The bicycle of the day at Recycled & New Bicycles is the Fuji Outland Comp. Squish, boing, squish, boing, squish, boing. I have an 08 close out, medium, in stock, so the price will be much less than $1,700. Call or email if you want it.
I know, you thought I would never sell a full suspension mountain bike. Well, this is exactly what some people want to ride. Would I ride one? Probably not.
So what's your gripe with FS? It's an honest question, not antagonistic. I just bought a really nice new hardtail last season, and I'll get another season of fun out of it, at least. But I'm already starting to look ahead to my next MTB, and I've assumed it will be FS. I'd even bookmarked the Outland for future reference some time ago. So I'm curious to hear why you don't ride them...
ReplyDeleteShane, I like to ride a bicycle that is uncomplicated. I have not been on a bike with a derailleur since 1997. Really. You may be happy getting a new bike every two years. I want to get 10 years out of mine (my last two long term bikes both broke after 5 years of hard use). I don't sound like your typical bike shop owner do I? No.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to go wrong with suspension and a lot of maintenance involved. There are pivots. They are heavy.
I started racing BMX bicycles in 1974. I got into road bikes in 1985, then MTBs in 1988.
Back in the day 6 speed in the back was the new thing. Then came 7. We all had to buy new shifters. Then SIS came along. New shifters, chain, freewheel, etc. Then the cassette hub came out. New rear wheel. Somewhere around 1992 everyone got front shocks. I went for a long time without one. Then I got a Bomber. Marzocchi. Best shock ever built. I rode that shock for over two years, then took it off the bike, sold it, bought a rigid singlespeed and never looked back. I just got bikes with bigger wheels (29ers). Now, I really like monster cross fixed gear.
After seven speed SIS, 8 speed came out. New parts. Then full suspension. New bike. Then 9 speed. New parts. Then more travel. New shocks front and rear. Then more travel. New shocks front and rear or new bike.
Road bikes now have 10 cogs in the back. This year Campy came out with 11 speed. Do you see where I'm going with this?
Your comment says "I've assumed it (your next bike)will be FS. Well, they (the bicycle industry) may have more to do with your assumptions that your experience does, I don't know.
That said, if you have ridden hardtails, rigid singlespeeds, 29ers and fs, and you like fs, get one. Ride what you like, not what I like.
Thanks for asking. I could give a much longer answer if you really want.
Thanks for the reply. I take your point about the tendency to go overboard, but it seems like there's a happy middle ground, which is why I've been happy with hardtails until now. I haven't ridden many full suspensions, honestly; all I know is that I often get passed on the trail going full-tilt downhill by guys on FS bikes, and they look like they're having fun...
ReplyDeleteBTW, I've had a beautiful old Giant hybrid for 15 years now, that I still use to ride to work every day in the summer. My mountain bikes I tend to ride like hell until something expensive breaks or wears out, then buy a new one. It's extravagant, I suppose, but it helps keep bike shops in business, and I like bike shops!