The beauty of a backup bike .... and what you can learn from it

[throet]

It's been 6 years since I bought my first full-suspension bike. Sure it was a happy day as any new-bike day is, but in reality the 2014 model I bought on clearance in 2015 was already outdated, old-school geo, 3x drivetrain, non-boost, etc. It was only a year-and-a-half later that I decided I wanted something lighter and more modern, which led me to the purchase of my 2017 Intense Primer that I have truly loved as my everyday bike for going on 5 years now. With the Primer out of commission while I await a frame replacement, I dusted off the old Trek Remedy 29er, a 140/140 heavy aluminum bike with a really short front-center and 70mm stem. Given how much my riding capabilities have advanced since the last time I even rode this old bike, I was asking myself, should I even be doing the same stuff on this bike that I do on my regular bike. What I quickly discovered is all that really matters is where my feet are planted on the pedals relative to where my hands are gripping the handlebar. With the right distance there, the rest just comes down to keeping your body balanced on the bike and applying the necessary skills to move the bike effectively beneath you, whether the tires are on the ground or off the ground. A few other takeaways from my ride today:

1. The SLX brakes don't slow me down near as quickly as the XTR brakes on my other bike. 
2. The SLX shifter makes me realize how bad the arthritis is in my thumb, whereas I don't even notice it with my XX1 shifter on my other bike.
3. Five pounds of added weight on a bike makes a big difference. Still, the heavier bike just reminds you of the importance of momentum. It is only after slowing way down and then trying to accelerate when you really notice it, or when you're trying to bunny hop more than 6 inches off the ground. Besides, I came away with a better workout then I'd get on my much lighter bike and when I eventually get back to riding it, I'll feel like SuperMan.   
4. There is something to be said for the simplicity of a mechanical dropper. In reality, I really don't need more than 3 positions for my seat height for the type of riding I mostly do. Also, after it stopped working halfway into my ride (probably because I failed to check the air pressure before putting it back in service after so many years), I simply kept it in the middle position and came out of the saddle for the punchy climbs, which I often do anyway. And I could still have dropped it all the way down if I really needed to, but would then just have had to yank it back up by gripping it between my thighs or grabbing it with one hand. 
5. Riding old school geo is a great reminder of the tradeoffs that come with new school geo, which is probably why I've loved my original Primer so much with its tweener specs. By adding only 1/2 inch of reach on my Primer vs. the old Remedy, it affords me the opportunity to run a shorter stem, which is really all I want from new school geo. I can't imagine how I would possibly maneuver my bike up and over ledges or through tricky rock gardens or around hairpin switchbacks with the type of reach and wheelbase that is coming spec'd on new bikes these days. Suppose the reality is that M is the new L, and unless you're only interested in keeping your bike pointed down, there are going to be sacrifices when really stretching your body out over your bike. 
6. Most importantly, having a backup bike, no matter how old, heavy, or outdated, keeps you on the trail. And in the overall scheme of things these days, any ride is better than no ride at all! 

Please share your love (or hate) for your backup bike! Or if you're more fortunate than most of us, brag here about your entire fleet of modern bikes!   

Edited March 27, 2021 by throet

[TheX]

I had a 2017 Cannondale Scapel si as a backup bike, but wanted the room in the garage so it got sold. I have the Kona gravel bike but to be honest, it's hell on 1/4 notch. I guess I don't really have a backup bike for the Bronson.

[AntonioGG]

2011 Ritchey P29er setup SS with Chris King hubs and Hope Race X2 brakes.  It's so steep but it handles so well and I just love tossing it around.  The worst part on the frame is the straight steerer tube.  It never feels quite tight/solid like a tapered one.  The other worst part are the skinny flexy Stan's rims.

[throet]

6 minutes ago, TheX said:

I had a 2017 Cannondale Scapel si as a backup bike, but wanted the room in the garage so it got sold. I have the Kona gravel bike but to be honest, it's hell on 1/4 notch. I guess I don't really have a backup bike for the Bronson.

Gravel Bike is at least still a good option for getting some miles in and I would guess there are plenty of places where they are well suited. I've got an old XC 29er race hardtail that I used to ride on backcountry gravel roads and that was a lot of fun exploring. 

[TheX]

3 minutes ago, throet said:

Gravel Bike is at least still a good option for getting some miles in and I would guess there are plenty of places where they are well suited. I've got an old XC 29er race hardtail that I used to ride on backcountry gravel roads and that was a lot of fun exploring. 

It's been down Endo valley at WC. The Lauf fork helps *some*.

[throet]

7 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

2011 Ritchey P29er setup SS with Chris King hubs and Hope Race X2 brakes.  It's so steep but it handles so well and I just love tossing it around.  The worst part on the frame is the straight steerer tube.  It never feels quite tight/solid like a tapered one.  The other worst part are the skinny flexy Stan's rims.

How often do you end up riding your backup bike? Given it is SS, I'm assuming you ride it some just to retain that SS experience?

I have Stan's Arch MK3 rims (26mm internal) on my backup bike that seemed like a big upgrade from the Bonti Duster Rims that came on it.  

[AntonioGG]

42 minutes ago, throet said:

How often do you end up riding your backup bike? Given it is SS, I'm assuming you ride it some just to retain that SS experience?

I have Stan's Arch MK3 rims (26mm internal) on my backup bike that seemed like a big upgrade from the Bonti Duster Rims that came on it.  

I ride it when I feel guilty, look up and it just looks lonely and sad hanging from the rack.  Then when I ride it I always think, "why don't I ride this more?!".

It's also my back-up 12hr and 24hr endurance racing bike, especially when it's muddy.  I last raced it in 2017 I think.  I used to race it XC and ride it more until I broke my ankle.  For the months after I needed something cushier to ride and something I could spin in vs have to torque in.  

I think I'll take it for a ride later today!

[The Tip]

I have three "real" bikes. I justify that because every now and then I can get both my two sons out at the same time for a ride. They don't have bikes so they use mine. Great fun and selling one would come nowhere close to the value I get out of riding with them.

My Cannondale Lefty has flats on it. So when I'm wearing work boots and have my Trail Boss tool backpack loaded up for trail work, it works great. 

My newest bike that is my primary one is a Giant Trance Advanced Pro. My backup bike is a Niner Rip 9 RDO. I take the Niner on our camping/riding trips. I really love both bikes. There wasn't a good reason to get the Giant other than N+1. 

But going from one bike to the other takes about 30 minutes of riding to readjust. The Giant is very slack compared to the Niner. Going from the Niner to the Giant makes me feel like I am driving a tricked out motorcycle chopper. Or an oil tanker. Going from the Giant to the Niner I feel like I'm going to go over the handlebars if I jump a curb. Very strange sensations either way.

There is no discernable weight difference. The Niner is actually a little lighter than the Giant.

And I've "had" to ride the back up bike maybe three times now with the Giant in the shop for this or that. I am very glad I do have a back up bike.

Edited March 27, 2021 by The Tip

[AustinBike]

I have a fully plush FS bike, a steel hardtail singlspeed and a steel hardtail fully rigid with gears for my 3 trail bikes.

I am always swapping back and forth between bikes and doing that really keeps me on my toes. I find if I ride the SS at Walnut and then ride the FS on the exact same trail, exact same route, it is a completely different ride. Having extra bikes is like having extra trails.

[mack_turtle]

I have two bikes:

*hardtail, singlespeed, dropper, heavy steel, flat pedals. There's not a lot that can break on it that can't be fixed quickly. Short all around, needs a 70mm stem to fit me. Not much BB drop, slack seat tube, not very "slack" up front.

*Gravel bike: also singlespeed, tubeless 650B-47mm tires, mechanical brakes, drop bar.

If something goes really wrong with the hardtail, I can ride the gravel bike. I like riding the gravel just as much as the mountain bike, it's just a different experience. I just chose different routes when I do.

I don't think the "old" geometry and weight is holding me back. When I approach features that I have to walk on my bike, I never say to myself "If I had a FS bike, I'd totally send that!" But maybe it is. It's not easy to demo the kind of bikes I'd like to ride, so I might never know. It's probably better that I remain ignorant!

I'd definitely not recommend owning only one bike if you really love riding! Having at least two significantly different bikes is a good idea.

Edited March 27, 2021 by mack_turtle

[ATXZJ]

We took our backup bikes out for some shakedown runs on SATN today. They are 10lbs heavier than our primary bikes, don't want to roll and generally perform like shit here. Made us really appreciate modern carbon whunderbikes for sure😁

At one point or another I had 4-5 bikes at the same time. All new/nice bikes of various disciplines and thought I needed all of them. Ended up unloading everything and were down to just two bikes between the wife and I. Just realized our regular 100mm bikes were really perfect for riding out here. We also just had a TON of overlap with the others. This is the first time my wife has had two bikes and we will take all four on the next trip so we can ride wherever we want. Looking forward to that. This is also the longest we've kept bikes as we've had our kona hei heis for three years. The other two will probably get sold off after we're done traveling since used bike prices are so high.

The one thing I'm looking to add is a newer progressive style gravel bike whenever we can buy them again.

Edited March 28, 2021 by ATXZJ

[natas1321]

The only difference in my backup bike is that it does not have carbon wheels and I do have my rainy day bike which is my hardtail. I've gotten spoiled by fs so the hardtail only get ridden on rainy day or around the neighborhood.

Sent from my moto g(7) supra using Tapatalk

[Chief]

I had a pretty nice hardtail as my backup, but really didn't ride it as much as my FS. The FS was just much easier on my aging body. I do have a gravel bike that gets ridden to get miles and works really well on trails like SN. I was up to five bikes at on point. You can only ride one at at time so figured I should thin the herd. Used that money to build my current FS which I really like a lot. 

I'm with @throet on the newer geo being a little too long for the trails here. I think for the tight twisty technical trails we have here a bike with a sub 1200mm wheelbase works best. When the bike starts to get too long it's like trying to maneuver an 18 wheeler through the local trails.

[Taco Man]

I am currently down to two bikes with a third on order...  I sold my Rigid SS recently as the thrill was gone with it.

FS- Primary bike ride it 97% of the time- love this bike from the minute I demo'd it.

eBike- Cargo bike I use to ride up to the store, bar or just when I dont feel like peddling.  Going to get rid of it to get a non cargo version soon.

Gravel is on order.  To the point of this thread is I want the backup bike for when Im not feeling like the MTB but want to still get out on a bike.  I used the Rigid SS in the past for this but like I said I lost the thrill with that bike and cant wait to get this one.

[Mattlikesbikes]

Always a SS, but normal bike is a Milkmoney 140/120 FS SS, with a 30/21 - light, fun, and a super climber. So my backup is my rigid TrueFab running a 32/20. Same brakes, same hubs. Same tires.

I've got a segment near my house, not being a Stravasshole, but I'm near the top time. Ride it a couple times a week on the Milkmoney. A couple weeks ago I took the rigid out. I actually had a new fastest time. So the backup is still a FAST, flickable, bike. But at the end of 10 miles of riding, I certainly felt more beat by the rigid backup.

Now to ride my other backup - another Milkmoney rigged to race - Lefty (100), light AF everything and a 32/19. Need to see how that one does out on the trails I have gotten used to riding on my plusher bike. 

Edited March 30, 2021 by Mattlikesbikes

[throet]

50 minutes ago, Mattlikesbikes said:

Always a SS, but normal bike is a Milkmoney 140/120 FS SS, with a 30/21 - light, fun, and a super climber. So my backup is my rigid TrueFab running a 32/20. Same brakes, same hubs. Same tires.

I've got a segment near my house, not being a Stravasshole, but I'm near the top time. Ride it a couple times a week on the Milkmoney. A couple weeks ago I took the rigid out. I actually had a new fastest time. So the backup is still a FAST, flickable, bike. But at the end of 10 miles of riding, I certainly felt more beat by the rigid backup.

Now to ride my other backup - another Milkmoney rigid to race - Lefty (100), light AF everything and a 32/19. Need to see how that one does out on the trails I have gotten used to riding on my plusher bike. 

Now that is some true SS love right there! I have a friend who only had one bike and it was a SS. Have never come across anybody though with multiple bikes - all SS. Seems Central Texas is a great place to push the limits of single speeding.   

[AustinBike]

16 minutes ago, throet said:

Now that is some true SS love right there! I have a friend who only had one bike and it was a SS. Have never come across anybody though with multiple bikes - all SS. Seems Central Texas is a great place to push the limits of single speeding.   

I have two of them and my steel HT could become one quickly as well if it needed to, it has sliding dropouts and I have all of the pieces. 

Once you get one it is hard to stop.

[mack_turtle]

1 hour ago, throet said:

Now that is some true SS love right there! I have a friend who only had one bike and it was a SS. Have never come across anybody though with multiple bikes - all SS. Seems Central Texas is a great place to push the limits of single speeding.   

*Cough* I've dabbled in shifting but I always end up giving away the shifty bits. 

I signed up for Castell Grind ages ago and it's finally happening April 10. I originally signed up for the 50k but they had an opening for the 100, so I'm doing that instead... I think. I get my second COVID shot three days before that, so I may or may not have the strength. Otherwise, 65 gear-inches for 63 or so miles, woo!

Edited March 30, 2021 by mack_turtle

[Shinerider]

Backup bike(S)

Kona Unit HT setup with gears and front squish (funny, is I sold the bike frame and fork several years ago, immediately regretted it, and found the bike setup like it is now almost 2 years later for same price I sold it.  Bought it back immediately)

Voodoo HT SS converted to Gravel SS

Trek Sawyer FUSSY (Fully unsuspended SS)

Bianchi SASS converted to 27.5 with front squishy

Chrome beach cruiser for beer-runs