Riding rigid......

[DDB@OCR]

It's been a long while since I've ridden rigid.

Pretty much forgot the nuances involved with it. Manual-ing over stuff, not getting too whippy with the bar, slowing down in the really nasty cobby stuff. Ya know.

It's amazing how insulated the 'MBIC' has made me from the trail.
Front suspension, full-suspension, suspension seat posts (not that I use one of those).

I tried some trails yesterday I've ridden rigid before eons ago that I normally ride with a suspension forked bike.

Man was it a different feel.
A completely different feel and experience.
Kinda brought back some memories too.

I had forgotten how much more efficient the climbing was, it more than offset the desending handicap, at least on the sections I was on. I also really liked the 'feel' on smoother singletrack. Connected, commited.
Also noted how many of my mistakes the suspension compensates for.

I'm stoked to have this 'new' experience in my quiver again. So much so the geared and suspended bike are gonna get a lil dusty, me thinks.

What's old is new again.

Had to share....weeeeeee!

[cjwally]

That is inspiring....I am thinking of going with the Lenz Milk Money and then converting my Niner Sir9 SS setup to rigid.

[dubjay]

I have to agree. Riding rigid is fun. The responsiveness and steering control is awesome. Climbing feels much more efficient too.

However, having to be heavy on the brakes on rocky/bumpy downhill - not so much. For that reason alone, I don't think my suspended bikes will see that much dust.

Climbing STT on a rigid fork = fun
Descending Luge on a rigid fork = not so much fun

[J_Sims]

after building the ONE9 with a pace carbon fork my other bikes sat or hung from the ceiling for quite a while....

[allison]

I've never ridden anything really technical on my Surly rigid.. I just got a Bonti carbon fork for it, and will be riding that on SJT on Thanksgiving morning. Should be interesting!

[Pho'dUp]

Pictures man! I know you've resurrected a steel hardtail as a SSpeed. We need to see it.

Glad you're digging the Rigid. Not for me though. Been there, done it, won't go back.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Pictures man! I know you've resurrected a steel hardtail as a SSpeed. We need to see it.

Glad you're digging the Rigid. Not for me though. Been there, done it, won't go back.

riding rigid is fun for about the first hour...after that

[KonaDupee]

Agreed! My full suspension Kona has only left the garage twice since I bought my fully rigid 29er SS.

Places like the Fully Loop, Peter's Canyon & CHSP are perfect for rigid rides. I'd love to hear suggestions on other good spots for a tour-de-rigid!

I took the SS out to Aliso a few weeks ago and discovered that Aliso & full suspension make a good match! Rock-it was a bit too much on the rigid for a wimp like me.

I can't say I prefer the SS rigid over my full suspension Kikapu. However, they're simply different styles of riding; each has its time & place.

I love having the option to choose which style I can roll with on any particular ride.

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Pictures man! I know you've resurrected a steel hardtail as a SSpeed. We need to see it.

.

Dood- I'm having camera issues....as in the one I ordered is on b/o, and, my workmate didnt come in and he was bringin me a loaner!

Wat'll ya see her man......s-i-c-k.

We'll hook up soon and you and me can suffer together, SidebySide.

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by KonaDupee

I can't say I prefer the SS rigid over my full suspension Kikapu. However, they're simply different styles of riding; each has its time & place.

I love having the option to choose which style I can roll with on any particular ride.

Zactly- I've usually had a dirt rigid in the quiver of some sort or another (CX, MTB)...but for some reason, one's been out of the line-up of late.

Not any more. Esp one that rolls this well.

Stoked.

[LoisMustDie]

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

Man was it a different feel.
A completely different feel and experience.
Kinda brought back some memories too.

I had forgotten how much more efficient the climbing was, it more than offset the desending handicap, at least on the sections I was on. I also really liked the 'feel' on smoother singletrack. Connected, commited.
Also noted how many of my mistakes the suspension compensates for.

[SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]Feel the trail; I totally agree. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Arial][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]I bought a Haro Mary SS and I planed to put a suspension fork on it after a month or so...it has been quite some time and still no suspension. I am kind of digging the feel -- I am doing kick-outs more, little rolling kick out bunny-hops are back in the mix, and I really get a feel for how to pick a line. After riding the rigid for a few weeks my down hilling speed on my FS bike is tooootally faster. [/FONT][/SIZE]

[denmother]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

after building the ONE9 with a pace carbon fork my other bikes sat or hung from the ceiling for quite a while....

...Until we put you on a Socom and made you do some drops. The Dark Side is calling you......

[2wheel_lee]

I rode my singlespeed fully rigid for a couple years. I loved how it rode. However, after a severe wrist injury, I had to put a suspension fork on it. Now that my wrist is better, I'm tempted to go back to rigid fork. I really love the responsiveness a fully rigid bike offers.

Where the suspension fork really helps is while making turns in bumpy corners. The suspended fork allows the front to track considerably better.

It was also odd adapting to my 24" BMX bike that is obviously fully rigid. Adapting to that is even more challenging because it has a 73 degree head angle. The 20"er I just picked up as a 74 degree head angle. It feels the the front wheels on a shopping cart.

...and then jumping back on to the M3 with 8"f/9.5"R suspension and 64 degree head angle.

[superwow]

Yeah. It really depends on the trail & your need for speed.

I have a rigid Niner ONE9. It was very harsh coming down with speed on sections like Rock-It , but it was very enjoyable on something like Lynx.
But I really appreciated it when ascending. I figure the toughest part of x-country mtb-ing is the climbs, and I'm willing to give up a little speed on the descent.

Plus, you never have worry about your suspension blowing out.

[Amon Amarth]

I gave up on suspension years ago...I just ride a Cyclocross bike on the trails.

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

I rode my singlespeed fully rigid for a couple years. I loved how it rode. However, after a severe wrist injury, I had to put a suspension fork on it.

Yeh, I here ya- I got Ricky Johnsons disease too...both of 'em.

Still got the 80mm fork (sub 3lb w. l/o) I raced it with under the bed in the dustbunnies I hauled the Crutlo out of Wednesday night, just in case.

Actually kind of nice to have the option of going back and forth in 10 mins or so...esp if I travel to some place really hacky.

[DDB@OCR]

Originally Posted by Amon Amarth

I gave up on suspension years ago...I just ride a Cyclocross bike on the trails.

CX hella-rules.



My first was a modified Gitane Interclub. Single-speed freewheel, glue-ons, single front Mafic (sp?) brake, Campy road pedals w/ staps etc.

Got losta scabs from riding that one.

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

My first was a modified Gitane Interclub. Single-speed freewheel, glue-ons, single front Mafic (sp?) brake, Campy road pedals w/ staps etc.

Got losta scabs from riding that one.

Not CX, but Gitane:


My old rigid Diamondback is still fun to ride too.

[DDB@OCR]

That is truly badass.

Dood- great pic.

[OMR]

Having different bikes is like having children... you love them each differently and really wouldn't want to give them away (most of the time!)... rigid. suspension, gears, single speed... each and everyone feels and acts differently. I think most on this board would agree that you really can't have too many bikes... like having too much money! There are plenty of trails here in the OC that are perfect for rigid single speeding ... and plenty that are not... why not enjoy them all?