The year had other plans for my summer, but I managed to by a bike on sale at the end of the season at REI: a Cannondale SL2 hardtail 29er. The 29ers aren't the cool thing anymore so the salesman was stearing me towards newer (and more expensive) 27.5 wheels. I rode both. What they said about 29ers 5 or 10 years ago is still true. They will go over anything and make a great beginner bike. This bike sat in the shop unsold for 6 months. Partly because its not cool anymore, and partly it make have been over priced.
Mountain biking involves a little bit of technical. I don't miss the full suspension (yet?). Compared to the FSB the folks in this riding group, it's a light and cheap bike. The downhill rides draw on the little bit of motorcycle riding I've done. Mostly, days riding with these folks are hours-long slogs uphill, at elevation. I'm hoping it will be a good cross-train addition to a future 2nd attempt at The Triple.
