Being mindful that I am coming at this question from a privileged position, as you may not have the cash to splash on a recent design, but from my point of view, mid-school was a nice stepping stone for designs, but nothing would get me riding with a front mech and fixed seat post again. Throw in flexi-forks, spongey brakes and QR axles and you have the equivalent of double-d clutches. Please leave this in the past or call it gravel riding? 😄
I still run a 2002 trek 6500. Lol. modern suspension and drive train keeps it fun. It's pretty twitchy, and it definitely keeps you on your toes. I wonder how modern dirt jumper geometry compares to some of the older 26" bikes.
2013 Salsa El Mariachi. Its not even what I wanted back then, but it was the only XL hardtail in town. THings have changed so much that I am super hesitant to buy a new bike. I feel exactly like you said, that new trail bikes look downhill specific. Ive been trying to find a trail bike with a HTA of 68 or greater, and there are almost none. I am so worried that a HTA of 64-66 is going to be impossible to climb with.
LOL, im so glad my 2008 Giant anthem has class now. Its not outdated, its mid school, haha. Well it was free, and i threw $300 at it. Now its a solid mount for everyday trail riding. Ive ridden newer bikes, hate 29 inch wheels, id rather ride 26s. I think 27.5 is the sweet spot but there is no way id even spend $1500 on a slight upgrade when there is nothing wrong with what i have. Plus i ride vintage motorcycles so it fits right in.
I built up a 2021 nukeproof scout 275 comp and what an amazing bike it is. The geometry makes it so comfortable to ride, lots of room and I feel so much safer tackling trails than I do on my old hardtail from 2007. On that I feeI that I am sitting up much higher and it feels a lot more sketchy on rough terrain. So yeah, I love the modern bikes we have nowadays.
The only issue I used to find on the 2010 era bikes was the flexy front end with the straight steerer and QR. Triple chainrings were great for cross country when you needed top speed, but in the mud it was a nightmare
looking back people were pining for the types of bikes we have now. so many people would build large DJ frames with the biggest tires they could clearance and bigger forks to get a slacker head angle. my bike in school was a large womans appollo frame it had a fairly long reach, tonnes of stand over clearance, it was aluminium and I painted it white so nobody knew it was a cheap bike. I had a rockshox pike 110mm fork, single speed 32x11 drivetrain, shimano deore brakes, cheap 35mm stem, the widest bars i could find. all cobbled together from cheap used parts from my local bikeshop and facebook marketplace
I have both and love both. My 2012 and 2021 Ghost hardtails. Since they both have a decent spec they both make me smile from ear to ear, when I ride either one of them. However I would always use my newschool ht when the ride is more than 20km, that's where it differs the most to me
I still have a mint Trek 3900 from about 2010, entry level "mtb" and it is great to ride - to the shops, where if it gets stolen I won't be too upset. Moving to entry level modern trail bike with upgrades opened up whole new riding options with better capabilities and more safety. Seeing just how much better we have it now, is remarkable. Great video!
I have a Ragley Mmmbop frame in size large, budget componentry with a few frills. It's pretty awesome for the price. Way better that what I used to have to cope with twenty years ago. The tires alone change everything, it's the same story for nearly every other component. And it jumps! Stable, predictable and fun. It's a world apart from the bone shakers of the past skidding all over which didn't stop too well. My three full sus bikes are a joy, too. My bikes eclipse anything I rode before. Literally had to relearn what a bike can do.
I am currently riding a 2016 GT Aggressor, like someone have said, a few upgrade in components does help, but definitely incomparable to new ones off the lot. I still love it though!
Nice video. As an old man that has gotten back into the sport there is no comparison to how the bikes ride and feel, my first rig was a 94 Cannondale killer V 500, fun but back in those days hardly a trail bike that would have lead me to the next rig a 98 Trek Y3 fun and not knowing any better thought that this was it, decided to try to get back in it in 2013 with a 29" hard tail and realized how much bikes had changed! but still not where we are today, a dropper post and running tubeless tires have changed the game considerably, the geometry and these two things has made the sport what it is today and unless you grew up riding "classic" rigs like I mentioned it hard to imagine let alone remember catching the back of your seat in your gut or going over the handlebars was just to be expected. oh yeah let's not forget about brakes even from my rig in 13 compared to an entry level Marin there is no comparison, everyone that didn't have the opportunity to grow up in the 90's can't understand what it's like to actually be able to lock the wheels up and stop when you want to, and lets not forget your front detailer, again a great time to be in a sport that has progressist for the better.
Mid school bikes can still hold their own. Maybe just upgrade a few parts to make it feel a little more current. I swapped some new bars and stems on my 2001 Trek 6500 and 2012 Vassago HT, and they both still get along the trail with the "modern" bikes just as well.
Had a 2009 GT avalanche. Converted it to 2x with chain tentioner, built my own wheels on mavic rims, put a HTII cranks and BB on it (I couldn't believe how much difference that made), 50mm stem and a 780 bar. That bike was serously good for its time. That's me on it on my profile picture 😁😁 If I kept it I would probably have put an angled headset on it too.
I might have a bit of a distorted memory, but I feel bike categories were MUCH clearer back then. We had: 100mm: XC 120mm: Marathon 140mm: All mountain 160mm: Enduro 180mm: Freeride 200mm: Downhill Today, it's all washed out and anything between 120 and 160 can be called a "trail bike", even if they're entirely different categories. Freeride bikes have kind of turned into "super enduro" and XC bikes are now so aggressive that the marathon category has pretty much disappeared.
100-120mm is now XC. 130-150mm is now Trail (ignore downcountry; it's marketing BS made to make buyers feel better about the image of an XC or trail bike) 160mm is still All Mountain, but it's a dying term in favor of just including it in either Trail or Enduro depending on bike geo and even the tolerances of the frame. 170 is now Enduro 180 is still Freeride 200 is still DH If anything, categories are getting simpler. I just ignore when marketing BS gets too obvious.
I've been riding hardtails since my first true mountain bike in 1991. The modern hardtails are better now than ever before. I just bought a 2023 Pivot LES SL. Love it. I still have my Scott Scale 900 premium 29er. Probably the best hardtail ever designed.
I think new school bikes are so much better. I love Hardtail bikes and very happy to see them get modern geometry:). Older bikes are good but new bikes are better!!!
I'm riding a 2016 hardtail and it's definitely more like the newer bike in your comparison and I really love it and will continue to ride it for the foreseeable future
My newest bike would be considered mid-school, 2010 Kona Caldera, still on skinny 26x2.1's works everyday, also have a 2006 Norco Bushpilot and a late 80's Kuwahara. Have not felt the need to get a new school hot rod, but I do like looking.
Got given a "mid school" bike in December, got me back into riding and a month later I've bought I used Boardman Pro which is much more "new school" the idea of only one cog at the front blew my mind but I love it! Also dropper posts, wow, never realised how much I'd use it. What a machine!
I have a few hardtails from 1996 to 2022 and ride them all still. Yes, I'd say the current bikes are easier to handle and feel pretty efficient but whatever bike you have, can afford, and gets you out of the house can still be a fun bike. To each their own.
I had a dmr exalt , wiked bike . I rode it my first time in whistler and i still have the frame .The only thing i dont miss from back then was triple clamps on hardtails and 24 inch back wheels. Now i ride a rsd 291 and its so much better, longer reach, taller stack and no more back pain.
Back in 2021 I finally bought my dream bike from when I was in highschool with little money. It’s a 2012 GT Dostortion which was a short travel enduro. 140mm up front and 114mm rear. Honestly incredible bike once I built it up. It is the perfect do it all bike for me with a strong bias for downhill. Pedals great, it’s slack, it’s stable yet so playful. A dropper was game changing for this bike.
I have a 2008 Stumpjumper FSR 26" "Trail" bike and a 2020 Santa Cruz 5010. >90% of my trail riding is on the 5010 but I still keep the Stumpjumper around for Adventure Racing (8-16 hours). I changed the Stumpjumper to slicker hybrid style tires and since it has suspension lockout and higher gearing, I actually like riding it on paved and gravel/dirt roads a lot more during the Adventure Races. And it's capable enough for any light cross country style trails that we encounter during the races.
My Scott Scale 920 (2013) would fall in or very close to your mid school bikes. I did put in a dropper post in 2014... And yeas I went to one by and the rest like wider rims slightly wider tires so on and so forth... But in terms of geo the bike still holds it's ground for what it is... It is a comfy xc hardtail and has 69.5 Headtubeangle... And I know it by heart which I think is a very very good thing on a bike!!! I will not replace it as it does everything I want from it!!! In the trail, enduro or DH bike categories I'd go for a new school bike every day!!!
I’m still riding a 2012 Whyte T129. Perhaps shows how far ahead of its time it was with 29er wheels, 68.5 HA (ok steepish now) frequently upgraded to 140 at the front slackening it a bit more and cable guides for a dropper. Fork upper is 2009, but 2014 lowers and dampers.
I buil myself a 2021 nukeproof scout 290.in 2010 i had a GT agressor. If i had to choose between the two, it would be nukeproof scout. Todays bikes are really good. Good video as shows just how good todays bikes are.
I remember going to the bike show in London around 2007, I test rode a top spec Scott Ransom. It had a mad carbon frame with adjustable suspension travel and a mad dropper post. All things that are commonplace now but back then it was pure witchcraft!
I think it was around 2014 or so when hard tails (and even FS, to an extent) began looking like modern trail bikes. My bike is from 2016 and only looks dated when viewed under close scrutiny. The most obvious thing is that it has a 2x drive train - which could easily be converted. It's amazing how much change was brought in just a few short years. Granted, it was a long time coming: late-2000s/early 2010s bikes are basically leftover from the 1990s.
I have a Santa Cruz Butcher 2012, I bought it second had and put 1-12 Scam GX on it and changed the old dropper fort a Xbrand external routed as it has lugs for on. I love it I find it capable bike and I love doing trials type riding on it. The 26in wheels are slower up hill but still fun down, I have tried a 29er and they are fast but not more fun. I have no plans to change my lovely fun bike grand video, I am so happy the cloths are in the past, I thought it was cool then what was I thinking!!!😂
That GT was a proper bike in the day. Capable bike in the right hands. The video makes it look like the biggest piece a crap ever made. Yet it was good enough in the mid 2000's without people complaining. Just ride the damn thing!
I missed "midSchool" as I was still riding my 97 Saracen hardtail, and after a 10 year gap I bought a new 2018 hardtail with 29" wheels and single 1x drivetrain and dropper...I couldn't believe the difference in riding, better up the hills with the gears, dropper to get saddle out the way, and good suspension, but I've noticed in those few years tyre standards have changed again, my bike came with 2.25 and can fit 2.3's but most tyres are now 2.4 minimum so so my frame will be limited by tyre choice..so will be replacing it for this reason in the future.
Coil, open bath Marzocchis had the best feel and durability back then. Nothing really came close to them in early 00s. Manitous were fragile and rock shox had an awful feel. I mean, they probably felt great until you tried a marzocchi.
I still own my haro extreme full suspension bike. Its like a tank, solid, strong and heavy. I also own a new specialized bike. Both feel great, but the specialized is much lighter . I definitely feel better going up hills on the specialized
The industry has gotten crazy good! So many choices i love what is going on with the bicycles and the industry. Know they need to balance pricing., it can and is getting a little expensive. And to save money you have to research bike companies that give a little more than others. I am loving it !
Everything is getting ridiculous for pricing. Every time I go to buy something I haven't bought in a while I'm just in awe of how expensive it is now. Hell even the usuals, see the price of food lately? But since COVID anything outdoors is just ridiculous. Camping gear, mountain bikes, hunting gear, and especially 4wd vehicles.
@@Lee-ic2yn bananas, almond milk, bag of chips (never shop when you're hungry right) sour cream, tortilla shells, salsa, shredded cheese. Was making tacos for dinner, and grabbed a few other little things. Was at the closest grocery store which is considered a higher end one but still. $8 for a 500g bag of shredded cheese alone is insanity What used to be a week's shopping trip for $100-150 for the wife and I is now almost $200. There's a church by our house I pass driving home from work that runs a food bank on Thursdays and it's crazy how big the line is getting and the people I see waiting in that line aren't homeless just average middle class struggling to get by. And I realize the irony in us talking about this while it all came from the idea of buying luxury things like MTB parts etc hahaha
Just bought an Oooold used fat bike as a season extender and nothing more. The first thing to go was the front derailleur. And the sizing difference is astounding. It's a medium (my usual size) yet feels super cramped and twitchy thanks partly to a 110mm stem.
Interesting take on "old" hardcore hardtails. Yes the older frames were using XC geometry. Headangles were stupid steep. Top tubes were too short. Handlebars were too narrow. But, that example is pretty poor. I was running a 1x since 2006. Long travel front forks 5"-6" was my jam. Wider tires were 2.35-2.5". Happy to have wider bars and dropper posts. But 800mm bars are ridiculous! We went toooooo slack on HA. There are companies now building stupid internal damping systems for flopping steering because of this. We went waaaay to high on hub engagement....again, and dual suss bikes are sufdering from that. We made too many stupid freaking standards for BBs, Hubs, and now cassette carriers. Now, chains, rear cogs, and cassette carriers are being shredded by the pressure exerted on too small a surface area because we have TOO MANY GEARS on a cassette. Chains and cassettes cost as much as a beginner bike. And " bluetooth" shifting when we still hang a stupid derailer down there for rocks and roots to destroy.
I've got an old school aggressor with xt rim brakes but i don't ride it off road any more, I fitted some old motorbike bars and use it more like a gravel bike, still love it tho,it's my old klunker!
With EWS riders using anglesets to steepen the headtubes of their bikes, I'd say we're starting to stabilize geo numbers on bikes. Trails aren't meant for super long bikes as well so even the wheelbase has reached its max potential. What I do think there's more for manufacturers to play around with, are devising universal components (SRAM UDH, Shimano I-SPECEV, 73mm threaded bottom brackets) and ever-improving drivetrain, suspension, and braking without changing installation standards.
Nah wont change that much, its being elctrified more and early 2000s Were still evolving, we got many suspension types and frame geometries; right now it has settle in that almost geometry specific brand . But yeah definitely room for improvements but not that much change from the early era..
I have a 2003 Trek Palamino with a Crank Bros Joplin dropper and wider carbon bars with short stem and still ride it on high technical trails in WI, USA :) We in WI don't have Mountains with long wide trails so a tool for the purpose in that environment :)
2015 is when bikes really got good. Droppers were pretty much standard. 29ers were getting good. Only real downside was sizing was a bit small and Geo still a bit off. 2020 is when everything got dialed in.
Fantastic video!! I hope to see more vids like this, showcasing older bikes. While, I do believe modern bikes are vastly superior in almost every way...there is just something about older bikes I still love!?! In most cases, I find the older paint schemes, & colors FAR more attractive (sexier) than the modern crop of tech!! Great work Anna & GMBN crew, that was a fun watch!!
My 2010 Gary fisher piranha is still going strong I had to ride it quite a bit over the summer while waiting for parts on my other bike. Having said that I had to retrain myself to ride it because going from a 2022 stumpjumper to that was very scary for the first few laps lol.
Thank god for department store chains keeping the longevity alongside transmission improvements . It's too bad there wasn't a decent inexpensive all-weather fork.
IM sort of sitting between the two atm with my current project, i quite honestly fell across a 2017 VooDoo HooDoo in medium just as lockdown hit, my intention was to upgrade it but it sat under my bike shelter till last month where i tore it down and started with a knarly rebuild project. Ive added a 150mm Suntour Aion forks. with this addition to geo "Seems" to be much slacker there is still some drop to the BB so stability is still there so i will be eager to see how it rides once i get back hame to UK and am able to finish my project
Pretty sure that bars are so wide now to compensate for the slow steering and leverage required for 29 inch wheels? I have both size hardtails and the 26 is much quicker handling and more fun to ride. The narrow bars are also much better to ride between trees in the woods….
Such a great conversation and comparison, thanks, new bike all the way if I were in the market for one. Tho' I would quibble a bit on the front mech, not sure it needs to be eliminated on a hardtail, totally understand on a full-sus with little room for it. And maybe it's just the roadie in me, but I gotta have a big ring when I feel that need for speed. 😀
I have the NP scout and the bottom bracket is too low I feel (50mm below the axels) the problem is when you pedal vigorously say to clear a jump the pedals bash off the exposed tree roots. It’s a regular occurrence and a real PITA for me.
I’ve got the 2007 version of the GT and after replacing the bars are stem, and converting to a single ring it became a different beast. Not perfect but good enough for the ~50 miles a year I do.
Great vid. But Norco had the torrent back in the early 2000s that could be speced up to be way closer to the nukeproof U showed....perfect for dh, jumps and 4x at the time
What about 2015 bikes? Slacker more comfy seat tube angles. Plus size 27.5 tires. A good compromise on reach numbers which led to less underster on the flats where people actually rides, compared to today's gravity focused reach numbers.
Bikes were way different back then even though it doesn't seem that long ago. But having a bike like that as well as a modern bike is really nice, it makes you really appreciate your modern bike and it can still be good fun on the easier trails.
This is why the comparison is better with a built up dirt jump/4x bike or similar frame from 2004-2010s. The standover is low and the head angles are a bit lower for example a Santa Cruz Jackal from 2009 has a 68.7 degree head tube angle at 100mm so a bit slacker with lets say a 130mm fork and 392 or 417 reach depending on size. Anna would prob find either fits pretty well. In fact the Jackal made today in 2023 still has the exact same geo as the 2009. Let's also not forget the Santa Cruz Chamelon with much better standover than the GT, and a 68 degree headangle in 2009. Although.. let's face it the Jackal of the time is much more impressive as the identical design has lasted the past 14 years.
I'd put my 2004 MountainCycle Rumble up against that new Nukeproof. It's set up 29" thru axel wheels (2.6), 1x10 drivetrain and a dropper post. I agree a new fork would be smoother than my 150mm Marzocchi drop offs, but they don't make any with 1 1/8" steerer. The standover height is the same as the Nukeproof's, but the head angle isn't as slack. Nearly 20 years older and absolutely just as capable and I reckon it's about 2000 less.
Aesthetically I prefer the look of new school mountain bikes. I like the brighter solid colors on the frame, simpler single chainring, bigger wheels, and longer geometry
I think they have gotten better, I would not like to ride mid or old school bike now. The bikes have changed but also the trails have changed, they are more aggressive and technical and bikes had to evolve to handle them.
hey my rear brake is sqealing so much that it sounds like a train and ive tried everything ive replaced my disc and brakepads my caliper is not leaking and ive tried all sorts of cleaning methods can you help me gmbn?
Funny i put that gt in its own catagory in the bin , i,m 53 been riding since 82 and must say its taken way to long for bikes to get good i love my current bikes both htails silimar to the scout , i worked for a big bike company in aus in the 80 s and wrote down the geo of exactly the scout long slack steep sa etc and got laughed out of the board room .
Why not try get a norco they made one with marszochi 55s 150mm travel 26 inch it was the first hardcore hartail norco sasquatch it was called beast that be a great comparison
I have to say, I never met anyone who measured their travel in inches on an MTB. I mean, maybe they exist, but I also don't remember ever reading about it in an MBUK or any other magazine even in this 'mid school' era.
I don't understand the choice of gt aggressor as it's more the budget end of gt range comparing it to a nukeproof when the gt is still available is not fair. I get the point but surely at least a zaskar or something at the higher end of 2010 year.
In still rollin on similar geo like the Scout only on 29er from 2021, but just about to switch to an 2023 enduro style hardtail. So yes, i am definitely happy to ride modern bikes and geo ❤ btw: it is not expensive like full sus territory 😊
I’m old school,my bike is not new full suspension with upgraded to fit an body position an balance makes new bikes more fun to ride we’re we once would not have
It went together easily in less than an hour. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
I don't know what the fuss is about with clothing, I'm still wearing a pair of Shimano AM 41 SPD's I bought 10 years ago. Although they are still going strong, maybe it's time to buy a new pair of SPD shoes.
I think your approach to this topic is a little bit biased. So might be mine as I came back to the sport after more than a decade off the saddle. You chose what could be called hardcore hardtails, wich apart from being quite a niche category, is one of the most evolved styles of mtb in the last decade. And let me say that a GT aggressor was not one of them it was meant as an all rounder, but not aimed at downhill or DJ or SS or 4X. Also, we might as well be laughing at the clothing and apparel that is currently en vogue in ten years time(bananas and spare tubes ziptied/velcroed to the frame, included) So, let's go for a more common type of bike, say a 5" full suspension trail bike, and see if its actually that bad of a ride. 29ers are cumbersome, 800 mm handlebars are ridiculous, and 1X are more limited than 3X when you ride your bike from your front door to the woods and back. They are ok if you are just loading the bike into your VW multivan and drive to a bike park just to hang it in the chairlift. There were also QR seatpost clamps, though I like dropper posts,they are heavier, prone to failure and cost an arm and a leg to buy and maintain (see? Exact same arguments you used to diss 3x transmissions) "Down country" is the next big thing? Tell me a Specialized Epic or a Santa Cruz Blur are not up there with a few modern bits of your choice. Those were real gamechangers, and I think a Blur LT is one of the best go anywhere, epic 6hour ride bikes ever made. They can be found for under a thousand any day, too. "We did not live in caves until Adam Smith showed up with a can of tuna." And don't take this rant too seriously, I love your channel and every one of you making it happen.
No doubt bikes have evolved since 2010, but the GT Agressor was never a hard-core style of bike, it's even called XCR. It is also a much more budget bike than a Scout, so the comparison is harsher than it really should be. 100mm stem was already long by 2010.
How old is your bike? Do you think bikes have changed much from Mid School to New School?
Being mindful that I am coming at this question from a privileged position, as you may not have the cash to splash on a recent design, but from my point of view, mid-school was a nice stepping stone for designs, but nothing would get me riding with a front mech and fixed seat post again. Throw in flexi-forks, spongey brakes and QR axles and you have the equivalent of double-d clutches. Please leave this in the past or call it gravel riding? 😄
2016 27.5 scott scale😀🤟, QR axle, seat up to god, xc hardcore to the bone. And inner tubes, because you can fix it everywhere.
I still run a 2002 trek 6500. Lol. modern suspension and drive train keeps it fun. It's pretty twitchy, and it definitely keeps you on your toes. I wonder how modern dirt jumper geometry compares to some of the older 26" bikes.
2013 Salsa El Mariachi. Its not even what I wanted back then, but it was the only XL hardtail in town. THings have changed so much that I am super hesitant to buy a new bike. I feel exactly like you said, that new trail bikes look downhill specific. Ive been trying to find a trail bike with a HTA of 68 or greater, and there are almost none. I am so worried that a HTA of 64-66 is going to be impossible to climb with.
"Mid School" XC MTBs make great flat bar gravel bikes.
LOL, im so glad my 2008 Giant anthem has class now. Its not outdated, its mid school, haha. Well it was free, and i threw $300 at it. Now its a solid mount for everyday trail riding. Ive ridden newer bikes, hate 29 inch wheels, id rather ride 26s. I think 27.5 is the sweet spot but there is no way id even spend $1500 on a slight upgrade when there is nothing wrong with what i have. Plus i ride vintage motorcycles so it fits right in.
I built up a 2021 nukeproof scout 275 comp and what an amazing bike it is. The geometry makes it so comfortable to ride, lots of room and I feel so much safer tackling trails than I do on my old hardtail from 2007. On that I feeI that I am sitting up much higher and it feels a lot more sketchy on rough terrain. So yeah, I love the modern bikes we have nowadays.
The only issue I used to find on the 2010 era bikes was the flexy front end with the straight steerer and QR. Triple chainrings were great for cross country when you needed top speed, but in the mud it was a nightmare
looking back people were pining for the types of bikes we have now.
so many people would build large DJ frames with the biggest tires they could clearance and bigger forks to get a slacker head angle.
my bike in school was a large womans appollo frame it had a fairly long reach, tonnes of stand over clearance, it was aluminium and I painted it white so nobody knew it was a cheap bike.
I had a rockshox pike 110mm fork, single speed 32x11 drivetrain, shimano deore brakes, cheap 35mm stem, the widest bars i could find.
all cobbled together from cheap used parts from my local bikeshop and facebook marketplace
A good video. Most of my mtb riding was 2000-2014. I now have a new school hardtail. Tame stuff these days as maturity as hit my years.
This video was really good motivation for me to finish building my '07 Cotic Soul
Wow. These history takes are really cool since I didn't know or forgot back then.
I have both and love both. My 2012 and 2021 Ghost hardtails. Since they both have a decent spec they both make me smile from ear to ear, when I ride either one of them. However I would always use my newschool ht when the ride is more than 20km, that's where it differs the most to me
I still have a mint Trek 3900 from about 2010, entry level "mtb" and it is great to ride - to the shops, where if it gets stolen I won't be too upset. Moving to entry level modern trail bike with upgrades opened up whole new riding options with better capabilities and more safety. Seeing just how much better we have it now, is remarkable. Great video!
I have a Ragley Mmmbop frame in size large, budget componentry with a few frills. It's pretty awesome for the price. Way better that what I used to have to cope with twenty years ago. The tires alone change everything, it's the same story for nearly every other component.
And it jumps! Stable, predictable and fun. It's a world apart from the bone shakers of the past skidding all over which didn't stop too well.
My three full sus bikes are a joy, too.
My bikes eclipse anything I rode before. Literally had to relearn what a bike can do.
I am currently riding a 2016 GT Aggressor, like someone have said, a few upgrade in components does help, but definitely incomparable to new ones off the lot. I still love it though!
Nice video. As an old man that has gotten back into the sport there is no comparison to how the bikes ride and feel, my first rig was a 94 Cannondale killer V 500, fun but back in those days hardly a trail bike that would have lead me to the next rig a 98 Trek Y3 fun and not knowing any better thought that this was it, decided to try to get back in it in 2013 with a 29" hard tail and realized how much bikes had changed! but still not where we are today, a dropper post and running tubeless tires have changed the game considerably, the geometry and these two things has made the sport what it is today and unless you grew up riding "classic" rigs like I mentioned it hard to imagine let alone remember catching the back of your seat in your gut or going over the handlebars was just to be expected. oh yeah let's not forget about brakes even from my rig in 13 compared to an entry level Marin there is no comparison, everyone that didn't have the opportunity to grow up in the 90's can't understand what it's like to actually be able to lock the wheels up and stop when you want to, and lets not forget your front detailer, again a great time to be in a sport that has progressist for the better.
Mid school bikes can still hold their own.
Maybe just upgrade a few parts to make it feel a little more current. I swapped some new bars and stems on my 2001 Trek 6500 and 2012 Vassago HT, and they both still get along the trail with the "modern" bikes just as well.
Had a 2009 GT avalanche. Converted it to 2x with chain tentioner, built my own wheels on mavic rims, put a HTII cranks and BB on it (I couldn't believe how much difference that made), 50mm stem and a 780 bar. That bike was serously good for its time. That's me on it on my profile picture 😁😁 If I kept it I would probably have put an angled headset on it too.
I might have a bit of a distorted memory, but I feel bike categories were MUCH clearer back then. We had:
100mm: XC
120mm: Marathon
140mm: All mountain
160mm: Enduro
180mm: Freeride
200mm: Downhill
Today, it's all washed out and anything between 120 and 160 can be called a "trail bike", even if they're entirely different categories. Freeride bikes have kind of turned into "super enduro" and XC bikes are now so aggressive that the marathon category has pretty much disappeared.
100-120mm is now XC.
130-150mm is now Trail (ignore downcountry; it's marketing BS made to make buyers feel better about the image of an XC or trail bike)
160mm is still All Mountain, but it's a dying term in favor of just including it in either Trail or Enduro depending on bike geo and even the tolerances of the frame.
170 is now Enduro
180 is still Freeride
200 is still DH
If anything, categories are getting simpler. I just ignore when marketing BS gets too obvious.
I've been riding hardtails since my first true mountain bike in 1991. The modern hardtails are better now than ever before. I just bought a 2023 Pivot LES SL. Love it. I still have my Scott Scale 900 premium 29er. Probably the best hardtail ever designed.
I stopped cycling in 2010 old maron muirwoods i think. Now cycling and on polygon t7. The difference is insane and brilliant
I think new school bikes are so much better. I love Hardtail bikes and very happy to see them get modern geometry:). Older bikes are good but new bikes are better!!!
I'm riding a 2016 hardtail and it's definitely more like the newer bike in your comparison and I really love it and will continue to ride it for the foreseeable future
My newest bike would be considered mid-school, 2010 Kona Caldera, still on skinny 26x2.1's works everyday, also have a 2006 Norco Bushpilot and a late 80's Kuwahara. Have not felt the need to get a new school hot rod, but I do like looking.
Got given a "mid school" bike in December, got me back into riding and a month later I've bought I used Boardman Pro which is much more "new school" the idea of only one cog at the front blew my mind but I love it! Also dropper posts, wow, never realised how much I'd use it. What a machine!
I have a few hardtails from 1996 to 2022 and ride them all still. Yes, I'd say the current bikes are easier to handle and feel pretty efficient but whatever bike you have, can afford, and gets you out of the house can still be a fun bike. To each their own.
I've just finished building my nukeproof scout 2021 frame a d I'm loving it keep up the great work loving GMBN Channels
I had a dmr exalt , wiked bike . I rode it my first time in whistler and i still have the frame .The only thing i dont miss from back then was triple clamps on hardtails and 24 inch back wheels. Now i ride a rsd 291 and its so much better, longer reach, taller stack and no more back pain.
i say that aggressor even back then was just an over-forked xc bike ... like it says xcr (cross-country race) right on the downtube
Back in 2021 I finally bought my dream bike from when I was in highschool with little money. It’s a 2012 GT Dostortion which was a short travel enduro. 140mm up front and 114mm rear. Honestly incredible bike once I built it up. It is the perfect do it all bike for me with a strong bias for downhill. Pedals great, it’s slack, it’s stable yet so playful. A dropper was game changing for this bike.
I have a 2008 Stumpjumper FSR 26" "Trail" bike and a 2020 Santa Cruz 5010. >90% of my trail riding is on the 5010 but I still keep the Stumpjumper around for Adventure Racing (8-16 hours). I changed the Stumpjumper to slicker hybrid style tires and since it has suspension lockout and higher gearing, I actually like riding it on paved and gravel/dirt roads a lot more during the Adventure Races. And it's capable enough for any light cross country style trails that we encounter during the races.
My Scott Scale 920 (2013) would fall in or very close to your mid school bikes. I did put in a dropper post in 2014... And yeas I went to one by and the rest like wider rims slightly wider tires so on and so forth... But in terms of geo the bike still holds it's ground for what it is... It is a comfy xc hardtail and has 69.5 Headtubeangle... And I know it by heart which I think is a very very good thing on a bike!!! I will not replace it as it does everything I want from it!!! In the trail, enduro or DH bike categories I'd go for a new school bike every day!!!
I’m still riding a 2012 Whyte T129. Perhaps shows how far ahead of its time it was with 29er wheels, 68.5 HA (ok steepish now) frequently upgraded to 140 at the front slackening it a bit more and cable guides for a dropper.
Fork upper is 2009, but 2014 lowers and dampers.
I buil myself a 2021 nukeproof scout 290.in 2010 i had a GT agressor. If i had to choose between the two, it would be nukeproof scout. Todays bikes are really good. Good video as shows just how good todays bikes are.
I remember going to the bike show in London around 2007, I test rode a top spec Scott Ransom. It had a mad carbon frame with adjustable suspension travel and a mad dropper post. All things that are commonplace now but back then it was pure witchcraft!
I think it was around 2014 or so when hard tails (and even FS, to an extent) began looking like modern trail bikes. My bike is from 2016 and only looks dated when viewed under close scrutiny. The most obvious thing is that it has a 2x drive train - which could easily be converted. It's amazing how much change was brought in just a few short years. Granted, it was a long time coming: late-2000s/early 2010s bikes are basically leftover from the 1990s.
Well I thank you. For the knowledge on what to look for when upgrading from my 2001 gt I-drive 🤟
I have a Santa Cruz Butcher 2012, I bought it second had and put 1-12 Scam GX on it and changed the old dropper fort a Xbrand external routed as it has lugs for on. I love it I find it capable bike and I love doing trials type riding on it. The 26in wheels are slower up hill but still fun down, I have tried a 29er and they are fast but not more fun. I have no plans to change my lovely fun bike grand video, I am so happy the cloths are in the past, I thought it was cool then what was I thinking!!!😂
That GT was a proper bike in the day. Capable bike in the right hands. The video makes it look like the biggest piece a crap ever made. Yet it was good enough in the mid 2000's without people complaining. Just ride the damn thing!
I remember when I put my old 2006 specialized sx trail besides my 2021 commencal meta tr, the specy looked like a baby bike compared to the commy.
What's with 2010s? Everything seem to improve so fast, not only bikes but phones as well!!!
Heck yeah! So crazy! 👍
It's safe to say Tech went crazy! In the last 13 years we've seen the steepest progression curve in technology for sure!
I missed "midSchool" as I was still riding my 97 Saracen hardtail, and after a 10 year gap I bought a new 2018 hardtail with 29" wheels and single 1x drivetrain and dropper...I couldn't believe the difference in riding, better up the hills with the gears, dropper to get saddle out the way, and good suspension, but I've noticed in those few years tyre standards have changed again, my bike came with 2.25 and can fit 2.3's but most tyres are now 2.4 minimum so so my frame will be limited by tyre choice..so will be replacing it for this reason in the future.
I can't wait to get the slack af Ragley mmmbop. Amazing bikes.
Thumbs up mainly for the sproingy sound while compressing the fork.
Coil, open bath Marzocchis had the best feel and durability back then. Nothing really came close to them in early 00s. Manitous were fragile and rock shox had an awful feel. I mean, they probably felt great until you tried a marzocchi.
I love my 2010 stumpy. Has pretty good geo for a 26er and very playful.
Personally I wouldn't be caught wearing so much black, I do miss the white. But it does look sleek with a bright bike.
I still own my haro extreme full suspension bike. Its like a tank, solid, strong and heavy. I also own a new specialized bike. Both feel great, but the specialized is much lighter . I definitely feel better going up hills on the specialized
Yup, setting up the fd is a nightmare. I have never managed to make one work properly and simply settled to locking the screws in the middle ring.
The industry has gotten crazy good!
So many choices i love what is going on with the bicycles and the industry.
Know they need to balance pricing., it can and is getting a little expensive.
And to save money you have to research bike companies that give a little more than others.
I am loving it !
Everything is getting ridiculous for pricing. Every time I go to buy something I haven't bought in a while I'm just in awe of how expensive it is now. Hell even the usuals, see the price of food lately?
But since COVID anything outdoors is just ridiculous. Camping gear, mountain bikes, hunting gear, and especially 4wd vehicles.
@@JoeC92 seriously I can't even go to the supermarket for dinner within spending £50
@@Lee-ic2yn I went to the grocery the other day and left spending $67 and just looked at my bag and said to myself what the fuck
It's insane man
@@JoeC92 bet you didn't even have a day's worth of food there? Its getting crazy out here
@@Lee-ic2yn bananas, almond milk, bag of chips (never shop when you're hungry right) sour cream, tortilla shells, salsa, shredded cheese. Was making tacos for dinner, and grabbed a few other little things.
Was at the closest grocery store which is considered a higher end one but still. $8 for a 500g bag of shredded cheese alone is insanity
What used to be a week's shopping trip for $100-150 for the wife and I is now almost $200.
There's a church by our house I pass driving home from work that runs a food bank on Thursdays and it's crazy how big the line is getting and the people I see waiting in that line aren't homeless just average middle class struggling to get by.
And I realize the irony in us talking about this while it all came from the idea of buying luxury things like MTB parts etc hahaha
Without history, there is no culture. Thank you GMBN!
Just bought an Oooold used fat bike as a season extender and nothing more. The first thing to go was the front derailleur. And the sizing difference is astounding. It's a medium (my usual size) yet feels super cramped and twitchy thanks partly to a 110mm stem.
Interesting take on "old" hardcore hardtails. Yes the older frames were using XC geometry. Headangles were stupid steep. Top tubes were too short. Handlebars were too narrow. But, that example is pretty poor. I was running a 1x since 2006. Long travel front forks 5"-6" was my jam. Wider tires were 2.35-2.5". Happy to have wider bars and dropper posts. But 800mm bars are ridiculous! We went toooooo slack on HA. There are companies now building stupid internal damping systems for flopping steering because of this. We went waaaay to high on hub engagement....again, and dual suss bikes are sufdering from that. We made too many stupid freaking standards for BBs, Hubs, and now cassette carriers. Now, chains, rear cogs, and cassette carriers are being shredded by the pressure exerted on too small a surface area because we have TOO MANY GEARS on a cassette. Chains and cassettes cost as much as a beginner bike. And " bluetooth" shifting when we still hang a stupid derailer down there for rocks and roots to destroy.
I've got an old school aggressor with xt rim brakes but i don't ride it off road any more, I fitted some old motorbike bars and use it more like a gravel bike, still love it tho,it's my old klunker!
I guess we would be saying the same about our 2020s bikes when 2030 comes. I wonder how bikes would perform and look like 10 years from now. 🤔
Nah it can only go so far
With EWS riders using anglesets to steepen the headtubes of their bikes, I'd say we're starting to stabilize geo numbers on bikes. Trails aren't meant for super long bikes as well so even the wheelbase has reached its max potential.
What I do think there's more for manufacturers to play around with, are devising universal components (SRAM UDH, Shimano I-SPECEV, 73mm threaded bottom brackets) and ever-improving drivetrain, suspension, and braking without changing installation standards.
We used to think the PS3 couldn't get any better. Then it did, ha ha. Still remember this explicitly!
Nah wont change that much, its being elctrified more and early 2000s Were still evolving, we got many suspension types and frame geometries; right now it has settle in that almost geometry specific brand . But yeah definitely room for improvements but not that much change from the early era..
"Dude you havnt got the new Yamaha electric motor + shimano solid state battery? How are you meant to go uphill!??? 🤣
I have a 2003 Trek Palamino with a Crank Bros Joplin dropper and wider carbon bars with short stem and still ride it on high technical trails in WI, USA :) We in WI don't have Mountains with long wide trails so a tool for the purpose in that environment :)
Wow, 2010 is mid century, nice! lol. I'm riding a late 1990s Bianchi mtb. Good times.
Love your glasses (modern ones)
2015 is when bikes really got good. Droppers were pretty much standard. 29ers were getting good. Only real downside was sizing was a bit small and Geo still a bit off. 2020 is when everything got dialed in.
Fantastic video!! I hope to see more vids like this, showcasing older bikes. While, I do believe modern bikes are vastly superior in almost every way...there is just something about older bikes I still love!?! In most cases, I find the older paint schemes, & colors FAR more attractive (sexier) than the modern crop of tech!! Great work Anna & GMBN crew, that was a fun watch!!
My 2010 Gary fisher piranha is still going strong I had to ride it quite a bit over the summer while waiting for parts on my other bike. Having said that I had to retrain myself to ride it because going from a 2022 stumpjumper to that was very scary for the first few laps lol.
That Camelbak has seen some action!
Thank god for department store chains keeping the longevity alongside transmission improvements . It's too bad there wasn't a decent inexpensive all-weather fork.
Ive been looking at building a new hardtail this has made me highly consider buying one of these Nukeproof frames!
IM sort of sitting between the two atm with my current project, i quite honestly fell across a 2017 VooDoo HooDoo in medium just as lockdown hit, my intention was to upgrade it but it sat under my bike shelter till last month where i tore it down and started with a knarly rebuild project. Ive added a 150mm Suntour Aion forks. with this addition to geo "Seems" to be much slacker there is still some drop to the BB so stability is still there so i will be eager to see how it rides once i get back hame to UK and am able to finish my project
I had a Medium Santa Cruz Heckler 2008. Lat year I got a Cotic Max 29" and wow...
Pretty sure that bars are so wide now to compensate for the slow steering and leverage required for 29 inch wheels? I have both size hardtails and the 26 is much quicker handling and more fun to ride. The narrow bars are also much better to ride between trees in the woods….
Such a great conversation and comparison, thanks, new bike all the way if I were in the market for one. Tho' I would quibble a bit on the front mech, not sure it needs to be eliminated on a hardtail, totally understand on a full-sus with little room for it. And maybe it's just the roadie in me, but I gotta have a big ring when I feel that need for speed. 😀
I have the NP scout and the bottom bracket is too low I feel (50mm below the axels) the problem is when you pedal vigorously say to clear a jump the pedals bash off the exposed tree roots. It’s a regular occurrence and a real PITA for me.
I’ve got the 2007 version of the GT and after replacing the bars are stem, and converting to a single ring it became a different beast. Not perfect but good enough for the ~50 miles a year I do.
I've done the same, never tried a newer bike, so I don't know what I'm missing atm.
Great vid. But Norco had the torrent back in the early 2000s that could be speced up to be way closer to the nukeproof U showed....perfect for dh, jumps and 4x at the time
What about 2015 bikes? Slacker more comfy seat tube angles. Plus size 27.5 tires. A good compromise on reach numbers which led to less underster on the flats where people actually rides, compared to today's gravity focused reach numbers.
Bikes were way different back then even though it doesn't seem that long ago. But having a bike like that as well as a modern bike is really nice, it makes you really appreciate your modern bike and it can still be good fun on the easier trails.
This is why the comparison is better with a built up dirt jump/4x bike or similar frame from 2004-2010s. The standover is low and the head angles are a bit lower for example a Santa Cruz Jackal from 2009 has a 68.7 degree head tube angle at 100mm so a bit slacker with lets say a 130mm fork and 392 or 417 reach depending on size. Anna would prob find either fits pretty well. In fact the Jackal made today in 2023 still has the exact same geo as the 2009. Let's also not forget the Santa Cruz Chamelon with much better standover than the GT, and a 68 degree headangle in 2009. Although.. let's face it the Jackal of the time is much more impressive as the identical design has lasted the past 14 years.
ON THE DOT! 😎💯
great upload
ta
I'd put my 2004 MountainCycle Rumble up against that new Nukeproof. It's set up 29" thru axel wheels (2.6), 1x10 drivetrain and a dropper post. I agree a new fork would be smoother than my 150mm Marzocchi drop offs, but they don't make any with 1 1/8" steerer. The standover height is the same as the Nukeproof's, but the head angle isn't as slack. Nearly 20 years older and absolutely just as capable and I reckon it's about 2000 less.
Aesthetically I prefer the look of new school mountain bikes. I like the brighter solid colors on the frame, simpler single chainring, bigger wheels, and longer geometry
I think they have gotten better, I would not like to ride mid or old school bike now. The bikes have changed but also the trails have changed, they are more aggressive and technical and bikes had to evolve to handle them.
Seeing the mid school geo, I get the feeling that my last year's gravel bike has more aggressive geo 😱🤯🙈🤣😁
hey my rear brake is sqealing so much that it sounds like a train and ive tried everything ive replaced my disc and brakepads my caliper is not leaking and ive tried all sorts of cleaning methods can you help me gmbn?
That brake line routed to the outside of the fork on the GT... 👀
a bit offtopic: How do you like these HS2 rotors on the nukeproof?
Funny i put that gt in its own catagory in the bin , i,m 53 been riding since 82 and must say its taken way to long for bikes to get good i love my current bikes both htails silimar to the scout , i worked for a big bike company in aus in the 80 s and wrote down the geo of exactly the scout long slack steep sa etc and got laughed out of the board room .
Was Hite Rite not a thing in the mid-school era?
I think a 90's GT zaskar had better geo than that 00's GT... Maybe we went 'backwards' in the 00's with geo, before leaping forward?🤔
Why not try get a norco they made one with marszochi 55s 150mm travel 26 inch it was the first hardcore hartail norco sasquatch it was called beast that be a great comparison
Amusing , but, irrelevant. Love GMBn and the presenters .......😘. This is mostly twaddle tho.
The good old days weren’t always that good.
I have to say, I never met anyone who measured their travel in inches on an MTB.
I mean, maybe they exist, but I also don't remember ever reading about it in an MBUK or any other magazine even in this 'mid school' era.
I don't understand the choice of gt aggressor as it's more the budget end of gt range comparing it to a nukeproof when the gt is still available is not fair. I get the point but surely at least a zaskar or something at the higher end of 2010 year.
In still rollin on similar geo like the Scout only on 29er from 2021, but just about to switch to an 2023 enduro style hardtail. So yes, i am definitely happy to ride modern bikes and geo ❤ btw: it is not expensive like full sus territory 😊
A 69 or 67 setup and a SLACKER kit on that GT with a few upgrades would destroy that Nuke Proof! 😂
My 2005 Mongoose Hardluck looks hardcore even by today's standards..!
I’m old school,my bike is not new full suspension with upgraded to fit an body position an balance makes new bikes more fun to ride we’re we once would not have
It went together easily in less than an hour. ruclips.net/user/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.
I don't know what the fuss is about with clothing, I'm still wearing a pair of Shimano AM 41 SPD's I bought 10 years ago. Although they are still going strong, maybe it's time to buy a new pair of SPD shoes.
Ha Ha..I was one of them in White...Ha !!!
I think your approach to this topic is a little bit biased. So might be mine as I came back to the sport after more than a decade off the saddle.
You chose what could be called hardcore hardtails, wich apart from being quite a niche category, is one of the most evolved styles of mtb in the last decade. And let me say that a GT aggressor was not one of them it was meant as an all rounder, but not aimed at downhill or DJ or SS or 4X. Also, we might as well be laughing at the clothing and apparel that is currently en vogue in ten years time(bananas and spare tubes ziptied/velcroed to the frame, included)
So, let's go for a more common type of bike, say a 5" full suspension trail bike, and see if its actually that bad of a ride.
29ers are cumbersome, 800 mm handlebars are ridiculous, and 1X are more limited than 3X when you ride your bike from your front door to the woods and back. They are ok if you are just loading the bike into your VW multivan and drive to a bike park just to hang it in the chairlift.
There were also QR seatpost clamps, though I like dropper posts,they are heavier, prone to failure and cost an arm and a leg to buy and maintain (see? Exact same arguments you used to diss 3x transmissions)
"Down country" is the next big thing? Tell me a Specialized Epic or a Santa Cruz Blur are not up there with a few modern bits of your choice. Those were real gamechangers, and I think a Blur LT is one of the best go anywhere, epic 6hour ride bikes ever made. They can be found for under a thousand any day, too.
"We did not live in caves until Adam Smith showed up with a can of tuna."
And don't take this rant too seriously, I love your channel and every one of you making it happen.
GT is still king!👑
At the start of the video, what are you juggling, lol.
No doubt bikes have evolved since 2010, but the GT Agressor was never a hard-core style of bike, it's even called XCR. It is also a much more budget bike than a Scout, so the comparison is harsher than it really should be. 100mm stem was already long by 2010.
Nice