Is this a good deal?

[Barkley]

I have been thinking about upgrading my bike for a while. I came across this on carigslist. http://www.craigslist.org/sby/bik/156633273.html
I will be doing mostly XC riding with some DH as well as just getting around the city. Any thoughts would be helpfull. Thanks

[marshalolson]

heckler = trail bike. NOT a DH/FR bike.

not too heavy to ride xc at all, and will be fine at a resort or running shuttles.

i'd buy a $100 10 year old bike for town use.

[Particle]

100mm is max for a bike that is primarily for XC.

Nor can you ski groomers without exploding and dying on a pair of skis over 85mm waist

[marshalolson]

And Particle, my son can ski groomers on his 95 mm waist power skis, but one is way better off with a 68mm waist ski if groomers is your focus. My suggestion was along the lines of having the right tool for the job.

and considering he wants to ride DH? that 68mm carver will be AWESOME in powder.

guess what... you CAN ride 30 miles on a heckler. it will suck way less than riding lifts at a resort on a 4" xc race bike. i fact it would be unsuck to ride on 5" 30 miles

[altagirl]

Hell, Mr.AG's idea of an XC bike is his 40lb AS-X.

I was thinking the other way around that that heckler isn't nearly burly enough for any sort of DH.

[bagtagley]

On a 30 miler (or 10 miler, or 20 miler) I'll take the added weight for a bike that won't beat the crap outta me. Any 26 pound FS bike is an XC race bike (or is missing parts), and isn't going to stand up to the abuse that DH delivers.

I've got a Heckler w/ a 150mm fork on the front, and it climbs like a goat (okay, the ETA doesn't hurt) and rails the singletrack just fine.

[Dside11-11]

Question: given the choice, would you rather ski power with a 68mm carver or a 83 mm B3?

Look out!

[Barkley]

Thanks for all the imput. Most of my rides will be in Marin on Mt. Tam/Fairfax.
My main concern with the Heckler was the abilty to climb efficiently with it being a full suspension. My second concern was if the price was fair? Please keep the comments coming.

[SkiED]

SNPete - Thank you for telling us all what a bad ass, epic backcountry bike rider you are. Trouble is no one asked or gives a shit to be honest. The guy said "mostly xc and downhill withsome around town" not he wants to ride 40 mile cross country rides. You sound like an old man to be honest, welcome to the age of full suspension bikes. You should look into one, unless you are skiing on skis from 1980. Overall t hough you just sound like a douche and should quit talking as no one wants to listen to your rambling. That is all, good day sir

[Rontele]

I think there can be an efficiency argument corollary drawn between bikes and bc ski setups. Is my Mantra/HH/Squadra set up the lightest and most efficient for big days in the bc? Fuck no. But is the extra weight and stiffness worth it for going down or when the conditions suck? You better believe it.

[fondigley]

Looks like a good deal. I think you will be very happy with that Heckler. My only concern is that it is a "Santa Cruz". Just playing, I am an Ellsworth whore.

[Steven S. Dallas]

And BTW my skis are Metrons.

Why, that's a one-ski quiver! I'm surprised you even need a bike.

[marshalolson]

Looks like a good deal. I think you will be very happy with that Heckler.

yup. buy it, you;ll enjoy it.

[flowtron]

Some things to bear in mind. All things being equal, a 25 pound bike will be easier to pedal uphill and will be easier to flick around on tight single track than a 30 pound bike. Look at the head angle of the bike also. Some of your FS bikes have a relaxed head angle of 68-69 degrees which is great for high speed stability on fire road descents, but you will have problems in techical singletrack. The bike will be hard to steer. Go at least 70, preferably 71 degrees.

Like I said before go for a short travel FS or a hardtail, both of which will work well in Marin conditions. Ever hear the phrase "climbs like a hardtail"? There is a reason for that. Long travel is good for comfort and drops and rough terrian, but you waste energy. Of course you could lock out your suspension on climbs. But who wants to ride a 32 pound "rigid" bike up hill?

This is awesome....so 2001. The first paragraph is the best.

If I could ride a 32lb rigid bike uphill (lets call it a road or super buff trail, cuz otherwise I'd want suspension) and have 5" of travel (note: that is not long travel) on the downhill, or even a rocky traverse...SIGN ME UP.

Slack head angles=fun. 71degrees?! Some call it "quick handling" I call it twitchy.

Do you have any idea how much energy you expend finessing a HT over and around everything in the trail? I was like you, once. I showed up in Moab with 2 HTs and something to prove. And I did prove soem stuff. Then I got a big travel bike and have only recently looked back althugh I don't think I could ever buy a HT mtn bike again, unless it was a SS or a DJ bike.

The Heckler is a perfect bike for what this guy is looking for, except riding around SF. You need knickers, a fixie and a funny hat for that. Honestly, get a townie.

[marshalolson]

Question: given the choice, would you rather ski power with a 68mm carver or a 83 mm B3?

Thus my point.

you are a fucking retard.

68mm carver = xc bike
83mm = heckler

sit down and shut up

[Squatch]

SNP - I think you're in the wrong forum. These guys know what's up.

[flowtron]

Blah, Blah...

Fuckin’ wimp.




I agree with your assessment on that one.

Add this: In the light of flowtron's preferences.

Slack head angles=soft skis
71 degree head angle=stiff skis

BTW the Heckler is a fine bike, just doesn't fit my riding style.

Ooohhhh, I got burned.

Yeah, you're right. I suck at riding bikes. I make up for my lack of skills with ever slackening head angles. Lucky for me, most of the industry seems to suck too, and seems to be mellowing out head angles across the boards. Thank god. I'd have to quit riding and start rollerblading or something. I better sell my Rossis and go buy some Volkl P50s or something too, they are way more fun.

Oh yeah. Don't assume that your riding style is like everyone elses. The bikes you enjoy taking on your epic bc rides are a dwindling breed and don't nec. fit with the needs of someone messing arounnd in Marin County and shuttling now and then.

[ColinB]

I know all sorts of people on the eastern side of the sierra that ride 30-35 pound bikes on epic rides, because it allows you to get a ton of riding in, but still hit that cool rock drop that is 20 miles from town that would snap a little girly XC bike in half. There is no sense spending money on suspension if you arent going to buy enough to make any difference, unless you are racing and saving a pound might mean you are going to beat the guy to the line.

I had a seasonal employee working for me in the rental shop this winter who was on the fat chance factory team back in the day and was looking at new bikes....swearing up and down that he wanted a specialized epic, who needs travel etc etc etc, then he jumped on my enduro pro and took it for a spin and became an instant convert to longer travel and now wants a stumpjumper FSR. If you arent racing, get a trail bike...it will do it all.

PS buy the heckler, it kicks ass

[Barkley]

Thanks for all the imput. I am going to set up a test ride this week. Is $900 to much for this bike? http://www.craigslist.org/sby/bik/156633273.html

[Mr. Altagirl]

So let’s see. You find a 71 degree head angle twitchy?? Are you serious? Shows a lack of bike handling skills if you ask me.

Ah HaHaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA! That's funny as hell. Flowtron should learn how to handle his bike.

I think I'm going to Cali this summer to pass some cool HardTail's on my AS-X as we go UPHILL. I'll be the one saying "On your left". I love the look I get from the Lycra wearer's when a big guy on a big bike passes them on the UPHILL. Maybe we should send Rotney out there to race for pink slips. Priceless.

Buy the Heckler, good deal on a great bike.

[Speedfreak]

Ever hear the phrase "climbs like a hardtail"?

Funny how the first time I heard that statement it was in reference to a Heckler, I laughed at it...and now I ride one. Climbs as well as my old GF Supercaliber, and absolutely slays the shit out of the downhills after a nice long climb.

I know some bigger dudes that swear by their Hecklers for XC racing.

Mostly "XC" + a little bit o'freeride = trailbike. Trailbike = Heckler.

Do it, you know you want to...just pull the trigger.

Edit to add:

And BTW my skis are Metrons.

You ski Metrons and are calling someone a "fucking pussy???" Talk about a pot and kettle scenario.
These guys at Gapicski might be more your speed: http://forums.epicski.com/

[babel]

My choice of ski should not concern you, unless you are asking my opinion regarding an inpending purchase.

I'm inclined to say admitting to skiing metrons is fair game for ridicule. Skiing them is kinda like playing D&D or something. No matter how much you enjoy it, you just don't admit to doing it in public. Especially on TGR.

[marshalolson]

skiing on metrons is the equivilent of bitching about the need for head tube angles north of 70deg.

[Squatch]

I am finding this site to be an odd and judgmental place where one is judged by what one skis or rides rather than by how skillful one is at their sport of choice.

So if I or some other fellow or gal beats the shit out of you on an "uncool" piece of equipment, their victory does not count? If your answer is yes, then I bid you, goodby.

I have always felt that one's ability and skill is more impotant than the type of ski or brand or type of bike that a person uses.

You know what I mean. The group ride where some guy on a POS bike beats the pants of everyone else due to his skill regardless of equipment.

I really hope that I am wrong in this regard. This seem like a good community, but if the basis of acceptance is what my equipment is rather than my skill level then I am out of here.

You're right. It is that type of community. If you want to be in, you need some fat skis.

Or maybe, just mayybbeee, you're being an uptight prick.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out, fuckface.

[marshalolson]

hey fuckhead, go read YOUR GODDAM POSTS IN THIS THREAD

I am finding this site to be an odd and judgmental place where one is judged by what one skis or rides rather than by how skillful one is at their sport of choice.

So if I or some other fellow or gal beats the shit out of you on an "uncool" piece of equipment, their victory does not count? If your answer is yes, then I bid you, goodby.

ok.

I have always felt that one's ability and skill is more impotant than the type of ski or brand or type of bike that a person uses.

there is always a correct tool for the job. your ability to select that tool from all the tools available speaks to your mental facilities. if you grabbed a hammer to insert a screw into a piece of wood, you would be looked upon as mentally retarded.

You know what I mean. The group ride where some guy on a POS bike beats the pants of everyone else due to his skill regardless of equipment

you mean like how flowtron or mr AG can kick your ass on 40lb, 7" travel slackened head tube bikes on your an all day xc rides?