I have an old (2005-ish?) Rockhopper ($700?). I don't actually do any hopping; just unpaved trails (flats and slight elevation changes). Nothing too physically exerting or technically challenging.

I think it's been basically okay. But as I look around, nobody has a bike like mine. It seems like every bike I see is more expensive - $2500 and probably much higher ($4000+).

I get that there they are using better, more expensive components. And that many are carbon fiber. And that these things make a difference if you're racing / competing and/or you're very enthusiastic about biking. You spend a lot of hours on the bike and do technical trails.

But that can't be everybody I see on the trails. Surely there are some people like me who just putz around. And yet again, everybody has some sort of expensive, carbony, higher end bike.

Am I missing something? Even for my usages, would a higher end, more expensive, carbon fiber, premium component bike be more enjoyable?

Or am I fine and those other people who ride like me but have the high end bikes are just wasting money (because they are not price sensitive)?

You’re fine. You bicycle for exercise, right? Heavier bike=more exercise.

As with anything, you reach a point of diminishing returns.

Can the average person tell he difference between a standard 226, and one that has had a full Gray Guns performance upgrade. Possibly, but not guaranteed. Can they take full advantage of those improvements? Possibly, but not guaranteed.

Can the average person tell the difference between a 2022 hardtail that retails for $700? Or the high end version that retails for $2,000? The answer is the same as above.

Now, comparing a hardtail to a full suspension is apples and oranges. I used to ride a $8,000 full suspension bike. The one I have now is just shy of $3,000. Is there a difference? Yes. Is it huge, or slight? It's slight. But for my ability and time to go MTB'ing these days, that bike suits me just fine.

There are a ton of people who define their lives by their possessions and will buy the most expensive based on self image.

In other words, they let their possessions define them and others they see.

Cool. I think I was mostly fine. But having never tried bikes more expensive than mine, not sure what I might be missing and if it would be material.

Sounds like, for me and my usages, what I have is fine for my needs.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
You’re fine. You bicycle for exercise, right? Heavier bike=more exercise.

+1

I'm guessing a lot of the bikes you're seeing are e-bikes with battery assisted propulsion. They're everywhere around here.

The only thing about heavy bike - I'm trying to build up stamina and endurance. But elevation gains are really challenging and exhausting for me. So, I can't really go very far, hence less endurance training.

Not sure a lighter bike would make things any better though.

Still looking into the ebike. It's a little cost prohibitive for the non-DIY.

You can always change the gearing. Also consider better tires, in a narrower size. If it has steel bead tires, you'll feel great weight savings with Kevlar bead tires. You could probably buy a few parts from non-big name companies that would lower the weight a pound or two. Honestly, that should be a 26" bike, and I suspect it's not all that heavy when compared to 29" full suspension rigs of today -- even though they're carbon fiber, they're big and complex and kind of heavy compared to some of the higher end the old 1990s 26ers.

If you REALLY want to have fun see if your Rockhopper can be converted to a hub drive electric bike.

A 750-1500W hub drive kit will set you back around $700-900 total and it will shock you by how much fun it is to ride. I’ve gotten to where I can build one in about 3 hours.

I put 23 miles on my electric bike today. With the chain ring modification (I went up from 32 to 38 teeth) I am now getting about 88 miles on a charge and I’m not exactly going easy on the throttle either. If I really wanted to it would be easy to get 100+ miles a charge.

I’ve put 220 fun filled miles on it in less than two months.


My littlest girl went for her first ride with me today over to a park we live near. We did a little over 10 miles and she LOVED it. I was about her age when I started riding on the back of my mothers bike. It might be why I love two wheeled vehicles so much.

Thanks. I have both a 26" and 29" Rockhopper. The 29" is nice for especially bumpy trails but the 26" is nice otherwise (easier to pedal).

I'll look into Kevlar bead tires - I focused on the tread design and toughness and wet traction. I'll add kevlar bead to the criteria.

Since I'm not jumping around, maybe I can go w/ a hard front (?) instead of suspension fork.

I'll look at gearing again. Seems like I didn't have a lot of options last time I checked. But maybe that's because I was price conscious. If I relax price constraints, maybe that opens up better gearing options. Am I looking at front gears or the rear cassette? Both?

I'm still curious about ebike. LBS won't do conversions or sell conversion kits. I'll have to be 100% DIY. I'm not sure I have the confidence to do. But still looking into it.

Kinda worried about lithium battery fires under my crotch while speeding down the hill though... Even if that would only happen to 0.001% of the people, I will be that statistic. I'm very close to Murphy.

Nice pic. Nice setup. 3 hours and $900 you say? I'd relocate my water bottle to the top bar though; lots of dog crap around here that would get dusted on the the nipple.

Well, you're doing much better than me. Haven't road a bike in at least 45 yrs. Well, today I thought I can ride 3.5 mile no sweat, WRONG!! I think it came close to killing me. I turn 65 Friday, when I got done, I thought what a way to go, dumbass!! I do stairs and wrench on pipes 6-8 hours a day, fairly thin, but today showed me how out of shape I am

Years ago I had a buddy who owned a bike shop. He offered my 50% off any bike in the store. I decided to go big and bought a 3000 dollar bike (6K). Never would I spend that much on a bike. I still think 3K was way too much. That being said I love the light weight of the carbon bike. I can bunny hop again and I haven't done that in years, its all the lighter weight right there. I also love the single chain ring, the dropper post, everything.

Is it worth it? No, but I'm glad I splurged because it is my favorite bike I have ever owned.

Money is only good for a couple things. Enjoyment sometimes is one of them.

Your right I got into my carbon bike for about 2,400. Cannondale has my style but in a aluminum frame for less. Performance wise there is not that much difference. I upgraded my wheelset and did notice an improvement.

As a former bike rider, I think much of it is ego.And the bike companies hawking their products.
I have an old Giant NRS2 I bought new for $1300.

It's served me well I couldn't have had a better bike for the riding I did.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:
There are a ton of people who define their lives by their possessions and will buy the most expensive based on self image.

In other words, they let their possessions define them and others they see.

You're not wrong but, when it comes to physical activities that are equipment dependent, there's a difference between entry-level gear, mid-priced gear and high-end or, specialty gear. Somebody who buys the most expensive bike but, is merely a basic fire road rider, isn't going to notice any difference other than how the components don't have any lag or hiccup. If somebody has toiled on a mass-market, budget bike and steps-up to the next rung in performance, the difference is going to be noticeable. The desire to ride different trails will increase, lengthen the time on trail, endurance will increase...its all incremental but, there is a difference. Go from a hardtail to a dual suspension, makes a difference, get a properly fitted frame makes a difference, the right wheel/tire combo, the right gear set, upgrading the seat and post...it can all make a difference.

Bike sales exploded in 2020, with everyone coup'd up, two activities exploded: running shoes and bicycles. Shops couldn't get enough inventory, everybody was bringing in their bikes that were hanging in the garage to get tuned, have components installed, sets upgraded, find better parts, it was crazy. Everything from standard Specialized Stumpjumpers to high-end Santa Cruz's and all manor of e-bikes, were flying out the door. The supply chain hasn't caught up, and bike dealers have been at their wits ends seeing sales walk out the door because they just can't get enough.

Corsair is right. I saw a bike go up $300 between 2020 & 2021. Some of them went up waaaaay more than that but this was a model I was thinking about buying so I was following it’s price pretty closely.

I’m still patiently waiting for a bike I ordered in the summer of 2021. I’d say it’s 50/50 that it comes in this year, I believe they are already completely sold out until next year.

One good thing I have noticed is that some parts are becoming available again. Yeah, the price of EVERYTHING has gone up considerably but at least many of the parts I needed for a few upcoming bike builds are now available.

If you are enjoying your current bike ride it and enjoy it. If the trails you are riding on are smooth enough that you are considering going without front suspension, and you already have a 29er then a more modern bike might not make that much of a difference.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
...Kinda worried about lithium battery fires under my crotch while speeding down the hill though... Even if that would only happen to 0.001% of the people, I will be that statistic. I'm very close to Murphy....

Don't worry about a cheap e-bike catching fire while you are riding it. The problem to worry about is a cheap e-bike burning down your house while it is charging back up. Yes, there are reports of cheap e-bikes catching on fire while charging up in bike shops. Don't leave your house while one is charging up. (I say this because my bikes are too expensive to ever leave in a garage, they stay in the house).

For bumpy to downright janky trails modern mountain bikes are way better. The geometry is better to go downhill faster without going over the handlebars, along with modern suspension, disc brakes, dropper seat posts, and tubeless tires. Most of these things add weight but the trade off to go fast on janky trails is worth it.

@Corsair and @Flash-LB - I ordered a carbon Santa Cruz Tallboy in early Feb 2020 and it arrived a few weeks before covid. Having that bike made the pandemic tolerable! I have a 10 year old car, but my 2 year old bike is way more important to me!

I've bought two bikes within the past year. A Giant Escape 2 Disc Hybrid ($780) and a Salsa Rangefinder MTB ($1100).

The Salsa definitely has the better components and a 1x10 drivetrain where the Giant is a 2x8.


Very happy with both. For my use (general fitness/exercise 2-3 rides a week up to 60 miles or so but usually no more than 20 miles at a time) I really can't see getting anything of more added value spending 2x or more for either of them.

The low-end Rockhopper is still about $750, and they top out around $1500. For what you describe, absolutely zero need to upgrade your bike as long as everything works and you are content with 26” wheels. The only reason I’d look at a newer bike in your shoes would be to get 29” wheels, and maybe disc brakes if you don’t have them already.