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Home / Culture / Fat Bike

One Super Bike, or a Quiver of Average Ones? [Survey]

Everyone is searching for the do-all, one-bike quiver for mountain biking. Unless they're not.

By Jeff Barber
April 19, 2020

19 comments

Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.

The saying goes that when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Jack of all trades, master of none. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Yet it seems everyone is searching for the do-all, one-bike quiver for mountain biking. Unless they’re not.

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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19 Comments

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m.krupp Kentucky // 2018
Apr 20, 2020

My materialistic side says give me a bunch of average bikes that I can switch up and enjoy riding in different situations.
My better side says one super bike that does it all.
My best side says one average bike works and let me become a better rider. I have two average hard tails I am building up. One for me and one for any friend I can get to go along with me. The bikes are very similar but different and it is fun to switch up between the two. If I had to choose my 29er hardtail would be enough. I don't ride to be some YouTube video celebrity bombing down hills or flying through the air. I ride to conquer the trail at whatever speed and with style as I improve. I prefer the challenge to become a better rider and make the tool work.
Whatever you got ride it and enjoy. We are so blessed to do this sport. We have the means to afford the equipment and the health and freedom to do it.

1 reply

BorisShady 2013
Apr 20, 2020

I would love a superbike to do it all but the real question is would you prefer to have a dream build of your primary discipline or a variety of average builds to cover all disciplines.

0 reply

alistair.corney 2020
Apr 23, 2020

A couple of specific use bikes (Dirt jump, BMX, road or whatever works for you!)

All Mountain/light Enduro bike as a general use Mountain bike

I don't feel you can get enough of an all rounder to cover the extremes.

0 reply

StinaRides Maine // 2019
Apr 23, 2020

Different bikes for different uses. I have five, all different; I don't ride my cx bike on singletrack, nor my tri bike on gravel, nor my fat bike on the road. Having a quiver of average and slightly above bikes gives me range and breadth in my riding - both environment and season.

0 reply

rmap01 Maryland // 2013
Apr 22, 2020

For most, we 're always after the latest and greatest... it's become a societal norm. While the thought of having a super bike is fine, how long before that bike is no longer the super bike as there will be always be updates to geo, components, design, etc. But is the bike the real limitation for most of us... or is it the rider? [Pro tip: Look in the mirror to find the answer.] Riders with skills can ride just about everything with just about any kind of bike.

0 reply

Joe G New York // 2014
Apr 23, 2020

I currently own and ride seven bikes. Each bike was purchased with a particular riding style in mind. I am very fortunate to have access to all types of terrain in New York, my home state. In addition, I travel regularly, to ride various trails in three states within three hours of home. My quiver includes, one full suspension trail bike, (a 29er), one hardtail trail bike, (27.5), one hardtail trail bike, (27.5 +), one gravity bike, one fat bike, one sport bike and one road bike. All of my rigs fall into the excellent product for a reasonable price category. I love the gear as much as the riding itself and always have the proper equipment and bike for every ride that I am lucky enough to do. To all fellow riders, KEEP RIDING! BE SAFE! HAVE FUN! JG

0 reply

fastfish11 California // 2015
Apr 26, 2020

I fall into the 1 for all but, I do have to have 2 bikes a proper All-Mountain Bike and a Pump Track bike also

0 reply

E California // 2014
May 22, 2020

I like having a nice super bike and then a couple more for backup when my primary is broken or being serviced, for an occasional cross country or road ride and to get friends to try it without having to plop down 90 dollars and find out it’s not for them.

0 reply

kangaldog Germany // 2019
Apr 20, 2020

I ride a something else 29er . it’s a really super bike that i ride everywhere.

0 reply

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Apr 20, 2020

I used to be a Super Bike fan but, over many years of riding I have settled on thre types of bikes I keep.
1. A very good hardtail for tricks, XC, speed and gravel riding
2. A good medium to light FS bike that is used for more aggressive trails and muddy conditions
3. A great enduro bike that I trust to take on anything a trail can offer except racing

0 reply

renehlarue 2019
Apr 21, 2020

Totally... On certain days I enjoy much more riding my average hardtail than my "preferred" full suspension...while setting some personal records in Strava segments.

0 reply

Fuzfast Michigan // 2017
Apr 22, 2020

I'm going with quiver because if I had a superbike I'd worry it would be obsolete in 2 years.

0 reply

Gabs North Carolina // 2012
Apr 23, 2020

I had a Single Speed rigid, Hardtail and Xc FS bike in the past. Currently just one bike works for me! Basically a trail bike FS

0 reply

Sam James British Columbia // 2018
Apr 20, 2020

My rides all tend to be pretty similar, with some exceptions. I'd rather have one bike that I love to ride on most trails than a few more average bikes that are more nichey. Luckily we're living in a great time where bikes are at the point where they can climb AND descend amazingly, so you can have a one-bike quiver pretty easily. Luckily we're also living in a time where cheaper bikes now ride incredibly well so you don't have to feel bad about not owning that $9k super bike. Seems you CAN have your cake and eat it too...

0 reply

scott.signorini Florida // 2022
Jan 6, 2022

Well said Sam.

And on the other comments; I rode an old HT from the 90's until 2010, so I am pretty sure a super bike would still ride well enough to tackle a trail or road, no matter how the age. Upgrade as you can and it'll still ride well...

0 reply

Oldmanwithskills New York // 2020
Apr 20, 2020

One cyclecross bike with a extra set of road bike wheels. And one 29er XC bike with a extra set of wheels for trails. 2 bikes quievrr of all at a competitive level.

0 reply

Tom Boss California // 2020
Apr 20, 2020

Quiver of Above Average Ones (All-Road, MTB, Enduro and Gravel)

0 reply

Tom Boss California // 2020
Apr 20, 2020

But a carbon hardtail 29er w/dropper is the everything bike IMO.

1 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Apr 26, 2020

While a "Super Bike" sounds wonderful, it really isn't a trials bike.
My choices are;
Trials Specific
SS+
FS+
HT+
Fat
All are nicely appointed and somewhat purpose built for riding where I please with the exception of the Red Sky.

0 reply

First published April 19, 2020 @ 5:57:00