What should I Get: Pugsley vs Hardtail w/ Front Suspension

[mista]

Pugsley vs Hardtail w/ Front Suspension

I want to start mountain biking and am looking for advice on my first mountain bike since highschool. My budget is 1500-2000.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Pugsley so I can commute in the winter and still enjoy the local trails. The Pugs seems kinda heavy and looks like a tank. If I were made of gold I'd just buy both but unfortunately I'm not. Any recommendations? Those of you who have the Pugs, do you guys ride it the majority of the time or prefer to use your other bike on the trails? I guess I could use my ancient mountain bike to commute in the winter if i went the other route.

I've been poking around looking at the gallery photos, looks like a lot of fun, and am now convinced that i need to buy a bike before this years season is over. Biking and Beer go hand in hand!!! I currently have a CrossCheck with drop bars. Are there many beginner rides to see what the whole scene is about? Yeah yeah i know it's a cyclocross bike but i've only been road riding and don't feel 100% comfortable going on single track.

[fallingup]

Pugsley vs Hardtail w/ Front Suspension

I want to start mountain biking and am looking for advice on my first mountain bike since highschool. My budget is 1500-2000.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Pugsley so I can commute in the winter and still enjoy the local trails. The Pugs seems kinda heavy and looks like a tank. If I were made of gold I'd just buy both but unfortunately I'm not. Any recommendations? Those of you who have the Pugs, do you guys ride it the majority of the time or prefer to use your other bike on the trails? I guess I could use my ancient mountain bike to commute in the winter if i went the other route.

I've been poking around looking at the gallery photos, looks like a lot of fun, and am now convinced that i need to buy a bike before this years season is over. Biking and Beer go hand in hand!!! I currently have a CrossCheck with drop bars. Are there many beginner rides to see what the whole scene is about? Yeah yeah i know it's a cyclocross bike but i've only been road riding and don't feel 100% comfortable going on single track.


*ahem*... would this have anything to do with the help you received @ REI in the biking shoe dept a few weeks ago! :D glad to see you're going to try some REAL biking!

Pretty soon (today/tomorrow) you'll see a post for a Thursday group ride @ Leb... these are great for noobs to come check out the scene, meet lots of mtb'ers, & to drink some tasty bev.

[gopherhockey]

Pugsley vs Hardtail w/ Front Suspension

I want to start mountain biking and am looking for advice on my first mountain bike since highschool. My budget is 1500-2000.


For a first mountain bike that you also want to use as a commuter I'd probably go with the hardtail w/suspension.

Pugsleys are AWESOME bikes, but really shine in sandy or snowy conditions. I don't think they would work well on the road, especially on ice, compared to a regular bike where you have a wider variety of tires to select from.

Having said all that I would probably give up everything but my primary FS XC bike before I give up my Pugsley. Winter trail riding rules!

[FarmerBEN]

Go rigid 29er, salsa el mariachi would fit in that range, or a redline 1x9.

[MisterClaw]

The Pugs seems kinda heavy

:laugh: understatement of the year.

They weigh in around 40lbs don't they?


I'd recommend spending closer to $1000-$1300 on a first serious bike. There's nothing a $2000 hardtail can do that a $1300 hardtail can't do.

[Shorty]

My budget is 1500-2000.

With that budget you can easily buy two bikes.

Buy a $500 commuter and a $1500 mountain bike... and don't rule out full suspension in the $1500 range.

[gopherhockey]

Or... get the bike but save some to put into a good set of night lights. (or build your own if you're into that)

Night riding - just weeks away! :p

[OCary]

Or... get the bike but save some to put into a good set of night lights. (or build your own if you're into that)

Night riding - just weeks away! :p

Wouldn't it be "Just hours away"? Or did I bring my lights with today for no reason? :D

[OCary]

To the OP. From everything I have heard and my limited time on a Pugs, they are "interesting" for summer and hardpack/pavement riding.

Winter riding is really hard on gear, so be prepared to destroy and subsequently replace drivetrain parts ridden commuting in the winter. DONT ride all winter then just stash the bike on the porch til the next winter; trust me, it sucks.

[gopherhockey]

Wouldn't it be "Just hours away"? Or did I bring my lights with today for no reason? :D

I like your style....

For Leb, to get enough darkness, we typically start early Sept.

C'mon September!

[jjrsds]

Use the Crosscheck for the commute, with a few items, different tires in the winter, fenders, rack and a set of panniers or trunk bag it would be perfect.

Use the Crosscheck for riding the trails, it is a cyclocross bike after all!

Sounds like all you need is a mountain bike.

A set of lights for commuting and night riding and your all set (you can use the set for both I do) and check out the homebrew lights.

So far as rides just go to one as there is always someone that is at your ability/speed and people to talk with after the ride.

Good luck

[mista]

*ahem*... would this have anything to do with the help you received @ REI in the biking shoe dept a few weeks ago! :D glad to see you're going to try some REAL biking!

"REAL biking" is a relative term...hahaha...come do a century with me. Yeah Roadies and MT Bikers are a whole different breed!!! Yeah thanks for telling me about this site, now i don't get any work done and i'm going to buy another bike. Pushed my schedule up by 3/4 of a year!!!

:laugh: understatement of the year.
They weigh in around 40lbs don't they?

I'd recommend spending closer to $1000-$1300 on a first serious bike. There's nothing a $2000 hardtail can do that a $1300 hardtail can't do.

Hahaha...yeah they are HEAVY!!! The Pugsley just puzzles me and looks like a lot of fun but i don't know if the novelty will wear off and i'll regret getting it. I don't like to buy cheap stuff and I don't like to buy high end, i like to stay in the middle range. I also don't wanna buy a bike and ride it for a bit only to wanna upgrade soon after. That's why i'm willing to spend 1500-2000 off the bat...if i can get away with cheaper i will. This way i'll feel guilty for spending so much money and not riding it and therefore it will force me out on the trails as often as possible.

So yeah, i can use the crosscheck year round for commuting with winter tires but what to do as far as the mountain bike is concerned? Hahahaha...back to the original question, is the pugsley worth it or do i go for the Hardtail with front suspension. Maybe buy the pugsley now for the rest of the season and winter trail riding and buy the hardtail in the spring which was my original plan (getting into mountain biking next year)....hahahaha...i'm already thinking of the herd!!!

[fallingup]

"REAL biking" is a relative term...hahaha...come do a century with me. Yeah Roadies and MT Bikers are a whole different breed!!! Yeah thanks for telling me about this site, now i don't get any work done and i'm going to buy another bike. Pushed my schedule up by 3/4 of a year!!!

Don't forget... when you go to become a MORC Member (http://www.morcmtb.org/subpages/join.html)...:D BOOTSIEBEE referred you!!!:D:D:D

[gopherhockey]

The Pugsley just puzzles me and looks like a lot of fun but i don't know if the novelty will wear off and i'll regret getting it.

...i'm already thinking of the herd!!!

I already like your way of thinking... it never hurts to become one of the ever growing herd!

I've had my pugs for a few years now and the novelty hasn't worn off yet. Other than special fall rides its strictly snow only though... I think I'd get a little frustrated with it if it were my only bike.

You could consider putting some thinner tires on it though until the snow flies. I put 2.7 timberwolves on it from time to time (mine are studded, but you could do it without). I'd guess there are other less heavy tires that could make the bike roll a bit more "regular" until you needed the fat wide.

[berrywise]

Don't forget... when you go to become a MORC Member (http://www.morcmtb.org/subpages/join.html)...:D BOOTSIEBEE referred you!!!:D:D:D

Have you referred five people yet? I just did and my gift I got for doing so is awesome!

[fallingup]

Have you referred five people yet? I just did and my gift I got for doing so is awesome!

What was it?

[ppgc]

What was it?

A hug from Shad. :D

[fallingup]

A hug from Shad. :D

just checked... only have 2 "official" referrals... but that is soooooo not a good representation of my work here...:D

[fallingup]

Have you referred five people yet? I just did and my gift I got for doing so is awesome!

ummmmm... it says you only have 1 referral on your profile page...:nono::fool:

[berrywise]

ummmmm... it says you only have 1 referral on your profile page...:nono::fool:


:D:crazy::D

[fallingup]

:D:crazy::D

BUSTED!

[lostboy]

:laugh: understatement of the year.

They weigh in around 40lbs don't they?




Hey, my commuter weighs 35lbs unloaded...40 isn't that heavy ;)

[GreySquirrel]

I have a Pugsley and two other Mountain Bikes. One is an older Cannondale I use in the winter the other a 29er I race. I only ride the Pug in the Winter as well. Unless you are super strong and a masochist I would not get a Pugsley as my only bike. Fun yes. But 45 min on the Pug and I'm beat. Of course I'm 67. I commute 10 miles to work and I would not take the Pug. On a smooth surface it wants to pull to the left then the right. I hear that more air pressure will reduce or fix this? On new snow lots of fun. If this does not discourage you be sure to test ride one first. Get a hard tail 29er you'll rock.

[Steven W.]

Get a hard tail 29er you'll rock.

I second this...

[hops]

Get a hard tail 29er you'll rock.

+2

I love my hard tail 29er.

[Stonehenge]

"REAL biking" is a relative term...hahaha...come do a century with me. Yeah Roadies and MT Bikers are a whole different breed!!! Yeah thanks for telling me about this site, now i don't get any work done and i'm going to buy another bike. Pushed my schedule up by 3/4 of a year!!!



The Pugsley just puzzles me and looks like a lot of fun but i don't know if the novelty will wear off and i'll regret getting it.

So yeah, i can use the crosscheck year round for commuting with winter tires but what to do as far as the mountain bike is concerned?
Hahahaha...back to the original question, is the pugsley worth it or do i go for the Hardtail with front suspension. Maybe buy the pugsley now for the rest of the season and winter trail riding and buy the hardtail in the spring which was my original plan (getting into mountain biking next year)....hahahaha...i'm already thinking of the herd!!!

Bingo....you just answered your question correctly!
1) you have the year round commuter ,and some mtb trails- crosscheck
2) Pugs now before they stock out on parts and you then get the fall ride in leaves and winter on snow...so awsome. ( if you dont like it you will be able to seel easily this winter...last year plenty went without...hahahah and they know who they are.....)
3) your skill will advance so much from pugs riding that your new mtb in the spring will be so much more worth getting....ahhh the progression and exitement....

[elic_berry]

+2

I love my hard tail 29er.

+3 :D