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Before I was old enough to drive, I spent a LOT of time on my bicycle. When I was old enough to legally work (14), my first major purchase was a new mountain bike. I went with a Diamondback Outlook, their entry level mountain bike. Not surprisingly I modified and customized it.
About two years later I sold that, and stepped up a notch to a leftover 1995 Diamondback Sorrento. I really wanted the Sorrento Sport (the same bike but with suspension), but it was out of my price range. The Sorrento was a decent bike for what it was, and of course I did my typical modifications to that as well - bar ends, grips, bags, seatpost suspension, speedometer, new shifters/brakes, etc.
Although I rarely ride anymore, I still ride that same bike. For years, I've contemplated getting a new bike. I've always wanted something lighter (my bike is a chromoly frame), and I've always wanted at least front suspension.
The problem is that anything I ever checked out was either way too expensive, felt like junk, or both. Practically all bikes anymore come with front suspension. The problem is that the front suspension is so terrible, you'll eat up all of the suspension travel just during a routine stop. The shifting components don't feel any better than they did 15 years ago, and combined with the fact that most places that sell bikes can't tune a derailleur to save their lives, it just makes matters worse.
Anyway, while running errands yesterday, I walked by a bike shop. Tempted by fate, I walked in. Curious as to what I could find for around $500, I started looking around. Let's just say I wasn't impressed. Simply put, the bikes just kind of felt cheap.
I worked my way up the price scale trying to feel the difference between each step. Nothing really impressed me. The bikes didn't feel solid. The front suspension felt like mush. I'd rather have no front suspension than mush that would bottom out if I farted too hard. And if I was forgoing suspension, then I'd be better off sticking with my current bike.
Just when I was about to give up all hope, I looked at their nicest mountain bike in stock:
2010 Jamis Dakota Race:
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http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/hardtails/dakota/10_dakotadxcrace.html
I sat on it. Felt good. The 19" frame felt right for me. I rode it slowly down a small aisle in the store and stopped abruptly with the front brakes - the suspension didn't turn into jello. The suspension adjustments were, quick, easy, and effective. Finally, I was impressed.
The clerk let me take it out and ride around the parking lot. I really liked it. Light weight, good balance, nice feel.
The downside - sticker on the bike is $1575. They offered to cut me a deal and sell it to me at $1250 since the 2011s would soon be out. Even with this generous offer, it's still too expensive to justify. Sometimes it's nice to dream.
TL;DR - Bought a mountain bike when I was 16. Took good care of it and still ride it. Would replace it but the bikes I like cost a ton.
About two years later I sold that, and stepped up a notch to a leftover 1995 Diamondback Sorrento. I really wanted the Sorrento Sport (the same bike but with suspension), but it was out of my price range. The Sorrento was a decent bike for what it was, and of course I did my typical modifications to that as well - bar ends, grips, bags, seatpost suspension, speedometer, new shifters/brakes, etc.
Although I rarely ride anymore, I still ride that same bike. For years, I've contemplated getting a new bike. I've always wanted something lighter (my bike is a chromoly frame), and I've always wanted at least front suspension.
The problem is that anything I ever checked out was either way too expensive, felt like junk, or both. Practically all bikes anymore come with front suspension. The problem is that the front suspension is so terrible, you'll eat up all of the suspension travel just during a routine stop. The shifting components don't feel any better than they did 15 years ago, and combined with the fact that most places that sell bikes can't tune a derailleur to save their lives, it just makes matters worse.
Anyway, while running errands yesterday, I walked by a bike shop. Tempted by fate, I walked in. Curious as to what I could find for around $500, I started looking around. Let's just say I wasn't impressed. Simply put, the bikes just kind of felt cheap.
I worked my way up the price scale trying to feel the difference between each step. Nothing really impressed me. The bikes didn't feel solid. The front suspension felt like mush. I'd rather have no front suspension than mush that would bottom out if I farted too hard. And if I was forgoing suspension, then I'd be better off sticking with my current bike.
Just when I was about to give up all hope, I looked at their nicest mountain bike in stock:
2010 Jamis Dakota Race:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/hardtails/dakota/10_dakotadxcrace.html
I sat on it. Felt good. The 19" frame felt right for me. I rode it slowly down a small aisle in the store and stopped abruptly with the front brakes - the suspension didn't turn into jello. The suspension adjustments were, quick, easy, and effective. Finally, I was impressed.
The clerk let me take it out and ride around the parking lot. I really liked it. Light weight, good balance, nice feel.
The downside - sticker on the bike is $1575. They offered to cut me a deal and sell it to me at $1250 since the 2011s would soon be out. Even with this generous offer, it's still too expensive to justify. Sometimes it's nice to dream.
TL;DR - Bought a mountain bike when I was 16. Took good care of it and still ride it. Would replace it but the bikes I like cost a ton.
