(Sorry this is so long)
I've been on a couple rides with VMB now. I headed up to Jim Thrope as my first introduction to the club. And I have been to Sals with Bernie Joe and Mike. I went to the tow path with a couple folks too, but that obviously isn't technical. The rides with the VMB are WAY more technical then I am used to. I am loving it though, and been learning a lot from the experience of the riders at the events. I bought the current bike I am riding 7 or 8 years ago. It is a giant iguana hard tail. It is more or less a cross country bike. The front shock is stiff (can be adjusted) but has minimal travel. It has skinner tires (could be changed), and so on. I have gotten several suggestions about how to make it more suited for the more technical riding of VMB. One was to put larger free style tires on it. Another was to replace the folk. And everyone tells me to get clipless pedals. I had been kicking around getting a new bike before joining up with VMB, I have kind of out grown my bike. Literially I have gotten taller than I was when I bought it, but my interests have changed, along with my riding style, and VMB has pushed that even further. I guess I am thinking about why would I dump money into a bike I plan to sell anyway. I also had it pointed out to me, in person and in some reading I have done, that with a full suspension, or just better bike, I would be using less effort in riding some of these trails, and rocks (o god the rocks). And also wouldn't be getting beat up as much. I am considering getting a new bike. I really need some advice and input though. Is it a good idea, what should I be looking for, and so on. Thanks for the input!!!!
