hey all,
i've been a long time forum member and used to post a lot before they reset the database pre-2004. been riding a custom steel IF Deluxe 26er SS since 1999/2000 and it has seen me through many 24 hour races and most recently SSWC09 in Durango.
anyhow, after being at Durango and seeing all the bike porn... i am contemplating building up a new SS and perhaps moving away from V-brakes, 26" wheels, chain drive, steel etc?!?! i have never been on a 29er, disc brakes or anything else other than steel when it comes to dirt. i guess i am one of those retro grouches . while i don't have an unlimited budget, when i invest in new bikes... i tend to go for it.... with the idea of getting ~10+ years out of it.
so.... this crowd tends to be opinionated and up to speed on the latest fads and trends with bikes. i was wondering if folks could share their opinions or experiences with some of the following things i am considering in shopping for a new SS ride...
* carbon mtn frame - i have a carbon road frame and love it. obviously the SSWC09 winners and many of the top finishers were on carbon SSers. is carbon here to stay in the mtn bike scene? is it durable enough to last 10+ years on my local Tahoe trails? FYI, i am 5'9"/140lbs and more of a finesse rider vs a boulder smasher/big air guy.
* 29er vs 26er vs 96er - for my 5'9" frame i couldn't imagine riding some of the descents and rock gardens at SSWC09 on a 29er, but then again... i have never thrown my leg over one. does a 29er/96er really help alleviate the 'over-the-bars' feeling on steep rocky descents? do you loose that much in 'flickability' with the larger wheels? are the larger wheels really that slow to get up to speed? with my size and body weight and fitness level, i am climber. typically i can hang with some of the best climbers in town. but i SUCK at descending and really techy stuff. i am just trying to figure out if a 29er/96er could help in that department.
* disc brakes - um yeah.... i rode a section of SSWC09 with my buddy's hydraulic disc brake bike... that definitely would help to inspire more confidence on techy downhills. i checked with IF to see if disc tabs could be welded onto my current frame. i got a $1100 quote since i would need a new rear triangle and paint. so not really worth it when a new frame is ~$1700 and i could sell my old one....
* belt drive - saw quite a few at SSWC09. they LOOK cool, but it sounds tricky to get dialed in. i am DEFINITELY a low bike maintanence type of person.... so i am inclined to give this a few more years to mature. or should i?!?
* interbike - anything new coming out of there that will change the SS world forever?
overall, i am not into gimmicks. i like my bikes light, simple and fast. i am definitely considering racing a bunch of SS endurance events next year like the series from (http://www.globalbiorhythmevents.com/). i definitely don't like spending all my time wrenching.... so again, simple proven technology is best for me.
enough rambling on my part. any thoughts and comments would be appreciated. i know most of what i have asked has been covered before and i should "search" the forum. i have read several threads... but figured it could be useful to start a new thread with all these considerations in one thread? (or not.... HA!). anyhoo, happy trails!
-OHC
ps. if anyone cares... on my short list IF Steel/Ti Deluxe (29er, 96er, 26er), GF Superfly SS, Specialized S-Works Carbon SS, and a Ibis Tranny.....
i've been a long time forum member and used to post a lot before they reset the database pre-2004. been riding a custom steel IF Deluxe 26er SS since 1999/2000 and it has seen me through many 24 hour races and most recently SSWC09 in Durango.
anyhow, after being at Durango and seeing all the bike porn... i am contemplating building up a new SS and perhaps moving away from V-brakes, 26" wheels, chain drive, steel etc?!?! i have never been on a 29er, disc brakes or anything else other than steel when it comes to dirt. i guess i am one of those retro grouches . while i don't have an unlimited budget, when i invest in new bikes... i tend to go for it.... with the idea of getting ~10+ years out of it.
so.... this crowd tends to be opinionated and up to speed on the latest fads and trends with bikes. i was wondering if folks could share their opinions or experiences with some of the following things i am considering in shopping for a new SS ride...
* carbon mtn frame - i have a carbon road frame and love it. obviously the SSWC09 winners and many of the top finishers were on carbon SSers. is carbon here to stay in the mtn bike scene? is it durable enough to last 10+ years on my local Tahoe trails? FYI, i am 5'9"/140lbs and more of a finesse rider vs a boulder smasher/big air guy.
* 29er vs 26er vs 96er - for my 5'9" frame i couldn't imagine riding some of the descents and rock gardens at SSWC09 on a 29er, but then again... i have never thrown my leg over one. does a 29er/96er really help alleviate the 'over-the-bars' feeling on steep rocky descents? do you loose that much in 'flickability' with the larger wheels? are the larger wheels really that slow to get up to speed? with my size and body weight and fitness level, i am climber. typically i can hang with some of the best climbers in town. but i SUCK at descending and really techy stuff. i am just trying to figure out if a 29er/96er could help in that department.
* disc brakes - um yeah.... i rode a section of SSWC09 with my buddy's hydraulic disc brake bike... that definitely would help to inspire more confidence on techy downhills. i checked with IF to see if disc tabs could be welded onto my current frame. i got a $1100 quote since i would need a new rear triangle and paint. so not really worth it when a new frame is ~$1700 and i could sell my old one....
* belt drive - saw quite a few at SSWC09. they LOOK cool, but it sounds tricky to get dialed in. i am DEFINITELY a low bike maintanence type of person.... so i am inclined to give this a few more years to mature. or should i?!?
* interbike - anything new coming out of there that will change the SS world forever?
overall, i am not into gimmicks. i like my bikes light, simple and fast. i am definitely considering racing a bunch of SS endurance events next year like the series from (http://www.globalbiorhythmevents.com/). i definitely don't like spending all my time wrenching.... so again, simple proven technology is best for me.
enough rambling on my part. any thoughts and comments would be appreciated. i know most of what i have asked has been covered before and i should "search" the forum. i have read several threads... but figured it could be useful to start a new thread with all these considerations in one thread? (or not.... HA!). anyhoo, happy trails!
-OHC
ps. if anyone cares... on my short list IF Steel/Ti Deluxe (29er, 96er, 26er), GF Superfly SS, Specialized S-Works Carbon SS, and a Ibis Tranny.....