Today i did a bike comparison test of a mid 80's highish end rigid and a late 90's lowish end short travel hardtail. Why you might ask, well its because I've just built both bikes up and have not ridden either plus i needed to decide which one to take to the Blairadam mudfest on Sunday
80's bike is a Centurion Starlight which is also a Diamondback Apex as both companies have the same parent company. As usual no pics, you'll see it one day, possibly for Mr P's highland adventure. This bike has slack geometry, DB Tange Chromo tubes, rigid forks, U-Brake and an early Suntour Mountech rear mech for interest sake, plus big wide MX bars
Took it out around my Blairadamish local trails and thought this is really cool, very upright, nice lazy handling but due to rear bias had a tendency to wash out the front on corners and required chucking your weight way forward for climbs. This is going to be great thinks I, the 90's bike is a cheapo hunk of junk, it cant compete
90's bike is a Claud Butler Spirit circa 1997 equipped with short travel basic suntour forks, rear screw on freewheel wheels, plain gauge chromo frame so not particularly light and V-brakes. Geometry is classic late 90's XC so less rear bias. So off we go and yes the weight is noticeable but at the first leap off a curb the handling raises its head and tells me that it is spot on. It was a joy to chuck this thing through the trees, you power up climbs and belt down hill without qualms, brakes knock canti's for six. You want to go for it with the head down XC pose. I know my neck will pay for it post ride but the Spirit wins it, its just a way better XC bike than the Starlight but the older bike I bet will be better on a long day out as regards comfort
So the Spirit will be seen at Blairadam, I just hope its riders on form :roll:
