easternsoul

It is not about the bike, from road to mountain its about the rider. their skill, their engine and their will to pin it and huck their meat. I have been riding a 1999 specialized stumpjumper pro with skinny tires a road casset and skinny flat bars since the beginning many years ago. I blew out the fork trying to negotiate a blackdiamond rock garden. Truth is you can ride all but the gnarliest terrain on a complete rigid bike. gotta have some skills. I believe that you should learn how to ride everything on a steep angle short travel bike. once you develop those skills everything becomes easy. I have ridden well dialed trail bikes 5inch travel and i felt like i could send any line anywhere. that said i got some funny looks atop sidewinder at kingdom dropping in on the xc rig. it was about shear joy, and scare factor, some respect too. not everyday you see a lyrca clad rider pointing a machine built downhill run and sending it faster than most on luxurious freeride rigs(pussys). Bottom line, know the roots of our sport;old beach cruisers sending it. get back on that hard tail and ride your favorite trail then go back to the cushion you will improve your skills and enjoy the ride.