Modern hardtail mtbs -worth upgrading to?

Phil Pearson
Phil Pearson Posts: 224
edited May 2007 in Workshop
I've had four mtbs, last one a full bounce Marin Rift Zone, but am now riding my 1990 Scott Pro Racing, with Rockshox. I ride mainly road bikes but dusted this one of last week & loved it.

New hardtails look fantastic, but there is so much choice!
26 or 29 inch wheels (is this just another MTB fad?)
Disc brakes? Alu/Steel? XT/or Rohloff?

Are these bikes really as good as they appear, or would I do well to keep to my old faithful Scott. I guess I want a more lively ride, more mud clearance, better brakes and gears, and front fork lockout.

Change or not, and if so, what to???

Advise please!!!

Phil

Comments

  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    If you're happy with what you have and are happy then stick with it.

    I have a full rigid MTB and was going to change, but after doing the South Downs waywith no problems, I changed my mind.

    I'm so used to the bike I have that I can't justify the expence, around œ550-œ600 for something modern, that is basically doing the same job (albeit in a different way)

    So I'm getting a Spesh Allez instead[:D] because I spend loads of time cycling on tarmac.

    Just my thoughts

    Richard

    Best thing I ever bought for a bike?
    Padded shorts![:D]
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • simeonnation
    simeonnation Posts: 15
    I had a full rigid Orange Prestige (1993 model) which I upgraded a couple of years ago for a 2005 Kona Kula Hardtail(œ999).

    My Kona is just lovely and puts the Orange in the shade. The responsiveness, quality of ride and amount of fun I get out of the bike is just amazing. Not that the Orange is a bad bike at all, its just that bikes have developed alot over the last few years, even straightforward bikes like hardtails.

    I suppose it depends on how much you are willing to spend. For œ750 and œ1000 you can get a great great hardtail.

    As far as I can tell 29ers are a bit of a fad with few benefits over 26ers. But to be honest I've never ridden one so I can't really provide much of a useful opinion.

    However as Rich says if you are really enjoying your 1990 Scott, why change? A good idea would be to go out for a test ride on a couple of hardtails and see if the improvement in ride is worth splashing out on...

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