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Should bike weight be a factor?

Old 10-16-09, 08:40 AM
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LT Intolerant
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Should bike weight be a factor?

I'm considering purchasing a new mt bike (mine is 10 yrs old). It's a '09 Trek EX9 carbon w a King Wheelset, King Headset & Avid Juicy 7 brakes. It's slightly used so I'm getting a helluva deal (roughly a 35% discount off list).

My dilemma is weight. My old Specialized hardtail weighs in @ 23.5 pounds, while the new bike weighs in @ 26.2 pounds. I definitely need the dual suspension that the Trek provides given that most of my rides are over rocky terrain. I also want disc brakes given their superior stopping power.

All that said I'm concerned about buying a bike that's heavier than my previous ride. I'll be riding this for fun (mostly a roadie) and maybe competing for the first time this year off-road.

Thoughts?
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Old 10-16-09, 08:44 AM
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Dual suspension is a gimmick. Disc brakes offer no advantage over V-brakes. Look into Motobecane bikes. They are spec'd better than most bikes and they are cheaper, so they're probably better over all...except they're cheaper.
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Old 10-16-09, 09:11 AM
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^I don't think he means that.

Are you asking if it will be faster?
It depends on the trail.
Lots of important races are still won on hardtails.
Most people who ride for fun gravitate to FS.

In my opinion, 2.7 lbs is a small penalty for a much better riding bike.
But if I had to buy a new bike for the riding around here, it'd be a hardtail.
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Old 10-16-09, 09:18 AM
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26.2 lbs. is a dilemma? That's a respectable weight for a FS bike.

If you want a FS that weighs like your hardtail, be prepared to pony up some serious cash.
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Old 10-16-09, 09:27 AM
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+1
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Old 10-16-09, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Metzinger
^I don't think he means that.
I was being intentionally stupid. (that time)
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Old 10-16-09, 11:32 AM
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Chelboed “Look into Motobecane bikes” - Love the humor. Still laughing.

Metzinger ” In my opinion, 2.7 lbs is a small penalty for a much better riding bike” - That’s how I was feeling but wanted to validate it with those who are more experienced

Kenhill3- “If you want a FS that weighs like your hardtail, be prepared to pony up some serious cash.” – I hear ya. I’m trying to do this cost-efficiently without the optional divorce.

Thanks much for the responses.
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Old 10-16-09, 11:43 AM
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OP- What kinda money are ya looking/willing to spend? Just curious.
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Old 10-16-09, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by kenhill3
OP- What kinda money are ya looking/willing to spend? Just curious.
The bike I'm looking at is around $ 2,700 (again, slightly used). I'm trying to do this "right" for somewhere around $ 3k.
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Old 10-16-09, 02:09 PM
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Another big factor is what you want to do with the bike. While top tier XC racers can get away with hardtails because most UCI race courses are super groomed singletrack, the majority of trails around here are no fun on a hardtail (barring 29ers.) The EX9 is actually really popular around here.
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Old 10-16-09, 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by theextremist04
Another big factor is what you want to do with the bike. While top tier XC racers can get away with hardtails because most UCI race courses are super groomed singletrack, the majority of trails around here are no fun on a hardtail (barring 29ers.) The EX9 is actually really popular around here.
In talking w the local mt bike riders here in S Barb I think there's universal agreement that given the terrain (very rocky) DS is the only way to go.

I've been out on the local trails on my hardtail and it was ok, but I don't know what I'm missing because I've never ridden a DS bike. I will know by this evening however as I'm about to take the bike I'm considering buying out for a spin!
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Old 10-16-09, 04:25 PM
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What bike are you replacing? 23lb seems pretty light for hardtail!
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Old 10-16-09, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by wheeldeal
What bike are you replacing? 23lb seems pretty light for hardtail!
It's a 15 yr old Specialized. When I weighed it I was shocked that it only weighed 23 lbs. I figured it was up around 30 lbs, but I was wrong. Either that or my scale and/or math is wrong!
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Old 10-21-09, 12:43 PM
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Do'nt let your scale decide for you.If you have to weigh it, do it after you bring it to it's new home.
You thought you specialized was heavy-there are just too many factors that change how light your bike feels other than actual weight.Unless you love to hurt(some of you may be into that)d/s is the only way(if it is a gimmic almost every BFer buys in ,look at the post your rides thread).
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Old 10-21-09, 02:43 PM
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My frame is a 1993, but it fits me perfect and I know what to expect. She's a hardtail. Everything else has been upgraded several times.

I learned something from "upgrading" my golf bag, its the Indian, not the arrow. Toys are great fun and when I was younger my toys were often upgraded.

How's your 401K?
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Old 10-21-09, 02:44 PM
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FUNNY, my upgraded hardtail is 1.5 lbs heavier than out of the box in '93, somethings wrong here.
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Old 10-21-09, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by LT Intolerant
It's a 15 yr old Specialized. When I weighed it I was shocked that it only weighed 23 lbs. I figured it was up around 30 lbs, but I was wrong. Either that or my scale and/or math is wrong!
What is the old ride?

I upgraded to a FS this year from a now 14yr old Spec hardtail. My new ride is an '07 Epic, but is weighs more than the old ride, though I still don't have an exact weight as I had my seat pack, pump. etc on it before I took the time to weigh it, all off the '96 Stumpy.

I will say this, I do not get as tired now compared to riding the hardtail on the trails! I don't notice the extra weight, and would be suprised if you did as well!

So let us know how the ride went!

Chris
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Old 10-21-09, 03:16 PM
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Should be cheaper. 35% of list is a little too high, it's a serious buyers market. 50% off is more than fair. However, if you really like the bike and it fits you well; riding style and geometry, it's probably worth it. For reference, I just bought a used five spot, similar build for under half off new price. It was an 08 but barely ridden. Most guys that race around here are on hardtails and I found the races to be on dirt roads, no to fun to me but maybe to you? I have more fun doing "spirited" rides on good MTB trails, I usually fall off the lead pace anyway, that trek would be a great bike for that.
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