Mountain/Downhill/Freeride etc bikers

[Kilgor]

I'm really enjoying the 10 mile RT to work trip these days, which brings me to thinking about another upgrade. As of now I have a 3x8 SRAM X4 set up with an SLX crankset & SLX front derailleur. I've been thinking about moving up to SRAM X7 or X9 9 speed. I can get the X7 complete set minus for $90, and the X9 for $150 (both minus the cassette). Most of you know that I've said I don't race, so I'm wondering if either is worth it and is one so much better than the other? Thoughts?

Or do what Lao and I did. Screw the front derailleur, real men ride 1x10.

Keep the middle ring, get a simple $40 chainguide and throw out that other useless crap.

The money you save, you get a much better rear shifting setup.

[Creeper]

I found this thread after 3 yrs of its existence , very cool dialogue ,
I will keep this on my "reading list".
I started out racing BMX as a kid, then as a 19yok went to road bikes with a Schwinn - began racing here in the states with a Centurion- then bust my bank for a Colnago Team Mexico , raced that for 4-5 yrs.
I finally went to Mountain a few years ago with a GT Zaskar (90's). I like it simple and fast.
You guys put out alot of good info and comments.
>Hard Tails Rule< LOL !
Cheers.

[Bleifuss]

Finally...!

It arrived last week, after 3½ months...

Thank god it's a killer ride! It's worth every single day of waiting...

Nice bike !

[Paulinski]

Ellsworth I ride....

[T3ngu]

I found this thread after 3 yrs of its existence , very cool dialogue ,
I will keep this on my "reading list".
I started out racing BMX as a kid, then as a 19yok went to road bikes with a Schwinn - began racing here in the states with a Centurion- then bust my bank for a Colnago Team Mexico , raced that for 4-5 yrs.
I finally went to Mountain a few years ago with a GT Zaskar (90's). I like it simple and fast.
You guys put out alot of good info and comments.
>Hard Tails Rule< LOL !
Cheers.

That Zaskar was the bike to have in the 90s top of the pops. Good hardtail.

[Creeper]

Agreed, I see qualities in the frame design /geometry that some of the new hardtails dont have, plan to keep it and build a newer version of the Zaskar (Bl/yellow) .
I am old school in some ways !

[T3ngu]

Agreed, I see qualities in the frame design /geometry that some of the new hardtails dont have, plan to keep it and build a newer version of the Zaskar (Bl/yellow) .
I am old school in some ways !

TBH the old school frames were better crafted for the time... but hey, mass production has come a long way. My mate still has his GT Avalanche frame circa 94. Cro mo.

[Climber]

TBH the old school frames were better crafted for the time... but hey, mass production has come a long way. My mate still has his GT Avalanche frame circa 94. Cro mo.

Avalanche on Cro Mo? AFAIK it was 7005 AL, only thing in Cro Mo was the fork.

My Cannondale M500 is a 1995 model, still going strong, its all rigid, all aluminium.

[Kilgor]

Not personally my first beast, but a typical example.



And this was before dedicated MTB tracks that have regular maintenance. Dont need no suspension.

[T3ngu]

Avalanche on Cro Mo? AFAIK it was 7005 AL, only thing in Cro Mo was the fork.

My Cannondale M500 is a 1995 model, still going strong, its all rigid, all aluminium.

Tange Prestige frame.

[timetraveller]

Finally...!

It arrived last week, after 3½ months...

Thank god it's a killer ride! It's worth every single day of waiting...

your frame has a design flaw ...

[Climber]

Tange Prestige frame.

Had to google it, Nice bike.

[T3ngu]

Had to google it, Nice bike.

Showing my age, that was when i worked in a bike shop.

[Climber]

Showing my age, that was when i worked in a bike shop.

Lol, well we surely are same age. Now, I never actually liked GT architecture. by the 90 I stalked every bike shop trying to get the best deal on a Gary Fisher/Cannondale or CADEX. I've got the M500 for a very fair price.

[Creeper]

Showing my age, that was when i worked in a bike shop.

I think most of us that read this thread and / or are active riders have worked in a shop at one point ! Good on us.
I remember fixing the bike of a Olympic roadie at the start line of a race, he knew nothing of the simple mechanics.

Tange bike parts? God , I am old. !