Originally Posted by
Smokinapankake
I've been looking at the Surly Bridge Club as a potential replacement for many of the bikes in my garage in an effort to reduce quantities (N-5 or 6) and simplify. Its pretty affordable at $1500 and gets lots of good reviews online.
But comparing geometry charts between it and my 1996 Trek 930, the two are remarkably close to the same bike. Surly at the top, Trek at the bottom, comparing the 21" Trek to the LG. Surly.
I've been reading a little bit and the general consensus I'm finding is that "new, modern" geometry is so much more comfortable and somehow better than "old, vintage" geometry as it relates to mountain bikes. But the chart shows that in this instance, theyre about the same bike... Effective top tubes are within 15 mm of each other, chainstays are within 5, head and seat angles are the same, head tube length is the same, wheelbase is only 16mm difference and standover is only 1mm different!
I almost bought in to the hype... But I still kind of want a new bike ya know.
So I guess I could buy a new Surly or I could build the Trek into a "Budget Bridge Club" using a
rigid fork from Bikeman.com , get a sweet swept back bar like the
Ritchey Coyote and save myself $1000. Maybe sell off the redundant bikes in the garage and pay for the upgrades to the Trek?
Pros: Save some big cash, have something kind of interesting.
Cons: Still a 26" wheeled bike with cantilevers / linear pull brakes and not as many mounting options...
I like that the Trek was built in the US, I like that it was a ridiculously cheap initial purchase, and I like that I have it in my possession right now. Bird in the hand, you know... But I don't like that after all is said and done, I'd still have a bike limited to 26" wheels and cantilever/linear pull brakes...
But conversely, what major advantage would a new Bridge Club have over a well kitted older MTB?
What are your thoughts?
I think the real issue is that you are approaching this as an attempt to see if 'the hype' is justified or not. That is a surefire way to be disappointed.
You are comparing bikes with similar geometry and that is it. Almost everything else about them, when it comes to use/setup, is different.
Dont look at this as a justification of hype, look at it simply as a different way to accomplish a goal(whatever that may be).
Many dont want to take an old frame and put a bunch of effort into modifying the build to make it similar to another bike. That isnt where their interest lies and thats cool. They arent buying into the hype when they buy a Bridge Club, they are simply buying a bike that fits what they want to do.
Your geometry is similar.
Your bike has fewer cargo mounts, has 26" wheels, has cantilever brakes, and has a suspension fork. Those things, to me, make your bike very different from the Bridge Club. Not better nor worse, just different. If changing the handlebar and fork will make it close enough to a Bridge Club for you to consider it wash, then do that and have fun. If you think you will want a bike with more bottle mounts, 3-pack gear mounts, hydraulic disc brakes, and the ability to use 700c, 27.5, or 26" wheels then get a Bridge Club.
If you buy the Surly, dont do it to see if the hype is real. You will for sure feel like you wasted money. Buy it because you want to try something different or because it fits your wants the best.