Mountain Bike Questions

I’m in Australia so can’t help with price/availablity in Florida.
I ride a Specialised Stumpjumper hardtail http://www.vicmtb.com/store/04bikes/specalized/sj/index.htm (Shimano LX groupset, XT rear deraileur) for trails/weekend stuff. Also have a chromoly steel frame MTB (ancient Apollo Everest from ’90), fully rigid (no suspension forks or rear), single speed (44/18) for pavement commuting to/from work.

I’ve only ridden duel suspension offroad & I don’t really like the way my pedal strokes seem to be eaten up by the bounce when doing XC. Except for downhill (wher you don’t pedal that much) I personally won’t look at full-duel suspension MTBs because of the greater effort they take to keep moving. Also they’re mega heavy with all the hardware they come with (even though it’s light alloys & stuff)
‘Softtails’ (by a greater definition between fully duel suspender downhill bikes & cross-country [XC] MTBs) have a smaller amount of suspension on the rear, little springs/shocks that only travel an inch at best, most likely the best of both worlds.
For me hardtails rock, but like the simple things in life. Even though in heavy trails (downhill?) the rear is bashing all over the place, I like the ‘connected’ feel of a rigid rear end – standing up gives me all the suspension I want.

Disk brakes. Better hydraulic over cable. Hydraulic needs bleeding sometimes. Pads are pricey compared to rim brakes. Disks are more common now as the price drops for them. I previously have Maygura Julie (bottom level) hydraulic disks that dragged alittle, but I didn’t do much except bleed
them.
Seat posts with shocks are only on hybrids or lower specs bikes from what I’ve seen. Modern version of the sprung seat methinks. Steer clear.
Shock mounted ‘bars might be like shock seat posts from my experience.

Some guys race rigid framed & rigid forked, single speed MTBs with rim brakes, which makes me wonder sometimes if some of this stuff that modern MTBs come with is just bling bling.

Hi Marx SS, Today, I went to two bike shops in Miami. I looked at Specialized FSR XC $ 1099.(Alloy linear pull brakes), FSR XC Pro Disc $ 1699.(cable operated disc brakes), Euduro $ 1899.(cable operated disc brakes), Euduro Comp $ 2399. (hydraulic disc brakes), Cannondale Scalpel $2000.(hydraulic disc brakes) and Specialized Stump Jumper FSR $ 899. (2003 Model, with Alloy linear pull brakes). The last MTB, stump jumper the sales person told I could add discs brakes because the wheel hubs had the mounts to add the disc brakes. He said that adding cable opperated disc brakes would cost $ 200., and $ 280. for hydraulic dsc brakes. Plus additional $30. for labor to convert to discs. I figured if I add the hydraulic brakes that would total $1209 with out sales tax. The Specialized Stump Jumper sounds like a good deal right?

You wrote: "I’ve only ridden duel suspension offroad & I don’t really like the way my pedal strokes seem to be eaten up by the bounce when doing XC.
Except for downhill (wher you don’t pedal that much) I personally won’t look at full-duel suspension MTBs because of the greater effort they take to keep moving. Also they’re mega heavy with all the hardware they come with (even though it’s light alloys & stuff)

Do you mean that if I ride a MTB on the streets, I will tire easily due the bouce?

You wrote"‘Softtails’ (by a greater definition between fully duel suspender downhill bikes & cross-country [XC] MTBs) have a smaller amount of suspension on the rear, little springs/shocks that only travel an inch at best, most likely the best of both worlds."

Should look for a MTB that has small amount of suspension travel?

You Wrote "Disk brakes. Better hydraulic over cable. Hydraulic needs bleeding sometimes. Pads are pricey compared to rim brakes. Disks are more common now as the price drops for them. I previously have Maygura Julie (bottom level) hydraulic disks that dragged alittle, but I didn’t do much except bleed
them."

Sounds like hydraulic disc brakes are the way to go...

You Wrote:"Some guys race rigid framed & rigid forked, single speed MTBs with rim brakes, which makes me wonder sometimes if some of this stuff that modern MTBs come with is just bling bling."

I know what you mean, but my 2 last bikes where a Haro and Worksman with no duel suspension, or disc brakes. They gave a very harsh ride, especially on rough pot holes streets.

Thanks for your reply,
Paul

H🙂w would you rank cromoly over 6051 al or 7005 al as far as 'durabilaty' not the 'weight'? my khs fxt sport-cromoly full susp. compared to the ds3 or coil ex, even the v3 or g-3.0 for example? Although my khs is lighter that some f/s and h/t alluminum bikes i've ridden.

Marx, I am also from Melbourne and want to do more downhill riding than I do at the moment which is extremely minimal. At this stage I usually do just XC but am very willing to step it up. It sounds like you have been there and done it. Could you perhaps streer me in the right direction as to where some good tracks are.
For your info I have a Giant XTC3.

Hope you can help me out.

Cheers

And djajabaru, definately look for something with hydraulic disc brakes. A lot smoother. This is the first bike I have got with these brakes and I would never go back.