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Dear MBT:
I need to decide which bike is right for me to buy and to decide which company to go with. I am 280 lbs. (weight lifter), 6'2" with a 32" inseam. I’ve been told that my torso is probably longer than my legs. I’m shopping in the $2000 to $2500 range. Yeti is the company I really want to leave my money with, although getting the RIGHT bike could overshadow sticking with Yeti. I am currently test riding bikes and need some views from outside my own to help open my mind to what else is out there for me. I am looking for an all mountain bike that can do it all from the standpoint of having just one bike.
I really appreciate your experiential help.
Steve Raver
Steve:
Based on your requirements, we assume you've sampled the 2007 Yeti 575. Our test riders of similar height (with a bit less body mass) had success with the 160mm fork optioned XL frame. The only catch here is that the Enduro build is the cheapest complete 575 build and even that is just above your spending limit at $2725.
We can speak very highly about this year's KHS AM 2000 which is available for around $2000.
The oversized frame maxes out in Large size which translates to an 18.9 inch top tube length (which should be plenty for your stature).
Lastly if you really want a good performer at a decent price, the Iron Horse MKIII has recently become our editor in chief's daily rider on account of the very functional DW Link rear suspension design.
We recommend the 21inch size option for the MKIII.
Please keep in touch if you want an opinion on any other particular model that you happen to be considering. The good news about the recent explosion of choices in the All Mountain segment of the industry is an abundance of choices and very competitive pricing.
Dear MBT:
What’s unsprung weight mean?
Jeanine Abnearski
Jeanine:
Unsprung weight refers to the mass of the components that are not “held up” by the suspension. Wheels, tires, hubs, and spokes are all examples of unsprung weight components. At the same time, anything on your bike that places resistance on the suspension is considered sprung mass.
Dear MBT:
I struggle along every month as you and the print rags go into detail about the various suspension designs and how they work. I’m no engineer but I like to think I hold my own. However, I’ve recently heard about a design (Yeti I believe) that uses a rising rate shock in a falling rate linkage. Am I wrong to believe the two would cancel each other out?
David Holland
David:
Very good question! For those in need of a refresher, rising rate refers to a suspension path that becomes stiffer as it progresses while falling rate begins at its stiffest point and becomes softer as it works its way through its stroke. In David’s line of thinking, the contradicting rates would theoretically battle each other (which they do) resulting in no suspension action. However, the system works on account of the fact that the two rate curves aren’t exactly proportional. In other words, if the two forces at hand were putting identical resistance against each other, there would be a balance point of equilibrium. Yeti developed a system where the two rate curves cross in such a way that the linkage is just stiff enough in its initial path to share the load with the shock’s platform valving but soft enough to step out of the way and allow the shock to take the blows once things get ugly- Don’t forget that the shock’s rate is becoming steadily stiffer as it uses more of its travel.
Got a question? Fire it away to us and we'll do the best we can to answer it. Send your inquiries to Ask Mountain Bike Tales.
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