Should bike weight be a factor?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 525
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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?
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?
#2
.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: The Summit of Lee
Posts: 10,939
Bikes: Hecklah
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
#3
Primate
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: gone
Posts: 2,579
Bikes: Concorde Columbus SL, Rocky Mountain Edge, Sparta stadfiets
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
^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.
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.
#4
use your best eye
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 3,050
Bikes: '75 Bertin, '93 Parkpre Team 925, '04 Kona King Kikapu, '05 Bianchi Vigorelli
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
If you want a FS that weighs like your hardtail, be prepared to pony up some serious cash.
__________________
"I tell you, We are here on earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." - Kurt Vonnegut jr.
"I tell you, We are here on earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." - Kurt Vonnegut jr.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 525
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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.
#8
use your best eye
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Olympia, Washington
Posts: 3,050
Bikes: '75 Bertin, '93 Parkpre Team 925, '04 Kona King Kikapu, '05 Bianchi Vigorelli
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
OP- What kinda money are ya looking/willing to spend? Just curious.
__________________
"I tell you, We are here on earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." - Kurt Vonnegut jr.
"I tell you, We are here on earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." - Kurt Vonnegut jr.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 525
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
Señor Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: FoCo, CO
Posts: 880
Bikes: CAAD10CAAD10CAAD10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 525
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
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!
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 525
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#14
bikegeekmn
Join Date: May 2009
Location: duluth
Posts: 284
Bikes: Miyata710, 04' Fisher Cake, '63 Raleigh 3-speed sport, Giant FCR1, 89''Mita Quick Cross, Lotus Grand Prix Luxe, Nashbar Al. DT shifter road bike,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
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).
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).
#15
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vegas Valley, NV
Posts: 5,495
Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Ridley Noah, Scott Spark 20
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
58 Posts
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?
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?
#16
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vegas Valley, NV
Posts: 5,495
Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Ridley Noah, Scott Spark 20
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
58 Posts
FUNNY, my upgraded hardtail is 1.5 lbs heavier than out of the box in '93, somethings wrong here.
#17
Sneaky Fast....
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Swartz Creek, Mi
Posts: 394
Bikes: 2007 Specialized Epic Expert, 2005 Giant TCR C3, 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper M2Comp, 1986 Raleigh Capri 10spd, 1982 KHS Turbo 12spd, Wife's: 2010 Specialized Safire Comp Komen, 2007 Specialized Dolce Elite, 2005 Giant OCR3, 2000 Trek 6000 WSD
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.