Wold Ranger
Old School Grand Master
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Aha, someone from my mold! Thinking about this a little more, I wouldn't go for suspension at all either. My fave bike currently is an all rigid Ti framed, superlight weight job(sub 20 pounds) and I feel the light weight more than compensates for the lack of front suspension. Granted the Forks and bars are Ti which are forgiving, but correct tyre choice and pressure will do more for the ride than poor sus' forks. It all depends what you want to do, if your attempting North Shore stuff, buy a cheap hard nut hardtail with 120 plus of front travel, but as Ant' days IT WILL be heavy, for general trail riding, just gradually up grade to lighter retro parts (shed weight) better tyres, light tubes, you will be surprised at the difference this makes! And you will be faster up hill. People forget tyres are still the most vital part of an MTB in terms of ride quality, even a modern full suspension bike with narrow tyres pumped up to 50 psi plus, will give you a harsh ride.
I was watching a talented young lad yesterday doing stunts on a 170 mm forked Kona Cowan, impressive, until he had to ride up hill and in a straight line! It weighed 40 pounds, I smoked him up hill within 50 yards, let him catch up then couldn't bide the slow pace on the flat either and I'm the wrong side of 50!
Aha, someone from my mold! Thinking about this a little more, I wouldn't go for suspension at all either. My fave bike currently is an all rigid Ti framed, superlight weight job(sub 20 pounds) and I feel the light weight more than compensates for the lack of front suspension. Granted the Forks and bars are Ti which are forgiving, but correct tyre choice and pressure will do more for the ride than poor sus' forks. It all depends what you want to do, if your attempting North Shore stuff, buy a cheap hard nut hardtail with 120 plus of front travel, but as Ant' days IT WILL be heavy, for general trail riding, just gradually up grade to lighter retro parts (shed weight) better tyres, light tubes, you will be surprised at the difference this makes! And you will be faster up hill. People forget tyres are still the most vital part of an MTB in terms of ride quality, even a modern full suspension bike with narrow tyres pumped up to 50 psi plus, will give you a harsh ride.
I was watching a talented young lad yesterday doing stunts on a 170 mm forked Kona Cowan, impressive, until he had to ride up hill and in a straight line! It weighed 40 pounds, I smoked him up hill within 50 yards, let him catch up then couldn't bide the slow pace on the flat either and I'm the wrong side of 50!
