I was wondering if anyone from the norcal scene has switched from a squisher to a hardtail. I mostly have been dirt jumping a hardtail for the past 15 years or so but rode dh as well. About a year and half ago I purchased a carbon 29er for trail riding because I became bored with dh. I have to say it has been fun riding a ht again and it seems to work really well for most places I ride(i.e. skeggs, waterdog, monte bello, demo- ridge sawpit). I also like the limited maintenance and my overall conditioning is so much better. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.
I finally made the 29er ht jump for last years race season. I probably wouldn't pick it for demo, but for everything local to me, it fits the bill. I was late on the wagon wheel bandwagon, but I can see the positives now. More and more, I find myself grabbing the ht. There are still trails that are fun on the squish bike though.
My squish bike is also 10lbs heavier, so that probably doesn't help.
In my stable: a hardtail with 140mm fork, 150/140mm full sus trail bike, and my rigid 'retro' bike. (all 26" cuz I'm a short guy, I fit small wheels better)
Horses for courses... they're all fun bikes, it just depends on what terrain I'm riding and the mood I'm in.
I gave up my big bike (Intense SS), and only ride my hardtail DJ (Blkmkt Mob), as I could not justify a big freeride bike that I hardly rode. Now I only have one bike that I hardly ride.
My squish is a carbon dream build imo and I couldn't be happier with it. Being that it is an xc race build it is not clunky at all. That is unless I go out with my 29er climbing freak friends They are in better condition but when the pull away on the long fire road type climbs I see the ht 29 advantage. I would like to get a hardtail 29er for racing and keep the squish for the fun rides.
I have a 2010 Trance X which has served me well.
Then this November, I got a Salsa Mukluk 3 Fat Bike. It's full rigid.
I haven't ridden the squish since.
I ride on rock, sand, mud and snow and you can't rip the smile off my face.
I'm about 10% slower but I usually ride alone anyway.
I was wondering if anyone from the norcal scene has switched from a squisher to a hardtail. I mostly have been dirt jumping a hardtail for the past 15 years or so but rode dh as well. About a year and half ago I purchased a carbon 29er for trail riding because I became bored with dh. I have to say it has been fun riding a ht again and it seems to work really well for most places I ride(i.e. skeggs, waterdog, monte bello, demo- ridge sawpit). I also like the limited maintenance and my overall conditioning is so much better. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.
I built up a fun, 29er hardtail and I have stopped riding my bouncy bikes. I love this thing, and ride it almost exclusively. It does great on downhills, and I can "shuttle myself" back up, because it climbs really well.
I thought this post was about something's else. I was hoping it was about hot women mountain bikers. That can change me from squish to hard! I'm just saying!
I tried shoes. Found them way to confining. Now I only ride barefoot and wow, I forgot how great it is to really feel the trail while riding in bare feet. Some of my riding partners agree about the disadvantage of shoes but didn't feel they could make the complete jump to riding barefoot. Instead they ride in their stocking feet. I guess they don't understand the purity of riding skin to pedal.
I definitely don't see the need for all that suspension nonsense. Next thing you know, people will want pneumatic tires and such.
Consciousness, that annoying time between bike rides.
I have two hardtails (~20lb with 100mm fork, and ~26lb SS with 150mm fork) and two (assembled) full suspension mtbs (at 26lb 120mm both ends, and some 30+ at 170mm both ends), and alternate between them about equally. Mostly for a change of pace. About an equal amount of fun each. None makes me fast up or down. For a short ride I usually get the TransAm single speed, with some large tires...
Just recently built up an AM hardtail and had so much fun on the first ride that im thinkin the squishy isnt going to see much use. Beginning to be of the mind set that simpler is better.
I had a 6 six trail bike but I found it heavy, inefficient and flex. I also was tired of squeaks and creaks. I just finished building a steel 29er hard tail. For a daily driver bike, a hardtail just makes sense.
2013 Transition TransAM 29er - up and down.
2011 Yeti 303R DH - just down.
2005 Trek Bruiser
Went back to a hardtail 2+ years ago, down the lightweight carbon 29er rabbithole. My FS bike has been hooked to the trailer for hauling tools ever since. I guess I occasionally miss the squish bike, but never enough to take it off the wall. I have a heckuva lot of fun on my hardtail. Quick, direct, light, descends just as fast as the squish bike, just have to lay off the occasional big drop so save the 1450 G wheelset...
SOG,
I have been all over the map with FS bikes over the years . I built up a SC tallboy ltc in September , it was a sweet looking bike with an exceptional build . All top of the line parts, enve wheelset , xo , etc. It was fun to ride but I felt like I was getting somewhat bored of riding this type of bike so I sold it and built up two bikes . The first is a Transition Transam 29 , set up 1x10 . The second is a Soma juice rigid SS , I honestly can say I have not had as much fun on a bike in years since going HT and rigid . I have some friends who think I am nuts but I honestly don't care what people think as much as the fun factor and pure enjoyment of riding again ! Get out and ride whatever your taste .
SOG,
I have been all over the map with FS bikes over the years . I built up a SC tallboy ltc in September , it was a sweet looking bike with an exceptional build . All top of the line parts, enve wheelset , xo , etc. It was fun to ride but I felt like I was getting somewhat bored of riding this type of bike so I sold it and built up two bikes . The first is a Transition Transam 29 , set up 1x10 . The second is a Soma juice rigid SS , I honestly can say I have not had as much fun on a bike in years since going HT and rigid . I have some friends who think I am nuts but I honestly don't care what people think as much as the fun factor and pure enjoyment of riding again ! Get out and ride whatever your taste .
Scab
I love all the responses and I feel the same way. I'm all for riding whatever gets you there but I'm loving trail riding on the ht and the simplicity. I must admit my dj 26in wheel gets the most abuse with coffee cross, dirt jumping and bmxing with my kids but I wouldn't change a thing. Happy trails and thanks for all the great responses. It's always nice to know you're not alone.
I've only ever owned and ridden hardtail and rigid. I'd love to add full squish to my collection but having a hard time justifying the cost when I doubt I could ever fully put it to good use.
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Originally Posted by Finch Platte
They are in better condition but when the pull away on the long fire road type climbs I see the ht 29 advantage. I would like to get a hardtail 29er for racing and keep the squish for the fun rides.
