fourstringfletch
Adventurer
I tend to ignore new trends until the bugs get worked out, but the fat bug finally bit me this weekend.
A good friend who I ride with a lot just picked up a barely used mukluk and we swapped a few times on a favorite local ride (from my Trek Remedy).
My first thought was " hmm it sure has a mind of it's own ... but it seems to know where it's going. "
And now, I'm realizing that a plan I hatched years ago might not be so dumb after all.
My wife really enjoyed our first mtb adventure (sections of the mag 7 trails in Moab on a borrowed all-mountain Giant) and I've been pondering a bike for her all summer. Realistically, she's never going to win a DH race but the comfort of full suspension was at the top of the list - much as I wish I could just put her on my old feather light 26" hardtail which is rather small for me. I also didn't want to make climbing any more difficult and had ruled out fat bikes for this reason. After creeping up a hill that I never look forward to though, I realized that I didn't have to think so much about weighting my rear tire and being able to stand up actually got a smile out of me mid-climb (unheard of).
My conclusion is that the technical skills of exact wheel placement and weight balance are less important on a bike that just rolls over anything. Seems perfect for a beginner, right? Or am I still drunk on too little tire pressure? Would you subject your wife to such a bike as a beginner? Seems to me like it could both teach her a lot while being very forgiving. It also might feel more natural since she rides a TW200 too; and I sure love to borrow it
If you do see this as wise, I'd appreciate recommendations on best value these days in the direction of changing trends. (Don't say bucksaw - emphasis on value) There seems to be lots of competition now and the question of "how fat is too fat" is being answered. Why are brake rotors all so small on these big heavy tires??
Ideally, I'd like to find a bike that she can ride unloaded and that I can borrow in winter and add racks to. She's 5'-8" , I'm 6'-0" so I hope to share a 17/18" frame.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Cheers,
Fletch
A good friend who I ride with a lot just picked up a barely used mukluk and we swapped a few times on a favorite local ride (from my Trek Remedy).
My first thought was " hmm it sure has a mind of it's own ... but it seems to know where it's going. "
And now, I'm realizing that a plan I hatched years ago might not be so dumb after all.
My wife really enjoyed our first mtb adventure (sections of the mag 7 trails in Moab on a borrowed all-mountain Giant) and I've been pondering a bike for her all summer. Realistically, she's never going to win a DH race but the comfort of full suspension was at the top of the list - much as I wish I could just put her on my old feather light 26" hardtail which is rather small for me. I also didn't want to make climbing any more difficult and had ruled out fat bikes for this reason. After creeping up a hill that I never look forward to though, I realized that I didn't have to think so much about weighting my rear tire and being able to stand up actually got a smile out of me mid-climb (unheard of).
My conclusion is that the technical skills of exact wheel placement and weight balance are less important on a bike that just rolls over anything. Seems perfect for a beginner, right? Or am I still drunk on too little tire pressure? Would you subject your wife to such a bike as a beginner? Seems to me like it could both teach her a lot while being very forgiving. It also might feel more natural since she rides a TW200 too; and I sure love to borrow it
If you do see this as wise, I'd appreciate recommendations on best value these days in the direction of changing trends. (Don't say bucksaw - emphasis on value) There seems to be lots of competition now and the question of "how fat is too fat" is being answered. Why are brake rotors all so small on these big heavy tires??
Ideally, I'd like to find a bike that she can ride unloaded and that I can borrow in winter and add racks to. She's 5'-8" , I'm 6'-0" so I hope to share a 17/18" frame.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Cheers,
Fletch