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I've been riding steel hardtails since I started MTB and had a full suss for a short time. I've noticed that I'm finding riding a bit more taxing these days. Aching more and for longer after rides, that sort of thing.
I'm currently riding a Transition Trans AM 29er. It's a great bike, basically a two wheeled Tonka truck, but just doesn't feel right any more (hard to be specific). I had a Trek Fuel for a couple of months, but to me it felt lifeless. Basically I'm thinking do I:
Stick with the Trans, upgrade bits etc.
Look to swap it for something else. Smaller wheels, older full suss, 27+ etc. Does anybody know of a good site for bike trading, besides Pinkbike if I were to go this route?
Sell it and put the money towards a full suss.
I know how everyone loves to offer bike related opinion, show off photos etc. So have at it! I need some input to help me make up my mind
How long have you had the TransAM? Did it feel "right" to start with?
Had it since October, but only really started riding it in the last month. Felt good at first, but that was probably new bike syndrome. I was thinking of lowering the fork (currently 140) and installing a dropper. I find that the seat post sticks out too far even when slammed down. Combination of the kinked seat tube and my short legs.
Kind of have a hankering to give full suss or 27.5 wheels a go too.
Sticking a dropper on my Pitch was one of the best things I did - went from toying with the idea of a new bike to wondering why I'd want to sell it! Still have a hankering for an Enduro 29er but that's just new-bike-itis..
I'm just concerned about buying a dropper and possibly paying to have the forks lowered only to find that I'm still not happy with it.
Sounds like the bike is too big for you. Playing with forks and seatpost wont fix either of those things.
Don't think it's too big. Comparable to most other bikes I've owned and I've never had an issue before. Could be though I suppose ??
I'm 5ft 9" and the bike is a 17.5" (medium). It's just when going down really steep stuff, it's really hard to get way over the back wheel. Thinking of lowering forks due to 120 being the recommended, see how that alerts the characteristics of the ride.
I'm 5'10" and ride a large trans am 29 with no issues so i agree it's unlikely to be too big.
For what its worth, I'm running 130mm yari forks with a works angleset (-1deg) and a reverb and it's super stable on steep tracks. Needs a bit of grunt to change direction but its a monster truck on rougher stuff. It is long-ish on the front end too, i found I needed to weight the front wheel more than I'd been used to on previous, shorter hardtails (I came from a Stanton switchback) so trying to get off the back may not be helping matters. A reverb will probably help too, but I found it useful to think about getting low rather than back.
I'd say It's a fairly stiff/heavy bruiser of a frame though so if you're looking for something from the sprightly/ compliant school of steel frame design no amount of part swapping will help.
Thanks mrsi - maybe lowering the fork from 140 to 120, the addition of a dropper and rethinking riding style may work. If not it might finally be time to give full suss a go.
Out of interest what length bar and stem are you running? I've got a 0 rise 50mm Spank Oozy stem and 760mm vibrocore bars. Actually been thinking of going for a slightly shorter stem.
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I've just got one back to full sus after a couple of years back on a hardtail. it was wearing me out on the rougher stuff now I'm getting older.
Not had chance to try it out yet but I've got high hopes. Is there any chance of you getting a full susser and keeping the current ride until you make your mind up? That our hire a few?
Have you got room to drop the stem a bit lower on the steerer?
I think lowering the fork is a good idea too, will lower bb and make bike feel more planted.
Get a dropper for sure, you can always take it with you to a new bike.
Stem lowered and fork cut down. Only one spacer below stem now. I'm definitely leaning towards going full suss and I've seen a good deal on a KTM 272. Think age and a youth spent climbing, skateboarding and commiting general tomfoolery is catching up with my body. Hmm decisions, decisions.
Thanks for all the input and advice everyone.
Put the spacer above the stem and see how it feels, might adjust your weight balance so you don't need to get so far back.
Or as Mike suggested, the seat tube might just be too tall for the kind of riding you're doing. Hard to tell without pics.
Hi all. Quick update. Lowered forks to 120mm, got a super short stem, new brakes and rotors and replaced the layback seatpost with a reverb. It's like a totally different bike. Glad I upgraded and faffed about with bits. Saddle now goes down a tad further and the lowered fork just makes the bike feel more planted and playful.
It actually feels better and more capable with 20mm less travel. Thanks for all the input and suggestions. It's what makes this place a great forum.