Great suggestion! In fact, I did just that and tested several bikes last week. I’ve never had a Trek, but of the bikes I rode, the Roscoe feels great! How often do you ride each type of bike? Bikes have changed a LOT since my last purchase (used Raleigh mountain bike, 1997, solid everything, super-smooth ride). The more upright position will take getting used to.
I used to bike commute, 15 miles one way, and cages/baskets on my pedals were crucial. Waaaay back when, I read plain pedals recruit thigh muscles at an 80/20 quads/hamstrings split whereas cages or clipless pedals change the thigh muscle recruitment proportions to 60/40. Plus, with cages, I could also use my hip flexors and pull upwards on the pedals and use my calves through a fuller ROM. Im short, I totes agree - clipless pedals or cages are the way to go! I’m probably start with cages then transition to clipless, as I learn where I’m riding most.
[quote=“TriednTrue, post:21, topic:287672, full:true”]. Waaaay back when, I read plain pedals recruit thigh muscles at an 80/20 quads/hamstrings split whereas cages or clipless pedals change the thigh muscle recruitment proportions to 60/40. Plus, with cages, I could also use my hip flexors and pull upwards on the pedals and use my calves through a fuller ROM.
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Nope. That’s a myth. Simple Google search will help set you straight.
I would again warn you away from cages (a decent set of flats will hold your foot just as well, unless you cinch down the cages. And if you cinch down the cages it’s hard to get out in a split second). Especially if you are planning to ride XC trails where you’ll get stuck from time to time on techy or steep climbs and need to put a foot down.
Full sus are great if you ride rough stuff with jumps (I have a Trek fuel EX 7 gen 6)
But that bike suck to commute with so I have a light Giant ATX.
My BF has a Giant Stance full sus but ride less wild stuff then me. It is more middle of the road trail bike.
If you like more cross country stuff go with just front sus. Less stuff to break, cheaper and lighter. If you think of bike park stuff and gravity look at a full sus.
For pedals start with flat and you can get clipless later. Dropper post are amazing. Get a good fitting helmet too.
Yep, gotta be realistic about what you actually intend to ride. No sense in being drastically over or underbiked.
Personally, my next bike will be a mid weight eMTB. It’ll help tow my kid up the trails, and as a super busy person it should allow me to get in more laps.
And for the folks saying eMTB takes the workout out of riding, well, as LeMond said “it never gets easier, you just go faster/farther”.
Great info here, thanks! I’m not planning to do massive jumps, so a hard tail bike makes the most sense to me. I’ll start with flat pedals but might buy some clipless shoes while they’re on sale around here for half off. Although I have a good helmet, I’ve never had a bike with a dropper post. Being able to change the seat’s positioning on the fly makes sense to me, so it’s good to hear you really like them.