I'm 21 and I was lucky enough to be saved my mountain biking bout 5 yrs ago. I started doing some races 4 yrs ago but for fun. I spent my life playing hockey and i'm nearly finished with college hockey. i admit the competitive edge has finally mostly subsided (thankfully!! my body can't take it anymore) so I just like to ride and ride for the freedom.
To arrive at a point, ive' been riding the same bike since I started. a trek 6500 though not stock anymore. I have a zoke up front now (mx comp, and I quite like it). my components are starting to break down and i've been looking at bikes for at least several years now. So, alas, I sought others' opinions. If there's one thing I've learned it's that opinions are endlessly diverse and you just have to go out and try something.
Well I got all caught up in the new stuff that's entering the marketplace each year. Talk about confusing! I realized that I'm perpetually short on ducats and I can't possibley keep up with the industry.
So in short, I quit shopping around. I just rode the other day, I'm in upstate NY and it couldn't have been more than 30 deg F. I had an epiphany. Why not just stick with my hog, it has served me incredibly well other than a few part breakdowns. As parts break down, replace 'em. I decided I will ride until my frame cracks underneath my obstinate butt. However, I do need a new saddle, oooeeee.... And I'd like to give SRAM a try after the trouble I've had with shimano. Udder din dat, ride it til you break it and then you have to get a new one.
thats MY two cents. comments are welcome, and so i don't feel lonely lol
BTW I ride in the northeast and tho i haven't been everywhere this is some seriously challenging stuff!! I look forward to ridin out somewhere else and finding out what this "hardpack" is hahaha. i'll be that guy whose bike has an inch of mud still caked on it...
see ya!!