"I'm considering an entry-level ($200-250) MTB (for use on unpaved roads) and find that all name-brand MTBs now come with front suspension. Yet, looking in the catalogs, forks alone cost more than that. That leads me to believe that at that price, the quality of the bike is being dragged down (and the weight is dragged up) by the fork. How did it happen that no one makes rigid MTBs (like my wife's Trek 800) anymore? What are my alternatives? (First person to tell me to buy a ""better"" bike gets ""schwebbered"" when I see him/her at the boathouse.)"
Why no rigid MTBs on market?
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 8:07am
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 9:15am
#1
Swap-out!
I've seen a couple of rigids out there at stores - look, ask around. So many hardtails and full suspension are sold because of marketing and people thinking they are better bikes - bomb-proof, life-long, etc. It's the current fad. So, the rigids may be on sale!!!
Or, ...
ask the lbs that has a hard tail bike you want to swap out the fork.
Or, ...
buy a better bike (had to say it ;-)
J
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 10:02am
#2
Alternative
"For $200, you won't get a great new bicycle. But for much less than that you can get a very good used one. Check flea markets and shops that sell used bikes. The value of rigid MTBs is so low now that you can practically pull them out of trash heaps in working order.
By the way, what does ""schwebbered"" mean?
"
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 10:07am
#3
"A ""schwebber"" is NYCC's term for a greasy chain mark on your (or Joe's) calf."
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 12:23pm
#4
Should one be ashamed?
"If so, I suspect the enervating influence of the fair-weather White Lightning crowd.
Rapturous rain riders require real oil. And bear the marks to prove it.
Peter Storey
""The Few... The Proud ... The Dirty"""
Tue, 05/11/2004 - 11:54am
#5
"A ""schwebber"" is named after an actual person (nm)"
Tue, 05/11/2004 - 8:57pm
#6
give us the scoop. :)
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 12:02pm
#9
Now that JP has weighed in first . . .
"I'd suggest you look for a better bike!
But as long as we've wandered over into MTB-land: Does anyone have a view about the ""trailworthiness"" of entry-level MTBs. Since the percentage of MTBs that actually go off-road is almost as low as the percentage of SUVs that do so, is there any reason to think that an entry-level MTB is any more robust/tough/whatever than a comparably priced hybrid?
Not a sermon. I'm actually curious.
Peter Storey
"
Tue, 05/11/2004 - 6:23am
#10
"This bike will be used a maximum of 6 times a year, so I don't want to go overboard. But hypothetically, in your opinions, how much does one need to spend on a ""hardtail"" MTB to avoid a junky ""suspension"" fork."
Tue, 05/11/2004 - 9:21am
#11
Hard Front
Back in the day, Bridgestone made awesome mountain bikes without suspension forks. If you could find an old MB-4 somewhere, all would be good.
Currently, you are correct, most solid forks fall under the category of hybrid, but there are still some options out there.
Check out the Kona web site (konaworld.com) and look at some of their asphalt bikes. Their Dew lists at $400.
Trek makes the 3500 with a solid fork for $250. To get a reasonable fork you probably need to add $100.
Wed, 05/12/2004 - 9:31am
#12
Aha, the 4300. When the 800 disappeared from Trek's lineup and the 820 had FS, I despaired. Thanks for opening my eyes.
Tue, 05/11/2004 - 7:58pm
#13
I would suspect any entry level bike is not trailworthy based on the quality of the component group. As is the case with road bikes to a certain degree the cost of the mtb is based in large part based on the component group. Based on my experience, entry level components were not manufactured to withstand the harsh conditions of off road trails.
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 4:58pm
#14
Instead of a full-rigid MTB...
...why not a cyclocross bike? Think of it as a road bike (700c wheels, drop bars) with knobby tires and cantilever brakes, good enough for everything but the most technical terrain. Put on slicks for road rides, add fenders for crummy weather. A go-anywhere do-anything bike.
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 5:52pm
#15
Jamis MTB
I bought a new, but 2 year old model of a Jamis Explorer. It came with a rigid fork. I happen to think it's a great entry level MTB. It was marked down from $359.00 to $200.00. I happen to have found it at a Performance bike shop in Tacoma, Wa. Give them a call and see what stock they may have left. I believe that Jamis distributes out of NJ. You might want to call them and see what's available. Hope this helps.
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 6:12pm
#16
Schwebber???
Schwebber? It's a Cat 7 tattoo!!!
Mon, 05/10/2004 - 6:35pm
#17
lmao!!! the interesting ones are on arms and backs after a pileup at the harlem father's day race. :D
don
