The debate raging in my own skull is far more intense than anything Obama and Hillary have come up with. Those 3 way exchanges between McCain, Huckabee and Romney? Child's play.
Over the last several weeks,
and months I have gone back and forth, back and forth over wether or not to switch to a full suspension bike. I have argued for both sides, against both sides, I have made decisions, been happy with them, and then reengaged on those choices, only to start the process over again.
There is one underlying reason that makes this all so difficult.
I love my Jersey Devil hardtail.
There is no obvious reason to strip it down and build up it's sister-frame, the
Jersey Devil FS. The bike handles well, it's comfortable, it's light, and
it looks fantastic. But then, the FS version is all those things as well. And it has 4 inches of rear travel to go along with it.
The first time I ever considered a full suspension 29er was last September during the VT125. I was descending off of Tomichi pass, and I became what can only be described as a human jackhammer. It was a long, difficult, rocky descent. Since then I have waffled back and forth, back and forth...
Approaching Tomichi PassThis spring I put a White Bros. Magic 110mm travel fork on the hardtail. It feels incredible. But the Rim Ride conjured up more human jackhammer moments, and I finished the ride wondering if some rear squish would have helped me along the way a little more efficiently.
I must be getting soft. When I got my first 29er I was amazed at how comfortable it was, and how aggressively I could ride it. I was coming from a FS 26er and was worried that I'd miss the suspension. I didn't miss it at all. I rode several solo 24s, including Moab twice on a hardtail. I have done the E50 twice, the E100, the E12 twice, the KTR twice, and the RR twice, among others, all on a hardtail. Until that descent off of Tomichi, it never crossed my mind to get a full suspension bike.
If I do make the switch, I still have my
Ramble Tamble SS for those times when I want a rigid feel. I will be racing the RT in the ICUP this year, so it is going to still see all kinds of trail time.
And o I continue to go back and forth. Right now I am back, (or it is forth) leaning toward the full suspension frame. I just can't see a compelling reason NOT to pull the trigger.
Read the complete post at http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/EpicRidingEpicWriting/~3/266565105/great-debate.html