I'd appreciate some suggestions on my first Full Suspension

[jsj]

Hi everyone. This is my first post.

I'm 39, 5'10", 170 lbs, in pretty ok shape for my age, but I have a history of lower back problems. I rode two laps at Maybury (first time there) today with my steel hard tail 26", and by the end my back was just in agony. I found the Maybury trail to be so twisty, turny, and full of roots hat my usual strategy of standing through the rough stuff wasn't as effective. Instead, I found myself having to sit through a lot of the rough stuff to stay in control. It was a lot of fun, but I ended up absorbing a lot of punishment to my lower back.

So I'm not getting any younger, and I'd like to see if a full suspension bike might cushion my back a bit more. I'd love suggestions for the kind of bikes that will excel at the local trails. In addition to comfort, I'd love to gain a little more control on the rutty descents. I also bypassed most of the big jumps, rocks and so on today at Maybury. I want to tackle some of that stuff. I will likely go 29er, just because I don't want to swim against the tide (I own a rigid 29er SS, too.)

I was hoping to spend $3k or less. I would love to hear what you would buy if you were me. Thanks!

[Critter7r]

Wait, Maybury has big jumps? I musta missed 'em last time I was there.

JSJ: At a $3k budget, you're really not limiting yourself much. I'm partial to Specialized's geometry myself and we're in the same demographic. You're a year older, I'm 10 pounds heavier. I like Spec's current Camber lineup.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/camber

[dirt]

The Salsa Spearfish is a great 29er FS for Michigan type trails.

The Spearfish 2 falls right into your price range, with the Spearfish 1 being a bit more then $3K.

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/spearfish_2/

[Di_bear]

I ride a Jamis Dakar XCR Expert. It's a great bike. I bought it for UP riding, but it's fine now that I live down here.

[amadkins]

The Salsa Spearfish is a great 29er FS for Michigan type trails.

The Spearfish 2 falls right into your price range, with the Spearfish 1 being a bit more then $3K.

http://salsacycles.com/bikes/spearfish_2/

I have a spearfish, and the rear is very firm. I'm also not a fan of the pf30 bb standard they used on the frame. It's seems to be very creaky with all the aftermarket adapters that reduce to the Shimano standard. Perhaps the complete bike is better in that regard (I built mine up over the winter).

I think trails edge in milford has a rental you can check out. I'll never buy another bike that I can't ride on the trail first.

[Roy]

Some ideas:
Buy a big brand name. Reason: better chance for good service and repair parts. Look for a brand that offers factory service on special parts like forks and shocks.

Look for 100 mm travel. Reason:With your back problems you probably will not be jumping. 100 mm is more then enough.

Look for a single pivot design: Reason:Less parts to wear out. Advanced geometry designs ( like Specialized ) are nice but not required with todays shocks.

Don't believe much in the Mt. Bike Magazines. Reason: All marketing intended to sell the latest and greatest.

Look for dual piston Hydraulic Disc brakes. Reason: Zero mantainance for years. ( I just serviced my bikes brake fluid for the second time in 13 years)

Most important!
Buy from a store you both like and trust - talk to the owner, not a salesman. The onwer will be there next year and many years later.
A good relationship with a bike shop is more important then the actual bike you buy. Do not go accros town to save $100. If you visit the store on off hours you are more likely to meet the onwer.
Don't listen to replys that say " buy my bike " , unless they explain in detail why! No body likes to post that they purchased a bad bike.

Roy

[ibisman]

Everything Roy said except...I like mechanical disc brakes. And for sure don't believe the hype in the mountain bike mags.

[c0nsumer]

If I had $3k to spend I'd be looking at the Salsa Spearfish or maaaaaybe a Cannondale Scalpel (alloy) or possibly a Specialized Epic.

[mtbfree]

I will likely go 29er, just because I don't want to swim against the tide

I sincerely hope this isn't the only reason you're going 29er.

Putting that aside, though, there is some great advice in the replies above. Also, make sure you test ride before you buy to make sure that FS will actually solve your lower back problems (it's not a guarantee). Go to a shop that will let you test ride some bikes on REAL TRAILS. Don't take a spin around the parking lot and expect that to give you a good feel for the bike.

If your test rides on full suspension still leave you with a sore back, you might be better off investing that $3000 in physical therapy.

[geardaddy37]

Giant XTC 29er...
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bik ... 031/48895/

Take the other grand and go to Moab and ride it...
Axelly, if I had that kinda scratch I'd get me a Quiring frame and build it... )

[Di_bear]

I will likely go 29er, just because I don't want to swim against the tide

I sincerely hope this isn't the only reason you're going 29er.

Putting that aside, though, there is some great advice in the replies above. Also, make sure you test ride before you buy to make sure that FS will actually solve your lower back problems (it's not a guarantee). Go to a shop that will let you test ride some bikes on REAL TRAILS. Don't take a spin around the parking lot and expect that to give you a good feel for the bike.

If your test rides on full suspension still leave you with a sore back, you might be better off investing that $3000 in physical therapy.

Yup. My back pain needed chiropractic care, massage therapy, and a foam roller.

Someone asked me what I thought of FS two days after I first bought it. I said, "I don't know. It just feels so different." He said, "Give it a week." After a week, I loved it. So, I second the need to try it on *real* trails. You also need to make sure it's set up properly. Rebound is huge.

[geardaddy37]

Hey Di, please explain, "set up the rebound"...I still have that Trek "fool 80", and don't know what the difference is betwee3n the fast and slow rebound. Can you explain it a little and learn me sompin?. Thanks (:

[geardaddy37]

ok. that was a huge hijack, please pm me Di...sorry lsj!

[mtbfree]

Yup. My back pain needed chiropractic care, massage therapy, and a foam roller.

Someone asked me what I thought of FS two days after I first bought it. I said, "I don't know. It just feels so different." He said, "Give it a week." After a week, I loved it. So, I second the need to try it on *real* trails. You also need to make sure it's set up properly. Rebound is huge.

True... I didn't even mention the need for proper suspension set-up. Without that, I'll go ahead and guarantee that you either won't like it, or it won't help your back. Make sure that you have the shop set up the test bikes FOR YOU. If they don't ask you about your weight and riding style at a minimum, that means they didn't set it up for you.

[mtbike2350]

I've owned 2 full suspension bikes, both Epics (a 26 and a 29er), and found that I will still get some aching in the back but after a good amount of riding this season I found that more than the suspension, exercising and strengthening your back, getting the bike properly fitted by someone who knows what they are doing and learning proper riding techniques like getting up off the seat more have proven way more effective in solving my personal back woes. Don't get me wrong, I love my suspension bikes but it seems the suspension is better suited for keeping the wheels on the ground in the rough stuff and help keep control more than taking the beating off your body.

Just my input...

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