Hey all:
Not a biking noob, but I am thinking about getting my first FS bike soon. I like to ride fast when possible, like to challenge myself on every ride, like to climb and descend, and like to have fun biking. I wear T-shirts and use platform pedals (to give you a flavor of what type of rider I am). I don't race and don't plan to (but love riding faster than the spandex-jersey clad pro-racer wannabes I pass on the trail). My current stomping grounds is northern GA, but I travel to NC to ride too. I don't huck off jumps or ride drops, but would like to ride more aggressively within reason.
I have been looking at 120-140 mm travel bikes. Specifically, I have had my eye on some of the lower end Fuel EX's, Trance X's, FSRxc's, Fuji Reveal's, and Specialized Pitches. Although I shouldn't really spend more than $800 (yeah, I have my eyes on Craigslist every day), I am willing to spend around $1,500 and maybe even $2000 (I think).
As I get older (approaching 30), I definitely feel like my body takes a beating on my hardtail. I know that a FS will help this some. My question is: Does the extra 20mm of travel between a 120 and a 140 bike really matter if I am not doing big drops? Should I be more concerned with geometry than with travel in this range?
I just want a do-it-all bike that I can have for many years and be happy with.
Thanks in advance for any advice- Ryan
Not a biking noob, but I am thinking about getting my first FS bike soon. I like to ride fast when possible, like to challenge myself on every ride, like to climb and descend, and like to have fun biking. I wear T-shirts and use platform pedals (to give you a flavor of what type of rider I am). I don't race and don't plan to (but love riding faster than the spandex-jersey clad pro-racer wannabes I pass on the trail). My current stomping grounds is northern GA, but I travel to NC to ride too. I don't huck off jumps or ride drops, but would like to ride more aggressively within reason.
I have been looking at 120-140 mm travel bikes. Specifically, I have had my eye on some of the lower end Fuel EX's, Trance X's, FSRxc's, Fuji Reveal's, and Specialized Pitches. Although I shouldn't really spend more than $800 (yeah, I have my eyes on Craigslist every day), I am willing to spend around $1,500 and maybe even $2000 (I think).
As I get older (approaching 30), I definitely feel like my body takes a beating on my hardtail. I know that a FS will help this some. My question is: Does the extra 20mm of travel between a 120 and a 140 bike really matter if I am not doing big drops? Should I be more concerned with geometry than with travel in this range?
I just want a do-it-all bike that I can have for many years and be happy with.
Thanks in advance for any advice- Ryan