[dirty_crank]

After a recent and unsuccessful forced "bump-drill" with a pickup truck, my road bike is pretty thrashed, I'm licking my wounds, and my wife breaks into tears at the thought of me getting back on the road again. So, I'm looking at getting a mountain bike.

Since I'm looking at this as a training tool to replace my road bike, I'm thinking cross-country. It's been a while since I've mountain biked and I'm a bit out-of-the-loop. My current rig is a very old lowball steel hardtale from Specialized (hardrock, I think). I've ridden a freeride once and it felt "squishy". However, I should probably at least give full suspended XC bikes a try.

Looking at hardtails and full suspension rigs independantly and trying to stay in a reasonable price range, the front runners right now are the Jamis Dakota XC and the Jamis Dakkar XC Comp. A nearby shop actually carries Jamis so that's also a plus.

Any other suggestions along this range? Also, any thoughts on hard tail vs. full suspension?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[jrm]

A road bikes a better training tool

After a recent and unsuccessful forced "bump-drill" with a pickup truck, my road bike is pretty thrashed, I'm licking my wounds, and my wife breaks into tears at the thought of me getting back on the road again. So, I'm looking at getting a mountain bike.

Since I'm looking at this as a training tool to replace my road bike, I'm thinking cross-country. It's been a while since I've mountain biked and I'm a bit out-of-the-loop. My current rig is a very old lowball steel hardtale from Specialized (hardrock, I think). I've ridden a freeride once and it felt "squishy". However, I should probably at least give full suspended XC bikes a try.

Looking at hardtails and full suspension rigs independantly and trying to stay in a reasonable price range, the front runners right now are the Jamis Dakota XC and the Jamis Dakkar XC Comp. A nearby shop actually carries Jamis so that's also a plus.

Any other suggestions along this range? Also, any thoughts on hard tail vs. full suspension?

Thanks,

Joe

then a MTb will ever be. Whats a bump-drill?

 

[dirty_crank]

Criterion riders especially often bump into each other as part of the race. A bump drill is a training excersize designed to get you used to these incidental collisions.

I've always been able to train better on a road bike, I'm hoping some more experienced MTB riders will help me close the gap.

 

[Flying Wombat]

As a cat 3 roadie who MTB's during off season

I would suggest going with a FS bike, they have made huge improvements in pedalling. Plus you can ride harder and longer without beating yourself up. Another plus is they are more forgiving of mistakes, which can help when you start MTB'ing after a break. I actually ride a 5 inch travel 30lb Turner 5-spot. It pedals well and the extra weight is good training. The Jamis Dakar is great value, as is the Dakar XLT. I would also suggest checking out Specialized stumpjumper FSR's if you can get them locally.

 

[GuruAtma]

Check out

specialized bikes. I have an Enduro which I'm very happy with. Check out the Jamis board on this site. I've read of seveal people who broke the XLT frames. I've rarely hard of an unhappy owner of a stumpjumper or enduro.

 

[stoked]

you should definetely go with a full suspension bike thatcomes with stable platform rear shock and if you could afford it front fork with same technology. Basically they eliminate bobbing from the suspension during pedaling , climbing off the seat and so on. Because of this we can now really enjoy a 5" travel trail bike and actually climb. Since you are coming from road I suggest no more than 4" front or back. its cheaper and lighter unless of course you want to do 5 foot drops. For regular XC you should be fine with 4" or less. Don't get a hardtail unless you want to make it a sub 20lbs for MTB races. People are now using dual suspension on races also.