Stage races best bike HT or DS

[Heel Drop]

Do you have to use a DS or can you do it on a HT.

 

How many poeple here on the forum does stage races with HT ?

Edited October 15, 2012 by Heel Drop

[rouxtjie]

define what you mean by best.

[DIRT EATER KZN]

look i cant say wich is best because there is to much to take into consideration and i havent ridden a dual suss 29er but what i can say is i have just done the homeward bound at a race pace on a 29er hard tail i was a bit eina afterwards but i would easily do a sani or a berg to bush on it a epic or jobur2c i would think twice there i would seriously consider my zula if im not racing fitness plays a big part in how you handle a HT

[Iron]

Do you have to use a DS or can you do it on a HT.

 

How many poeple here on the forum does stage races with HT ?

 

 

I'm one of them , went from DS to HT and loving it .

 

however this is personal preference , each to his own .

[Vinnydabutcher]

Did Sani & 3 towers on HT. Can be done but the body takes a bit of a knock.

 

DS will be more comfortable but you do pay a slight weight penalty - so ask yourself, do you find enjoyment in being fast or riding comfortably?

 

Personal pref

[Wyatt Earp]

Well, I normally try and avoid topics like this.

They are normally based on personal opinions and normally a good old hub fight breaks out.

 

My advice will be a simple one, unless you are racing for top 5, get a full suspension if you can afford it or stretch your budget that far.

[Mr SingleTrack]

I'll stick to DS, but maybe I am a softy

[rouxtjie]

Well, I normally try and avoid topics like this.

They are normally based on personal opinions and normally a good old hub fight breaks out.

 

My advice will be a simple one, unless you are racing for top 5, get a full suspension if you can afford it or stretch your budget that far.

Good advice, its all relative to what each person regards as "best"...comfort...speed...enjoyment. Choose whatever floats your boat

[Heel Drop]

thinking of doing the lesotho sky 450 km with 14000m of climb on a HT if not its a question of getting another bike

[Vinnydabutcher]

My guess is that route will be hard and bumpy - I would go FS if the option was available. If not HT and HTFU!

[Ratty]

You guys aren't helping me. I've decided to use the HT for Berg & Bush. Figure I'll be 30min to an hour quicker on the HT as its got nice rolling tyres so although the body might take a bit more of a pounding, i will have more time to relax afterwards.

 

I survived 115km's on the HT and that included very corrugated roads. Next day, I felt fine.

[Bicycle Supply Chain]

I race / ride HT, but thats my personal preference (racing snake in me)

 

Mike

[Shebeen]

how long is the piece of string in this thread?

[Heel Drop]

define what you mean by best.

 

I actually want to know how many people actually use HT bikes in stage races

 

afcourse some will agree and some wont but whats the split 50 50 or more like 70 30

[rouxtjie]

I actually want to know how many people actually use HT bikes in stage races

 

afcourse some will agree and some wont but whats the split 50 50 or more like 70 30

If Sani and 3Towers were anything to go by, there are way more DS than hardtails purely because they are more comfortable and they allow you to blast over some obstacles, Like Dangle mentioned unless you have your heart set on racing it go DS...it's the more comfortable route for sure. IMO

 

Racing it = Go hardtail

Comfortable ride = DS

Want to have fun = Rigid SS

 

Each person's idea of the above is different, for some racing it is fun, and for some having a comfortable ride is important. Each to their own.

[Swift01]

I think it also depends on the race. Sani is easy a HT race and they make it smoother every year. Soon it will be a road race

3 towers can be done on a HT bike but I think if you want to take full advantage of those awesome trailes then DS is the way to go. Not sure if the Rigid SS will qualify for fun at 3 towers but SS with front shock HT was fun.

Also as it has been mentioned before if your not going to win it then at least try make it more comfortable. Says me still riding a 26inch HT bike