New Mountain Bike Suggestions

[E Wa Hunter]

So after 15 years of use my "old school" trek 4300 is nearing the end of its life span. The fork is getting replaced but any upgrades to the bike are going to half the price of a new one. So I am beginning the process of looking for a new one and was wondering what others are using to access the back country. Most of what the bike will used for is getting behind locked timber company gates and a little trail riding as well as training, also I prefer a hard tail for most of what I do.

P.S. I am a big dude (6'6" and 270) so small bike ain't going to cut it

This is what the bike shop is recommending (but the 2016 version which is on sale): http://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bi...599-43ef-8258-0a442ce3b2d0&parentid=undefined

Tanks in advance
E. Wa Hunter

 

[xziang]

I don't use my bike as much as you do in the back country but do occasionally use it for deer and I'm kind of in the same boat. Old GTZaskar isn't cutting it anymore. The newer (well not really anymore) Disc brakes really have my eye!

People seem to be migrating to the BIG tire mtn bikes too. Good luck with your search, I would also be checking CL adds too.

 

[PA 5-0]

If that price point is cool, that Cannondale is a nice ride. I'm a hardtail guy also. Trek has some nice hardtail bikes that may be a bit cheaper. I ride a Trek 6000 which I think was around $800-850 at the time.

 

[Poser]

I'd look for some used Surly MtBs on Craigslist. You can often find used Karate Monkeys for $600-$800, krampus for a little more. Both are steel frame hardtails. For a big guy, you'll definitely want a tire bigger than a standard 26.

27.5 or 29 would be more desirable. Maybe go a little fatter than 2 inches, too.

 

[E Wa Hunter]

PA5-0 Price is what price is my wife always says I have champagne taste on a beer budget, but I have learned you get what you pay for. I have been looking at trek as well, and I have one now that I love and have bought several for others and we all like them. Poser definitely looking at the 27.5 or 29. Craig's list is a little sketchy where I live, 3 hours from a city of any size, and personally I would rather go the new route especially if I can get another 15 years out of a bike before having to buy again.

I like the idea of the fatter tire, how do the work on gravel roads? and how do they climb?


Thanks for the replies
E. Wa Hunter

 

[Floorguy]

PA5-0 Price is what price is my wife always says I have champagne taste on a beer budget, but I have learned you get what you pay for. I have been looking at trek as well, and I have one now that I love and have bought several for others and we all like them. Poser definitely looking at the 27.5 or 29. Craig's list is a little sketchy where I live, 3 hours from a city of any size, and personally I would rather go the new route especially if I can get another 15 years out of a bike before having to buy again.

I like the idea of the fatter tire, how do the work on gravel roads? and how do they climb?


Thanks for the replies
E. Wa Hunter

The bigger wider tires climb like goats and handle gravel better than the smaller tires.

The trade off is more rotational mass to get and keep moving and greater rolling resistance.

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[go4thegusto]

I'd look for some used Surly MtBs on Craigslist. You can often find used Karate Monkeys for $600-$800, krampus for a little more. Both are steel frame hardtails. For a big guy, you'll definitely want a tire bigger than a standard 26.

27.5 or 29 would be more desirable. Maybe go a little fatter than 2 inches, too.

I would reinforce this info strongly. At the risk of sounding like a KIA I have been an avid biker for 30 years. Recently I converted one Surly to 27.5X3.0 and now bought a Krampus with 29X3.0. I have been amazed by this concept. You can run around 10 psi, no suspension is required. Floats through all types of terrain. I would take anywhere on hard ground. To me the extreme fat tire bikes are for packed snow or beach use. Too heavy to use them in the mountains. My take is buy a Krampus or ECR if you want lots of attachment points for racks etc. There are equivalent 3 inch tire bikes from Specialized, Cannondale and others. Most are running 1X10 or 11 drivetrain and eliminating the front derailleur. You will never look back.

 

[Yooper]

I'd also look for a Borealis Yampa or something from 907 Fat Bikes out of AK. I've ridden both (not for hunting purposes though) and would defer to a rigid fatbike just about any time if I was using it for a hunting situation.

 

[Floorguy]

I'd also look for a Borealis Yampa or something from 907 Fat Bikes out of AK. I've ridden both (not for hunting purposes though) and would defer to a rigid fatbike just about any time if I was using it for a hunting situation.

I have a 9zero7 and my buddy has a Yampa they are both solid bikes I would go with a fatback corvus over the 9zero7 (still Alaskan). Sand and snow are where the fat 26 shines. I would get a 27.5+(650b+) wheelset it gives cushion, better flotation than a regular 27.5 and is lighter and has better rolling resistance than a 26 fat tire.

The Yampa has been discontinued and none of borealises bikes have eyelets for a rack.

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