Old Tech vs. New Tech

[will]

Not a new topic for me, but here's some new insight:

My LBS (two blocks away!) just bought 4 Specialized demo bikes. Since I can't resist nuts & bolts technology, I just had to go ride a new FSRxc Pro. ( http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=06FSRxc)
This one had a very sweet Fox RLC fork and a Fox Triad rear shock along with XT stuff and Avid BB7 brakes. They cut corners on the rims and the crankset, but all in all it was a pretty well built for an $1,800 bike.

I had just ridden the 15 mile loop at the State Park on my $000 856 and was eager to see how the FSR would compare. (Yes, my "good" 856 was FREE. I've got a few $$ in cranks, rims, and brakes, but I still call it my free bike.)

The fork and shock worked pretty much as advertised - very smooth and easily adjusted to "lock out." (BTW: Lock out still bobbed at both ends while hammering uphill.)

The FSR suspension allowed fully active suspension while braking on downhills. Pretty cool.

The gears went snickety-snick like magic when shifting. Very nice.

Bombing downhill it was a little more predictable and forgiving than the 856. Good thing if you're drunk or not paying attention.

The FSR rolled through sand traps pretty well. I suppose with those big fat tires, it should.

But that's where the love affair ended:

The FSR had much more laid back geometry and the steering was way slacker. The BB felt like it was way lower and the handlebars were incredibly wide. I actually felt like I was sitting on a WalMart chopper! Is that the Cross Country "thing"? It was like riding a recumbent. Jinder would surely have puked on it!

This new $1,800 Cross Country bike actually weighs 5 pounds MORE than my ancient 856. Climbing uphill was just like the 856, with the brakes on!

When I hit roots on steep climbs the FSR would spin it's knobbies. The 856 really does dig in on those roots and never spins out.

Steep climbing switchbacks that I clear 9 of 10 tries on the 856 were out of the question on the FSR. It had the turning radius of the Lusitania.

It's been at least 10 loops on that 15 miler since I hit a pedal on a root or rock. Riding the FSR I bottomed out at least a dozen times - even after being careful to avoid this.

I really, really wanted to buy that bike. You should see the paint job... OMG. But I can't. I just can't do it. After ten years, the old ProFlex is still king of the <$2,000 mountain.

Okay for you naysayers, I did put discs, a $40 QR3 air shock, decent rims, and a Noleen air fork on the 856, but it is hands down a better bike for a 210# old guy who loves to jump stumps.

Another toast to those lunatics who were 10 years ahead of their time!

[Simon]

Not suprised Will,
tried a few Specialized in the past and never been
impressed,mags seem to love them but not for me.

Simon.