G-MAN
Big Ring
Posts:246
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 07/12/2008 10:46 AM |
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I am considering the purchase of a hardtail for XC racing. I am currently looking at a FELT XCR and a GF BIG SUR.
If any of you veteran racers or others would like to share advice on your favorite bike or bikes to avoid, it would be appreciated.
I would like to stay with a 26er. And since I will be sacrificng some comfort, I want a substantial trade off in reduced weight.
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MattB
Coaster Brake
Posts:18
Registered Users
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| 07/12/2008 10:59 AM |
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Do you already have a FS bike? I switched from a Kona hardtail to a Turner Nitrous last fall and have found the Turner to be a noticeable improvement for racing, at least for me. Bikes weigh the same (22lb), but the FS descends and climbs better. Not as stiff overall as the hardtail, but on a long ride or any race over an hour my back is thankful...
Matt B.
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G-MAN
Big Ring
Posts:246
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 07/12/2008 11:14 AM |
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Yes, I have two full bouncers in my stable. (GF HiFI and CAKE) I'll take a look at the NITROUS. Thanks for the feedback. BTW, good job putting on the England Idlewild race.
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:376
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 07/12/2008 2:04 PM |
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| I used to race hardtails, Back in the day it was definitely faster than what was available in F/S bikes. I purchased a F/S bike and suddenly I felt slower. the weight factor was stuck in my head HT was 22 lbs F/S was 25. So I did some comparisons. I rode the same loop on each bike. I felt faster on the hard tail but my times were nearly identical. After a 5 mile loop on the HT my whole body was hurting but after the F/S ride I felt much better and knew the second loop on the F/S would be faster than the HT> Turns out I only felt fast on the HT because the ride was so violent in comparison. Now F/S bikes are even more sophisticated than what I had and Hardtails are still basically the same. I can not recommend a hard tail for any course other than a super smooth almost paved course. And I have yet to ride one of those anywhere. (nor do I want to) |
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:376
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 07/12/2008 2:07 PM |
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| oh yeah... My latest ride the Kona hei hei is by far the best xc race bike I have ever had. I have raced and ridden. Superlight/Blur/K2 razorback/litespeed unicoi's/ as well as steel/aluminum and fancy metal composite hardtails. |
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Chris Ward
Big Ring
Posts:217
Registered Users
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| 07/12/2008 5:49 PM |
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If you are really stuck to the idea of racing on a hard
tail, I would look at a 853 steel. It rides a lot nicer than aluminum
hard tail. I have a jamis dragon and it feels pretty fast to me, but I
haven't raced it.
I agree with others, full suspension bikes pedal so well and if you are willing to spend the $$$ you can get a pretty light set up. Hard tails just really don't have any advantage over FS anymore.
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PR
Big Ring
Posts:519
Registered Users
Jackson County
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| 07/12/2008 10:15 PM |
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For the money, and for xc racing, it's still hard to beat a hardtail
I've got a brand new 2001 airborne lancaster ti hardtail. Weighs in around 23 lb complete.
$717.17.
New.
I've ridden mtbs about 20 years. Probably about 17 years on a fs. Won a bunch of races on fs too. ProFlex, Cannondale,Giant, Litespeed (although I would'nt really call a unicoi a fs),and Santa Cruz. Where I live eats bicycles, and I spend most of my time on a single piviot fs.
I could'nt rationalize spending serious dough of a new fs to race on. So, I found the lancaster on ebay. It's a blast. Airborne has the longest toptube (in proportion to the standover height) of any ti bike that I have ridden. If you like a streched out position for xc racing, this bike rocks.
And this bike runs out faster than a fs at Cap View. And much faster than a fs at the lake trail.
Under two hours; I'd say hardtail. Plus two hours; probably a fs.
$717.17. Complete.
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BarryL
Little Ring
Posts:81
Registered Users
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| 07/12/2008 10:32 PM |
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I have found that practice and preparation will outclass products most of the time...take Tiger Woods for instance...think I could beat him with a $3000 set of Calloway irons and woods? Nahhh... I play guitar...I have an instructor that can make my $400 Stratocaster sing like nothing I've ever heard... I could play a $6000 Hofner and it would suck...
My point is I think too many people in too many hobbies an professions rely on product rather than practice and abilities... Slomo could outride most of us on a Huffy...
So you can mentally masturbate products to death..but I think the point has already been made...you don't need to spend a fortune to be a better rider...you need to...put the time in on the trails...
peace out! |
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creeping death
Big Ring
Posts:250
Registered Users
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| 07/13/2008 7:08 AM |
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| Good point BarryL. The last year that I raced motocross, I had a CRF450 had the suspension set-up for my weight and skill level. I had always rode 2 stroke 250 and stock suspension, I knew I would be faster on the 450 with custom suspension. NOPE! I still got beat by the same riders as before and still beat the riders before by the same margins. The bikes didn't hold me back my skills held me back or lack there of. The world Champion xc racer rides a hardtail. F/S is nice and more comfortable, but not necessary. |
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Rowbear
Big Ring
Posts:393
Registered Users
Lexington, KY
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| 07/13/2008 8:23 AM |
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| those world champion courses look a bit different from what we ride. some have some tech sections but they have a lot more smooth(ish) double track in their races |
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RIC0
Big Ring
Posts:320
Registered Users
sumwaresin, KY
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| 07/13/2008 9:46 AM |
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| I wish I could have kept my HT, I liked it but I have to say I'm faster on my FS in more areas than the HT. I would tend to brake more often in rough section on the HT, Now I just point and shoot. Also the body and back love the FS over the HT. |
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G-MAN
Big Ring
Posts:246
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 07/13/2008 10:36 AM |
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Posted By BarryL on 07/12/2008 10:32 PM
So you can mentally masturbate
I prefer to look at the pictures.
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Pepe_Lopez
Granny Gear
Posts:27
Registered Users
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| 07/13/2008 11:24 AM |
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29'r hardtails are much more comfortable than 26 hardtails. I know you don't want a 29'r....but if I was getting a hardtail it would be a 29'r. Actually, if I was going to get a 29'r it would be a FS, since I already have a 29'r SS hardtail.
LOL, I know we just talked about this on our ride, but I was wondering what other people thought about 29'r hardtails. |
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creeping death
Big Ring
Posts:250
Registered Users
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| 07/13/2008 10:49 PM |
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| I posted this just to become a big ring (100) poster! I guess that's what I need? |
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Tonybob
Big Ring
Posts:329
Registered Users
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| 07/14/2008 2:15 AM |
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The worst part about a HT is the way the wheel skips out on the "no see ums" (suck as tiny little rocks n roots in a fast corner) and you suddenly find yourself on the ground. so yeah, i cant see trading in my 22lb scalpel anytime, the 2 pound weight savings you gain from a HT is a (literal) backbreaker.
that said, if i was gonna go HT, i would do a 29er. our own Johnny Curtlo Hughson scored a 4th place expert at an nmbs race on one this weekend. not that it had anything to do with the bike, just wanted to give our boy a shout out. |
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zherz
Little Ring
Posts:64
Registered Users
l-ville
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| 07/14/2008 9:46 AM |
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I'm currently racing a Jamis Dragon. I just switched from my Jamis Dakar xpert. I like the dragon better. the 631 steel really dulls the pain, and it is lighter and more nimble than the dakar.
If i went back to fs, i would get a short travel bike like the scalpel or orbea oiz(oh la la). |
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ajonez
Granny Gear
Posts:25
Registered Users
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| 07/14/2008 9:58 AM |
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My 29er hardtail is comfy and fast as needed around here.
I took it to Arkansas a few months ago and would probably have liked a couple inches of rear travel on some of the trail systems, but it was okay. |
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creeping death
Big Ring
Posts:250
Registered Users
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s0ckeyeus
Big Ring
Posts:186
Registered Users
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| 07/14/2008 12:58 PM |
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Posted By zherz on 07/14/2008 9:46 AM
I'm currently racing a Jamis Dragon. I just switched from my Jamis Dakar xpert. I like the dragon better. the 631 steel really dulls the pain, and it is lighter and more nimble than the dakar. It seems strange to name a mountain bike "Dakar" considering the fact that Dakar is a city on a relatively flat peninsula in a relatively flat country. Oh well, it doesn't matter.
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Rowbear
Big Ring
Posts:393
Registered Users
Lexington, KY
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