gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
So the season finally started for me, went out 3 times last week two of which were normal short 1hr lunch time rides (20 minutes of travel on bike out of the hour) and definitely feeling the itch to build a new bike.
Now normally I commute on my 2009 Kona Jake that have done a few upgrades too (newer tape, On-One Midge bars, TRP CX-8.4 brakes with salmon pads) and my commute is only 2.5 miles one way. My normal mountain ride is my 2011 On-One Inbred 29er Steel hardtail that I have done the following too..
- 2011 Manitou Tower Pro 100mm 9QR with FIRM spring upgrade (incredible budget fork)
- Custom built Stans Flows laced to Shimano M529 hubs front/back
- Shimano Centerlock 140mm discs
- Sram BB7 calipers and levers
- RaceFace 70mm stem
- Giant Flatbar 760mm
- Lizardskin Peatty lock-on grips
- Easton Haven post
- Charge Spoon saddle (best saddle for the money I think)
- X9 shifters and Rear Derailleur
- Jagwire teflon cables
- Shimano XT Front derailleur and Crank (3ring modified to 2 with BBG bash)
- Sram 9spd cassette (991 which is the X9 version)
- Running on GEAX Gato 2.3" (f) and GEAX Saguaro 2.2" (r)
So I love this bike but as I get old and ride more technical and rocky terrain I find myself wishing for some rear suspension in there to help the back out. I do get bounced around quite a bit because our terrain is pretty rock with very little plain loose over hard or hardpack trail (unless you are on the fireroads). This is my downhill bomber, xc race machine, and do all bike and does not cease to amaze me and put a smile on my face even at 28ish#.
It looks like I might have the ability to do one of two things this year, either go for a new suspension (thinking 2” OME or HFS) or build up a new bike, basically there is a chance I may have $1500ish to play with for what I want!!!! So should I sell the Jake, convert the Inbred into a commuter/monstercross and build another FS or should I go for the suspension for the BeBe? I can tell you that most of the stuff in my price range, >$2000, is not going to get me a whole lot so I am going to want to switch stuff out right away pretty much but I can probable get away with riding the stock bike for a season.
So far I am looking at (internet only);
- Giant Anthem X3
- Scott Spark 960
- Felt Edict Nine 60
- Salsa Spearfish 4
Remember this will mostly be an xc bike so I don’t need a whole lot of travel, 120mm max, but would like to stay with 100mm. The other option is that I could sell the Jake, leave the Inbred in mtb mode and still use as a commuter and slowly build up the fully like I did with my Inbred over the next 8mo-12mo….
So anyone got recommendations? Being close to Lake Tahoe I have a good number of shops near me so I can try out just about anything. And I got a bad taste in my mouth by Specialized a couple years back so not going that route, not going to give them my money.
Now normally I commute on my 2009 Kona Jake that have done a few upgrades too (newer tape, On-One Midge bars, TRP CX-8.4 brakes with salmon pads) and my commute is only 2.5 miles one way. My normal mountain ride is my 2011 On-One Inbred 29er Steel hardtail that I have done the following too..
- 2011 Manitou Tower Pro 100mm 9QR with FIRM spring upgrade (incredible budget fork)
- Custom built Stans Flows laced to Shimano M529 hubs front/back
- Shimano Centerlock 140mm discs
- Sram BB7 calipers and levers
- RaceFace 70mm stem
- Giant Flatbar 760mm
- Lizardskin Peatty lock-on grips
- Easton Haven post
- Charge Spoon saddle (best saddle for the money I think)
- X9 shifters and Rear Derailleur
- Jagwire teflon cables
- Shimano XT Front derailleur and Crank (3ring modified to 2 with BBG bash)
- Sram 9spd cassette (991 which is the X9 version)
- Running on GEAX Gato 2.3" (f) and GEAX Saguaro 2.2" (r)
So I love this bike but as I get old and ride more technical and rocky terrain I find myself wishing for some rear suspension in there to help the back out. I do get bounced around quite a bit because our terrain is pretty rock with very little plain loose over hard or hardpack trail (unless you are on the fireroads). This is my downhill bomber, xc race machine, and do all bike and does not cease to amaze me and put a smile on my face even at 28ish#.
It looks like I might have the ability to do one of two things this year, either go for a new suspension (thinking 2” OME or HFS) or build up a new bike, basically there is a chance I may have $1500ish to play with for what I want!!!! So should I sell the Jake, convert the Inbred into a commuter/monstercross and build another FS or should I go for the suspension for the BeBe? I can tell you that most of the stuff in my price range, >$2000, is not going to get me a whole lot so I am going to want to switch stuff out right away pretty much but I can probable get away with riding the stock bike for a season.
So far I am looking at (internet only);
- Giant Anthem X3
- Scott Spark 960
- Felt Edict Nine 60
- Salsa Spearfish 4
Remember this will mostly be an xc bike so I don’t need a whole lot of travel, 120mm max, but would like to stay with 100mm. The other option is that I could sell the Jake, leave the Inbred in mtb mode and still use as a commuter and slowly build up the fully like I did with my Inbred over the next 8mo-12mo….
So anyone got recommendations? Being close to Lake Tahoe I have a good number of shops near me so I can try out just about anything. And I got a bad taste in my mouth by Specialized a couple years back so not going that route, not going to give them my money.