So What Have I Missed?

[bkoz]

I bought my last bike in 2006, an 05 Norco Team DH. I then faded out of mountain biking altogether.

I am in the process of moving to Kamloops and would love to replace my ancient Norco Charger for general trail riding (I plan on keeping my Team DH as it is pretty much mint). I would like something with full suspension.

But I am confused by the new bike designations, All Mountain, Trail etc, etc. And what's up with all the new tire sizes?

Somebody please bring me up to speed!

[craw]

Bikes have been re-categorized:
XC: race bikes
Trail: 100-120mm bikes like the Stumpjumper FSR, most 29ers
AM: 140-160mm bikes like the Enduro
FR: 160-180mm bikes like the SX Trail
DH: 180mm+ DH sleds

There's an awesome new generation of slack 6x6 bikes that are amazing. Specialized Enduro, Knolly Chilcotin, Norco Range, Ibis Mojo, etc. They're air-sprung, light ~30lbs, super pedally but still amazing descenders. These are what's now call 'All Mountain' bikes. Make sure you get one with a height-adjustable seatpost (Rock Shox Reverb or Specialized Command Post) - the accessory I never thought I'd be raving about but am now a total convert.

2x10 drivetrains are also the norm now. I'm still on 9 speed but I hear 2x10 is good.

SRAM is no longer cool. Shimano is back in favour.

Wide handlebars are cool too.

Lots of people raving about tubeless tire systems but I haven't explored this yet. Most complete bikes still come with tubes.

Carbon fiber is here for most high end frames, but typically you'll spend an extra $1000 for it.

29ers are here but typically they top out at 120mm travel.
650B is the new big thing that's expected to hit next year. It's sort of the new halfway size, a bit closer to a 26" wheel than a 29er. They're predicting that XC/trail bikes will be 29ers, 650B for Enduro-type-6" AM bikes, 26" for FR/DH.

[trail worker]

What have you missed? Not much..

Bikes still have two wheels
and the hype machine is still trying to sell you the latest and greatest

[DaveM]

things have come a long way since your 2005 Norco (I know, I had one) a good 6x6 bike will likely descend almost as well, be 10 or 15lbs lighter and trail ride better than your hardtail!

Once you get into the loops head on over to Taboo Cycles and talk to Brad about a Transition Covert.

[craw]

In all fairness, a modern 6x6 will probably out-descend a 2005 Norco DH.

[FullMonty]

Originally Posted by craw

In all fairness, a modern 6x6 will probably out-descend a 2005 Norco DH.

probably a slacker head angle too.

[Random Hero]

1 degree slacker, which makes no difference in descending ability. The norco's 3" extra travel will though.. making a team dh 10 pounds lighter is nice too.

haven't missed much, revolution has everyone going as light as possible, new wheels that are money grabs and the usual mtb bs

[bkoz]

Originally Posted by craw

Bikes have been re-categorized:
XC: race bikes
Trail: 100-120mm bikes like the Stumpjumper FSR, most 29ers
AM: 140-160mm bikes like the Enduro
FR: 160-180mm bikes like the SX Trail
DH: 180mm+ DH sleds

There's an awesome new generation of slack 6x6 bikes that are amazing. Specialized Enduro, Knolly Chilcotin, Norco Range, Ibis Mojo, etc. They're air-sprung, light ~30lbs, super pedally but still amazing descenders. These are what's now call 'All Mountain' bikes. Make sure you get one with a height-adjustable seatpost (Rock Shox Reverb or Specialized Command Post) - the accessory I never thought I'd be raving about but am now a total convert.

2x10 drivetrains are also the norm now. I'm still on 9 speed but I hear 2x10 is good.

SRAM is no longer cool. Shimano is back in favour.

Wide handlebars are cool too.

Lots of people raving about tubeless tire systems but I haven't explored this yet. Most complete bikes still come with tubes.

Carbon fiber is here for most high end frames, but typically you'll spend an extra $1000 for it.

29ers are here but typically they top out at 120mm travel.
650B is the new big thing that's expected to hit next year. It's sort of the new halfway size, a bit closer to a 26" wheel than a 29er. They're predicting that XC/trail bikes will be 29ers, 650B for Enduro-type-6" AM bikes, 26" for FR/DH.

Great info, exactly what I was looking for, thanks.

[bkoz]

Originally Posted by craw

In all fairness, a modern 6x6 will probably out-descend a 2005 Norco DH.

Really? Wow, I didn't think there would be that much of a change in 7 years.

[Farmer]

I'm in the same boat. Knew I wouldn't be returning to Van, and that even if I did I would want a new bike, so I sold my 05 norco 6 and now I'm trying to figure out wtf happened in the meantime.

[Kevin_m31]

While the changes year to year are pretty over hyped, if you look back at a norco 6 vs a norco range... there really have been some significant improvements.

Pretty easy to say the bike is lighter, stiffer, pedals better, and is way more stable on descents. And that's at a similar price point.

Another update from the past is Hayes nines are no longer referred to as "the shit". We dropped the "the".

[Carrot Top]

Originally Posted by Kevin_m31

While the changes year to year are pretty over hyped, if you look back at a norco 6 vs a norco range... there really have been some significant improvements.

Pretty easy to say the bike is lighter, stiffer, pedals better, and is way more stable on descents. And that's at a similar price point.

Another update from the past is Hayes nines are no longer referred to as "the shit". We dropped the "the".

Friends don't let friends ride Hayes.

[Farmer]

Originally Posted by Kevin_m31

While the changes year to year are pretty over hyped, if you look back at a norco 6 vs a norco range... there really have been some significant improvements.

Pretty easy to say the bike is lighter, stiffer, pedals better, and is way more stable on descents. And that's at a similar price point.

Another update from the past is Hayes nines are no longer referred to as "the shit". We dropped the "the".

You'll have to go back a little farther than when I got out of the loop to fing the "the"



Avids still the shit?

[Carrot Top]

Originally Posted by Farmer

You'll have to go back a little farther than when I got out of the loop to fing the "the"



Avids still the shit?

Shimano is where it's at these days.

[DaveM]

there are lots of good brakes out there these days. Shimano yes, but Avids are good and while Hayes didn't do well for a few years they came back with the Stroker Aces that were good and now the Primes which are excellent.