My main ride is a Specialized Rock Hopper Pro 29er SL, but I bought a Specialized Crosstrail Comp to use as a road bike for when I ride just pavement. ( I hate road bikes). I ride the Rockhopper on the road a lot because where I ride up in farm and Nat'l. forest country, I often ride half road and half dirt in one ride. I ride 80-100 miles per week, about 60% road and 40% dirt. No single track anymore, but I used to do some. I'd rather hit the road for a two or three hour ride.

My butt cheeks just slammed shut...:eek:

Welcome Aboard from another noob.

hello from LA. originally from SE GA

Ok, he's a keeper. He's got good taste in bikes. Specialized Hardrock 29'er here, I prefer a hardtail for single track and moderate trails. I never got used to the rear end compressing on me, through my balance and timing off.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome

My all around bike was a Crosstrail for a few years, and I loved it. It was the base model with hybrid tires - smooth in the middle and knobby on the outside. I eventually converted it into a 29er and got a Jamis Coda Comp for the road. Similar geometry but steel frame without a front suspension. The steel frame Coda absorbs shock better than the rigid aluminium frame Crosstrail, even without front suspension. We have some pretty rough streets here.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...pictureid=1046

I prefer hard tails. I don't do competition or a lot of single track, but I think where a rear suspension bike would really shine is coming down steep mountain dirt roads like Springer Mountain up in North Ga. We're talking @ nine miles steep down hill mostly with ruts and rocks. When I got through on my hard tail, my prostate was next to my tonsils.

Love all the Bike chatter. I ride mostly road. I too have a cross bike. A Cannondale CAAD X. Love it. For single track I have a specialized hard rock 29 disc solid bike but don't ride it much. Like you I would rather go ride for 2 hours on pavement. I shoot for 75 miles a week in riding season.