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Permagrin · 01-01-2008, 02:57 PM

...was sooooo much fun! I've been riding my GT Avalanche hardtail since Feb and my friend let me borrow his Trek Fuel to see how I'd like the suspension and all I have to say is *woohoo!*.

We rode Aliso and went up Cholla and I didn't really notice a difference in climbing but going down Rock It (also my first time) I didn't think I'd be able to ride it on first glance. I did walk a couple sections but all in all I was impressed with how the back end just floats over the rocks instead of bouncing like my HT and letting off the brakes a little really does help with the transition (I'm a huge fan of my rear brake)

.

Tomorrow I'm taking it to El Moro for more "testing" and then it's off to find a few different others before making a choice for next spring's upgrade.

I LOVE this sport

Thanks Jeff!

ghixon · 01-01-2008, 03:03 PM

Welcome to the world of full squish. It's fun to go between the two and try and clear the same stuff on the HT and the FS.

BrewMaster · 01-01-2008, 03:06 PM

Those 2008 Trek Fuel's are very nice. Good luck trying to make a decision. It's a good problem to have.

guero · 01-01-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permagrin

...was sooooo much fun! I've been riding my GT Avalanche hardtail since Feb and my friend let me borrow his Trek Fuel to see how I'd like the suspension and all I have to say is *woohoo!*.

We rode Aliso and went up Cholla and I didn't really notice a difference in climbing....

did you avoid the rocky sections of cholla when climbing? if so, next time ride up and over them and you'll be really impressed with how well a nicely tuned rear shock will track over the bumps when climbing...where as a hardtail will kind of skip across the top of the chunk when climbing.

sounds like you might have a new purchase in your near future!

Dino Brown · 01-01-2008, 03:15 PM

Great thread! While reading, I thought back to the day I first hopped on a full suspension bike!

Can still remember how it felt

Couple points:
1) Don't be too quick to jump off the HT bandwagon. We all learned on hardtails. Many still ride them (SS). My skills would not be what they are today if not for my time riding a HT.
2) I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to take you shopping for your next bike! Haha!

3) While some may be FANS of their BACK brake, all advanced riders are fans of their FRONT brakes. Note: Not directed at you! Hoping it will register with a NEWB or two!

Thanks for taking me back in time!

Pato · 01-01-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permagrin

Tomorrow I'm taking it to El Moro for more "testing" and then it's off to find a few different others before making a choice for next spring's upgrade.
Thanks Jeff!

Jeff,

If you're around 5'6", I've got plenty of FS bikes you can try out. I like my bikes on the small side so most are smalls with ~21.5"-22" effective top tube.

That goes for anyone else out there who wants to try before you buy.

Duc

Permagrin · 01-01-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pato

Jeff,

If you're around 5'6", I've got plenty of FS bikes you can try out. I like my bikes on the small side so most are smalls with ~21.5"-22" effective top tube.

That goes for anyone else out there who wants to try before you buy.

Duc

Pato - Jeff's the one that let me borrow the FS. I'm 5'3" and ride a small so I might take you up on that offer!

Dino - I love my HT and don't plan on not using it 'cause I figure if I can ride it on the HT I can ride it, period. And like you said, it's where I got my groove on to start with :-)

Ghixon - I though about going back on the HT the minute I got to the bottom!

Pato · 01-01-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Permagrin

Pato - Jeff's the one that let me borrow the FS. I'm 5'3" and ride a small so I might take you up on that offer!

Sorry, my mistake.

Shoot me a PM anytime you want to borrow one of my bikes.

Duc

Bryguy17 · 01-01-2008, 04:11 PM

im completely with you on this! i got my new EX9 a few weeks ago and it was my first time on a FS, as i'd been riding a specialized hardrock. i can tell you, it was a blast! i was going so much faster and it was so much fun.

good luck on choosing bike though, im sure you'll be happy with whatever you get. and dont forget the HT, its an excellent way to keep your skills sharp. if you can kill a DH on a hardtail, it will be rediculous on a FS.

BTW, in regard to the 08 fuels, mine is doing everything trek has claimed its supposed to. the back wheel stays down really well in braking, and i have never bottomed the back out, but it has come close

mechmann · 01-01-2008, 04:26 PM

suspension is truly a great thing. i have been sorely missing the full suspension do-it-all bike in my stable for about a year now. (hopefully this is rectified in the next few months) i don't think i honestly ride HT any differently than i ride a FS, the only difference is that i hurt a lot less at the end of the day!!!

UR2KLOS · 01-01-2008, 05:01 PM

The Trek in question is a 2005/2006 Fuel 70, not one of the new improved Treks. Unadjustable coil springs in the fork, no lockout or propedal on the rear shock. It is reliable and sturdy as a tank but not a good example of a modern FS bike.

Rockinthecasbah · 01-01-2008, 05:09 PM

you think hardtail to full squish was a good transition just wait until you make it from full squish to DW link.

Evel Knievel · 01-01-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

you think hardtail to full squish was a good transition just wait until you make it from full squish to DW link.

You'll be in tears the first time you try a long travel DH bike.

Dino Brown · 01-01-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

you think hardtail to full squish was a good transition just wait until you make it from full squish to DW link.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Permagrin · 01-01-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UR2KLOS

The Trek in question is a 2005/2006 Fuel 70, not one of the new improved Treks. Unadjustable coil springs in the fork, no lockout or propedal on the rear shock. It is reliable and sturdy as a tank but not a good example of a modern FS bike.

Thanks for the clarification Jeff, as you can see all I know is it was fun and it definitely wasn't a HT :-D.

mtbchip · 01-01-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockinthecasbah

you think hardtail to full squish was a good transition just wait until you make it from full squish to DW link.

I'm about $4,000 shy of the DW link I want........

.........

mechmann · 01-01-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Couldn't have said it better myself!

wait till you evolve! that VPP dust collector might get ridden some day...

J_Sims · 01-01-2008, 06:32 PM

Oh it is all Down Hill from here

Bryguy17 · 01-01-2008, 08:28 PM

if i could afford a DH bike, i can imagine the awesomeness of it all, but i can't so ill just dream about it

same goes for the DW link bike, since im liking the mojo a good bit more than the Iron horses (sorry dino, carbon just looks way too sexy

)

01-01-2008, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Permagrin STR Veteran	My first ride on a full suspension ...was sooooo much fun! I've been riding my GT Avalanche hardtail since Feb and my friend let me borrow his Trek Fuel to see how I'd like the suspension and all I have to say is woohoo!. We rode Aliso and went up Cholla and I didn't really notice a difference in climbing but going down Rock It (also my first time) I didn't think I'd be able to ride it on first glance. I did walk a couple sections but all in all I was impressed with how the back end just floats over the rocks instead of bouncing like my HT and letting off the brakes a little really does help with the transition (I'm a huge fan of my rear brake) . Tomorrow I'm taking it to El Moro for more "testing" and then it's off to find a few different others before making a choice for next spring's upgrade. I LOVE this sport Thanks Jeff! __________________ Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, things aren’t going to get better, they’re not! - Dr. Seuss

01-01-2008, 03:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
ghixon Which way did he go?	Welcome to the world of full squish. It's fun to go between the two and try and clear the same stuff on the HT and the FS. __________________ The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.

01-01-2008, 03:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot	Great thread! While reading, I thought back to the day I first hopped on a full suspension bike! Can still remember how it felt Couple points: 1) Don't be too quick to jump off the HT bandwagon. We all learned on hardtails. Many still ride them (SS). My skills would not be what they are today if not for my time riding a HT. 2) I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to take you shopping for your next bike! Haha! 3) While some may be FANS of their BACK brake, all advanced riders are fans of their FRONT brakes. Note: Not directed at you! Hoping it will register with a NEWB or two! Thanks for taking me back in time! __________________ L.A. KINGS ... dw-link.com/reasons SheDevil- I was on George's crotch for hours Integradriv3r- How many kids do you have that you DON'T know about? Genusmtbkr5- I like to go BOTH ways

01-01-2008, 05:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
UR2KLOS Senior Member	The Trek in question is a 2005/2006 Fuel 70, not one of the new improved Treks. Unadjustable coil springs in the fork, no lockout or propedal on the rear shock. It is reliable and sturdy as a tank but not a good example of a modern FS bike. __________________ Chumba XCL mountain bike, Easy Racer EZ1 recumbent bike, Panasonic PT3500 touring bike

01-01-2008, 05:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rockinthecasbah A.D.D. unleashed	you think hardtail to full squish was a good transition just wait until you make it from full squish to DW link. __________________ All Previous Races and Events 50% offf check it out !!!!!!!!!!! Get that pic you almost bought for half off !!!! http://www.RobbinsPictures.com

01-01-2008, 03:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
BrewMaster	Those 2008 Trek Fuel's are very nice. Good luck trying to make a decision. It's a good problem to have. __________________ Solo rides are good for the soul.

01-01-2008, 04:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bryguy17 SLO Rider	im completely with you on this! i got my new EX9 a few weeks ago and it was my first time on a FS, as i'd been riding a specialized hardrock. i can tell you, it was a blast! i was going so much faster and it was so much fun. good luck on choosing bike though, im sure you'll be happy with whatever you get. and dont forget the HT, its an excellent way to keep your skills sharp. if you can kill a DH on a hardtail, it will be rediculous on a FS. BTW, in regard to the 08 fuels, mine is doing everything trek has claimed its supposed to. the back wheel stays down really well in braking, and i have never bottomed the back out, but it has come close

01-01-2008, 04:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
mechmann STR Veteran	suspension is truly a great thing. i have been sorely missing the full suspension do-it-all bike in my stable for about a year now. (hopefully this is rectified in the next few months) i don't think i honestly ride HT any differently than i ride a FS, the only difference is that i hurt a lot less at the end of the day!!!

01-01-2008, 06:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
J_Sims An Illustrated Scumbag	Oh it is all Down Hill from here __________________ If you don't live for something... You will die for nothing That's right 1/2 Horse power baby http://www.thepathbikeshop.com/

01-01-2008, 08:28 PM	#19 (permalink)
Bryguy17 SLO Rider	if i could afford a DH bike, i can imagine the awesomeness of it all, but i can't so ill just dream about it same goes for the DW link bike, since im liking the mojo a good bit more than the Iron horses (sorry dino, carbon just looks way too sexy )

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