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I purchased a Salsa Timberjack several years ago to use for bikepacking/singletrack, but found my normal riding consists of pavement/forest roads/light singletrack. I do have a gravel bike (Rocky Mountain Solo) for routes that are more pavement/light gravel. The Timberjack is comfortable and fun, but it feels heavy, slow, and overkill for the riding I do. I've been eyeing up a Bridge Club to replace it, but money is a big factor and selling my TJ still leaves a big gap. Will a Bridge Club (or other recommendation for a modern, big tire ATB) feel that much different than my TJ? I don't have experience with similar bikes and inventory in this category around my area is pretty limited. Any advice is appreciated - thanks!
User Name Location
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Miles Arbour
Member Since 201712 Verified ScoreI think if weight is a concern, then the Bridge Club won't be much of an update. The rigid fork will make it feel a little more efficient, but you might consider looking at something like the Hudski Dualist (alloy frame, carbon fork) for something that won't feel sluggish and sheds some serious weight, even with the stock build. If you really don't need suspension, then any rigid ATB will feel a lot different than the Timberjack.
Mark Lee
Member Since 2024
1
Verified Score
Oshkosh, United States
Thanks much for the reply Miles. That Hudski sounds great (also loving the color scheme of the one you tested), though wish I could try one before taking the plunge. I assumed the next modern bike I'd buy would be steel, but it does sound like everything I'm looking for and may possibly replace my Solo if I don't miss the drop bars, which is a plus as I have more bikes than I have space (granted most of them are 90's Trek's that are in various states of "complete"). If I can be patient enough, maybe I can sit on what I have until spring and see if I have a chance to road test a few other options to see how far it moves the needle.