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What to look for in a bike?
Hello, i'am in the market for a new trail bike but am unsure what makes a bike better then another (geomtry wise). When i buy a bike what must i look for besides components, how must i compare one bike to another bike and be able to say this is better eg how will i no that this frame will turn in better then this one and this one is more trail bike then freeride?. And is it possible to do these checks in the shop before i actually purchase it.
Btw i'am in the market for a trail bike as i said eirlier is the Merida Matts TFS XC any good? And whats the main diffrence's between the XC and the TFS trial?
Thanks a million.
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In answer to your question, there is No answer.
There are several important factors you forgot to mention.
Price point??
hardtail or dual suspension?
(Assuming you want to go dual suspension) all bikes have strengths and weaknesses, each manufacturer attempts to create the "best" compromise of suspension flexibility and pedal efficiency. In that respect, try find a bike that has a lockable rear shock or some sort of 'pro-pedal' feature - this lock out or stiffens the rear shock, used when climbing - more efficiency due to less suspension bob.
Geometry wise it's a compromise as well, a steeper head angle give you a responsive racy feel, usually less travel, great for going uphill, but not as good downhill. A slacker head angle gives a more relaxed feeling bike, more laid back like riding a harley as opposed to a sports bike. Usually more travel and more confident downhill, slower uphill.
Solution?? Adjustable travel front fork like the fox talas allows you to raise and lower the front suspension, effectively slackening (longer travel) and tightening (less travel) the geometry.
The truth is that you have to do alot of research, ask lots of questions and if you can ride as many bikes as possible.
Come along on nobmob group rides and i'm sure people will let you have a quick spin on their bikes to see how they feel.
In terms of the Merida's you mentioned. The trail is slightly longer travel (120mm vs 100mm for the XC), with wider tyres (2.25" vs 2.1") The trail is more of a trail bike and the XC is more of a cross-country bike (i.e. more racy). My choice would be the trail.
Good luck!
1: Fit
Does the bike fit you properly? If not, you will grow to hate the bike as it gets increasingly uncomfortable to ride and begins to cause you overuse injuries.
2: Do you enjoy riding it?
Does it sing to you? Unfortunately, the only way to be sure is to test ride.
All else is secondary.
...erm, unless your LBS is K-Mart or Big W... in which case, when they ask "would you like a personal injury policy with that?" say "I'll have one with all the options please!"
hey, is there that much difference that its noticeable in the frames in the respect of handling. What applications are both bikes used for specifically (is it as good as the other one at this and this etc) Will i notice the fact that i cant turn in faster on the xc then the trail or not be able to do downhill riding on the xc? Oh and is there grip thats generated out of the frame or is it all the tires because thats the main thing i want on the trails....grip!
Thanks
Yeah, for sure. It's not that you probably couldn't ride just about anywhere (within reason of course) on an XC bike, or a DH bike for that matter, but going up is easier on an XC bike and going down easier on a DH bike. This equates to having to struggle to ride uphill on a bobbing monster (DH bike) or being very careful with picking lines and where you have your weight (right back past the saddle) when descending on a XC bike. The former is just hard work, the latter leads to OTB experiences if you're not careful.
You are correct that tires affect the grip much more than a frame will.
All these questions have me thinking you want an All Mountain bike such as a Reign or Yeti 575 with fat, 2.35 tires on it. Get one with an adjustable travel fork as mentioned elsewhere and you're set. It's a good option as you can put thinner, lower rolling resistance tires on this kind of bike and get away with riding 100km enduros on it
The thing is that i dont have that much money, i was thinking of spending around $1000.00. And with the merida matts tfs 100-D xc and trail versions the trail is better spec'ed with tires, rear brake disc, and 120mm fork w/lockout so it shouldn't be that bad climbing and the different geometry. So would the tfs trail be good for the trails (along with some big drops and freeride here and there
). I really wanna develop skills and have some fun along the way also.
Thanks
the guys on the vids always make it look easy. What they don't show you is the crashes and injuries. Bad landings can be serious - I'll tell you my story tomorrow on the ride. Johnny Waddell was almost killed a few years ago after getting the line not-quite-right off a big jump. Bike crashes are not like falling off a surfboard.
The key is to not stray too far outside your abilities.
The best way to develop skills is to "play", and start small. Example, getting your technique right going off curbs, landing both wheels at the same time and absorbing the impact wiht legs and arms, gradually going bigger on the trail at say Manly Dam. Same with wheelies, progressing to manuals and mono-hops. Technical descending down roll-offs to riding down small sets of stairs gradually going bigger and so on.