I am looking to do an xterra race sometime in the future. I don’t have to much mtb experience. I just wanted to know what you guys thought about what type of bike I should get. I don’t have a ton of money to spend I just wanted to know what are some good bikes to look at.
Ive been wanting to get into mountain biking and xterra races, been looking at the new felts, seems like a good deal
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2010-Product-Catalog/MOUNTAIN/Q-Series/Q620.aspx
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Sippi - firstly, you are gonna LOVE XTERRA - such a joy!!! Good on ya for stepping up. Your question kinda opens the door to the current hot debate over hard tail or dual. The answer to which is better is…" it depends on the course". Since a clear point in your post is budget so right there I would think a hard tail is going to save you some coin. Then just be diligent on tire pressure to make the most of that bike. Once you’ve settled on that decision the next step is probably frame material and, again, aluminum is a good call as it works well and is often a hair less expensive than carbon and quite a lot chaper than Ti. I would think the next criteria would be grouppo - you’ve got Shimano or SRAM and within that you’ve got some levels (XTR, XT, etc.). One new fangled bit that I find to be a total joy is a tubless tire set up - now those can be created from a normal rim/tire combo but I’ve found the OEM tubless systems work a bit better.
All the best, Ian
Thanks I really appreciate it. Does any one have some good info on the fuji mtb?
get a 29er, go tubeless and do xt or XO. I am riding a steel (reynolds 853) 29er hardtail, mavic crossmax 29ers, full sram XO, it is the balls, the only thing I can imagine would be more fun would be a full suspension 29er.
Don’t get caught up in the tech angle of your MTB choice.
Get a bike with front suspension which is cheaper and go for it.
ANY bike you buy today will be way better than mtn bikes from years ago.
Just get the bike and learn to ride it on trails, your riding will be more important than your bike.
I will tell you what I ride.
I was riding a full suspension Specialized Stumpjumper, wanted to go to a 29er, but did not want to spend a lot. I bought an REI Novara front suspension 29er. Got it with the 20% off but even at full price is under $1000. I live in Colorado and ride the trails here. I race XTerras. Last one was XTerra Indian Peaks. I can assure you that is a rather challenging course.
My bike did fine.
So go get a bike and ride it. That is key.
An XTerra is a throwback to tris the way they used to be. Smaller numbers, less strut, more friendly, and no drafting. If you are behind someone in an Xterra, you do not want to sit on their wheel at all, you want to pass.
Have at it.
Figure you’ve seen this, but an interesting article (from him)…
Face it: The 26-inch Hardtail is Dead
http://singletrack.competitor.com/gear-and-tech/face-it-the-26-inch-hardtail-is-dead/