sure you're going to like the bike is worth every penny. Most shops will credit the demo fee towards the purchase of a bike from them too.

A buddy of mine has been doing the series and says its a crazy turnout and typical chill MTB racing scene. Gonna have to check it out.

 

This x 1000

 

Also, found out why my shoulder and upper arm have hurt so bad lately: major labrum tear + significant rotator cuff tear. Yay for more surgeries...

 

That sucks sorry to hear

 

Anyone know why the leg would get numb off walking & doing just basic stuff? Numb/weird pain from my left leg basically. Was wondering if it’s a sciatic nerve issue.

 

1. Either or.

2. Alum

3. Trail/Enduro

4. $2-$4k

 

I work medical for a lot of their races. It is a chill environment. Good people. Last race age range was 5-80.

 

I don't do any racing, I've recently gotten back into MTB and don't think i would be competitive at all. I ride to stay active and get outdoors. I've been eyeing a Santa Cruz Hightower or an Evil the Following lately. My buddy has a YT Jeffsy which is really sweet, but I'm not convinced on the feel of it. the Giant Trance is also really nice, but I definitely want a 29er for my style of riding. All the negative talk about the Specialized, but I currently ride a Rockhopper HT and I really like it. Also I really like the way the Stumpjumpers ride. It's all preference.

 

Well since you have a wide open budget, you could go either way. I used to buy complete used bikes on PB, but found that eventually I would buy used parts of what I actually wanted and then sell the original parts for cheap which depending on the deal could have been a loss. You might want to browse the used market on PB and see what components you might like and if there is some on there. Lately I either get a used frame which is getting harder to find IMO, or buy a new frame and then build it up used style. Granted you wont get that crisp new feel, but you can always bleed brakes and all that jazz to get it back to 100%.

For the trail/endure route, these would be on my radar in no particular order: Might not be a bad idea to browse PB and see what these go for in the used market to maybe help in your determination. The transition and YT have a fun and poppy head angle while many of the others are similar if not a few degrees off from 65. I like the laid back feel to pop manuals and maneuvering the front for me when I need to so the slacker head angle works well for this type of riding style.

1. Transition smuggler 29er/sentinel 29er (more travel)
2. Intense Tracer
3. Santa Cruz Bronson (lots of these with great set ups)
4. YT Tues/Jeffsy
5. Giant Reign - my buddy beats the piss out of his all day whether racing endure/sending shit/pedally stuffs
6. Yeti 6b - its one hell of a peddler although I know the price tag can be steep
7. Kona process

 

Only been on my Giant Trance 3 about 6 times since getting back into MTB. I went with 27.5 just because it felt better and more control for me. Was used to the old 26'ers when I rode a lot. Also, I always liked a more race/trail geometry for some reason and this bike seems to fit me pretty well. The new technology out compared to 12-15 years ago surprised me! Some very nice bikes out there for any budget.

One thing to remember to include in your budget if you don't have is gear. I had a helmet, gloves, shoes but my riding shorts some how shrunk and most of my tools and maintenance gear was gone.

 

Still have all the gear. Will need new pedals, mine got destroyed when my bike fell off the trailer....

What pedals is everyone running? I have clipless shoes.

 

I use straight line defacto pedals as I'm a believer like Sam Hill. I know many like the crank brothers ones that are the flat/clip in type.

 

I got these to try. https://www.roguefitness.com/shiman...MIx_CP36yW4AIVs41bCh3G1gEiEAQYAyABEgIduvD_BwE
Had Time pedals on my old bikes and liked them. I am so out of shape it doesn't matter right now for me. I am just happy getting on the bike and riding and remembering how to clip in and out!