I am easily satisfied with the very best (Winston Churchill)
One of the great privileges of the Twenty First Century is the enormous range of choices afforded consumers, for just about anything one can think of. Cars, washing machines, coffee makers, branded clothes, smart devices, and bicycles! While the depth and breadth of choices are closely correlated to the size of a consumer’s budget, the rule pertains at just about every level.
However, like many facets of life, this benefit has a dark side too. A multitude of choices and options creates huge complexity in decision-making. It is difficult for consumers to appreciate the ever-changing technical specifications of products, and what their pros and cons may be, let alone knowing how to match these with their needs and preferred usage patterns.
By Alexx Zarr
There is no doubt that great variety has the potential of matching individual needs very well, but the process of getting to an ideal match is highly problematic. Simply enjoying choices does not imply smart or accurate choices. The mismatch between buyer’s expectation and unfavourable choice gives rise to a variety of misfortune, such as product underperformance, customer disappointment, buyer’s remorse, unsatisfying sales experiences, and bombed out budgets.
Buying a new or new-previously-enjoyed MTB should be one of the most fun things anyone can do. As stated in my previous blog, a MTB opens the door to a fantastic world of fun, adventure, self-discovery, camaraderie and triumph. These sensations should start when one begins to mull over the decision to buy that first, or twenty-first MTB, and flow through until one’s last breath of life. I hope that this and the next few blogs will help you make perfect buying decisions.
In my previous blog I was rather facetious when I described a MTB as a set of wheels joined by a frame and a few other minor bits and pieces. As the saying goes, the devil is in the detail, and today I am going to delve into the detail. The objective of setting out some technical detail is to provide prospective buyers, and maybe even those who already have machines under their bums, with decision-making points. The danger I face is that too much detail is more confusing than helpful, but I shall try to get it right.
My starting point is the EuroBike Expo, the annual bike expo that brings together the bicycle industry – both the supply and demand sides. I am not necessarily a proponent of ‘big is best’, but there is no doubt that EuroBike 2013 was the biggest bike trade show of all time. There were 1,280 exhibitors from 54 countries. Over 45,000 trade visitors from 111 countries flocked to Friedrichshafen in Germany. The expo was important enough for the German Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel, to attend. The best of the best bikes and their accessories were on show.
A highlight of the expo is the selection of gold award winners from amongst the thousands of products on exhibition. In 2013, ten products won Gold EuroBike Awards. The Gold award winner for MTBs is where I am going to start my conversation.
Image: http://www.ninerbikes.com/rip9rdo
Standing on the top step of the podium was a machine clothed in electric blue, or Rally Blue, according to the manufacturer – blue carbon frame with a colour-coded blue fork. Have a look at the photograph. Beautiful, is it not?
Here stands the best MTB on the planet, according to the judges, who stated, There is a clear philosophy behind this mountain bike. The (Niner) RIP 9 RDO is perfect in form, with an eye-catching color, bright and smart – an impressive calling card for the rider – and certainly something very out of the ordinary!
While I beg to differ on it being the best of the best, and I shall tell you why later, let us take a closer look at what we have here. Firstly, the price. At an equivalent of R72,000 in the USA, it is a premium-priced bike. The RIP (Rest-In-Peace) is not the most expensive in its category, by far, but it is also not within many novice riders’ budgets. The comparable Cannondale bike is considerably more, and the Specialized equivalent is tens of thousands more. (Note: not RSA price lists. Prices may be higher once landed here.). So, on the first decision factor, it may fail the test of best if it breaks one’s budget.
From here on, I shall tackle each of the pieces that constitute a full bike, examining a variety of options that a buyer could consider. The alternative options are compared against the Niner RIP. In addition, due to the length of the weekly blog, this article will flow over two or three weeks.
The first section deals only with the frame.
1. The frame:
i. The RIP is a 29’er. It accommodates a 29-inch wheel size. Alternative options are either a 26-inch or a 27.5-inch (also referred to as a 650b) frame. Niner only produces 29-inch frames. 26-inch bikes are just about obsolete. The rule of thumb is that smaller wheel and frame sizes are lighter, more nimble, and faster on tracks that optimise agility. They may also be more suited for smaller (shorter), lighter riders. Larger wheels are preferred for comfort, negotiating obstacles, sustained momentum, and a sense of control. Taller, heavier and larger riders may also find the 29’er size a preferred option.
ii. A carbon structure / material. Alternatives are aluminium, scandium, steel or combinations of these. Furthermore, not all carbons or alloys are the same either. Each material has their advantages and disadvantages across factors such as cost, weight, rigidity, flex, response, comfort, maintenance, reparability, and so forth. In general, the more exotic and lighter the material the more expensive it is likely to be, but it may also be a better ride. For example the RIP frame alone will cost about R32,000 – the price of a pretty decent full bike.
iii. Dual or full suspension. Apart from many different styles of dual suspension (DS) frames, there are also so-called hard tails (HT) with only front suspension forks, and then rigid frames with no suspension. Current technology has decreased the disadvantages that DS frames may have had, such as weight, lack of rigidity, maintenance, complexity and so on. Again the rule of thumb is that a DS is 20% to 30% costlier than a HT, is heavier, more plush, more efficient on technical downhills and generally more forgiving. In contrast, a HT is cheaper to buy, cheaper to maintain, less complex, more rigid, more efficient on uphills and flats, trickier to handle on technical downhills, generally tough on the backside and less forgiving. Rigid frames (RF) are simply tough – there is neither a rear shock nor a front suspended fork. Using a RF is normally for riders who do single-speed riding. This option will be dealt with in a subsequent blog.
iv. The RIP is designed for trail riding. There are a variety of riding styles and route-choices that have resulted in different bike configurations and geometries. Trail bikes are less racy, and more plush, more forgiving, and better able to handle obstacles than, say, cross country (XC) bikes. The alternatives to trail bikes include cross country style bikes, down-hill bikes (DH), recreation and women-specific designs. XC bikes are generally lighter, nippier, less forgiving and often the most expensive of all MTBs. For example, the top end Niner XC DS is the Jet RDO, priced at about R94,000 (compared to the RIP’s R72,000 price tag).
v. Frame sizes. Frames are built in a variety of sizes that accommodate rider heights or leg lengths. These range from extra small to extra-extra large. Measurements are either in inches or centimetres, but within a few discrete bands. Not all manufacturers cater for sizes on either fringe, i.e., smaller and larger sizes. Deciding on size is perhaps the easiest decision of all as it is easy to measure an optimal size.
In subsequent blogs I shall deal with the other seventeen-odd other component variables, from brakes and forks, to shocks and saddles, tyres and wheels and more.
Before ending off, I am sure that you will have a sense by now of the enormous complexities and choices on offer. If one follows a logical path through all these steps, it is highly probable that you will find the right ride for your wallet and needs. There is a perfect MTB for everyone!
