# Help: Shift Mountainbikers

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-shift-mountainbikers/259023>\
**Category:** Shift518 Off Topic\
**Created:** [June 21, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-shift-mountainbikers/259023 "2011-06-21T13:41:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 24

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**Author:** ![Boxersix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boxersix/32/6327_2.png) [@Boxersix](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boxersix)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/help-shift-mountainbikers/259023/24 "2011-06-21T20:57:27Z")

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> [@An open letter to lDiablo](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/an-open-letter-to-ldiablo/43203/71):
>
> 94: Fit/comfort is going to be the name of the game. You will have a lot more fun on a bike that fits right than costs XXXX amount of dollars. Try as many as you can and even see if some shops are willing to demo bikes so you can get some real world time with then rather than a few laps around the parking lot. Full suspension is nice however you tend to get much better components on a similarly priced hardtail plus they tend to be lighter. Know the type of riding you want do do before buying as well. You dont want to end up with a 22lb Cross country bike if you plan to thrash it on rough technical terrain, and vice versa you dont want to be lugging around a 40lb sled if all you are doing is pedaling on mellow non bike taxing trails.

yip, this! Go to a shop and get sized and fitted on a bike to find out what you fit. Going to be one of the best things you do vs just buying something off the floor because it looks cool. I had one of those uber expensive Specialized FSR Enduro’s and it took quite awhile to get one that was sized to fit me at 6’3". One of the best mt bikes I’ve owned, but mostly due to the fact that it fit me well.

And +1 to what he said about hardtail vs softy. They both have their place and trust those who state that pedaling around a softy on trails better suited for a hardtail isn’t fun. I also find a good hardtail on most fireroad/single track around here to be more enjoyable as it’s easier to be more technical on the lighter, stiffer frames.

I’ve got an older(02/03 monocoque) intense M1 frame here that if I ever get around to finishing up, wouldn’t ever consider using it as a trails bike. Legs would probably fall off after 20 minutes of riding :ahh Just not the right bike for that type of riding.

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