Advice for Mid-Level Bike

"Radley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

I'm a tad shorter than you and I've never had problems
finding the right bike in adult size.

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

"Carla A-G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Radley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
online.com...

Quoted message said:

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

I'm a tad shorter than you and I've never had problems
finding the right bike in adult size.

You may be shorter but you probably have more standover
height as you don't have dangling bits that can be crushed
;] Been there, done that..... ouch!!!!!

In article <[email hidden]>,

Radley said:

I'm new to this group and am seeking advice on whether to
buy a complete bike or buy it part by part. I've been
heavy trail riding for about two years on my cheap
Diamondback Bike. I live in Germany and there's plenty of
hills, dirt paths, and rocky paths to bike on. The grades
of the foot hills range from steep to progressive climbs.
What I feel is that I need a lighter bike and a good
transmission. I hate it when I am pedalling up a steep ass
hill and try to switch gears and WHAM the gears slip or
when I'm standing I hit my nards real real hard on the
dang top bar. I have no idea what type of shimano gears it
has, but it's got some cheap GRIPShifter. Now, I am in a
dilema whether to buy a hard tail or a full suspension.
I'd like to try out some races around the area, but I know
I'll get no where with my heavy Diamond back. Any advice
from seasoned bikers will be a great help. I never though
I'd fall in love with Mountain biking, but after riding
for 2 years, I think it's time to cough up the money for a
bike that's around $1,000.

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes about kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

My 15" Specialized Rockhopper would fit you fine. If you're
looking at $1000, you can either get a good quality hardtail
or a low-end full suspension. IMHO, if going up is your
sticking point, look for a hardtail, and if going down is
your thing, look for full suspension. Since you're looking
for lightness, you should be leaning toward a hardtail. I'd
suggest you look for a complete bike, as you get more bike
for the money than if you buy components separately.

Van
--
Van Bagnol / v b a g n o l at earthlink dot net / c r l at
bagnol dot com ...enjoys - Theatre / Windsurfing / Skydiving
/ Mountain Biking ...feels - "Parang lumalakad ako sa loob
ng paniginip" ...thinks - "An Error is Not a Mistake ...
Unless You Refuse to Correct It"

"Van Bagnol" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Radley said:

I'm new to this group and am seeking advice on whether
to buy a complete bike or buy it part by part. I've been
heavy trail riding for about two years on my cheap
Diamondback Bike. I live in Germany and there's

plenty of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

hills, dirt paths, and rocky paths to bike on. The
grades of the foot

hills

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

range from steep to progressive climbs. What I feel is
that I need a lighter bike and a good transmission. I
hate it when I am pedalling up

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

steep ass hill and try to switch gears and WHAM the
gears slip or when

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

standing I hit my nards real real hard on the dang top
bar. I have no

idea

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

what type of shimano gears it has, but it's got some
cheap GRIPShifter. Now, I am in a dilema whether to buy
a hard tail or a full suspension.

I'd

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

like to try out some races around the area, but I know
I'll get no where with my heavy Diamond back. Any advice
from seasoned bikers will be a

great

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

help. I never though I'd fall in love with Mountain
biking, but after riding for 2 years, I think it's time
to cough up the money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

My 15" Specialized Rockhopper would fit you fine. If
you're looking at $1000, you can either get a good quality
hardtail or a low-end full suspension. IMHO, if going up
is your sticking point, look for a hardtail, and if going
down is your thing, look for full suspension. Since you're
looking for lightness, you should be leaning toward a
hardtail. I'd suggest you look for a complete bike, as you
get more bike for the money than if you buy components
separately.

Van
--

Yup - you cannot build a decent FS for anywhere near $1000,
but you can get last year's LX/XT/Manitou job, with a
respectable name on the downtube, for about $11-1200 every
new season.

Chris

Stephen Baker said:

The female "parts" may not dangle, but they do object to
being crushed, if the look on my wife's face was anything
to go by.

Man, I hope we're still talking about bicycling here. ;-)

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail
address, at least)

Radley said:

I live in Germany and there's plenty of hills, dirt
paths, and rocky paths to bike on.

Huh. Most of us are in the US or UK; would the selection
be the same?

Quoted message said:

What I feel is that I need a lighter bike and a good
transmission.

Then you've probably answered your question about
upgrading vs buying. You'd have to swap so much out to
make it lighter, that you'd be better off buying a new
bike. Bike parts are pricey, especially if you don't
install them yourself.

Quoted message said:

I hate it when I am pedalling up a steep ass hill and
try to switch gears and WHAM the gears slip or when
I'm standing I hit my nards real real hard on the dang
top bar.

You shouldn't be trying to change gears when you're
pedalling up a steep- ass hill. Even a better bike isn't
going to fare well when you do that. Be in the right gear
before you start.

Quoted message said:

Now, I am in a dilema whether to buy a hard tail or a full
suspension.

Full-sus is good in rocks, heavily-rooted areas, big drops -
anywhere that you'll be getting the life jostled out of you
on a hardtail. You'll compromise weight & component quality
at any given cost vs a hardtail. If you're not getting the
life jostled out of you very often, a hardtail is often a
better value. But full-sus apparently has some additional
glitz, as it seems to be the preferable bike to ride on
fireroads and bunny trails.

Quoted message said:

I never though I'd fall in love with Mountain biking, but
after riding for 2 years, I think it's time to cough up
the money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Yeah, that's usually when it happens.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail
address, at least)

"Radley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm new to this group and am seeking advice on whether to
buy a complete bike or buy it part by part. I've been
heavy trail riding for about two years on my cheap
Diamondback Bike. I live in Germany and there's plenty

of

Quoted message said:

hills, dirt paths, and rocky paths to bike on. The grades
of the foot

hills

Quoted message said:

range from steep to progressive climbs. What I feel is
that I need a lighter bike and a good transmission. I
hate it when I am pedalling up a steep ass hill and try
to switch gears and WHAM the gears slip or when I'm
standing I hit my nards real real hard on the dang top
bar. I have no

idea

Quoted message said:

what type of shimano gears it has, but it's got some cheap
GRIPShifter. Now, I am in a dilema whether to buy a hard
tail or a full suspension.

I'd

Quoted message said:

like to try out some races around the area, but I know
I'll get no where with my heavy Diamond back. Any advice
from seasoned bikers will be a

great

Quoted message said:

help. I never though I'd fall in love with Mountain
biking, but after riding for 2 years, I think it's time to
cough up the money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

I'm open to any pointers!

--
Radley

I'm 5'7" with a 27 inch inseam. I've had a 15 inch
Specialized RockHopper that works and a Santa Cruz
Superlight 17inch that fits me better. I started to go with
a smaller frame Superlight, but after checking newsgroups, I
found that the 17 inch worked. 18 months later, I'm still
happy with my choice. The longer cockpit fits. Before I made
a purchase, I rented one for 3 hours and went for a ride.
Fit is everything. Do your homework, visit bike shops, check
websites...keep posting your questions...and ride it before
you buy. I think that Colorado Cyclist and Speedgoat have
sizing information.

Now when I ride my 15 inch Rockhopper, I realize that it was
too small.

I will never get another hard tail. I had an equipment
problem and had to ride my hardtail the other day. I
couldn't wait to get back on my full suspension. The full
suspension soaks up the jolts and makes for a great ride.

In summary, frame size is the key. Full Suspension is a
plus, an expensive plus.

"BB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 26 May 2004 21:47:40 +0200, Radley wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I never though I'd fall in love with Mountain biking,
but after riding for 2 years, I think it's time to cough
up the money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Yeah, that's usually when it happens.

I consider it more an obsession.

Thanks for the advice and thanks for the laughs on the sub-
thread! ;D I'm going home ot the states this summer for a
couple months, so I'll look for a bike there and go to a
shop. NOw atleast I know I'll get a full bike. Hard-tail may
be my choice because I have a lot of uphill. Are there any
FS Bikes that don't compromise power while going up hill? I
can go a little above my budget ;D Thanks again.
--
Radley www.radramirez.com

"BB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Radley said:

I live in Germany and there's plenty of hills, dirt
paths, and rocky paths to bike on.

snip>

Quoted message said:

I hate it when I am pedalling up a steep ass hill and
try to switch gears and WHAM the gears slip or when

I'm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

standing I hit my nards real real hard on the dang
top bar.

You shouldn't be trying to change gears when you're
pedalling up a steep- ass hill. Even a better bike isn't
going to fare well when you do that. Be in the right gear
before you start.

If only life was that easy, a nice unvarying gradient from
base to the pass!! Most hills I ride on go steep then
slacken then even steeper then drop and continue up. I'm
constantly changing the lower gears and its real busy when
climbing with overnight camping gear.

"Radley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm new to this group and am seeking advice on whether to
buy a complete bike or buy it part by part.

Snip...

Quoted message said:

riding for 2 years, I think it's time to cough up the
money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

I'm open to any pointers!
--
Radley

You want a nice small frame you say...
ishop.co.ukshopscr620.htmlOpen ↗ - scroll
right down to the bottom. Please somebody buy it before I
buy it and build it up as the lightest play bike ever...

Steve.

Steve.

"spademan o---[) *"
<[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Radley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message -"]news:[email hidden]-
online.com...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm new to this group and am seeking advice on whether
to buy a complete bike or buy it part by part.

Snip...

Quoted message said:

riding for 2 years, I think it's time to cough up the
money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

I'm open to any pointers!
--
Radley

You want a nice small frame you say...
ishop.co.ukshopscr620.htmlOpen ↗ - scroll
right down to

the

Quoted message said:

bottom. Please somebody buy it before I buy it and build
it up as the lightest play bike ever...

Steve.

Steve.

Aw man man Steve Steve! If that had the right dia. head tube
and I had 500 squid tucked away, it'd be MINE! Reckon I
could build it up tall like the BASE, but actually be able
to carry it!

',;~}~

Shaun aRe

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Aw man man Steve Steve! If that had the right dia. head
tube and I had

500

Quoted message said:

squid tucked away, it'd be MINE! Reckon I could build it
up tall like the BASE, but actually be able to carry it!

',;~}~

Shaun aRe

Yep its THAT nice. By the way lakes ride now planned for
Sunday 13th, answer your e-mail Shaun!

Steve.

taywood said:

Quoted message said:

You shouldn't be trying to change gears when you're
pedalling up a steep- ass hill. Even a better bike isn't
going to fare well when you do that. Be in the right gear
before you start.

If only life was that easy, a nice unvarying gradient from
base to the pass!! Most hills I ride on go steep then
slacken then even steeper then drop and continue up. I'm
constantly changing the lower gears and its real busy when
climbing with overnight camping gear.

Sure, there are many like that where I live as well -
single hills that are over 1000 feet. It would be quite
possible to make a trail in one continuous gradient that is
so steep that you can't shift, but it'd be impossible to
climb! So there are steep sections that lead to ridges
where the climb slackens.

He was talking about the "steep ass" stuff; shifting when
the climb slackens isn't much of an issue.

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail
address, at least)

"Radley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

I'm new to this group and am seeking advice on whether to
buy a complete bike or buy it part by part. I've been
heavy trail riding for about two years on my cheap
Diamondback Bike. I live in Germany and there's plenty

of

Quoted message said:

hills, dirt paths, and rocky paths to bike on. The grades
of the foot

hills

Quoted message said:

range from steep to progressive climbs. What I feel is
that I need a lighter bike and a good transmission. I
hate it when I am pedalling up a steep ass hill and try
to switch gears and WHAM the gears slip or when I'm
standing I hit my nards real real hard on the dang top
bar. I have no

idea

Quoted message said:

what type of shimano gears it has, but it's got some cheap
GRIPShifter. Now, I am in a dilema whether to buy a hard
tail or a full suspension.

I'd

Quoted message said:

like to try out some races around the area, but I know
I'll get no where with my heavy Diamond back. Any advice
from seasoned bikers will be a

great

Quoted message said:

help. I never though I'd fall in love with Mountain
biking, but after riding for 2 years, I think it's time to
cough up the money for a bike that's around $1,000.

Sucky part is I'm a short 5'4" and have a 28" inseam.
Please no jokes

about

Quoted message said:

kiddie bikes HEH HEH ;D

I'm open to any pointers!

--
Radley

Question for the newsgroup - is KHS still around, they used
to make great Chromoly bike frames. My old KHS Comp is
lighter than my much newer Kona Explosif , my son is riding
and enjoying the KHS. It was a reasonably priced bike.

Sniffinvinyl
----------------
Remain sane, cycle your brains out . . .

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Question for the newsgroup - is KHS still around, they
used to make great Chromoly bike frames. My old KHS Comp
is lighter than my much newer Kona Explosif , my son is
riding and enjoying the KHS. It was a reasonably

priced

Quoted message said:

bike.

They are still around:

khsbicycles.comkhsbicycles.comOpen ↗

I used to ride one many years ago. I beat the living hell
out of it when I rode it until it finally decided to give up
its ghost...

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

"BB" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

taywood said:

Quoted message said:

You shouldn't be trying to change gears when you're
pedalling up a

steep-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ass hill. Even a better bike isn't going to fare well
when you do that.

Be

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in the right gear before you start.

If only life was that easy, a nice unvarying gradient
from base to the

pass!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Most hills I ride on go steep then slacken then even
steeper then drop

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

continue up. I'm constantly changing the lower gears and
its real busy when climbing

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

overnight camping gear.

Sure, there are many like that where I live as well -
single hills that are over 1000 feet. It would be quite
possible to make a trail in one continuous gradient that
is so steep that you can't shift, but it'd be impossible
to climb! So there are steep sections that lead to ridges
where the climb slackens.

He was talking about the "steep ass" stuff; shifting when
the climb slackens isn't much of an issue.

Yep. I was trying to say I cant pick the 'right' gear at the
start of the climb and expect to stay in it when the
gradient steepens. We all experience that scary feeling when
you sense the front wheel wants to lift, you need to change
down once again, there may not be a gear there to change
down to but you try. I was told once that in this desperate
situation I should hold the shifter down and ease back off
the pedal for a fraction of a second to give the chain
chance to jump without pressure. Sometimes it works for me
but usually I get that Wham that the OP described and
continue up pushing/dragging the bike.

taywood said:

I was told once that in this desperate situation I should
hold the shifter down and ease back off the pedal for a
fraction of a second to give the chain chance to jump
without pressure.

Usually what I give it a quick burst of all out pedalling,
much faster than I could ever maintain on that section,
then use the momentary burst of speed for an easy shift
(and then hopefully I'll have enough energy to recover from
doing that!).

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail
address, at least)

In article <[email hidden]>,

Radley said:

Hard-tail may be my choice because I have a lot of
uphill. Are there any FS Bikes that don't compromise
power while going up hill? I can go a little above my
budget ;D Thanks again.

The lower-end FS bikes in your price range may not have the
design for good climbing efficiency, but from what people
have said, the Gary Fisher Sugar (and I think the Giant and
Specialized bikes with Horst linkage) had good pedaling
efficiency. I don't know if GF still makes the Sugar; I
think it's been superseded by a new model. In any case, the
key to climbing is to spin, rather than mash, the pedals to
reduce bobbing.

Van
--
Van Bagnol / v b a g n o l at earthlink dot net / c r l at
bagnol dot com ...enjoys - Theatre / Windsurfing / Skydiving
/ Mountain Biking ...feels - "Parang lumalakad ako sa loob
ng paniginip" ...thinks - "An Error is Not a Mistake ...
Unless You Refuse to Correct It"