Mountain Bike.....or Road Bike?
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Dumont, New Jersey
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 11
From: Olympia, WA
A really good mountain bike is a decent street bike, but a street bike is never much good in off-road conditions.
As someone said, you won't like a mountain bike that much if you ride the street a lot with others on road bikes. If you ride it on the road by yourself you might never notice. Hybrid tires on a mountain bike sometimes makes a great comprimise.
My mountain bike is a Jamis hard tail with adjustable front shocks. It has a Reynolds tube steel frame and lightweight components so it does not feel like a dog on pavement. I usta think aluminum frames were a good thing, but the feel is kinda dead compared with high quality butted steel tubing. I'm 6'3" and 180 pounds.
I would not bother with rear suspension unless you plan to do fast agressive downhills. For any other kind of riding it is just extra cost and complexity with little or no benefit. Comfort comes from muscle tone in your legs and riding style. If you coast with the crank arms parallel to the road and some weight on your legs, you won't think you need springs under your seat. (also check the seat note below)
It takes $1500 and up (and up and up) to put a decent mountain bike under your butt these days.
Speaking of butts, get yourself a Brooks leather seat. Once you have one, you will stop shopping for seats.
As someone said, you won't like a mountain bike that much if you ride the street a lot with others on road bikes. If you ride it on the road by yourself you might never notice. Hybrid tires on a mountain bike sometimes makes a great comprimise.
My mountain bike is a Jamis hard tail with adjustable front shocks. It has a Reynolds tube steel frame and lightweight components so it does not feel like a dog on pavement. I usta think aluminum frames were a good thing, but the feel is kinda dead compared with high quality butted steel tubing. I'm 6'3" and 180 pounds.
I would not bother with rear suspension unless you plan to do fast agressive downhills. For any other kind of riding it is just extra cost and complexity with little or no benefit. Comfort comes from muscle tone in your legs and riding style. If you coast with the crank arms parallel to the road and some weight on your legs, you won't think you need springs under your seat. (also check the seat note below)
It takes $1500 and up (and up and up) to put a decent mountain bike under your butt these days.
Speaking of butts, get yourself a Brooks leather seat. Once you have one, you will stop shopping for seats.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Dumont, New Jersey
A really good mountain bike is a decent street bike, but a street bike is never much good in off-road conditions.
As someone said, you won't like a mountain bike that much if you ride the street a lot with others on road bikes. If you ride it on the road by yourself you might never notice. Hybrid tires on a mountain bike sometimes makes a great comprimise.
My mountain bike is a Jamis hard tail with adjustable front shocks. It has a Reynolds tube steel frame and lightweight components so it does not feel like a dog on pavement. I usta think aluminum frames were a good thing, but the feel is kinda dead compared with high quality butted steel tubing. I'm 6'3" and 180 pounds.
I would not bother with rear suspension unless you plan to do fast agressive downhills. For any other kind of riding it is just extra cost and complexity with little or no benefit. Comfort comes from muscle tone in your legs and riding style. If you coast with the crank arms parallel to the road and some weight on your legs, you won't think you need springs under your seat. (also check the seat note below)
It takes $1500 and up (and up and up) to put a decent mountain bike under your butt these days.
Speaking of butts, get yourself a Brooks leather seat. Once you have one, you will stop shopping for seats.
As someone said, you won't like a mountain bike that much if you ride the street a lot with others on road bikes. If you ride it on the road by yourself you might never notice. Hybrid tires on a mountain bike sometimes makes a great comprimise.
My mountain bike is a Jamis hard tail with adjustable front shocks. It has a Reynolds tube steel frame and lightweight components so it does not feel like a dog on pavement. I usta think aluminum frames were a good thing, but the feel is kinda dead compared with high quality butted steel tubing. I'm 6'3" and 180 pounds.
I would not bother with rear suspension unless you plan to do fast agressive downhills. For any other kind of riding it is just extra cost and complexity with little or no benefit. Comfort comes from muscle tone in your legs and riding style. If you coast with the crank arms parallel to the road and some weight on your legs, you won't think you need springs under your seat. (also check the seat note below)
It takes $1500 and up (and up and up) to put a decent mountain bike under your butt these days.
Speaking of butts, get yourself a Brooks leather seat. Once you have one, you will stop shopping for seats.
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Winterpeg
[QUOTE=Freewill;2388234]A really good mountain bike is a decent street bike, but a street bike is never much good in off-road conditions. [QUOTE]
Agreed
[QUOTE=Freewill;2388234]
I would not bother with rear suspension unless you plan to do fast agressive downhills. For any other kind of riding it is just extra cost and complexity with little or no benefit. Comfort comes from muscle tone in your legs and riding style. If you coast with the crank arms parallel to the road and some weight on your legs, you won't think you need springs under your seat. (also check the seat note below) \
[QUOTE]
I strongly disagree. After 4 hours on a trail your back, ass and legs will thank you for the rear suspension. And if your doing fast aggresive downhills then a dh or fr bike is in order.
The only time I rode my hardtail was on smooth single track trails. But a hardtail should make you a better rider, its much less forgiving and you have to choose your lines with more precision.
[QUOTE=Freewill;2388234]
It takes $1500 and up (and up and up) to put a decent mountain bike under your butt these days.
[QUOTE]
For a fully yes but decent hardtails can be had for under $1000.
Agreed
[QUOTE=Freewill;2388234]
I would not bother with rear suspension unless you plan to do fast agressive downhills. For any other kind of riding it is just extra cost and complexity with little or no benefit. Comfort comes from muscle tone in your legs and riding style. If you coast with the crank arms parallel to the road and some weight on your legs, you won't think you need springs under your seat. (also check the seat note below) \
[QUOTE]
I strongly disagree. After 4 hours on a trail your back, ass and legs will thank you for the rear suspension. And if your doing fast aggresive downhills then a dh or fr bike is in order.
The only time I rode my hardtail was on smooth single track trails. But a hardtail should make you a better rider, its much less forgiving and you have to choose your lines with more precision.
[QUOTE=Freewill;2388234]
It takes $1500 and up (and up and up) to put a decent mountain bike under your butt these days.
[QUOTE]
For a fully yes but decent hardtails can be had for under $1000.
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Temple Hills, MD
I mostly ride off road. But I do ride the rail trails in MD. I have a full suspension treck bike. When I hit the rail trails (asphalt) I lock the suspension so it don't bounce up and down. You could also buy a second set of tires just for on road.
But it's all in what you have in your area.
I just love the hills, dirt, sand, and rocks of a off road bike ride.
I'll hit a 7 mile trail in the woods, I will sweet my a*# off.
If I hit a rail trail, I can go 12 miles without a sweat.
A good off road trail you will be up and down on the seat. Moving left and right to doge that tree.
I love it. Almost as fun as JEEPING!!!
But it's all in what you have in your area.
I just love the hills, dirt, sand, and rocks of a off road bike ride.
I'll hit a 7 mile trail in the woods, I will sweet my a*# off.
If I hit a rail trail, I can go 12 miles without a sweat.
A good off road trail you will be up and down on the seat. Moving left and right to doge that tree.
I love it. Almost as fun as JEEPING!!!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Dudley, MA
Either way...whatever bike you get will be good...just because you'll be out their biking.
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: U.S.A.
Also . . go 29
If you do go MTB - go with 29 v 26. Don't take my word on it, go to a decent shop and ride both (offroad - similar setup).
I have a Niner One9 and it convinced me on the 29 inch (stans tubes too)
But I still vote for a cyclocross rig . . . Lynskey Cooper CX to be exact . . .
I have a Niner One9 and it convinced me on the 29 inch (stans tubes too)
But I still vote for a cyclocross rig . . . Lynskey Cooper CX to be exact . . .
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
From: South Lake Tahoe
For u 29er fans...
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_u...?v=4ecwpBNSE6w
Stupid iPhone. I don't think the link worked
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_u...?v=4ecwpBNSE6w
Stupid iPhone. I don't think the link worked
