Why we dont need loads of travel at both ends.

[mikesnowdon]

http://vimeo.com/10873021

The guys on a circa 25lb steel hardtail and 100mm forks and ripping it up!

Seeing that video got me thinking. Are the magazines just selling us a trend and we all just follow along because its the in thing?

This isnt to slag off any 'niche' of mountainbiking. I just think we (as a collective group: MTB'ers) have ended up riding inappropriate bikes. (Not me personally, though I could do with stiffer forks )

First it was 'freeride' = DH bike with granny ring for climbs.

Then it was 'trailbike' = DH bike with granny ring.

Now its 'All mountain' = DH bike with granny ring.

?????

OK, where I say 'DH bike' (tongue in cheek) I have to admit the weights have come down a fair bit over the years but were still talking 30/32lb for a current 'AM' rig. Even XC racers are on 100mm forks?!?! Since when has an XC racer really needed 100mm of travel?

Back in the day before mountainbiking was compartmentalised everybody rode 'all mountain'. Its nothing new, just a trend invented to sell the latest products.

Food for thought.......

 

[mikeekim89]

ahh, with a bit of skill, you can still ride fort william on a hard tail with 60mm forks, (although it'd be easier with 100mm) just think of the zaskar, only bike too win DH XC and 4X world titles as far as i know..

 

[brocklanders023]

Agree to a point but I do enjoy my full suss as it is a totally different ride to my retro bikes. As stated on the other thread... I really don't get heavy long travel hard tails though :roll: Would struggle to see the point of a full suss above 30lbs for my riding either.

 

[mikeekim89]

a XC bike, shouldn't need 100mm travel, but it makes things smoother most of the time. so it's kind of a devil's gift..

 

[the_duke]

that guy has some skills, front endo cornering!

 

[KeepItSteel]

Great vid, great to se what a hardtail is really capable of. Its a s/s right?

Didnt see him go up a hill
Is it just me, or to hit trails that fast and with that much conviction would he/you not need to know them like the back of your hand?

I hit some trails last week and didnt know what was round the next corner, evey time i tried to speed up i nearly wiped out on the next bend....

oh...and im not normally one to knock music, but how dull was that song in the back ground?

 

[KeepItSteel]

holy cow...check out the clarity on this vid:

http://www.goprocamera.com/video

 

[jimihendrix]

I think these guys need hardtails

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4H2P5sx ... re=related

Not just on the bike either

 

[andrewl]

First it was 'freeride' = DH bike with granny ring for climbs.

Then it was 'trailbike' = DH bike with granny ring.

Now its 'All mountain' = DH bike with granny ring.

....

Food for thought.......

Not really. It's just as silly as suggesting a rigid MTB is a CX bike with flat bars

 

[Andy R]

Great vid, great to se what a hardtail is really capable of. Its a s/s right?

No, it's geared

Didnt see him go up a hill
Is it just me, or to hit trails that fast and with that much conviction would he/you not need to know them like the back of your hand?

Well, yes, he probably does - just like I know lots of my local trails like the back of my hand.
It's just nice to see someone ragging a bike on "normal" sort of terrain like most of us ride.