View Full Version : Mountain Biking
In need of a sport which will get me fit (and engines arent good for that) Im looking to get back to mountain biking, something which if im honest, ive only done a handful of times in the last 7 years. Prior to that, i was a regular biker, 3 or 4 times a week at least, with all weekends being taken up by it. I used to be a pretty Gung Ho rider, but i think ive gained a level of mortality in recent years.
The bike i have at the moment, is a very dated Saracen Backtrax, rigid with AceraX groupset and cantilevers.
I dont know what my budget is to be quite honest, as I dont know whats around for the price, and whether this will be something which will last years or simply this year :rolleyes: Ive tried riding the Backtrax and it feels very flimsy with very narrow bars and without suspension, very hard!
Maybe im just being soft after using the SV which has a nice wide seat, wide bars and suspension to soak up the bumps.
kwak zzr
22-02-07, 10:33 PM
i cant ride a mountain bike my legs go to jelly.< really unfit.
Sideshow#36
22-02-07, 10:35 PM
Do what i'm doing. I am sick of paying for expensive bikes so i'm building my own. I could save a fortune. Already bought a rear 8 speed cassette for a tenner thats worth about 25 and im eying up an Orange sub3 frame. Well over a grand brand new and ive seen one for about £200. But thats only if you have the time to do it.:)
Time? Time is what I do have, and its easy to build a bike, its just making sure it feels right at the end of it!
Fizz will be along soon to put you right:D
specialised enduro .... bob on mate, costs about £1300 for last years model, not cheap, but worth it, IMHO!
Or scott do one, forget the name now, that has a rear suspension lock out system (literally flick the switch on the handle bars), so you got the full sus for down hill, but when you climbing, lock the sus and whizz up there!
mountain biking is great for fitness, but it ani't easy! As far as it feeling wobbly, that will be partly to do with the sv! I always feel a bit ' wow wheres me bike!' for the first 5 mins
Yer, great sport, enjoy.
:D
Personally I would not bother with full suspension unless you want to actually do downhill racing.
I hate to say it, but you can actually get some pretty good deals from Halfwits these days - not that I would get a bike from there though ;)
Picking up one of last years models this time of year is a good option
Discs are 'de rigeur' however I still have v-brakes on my Scott Competition, and have no problems stopping on that.
scoobs will be in shortly. he'll give you sound solid advice,
i love him.
Reckless Rat
23-02-07, 08:40 AM
I wouldn't bother with rear suspension...
More weight, cost (I don't think suspension on a budget is good), more maintainence, odd handling, some of your effort goes into compressing the spring...
You have all the suspension you need in your legs!
Front sus is good though!
RR
scoobs will be in shortly. he'll give you sound solid advice,
i love him.
And as if by magic......the shopkeeper appears.
Echoing what Matt says really. Unless you are spending big bucks, stay away from suspension. It will be rubbish and heavy. I've done the full suspension thing and it was great and for downhill it is really a requirement. However, I now ride a hardtail (front suspension only).
V brakes are more than sufficient for stopping power and will be superior to low end cheapy discs. A good set of discs are awesome though. You get superior stopping power, don't have to squeeze the lever as hard, they don't get covered in gloop like rim brakes and they don't wear through the rim.
In the past I have gone for lightweight, bling, machined components. They look great, but ultimately don't work as well as Shimano components. I also have an issue with there strength. I have broken a lot of the billet stuff, but never broken any Shimano stuff. Plain and simple.....it works.
fizzwheel
23-02-07, 09:07 AM
I've done the odd bit of Mountain biking. I went out across the Quantock hills one day with my mate. I was on £250 worth of Raleigh Mountain bike, he was on £1500 worth of full suspension blinged up trickery...
He couldnt keep up with me, on climbs or flats. I wouldnt bother with full suspension either... You loose pedalling efficency because some of your leg power goes into moving the suspension rather than pushing the bike forward. I'd also agree with Scoobs about sticking to Shimano stuff.
I've found a couple of websites that are good for bike bits.
www.wiggle.co.uk (http://forums.sv650.org/www.wiggle.co.uk)
www.pedalon.co.uk (http://www.pedalon.co.uk)
Oh and what you really want is a road bike :p
thanks for the help folk, im not a complete newbie though! I understand the terminologies, its just that im out of touch with the latest technology. My mate used to have a downhilling Giant and it weighed a ton. I always thought progress was slow on one too.
I fancy a lightweight hardtail that has wide bars and a decent groupset. Bike maintainance is easy for me, so im ok with adjusting/replacing/servicing etc.
Should i just flog my old bike on Fleabay or are there any bits which could be salvaged? I think the frame is an old tange chro-mo. The groupset is perfectly usable but not sure if it stands up to anything currently. The rest would be no good.
I've done the odd bit of Mountain biking. I went out across the Quantock hills one day with my mate. I was on £250 worth of Raleigh Mountain bike, he was on £1500 worth of full suspension blinged up trickery...
He couldnt keep up with me, on climbs or flats. I wouldnt bother with full suspension either... You loose pedalling efficency because some of your leg power goes into moving the suspension rather than pushing the bike forward. I'd also agree with Scoobs about sticking to Shimano stuff.
I've found a couple of websites that are good for bike bits.
www.wiggle.co.uk (http://forums.sv650.org/www.wiggle.co.uk)
www.pedalon.co.uk (http://www.pedalon.co.uk)
Oh and what you really want is a road bike :p
Ive got a road bike fizz - its got an engine in it :D
In all seriousness i used to have a road bike as well and at one time, this actually was used more than the mtb as I was looking to join a club however then i passed my driving test and sat on my **** for the next several years
fizzwheel
23-02-07, 09:16 AM
i passed my driving test and sat on my **** for the next several years
Thats what I did to :oops:
chunkytfg
23-02-07, 09:16 AM
I've done the odd bit of Mountain biking. I went out across the Quantock hills one day with my mate. I was on £250 worth of Raleigh Mountain bike, he was on £1500 worth of full suspension blinged up trickery...
He couldnt keep up with me, on climbs or flats. I wouldnt bother with full suspension either... You loose pedalling efficency because some of your leg power goes into moving the suspension rather than pushing the bike forward. I'd also agree with Scoobs about sticking to Shimano stuff.
I've found a couple of websites that are good for bike bits.
www.wiggle.co.uk (http://forums.sv650.org/www.wiggle.co.uk)
www.pedalon.co.uk (http://www.pedalon.co.uk)
Oh and what you really want is a road bike :p
agreed. got a nice spech allez on the way after getting the bug for mile munching. much more fun imo than getting stuck in muddy bogs or wrapping yourself round tree's.
Still got the MTB aswell though as it is a great hack bike for popping down the shops and following the step daughter on her horse.
agreed. got a nice spech allez on the way
Stop it! Stop it now! Flat back roadies! It's just all wrong! WRONG I TELL YOU.
fizzwheel
23-02-07, 09:29 AM
Stop it! Stop it now! Flat back roadies! It's just all wrong! WRONG I TELL YOU.
:smt021 ;) :D
Luckypants
23-02-07, 09:34 AM
The bike i have at the moment, is a very dated Saracen Backtrax, rigid with AceraX groupset and cantilevers.
I dont know what my budget is to be quite honest, as I dont know whats around for the price, and whether this will be something which will last years or simply this year :rolleyes: Ive tried riding the Backtrax and it feels very flimsy with very narrow bars and without suspension, very hard!
Get a quality hardtail, bikes have come on a LOT.
specialised enduro .... bob on mate, costs about £1300 for last years model, not cheap, but worth it, IMHO!
Or scott do one, forget the name now, ....
I bought a Marin Eldridge Grade 10 years ago. I don't do a lot these days (hope to change that though) but the bike is still reliable and competively light. The quality frame and componentry has stood the test of time. It only has a few thousand miles in it now and I have only had to replace headset and bottom bracket, everything else still bob on (oh, me computer has packed up on it now too ;) ). Quality counts IMHO. Shop around for a deal on last year's model of one of the quality brands, you won't go wrong.
In the past I have gone for lightweight, bling, machined components. They look great, but ultimately don't work as well as Shimano components. I also have an issue with there strength. I have broken a lot of the billet stuff, but never broken any Shimano stuff. Plain and simple.....it works. Have to agree, never knew Shimano to break (apart from cheap, early Rapidfire shifters) within reason, even when my missus was racing Elite. Obviously thier cheap stuff does not work as well as the expensive stuff.
Am i right in thinking theres a new category of MTB these days - some bmx/mtb hybrid for jumping off things?
I hear what you all saying about full sus.... you need to pay the money, but when you do, it is well worth it. yes they are heavy for climbing, but down hill is a blast! If you want to go abroad you need disc brakes (decent ones) else you will find you no brakes at all half way down. And full sus (if you want you back to stay intact!).
Kona are at halfords now, I had a nice kona hard tail, which I still use when doing easy ground, love it.
Shimano is the only way forward;)
Filipe M.
23-02-07, 11:08 AM
then i passed my driving test and sat on my **** for the next several years
Thats what I did to :oops:
+1 :oops:
I hear what you all saying about full sus.... you need to pay the money, but when you do, it is well worth it. yes they are heavy for climbing, but down hill is a blast!
I used to race cross country on a full suspension Marin Mount Vision. It had wide bars and triple clamp forks. It cost me over £3 grand to build it. It was heavier than a hardtail, but it didn't really cost me any time on the climbs. I more than made up the time on the downhill sections, where I could just plough through everything rather than picking smooth lines. I think you are also fresher at the end of a race as you didn't get so much of a pounding.
However, I went back to a hardtail for the riding experience. The bikes are lighter and more skippy and need riding. You have to pick lines etc. Just more gratifiying IMO.
Get a decent full sus bike with good quality suspension pivots and components and the maintenance thing won't be too much of an issue. Buy budget suspension and it will be truly ****e. If you are only going to be riding to the shops and back this may not be an issue, but for any off road excursions it will be rubbish.
Current hack is a Cannondale f800 CADD 5 aluminium frame with an air sprung Lefty fork, Hope discs, shimano XT groupset, Easton carbon bars.
Nutkins
23-02-07, 11:24 AM
Mountian bikes. pah!
They didn't have mountain bikes when I was a kid. In my day, A Raleigh Grifter was the chosen steed. It had only three gears, comfy seat and a mud guard you could bend down onto the tyre and make motorbike noises with, when riding.
Not one recorded incident of forks bending or a frame buckling.
Blistered thumbs from the grips, legs like steel from riding it, arms like Arnie from lifting it.
A real bike.
Nutkins
23-02-07, 11:28 AM
If this sort of mamby-pamby thing isn't nipped in the bud, then the next thing it'll be is ar$e-padded lycra shorts.
Nutkins
23-02-07, 11:32 AM
I do agree with the Shimano bit though, unless there's a time when I shouldn't.
chunkytfg
23-02-07, 11:34 AM
I do agree with the Shimano bit though, unless there's a time when I shouldn't.
Nah campag all the way:smt045 :shaking: :p
Filipe M.
23-02-07, 11:37 AM
I'll vote for Shimano too, in the years I spent on the saddle (ooh err 8-[ ) I rode with different sets of Sachs gear (top of the range), GripShift and Shimano, and nothing worked as well as the whatever Shimano you threw at it. I ultimately ended up with a combination of XT and LX gear, mainly because I was a tart. 8-[
Damn, this thread got me in stitches, I might have to dig out the old Univega out of the cobwebs, drool a bit over the almost new Marzocchi forks with ETA (got them new in 2004, must have done less than 100 miles), get some air on those tyres and look like an **** by going out and getting out of puff just trying to climb the garage ramp :oops:
Luckypants
23-02-07, 11:49 AM
I'll vote for Shimano too, in the years I spent on the saddle (ooh err 8-[ ) I rode with different sets of Sachs gear (top of the range), GripShift and Shimano, and nothing worked as well as the whatever Shimano you threw at it. I ultimately ended up with a combination of XT and LX gear, mainly because I was a tart. 8-[
Damn, this thread got me in stitches, I might have to dig out the old Univega out of the cobwebs, drool a bit over the almost new Marzocchi forks with ETA (got them new in 2004, must have done less than 100 miles), get some air on those tyres and look like an **** by going out and getting out of puff just trying to climb the garage ramp :oops:
Do it! I am, just got new tyres for my Marin. Might even go out on the road bike too! :reaper:
How about this then....... I got an original chopper ! Yay, the kids love it! (no not one of these repro things, in good nick too) :D :smt045
Tim in Belgium
23-02-07, 12:39 PM
Got a Specialized Allez my self (road bike) mainly because I'm just getting into Triathlons. Enjoy munching the miles and there are a fair few interesting hills to climb up to the moors.
Loads of the guys at work are into mountain biking 2-3 times a week, from waht I can gather for about 500 quid you can get a decent enough machine with front suspension, places like Bike Scene in Guisborough or West brook cycles in Stokesley are meant to be good starting points for shopping locally.
As for maintenance, from what I can tell they are always having to fix/change bits on their mountain bikes, or may be it's just fiddling, a bit like with an SV!
Got a Specialized Allez my self (road bike) mainly because I'm just getting into Triathlons. Enjoy munching the miles and there are a fair few interesting hills to climb up to the moors.
Loads of the guys at work are into mountain biking 2-3 times a week, from waht I can gather for about 500 quid you can get a decent enough machine with front suspension, places like Bike Scene in Guisborough or West brook cycles in Stokesley are meant to be good starting points for shopping locally.
As for maintenance, from what I can tell they are always having to fix/change bits on their mountain bikes, or may be it's just fiddling, a bit like with an SV!
Did a triathlon myself 2 years ago, completely overtrained and took the whole fun out of it for me! I still don't enjoy sport the same as I did before I did it! As I say overtrained and took it far to serious. Would rather hoon around in mud now! ;)
Filipe M.
23-02-07, 01:48 PM
Would rather hoon around in mud now! ;)
TTIUWP :mrgreen:
I've a lovely Muddy Fox frame that I bought 20 years ago with the wages from my first job. I've gone through lots of rims, bottom brackets, chains, deraillieurs, gear wheels etc but the frame is still going strong. I could put suspension on but I'm used to the hard front, just don't grip the bars too tight and pick a good line.
Now I've the SV though I can hardly ride the push bike, steering is far too light. Glad I spent so many years pulling huge skids on the push bike though, been a life saver the few times I've lost the back on the SV.
Filipe M.
23-02-07, 02:25 PM
Glad I spent so many years pulling huge skids on the push bike though, been a life saver the few times I've lost the back on the SV.
Sometimes I feel the same, feeling the back end trying to come around isn't half as scary as could be, although there is an obvious weight difference! ;)
TTIUWP :mrgreen:
sorry but what the f**k is TTIUWP !!!!!:oops:
Filipe M.
23-02-07, 02:40 PM
sorry but what the f**k is TTIUWP !!!!!:oops:
This Thread Is Useless Without Pictures 8-[
Tim in Belgium
23-02-07, 02:57 PM
Did a triathlon myself 2 years ago, completely overtrained and took the whole fun out of it for me! I still don't enjoy sport the same as I did before I did it! As I say overtrained and took it far to serious. Would rather hoon around in mud now! ;)
Quite enjoying the training in a bit of a perverse way, great to be fit again and enjoying swimminng for the first time ever. I used to enjoy running a fair bit but found the training a bit tedious, hopefully I won't over do this. Going to take the first couple of triathlons steady any way just to see what it's like.
Luckypants
23-02-07, 03:05 PM
Did a triathlon myself 2 years ago, completely overtrained and took the whole fun out of it for me! I still don't enjoy sport the same as I did before I did it! As I say overtrained and took it far to serious. Would rather hoon around in mud now! ;)
Quite enjoying the training in a bit of a perverse way, great to be fit again and enjoying swimminng for the first time ever. I used to enjoy running a fair bit but found the training a bit tedious, hopefully I won't over do this. Going to take the first couple of triathlons steady any way just to see what it's like.
I did a couple years ago (you'd never guess if you saw me now!). Tim whatever you do, don't do the Ampleforth triathlon in your first season - it's a killer and put me right off triathlon for good. God them hills.....
Leeds tri was good though.
Tim in Belgium
23-02-07, 03:12 PM
First couple are pretty much on the flat/rolling hills. My first tri event even has a bit of a gap between the legs so I shouldnt have to worry about my transitions on it! Doing a duathlon as a training/experience event in a months time, run/bike/run so should be interesting. Out on the pushbike tonight, surfing tomorrow and a bike/run brick Sunday morning with an evening swim for good measure!
I enjoyed it at the time, loved it. But when I had done my event, rested, and then just couldn't motivate to start again. Good luck mate, have FUN ;)
philipMac
23-02-07, 03:25 PM
the only thing I sort of disagree with was something that scoobs said re disk brakes.
One of my bikes has semi decent (magura) hydraulic disks on it. I wouldn't say that you get superior stopping power from them over a decent set of V's, in fact I would say Vs are stronger, but I would say you get far more confidence inspiring stopping power with disks. Much better modulation of braking.
I would not be scared to absolutely hockey on the brakes doing 45mph, and have the bike squirming underneath me, and I will be sure that there will be no take offs.
You get a far better feeling of the place between slowing down very hard, and the bike throwing you with good disks. If you really reef on V brakes, its trickier to find this sweet spot, which means you are more sheepish with the brakes.
Which means you stop slower...
Also, disks will work when the rims etc are manky dirty. Vs will go to sh!te when you hit deep mud. This can be awkward.
One more thing in disks favour... I think, is when you have long descents, like a couple miles, where you are on the brakes all the time, then I think disks do better. I dunno why really, but, somehow I prefer disks in these situations, for instance I am pretty sure I blew out a tyre due to heating up rims so badly once or twice. (As in I had to wait for a minute before I could touch it to change it...)
Id love to be spend £1200 on a bike and not think about it, but for that price I'd probably go and buy one with an engine - I've been offered a DRZ at less than that!
Am I better off getting rid of the bike i currently own and buying something new or should i upgrade my bike (front Sus, new bars, stem & seat, service etc) and then continue to upgrade until i change the frame?
Rob - it would be cheaper I reckon to get a decent 2nd hand one from fleabay than try and upgrade your other one.
Here are some picks of one of my other rides:-
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/399995640_defc79b3a1_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/399995644_0bd02f3163_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/399995637_1300c3e6ee_b.jpg
Judy forks I see, are they still the Rockshox business?
Those bars look quite narrow, like those i have on mine - I'd definitely need wider bars now
Id love to be spend £1200 on a bike and not think about it, but for that price I'd probably go and buy one with an engine - I've been offered a DRZ at less than that!
Bit pr*ckly of me but I just need to say that I didn't suggest spending the money ' and not think about it'. If it floods ya boat, and it gets used it is worth EVERY penny, but it IS certainly a lot of cash ;)
No not at all Tomcat - i wasnt trying to discount your opinion, its a very valid one and if I could guarantee that I would justify price with usage, then id be in there with the cash like a shot. When I take stuff up, I generally always go for something which is entry level rather than pro stuff. I guess cash flow and my habit of losing interest is something which has taught me that.
Hi Rob and everyone else. I'm new to Motorcycling; passed my test and bought a k6 last year. Going well. I'm not new to peddle biking however. If anyone fancies a ride around Guisborough woods and the NY moors, give me a shout. I have loads of time off as I work shifts. Also if you don't mind me tagging along on a proper ride so I can learn a few things I'd greatly appreciate it.
Rob, just get your bike into working order, ride it and see how you like it again, you don't need a modern rig to keep fit. You can climb hills on anything!
:cheers:
philipMac
01-03-07, 03:53 PM
... NY moors, give me a shout. I have loads of time off as I work shifts. Also if you don't mind me tagging along on a proper ride so I can learn a few things I'd greatly appreciate it.
Rob, just get your bike into working order, ride it and see how you like it again, you don't need a modern rig to keep fit. You can climb hills on anything!
:cheers:
New York moors? Excellent. Where's that relative to downtown NYC?
No, you are right re riding a junker. As long as the bike is sized properly you will be alright. One of the lads on the team used to ride a dreadful bike in the off season, and then get back onto the good one one the place dried up slightly. It made him even stronger, ended up being a total animal. :cool:
ivantate
01-03-07, 05:02 PM
You need a bike of a certain standard to be confident in its handling and to get decent reliability. I guess £500 hardtail and £1200 Full sus.
Anything more than that is just greedy, but that is why we all have biggish bikes, a 250 is sufficient to sit at 70 so why do you need more.
I have now come to a point where I have the bike I always wanted, and will only ever need to upgrade and replace components. Will be putting some wear and tear on it over the peaks this weekend.
Baz - Im pretty local to you over in Billingham. Getting the old bike is exactly what i was thinking of doing, only that its totally rigid, the bars feel to narrow and the seat is barbaric. I can barely sit on it.
You're more than welcome to come on a ride out. Have a look at the Pennine Massive section for any rideouts which might involve us lot.
New York moors? Excellent. Where's that relative to downtown NYC?
:cool:
About 5,930,000 yards if google earth is any good. NY moors is quite an expanse of burnt heather, mud and sheep poo.
Just got back from a ride; covered in it! :-D
Anyone else fancy it???
I reckon ebay could sort you out with the minor bits. I got some nice x'lite riser bars for under a tenner new.
I work at Belasis in billingham, fellow shift worker I believe. nearby??
philipMac
01-03-07, 06:05 PM
About 5,930,000 yards if google earth is any good. NY moors is quite an expanse of burnt heather, mud and sheep poo.
I would be well warmed up by the time I got there then.
Yes Baz - you been reading my old posts eh? Billingham aint the biggest place but i live the other end to Belasis.
Might have to think about upgrading some bits to improve it slightly. A set of susp wouldnt go amiss, combined with some wider handlebars & a new seat.
Does the headset tube diameter make any difference to whats available?
Yes it does; I think the most common size is 1 1/8" but options are available for a 1" steer tube which may be the case on older bikes. Some Heads are threaded; in that case I think you might be "screwed"! (couldn't resist!)
Also suspension forks will be longer (uncompressed) than rigid ones so your bike will sit higher at the front depending on what travel you go for. Easy to get used to though.
Then you need to think about brakes. There are options for V-brake mounts and discs. I don't think old style Canti's will adapt.
Have a look at this local forum; there's a lot of info.
www.trailblasters.co.uk (http://www.trailblasters.co.uk)
some good shops
www.chainreactioncycles.co.uk (http://www.chainreactioncycles.co.uk)
www.wiggle.co.uk (http://www.wiggle.co.uk)
www.merlincycles.co.uk (http://www.merlincycles.co.uk)
Going for a sv ride out on this beautiful sunny non windy friday. don't know where but i'll find some twisties!
:cheers:
Tim in Belgium
02-03-07, 10:20 AM
Lucky you going for a ride out, I'm stuck with watching porta cabins being put up out of the office window whilst I tap away on the computer. May wander out on to plant later for a spot of sun, but would love to be out on the twisties on a bright day like today.
Luckypants
02-03-07, 10:43 AM
Yes it does; I think the most common size is 1 1/8" but options are available for a 1" steer tube which may be the case on older bikes. Some Heads are threaded; in that case I think you might be "screwed"! (couldn't resist!)
Also suspension forks will be longer (uncompressed) than rigid ones so your bike will sit higher at the front depending on what travel you go for. Easy to get used to though.
Then you need to think about brakes. There are options for V-brake mounts and discs. I don't think old style Canti's will adapt.
The important thing is the steerer tube diameter, as this relates directly to the headset bearing diameter and the head tube on the frame. You have to fit the same diameter as you take out. New headset is a good idea at this point.
Threaded or not is up to you. you can swap the two systems about, but you need a different stem for a threaded system to the non-threaded system (often called Aheadset system). Plenty of info on how to do that out there (or drop me PM - done it on my daughter's Hardrock) If you go for a non-threaded steerer (Aheadset) system, make sure that the headset you get is compatible.
If you go for V-brakes, you should be able to re-use your old levers, they should give about the right amount of 'pull' on the cables, although lever travel may increase. V-brakes get thier improvement over cantis by increased leverage at the 'calipers'.
HTH
Sounds like it would be easier to stay rigid or go and buy another bike.
Yeah, stay rigid. Cheaper and make sure you enjoy it again.
Going fast down bumpy hills doesn't get anyone fit. Neither does riding to helmsley and back with a bad knee from falling off my mtb yesterday.
It looks nice and bright but it's bloomin cold!
Off to Marske to meet Mrs Baz then to hartlepool to see ma. See if I can find some nice roads in between.
No mountain biking for me until I can walk properly. Sv's good replacement. :cheers:
Jools'SV Now
02-03-07, 01:15 PM
In a similar situation, leave it, upgrade it or change it??????????
I've entered an event in May: all off road, 5km run, 20km bike, 5 km run.
In the back of the garage there's a Marin Bobcat Trail, (11 yrs old, steel frame, no suspension, gold and jade colour scheme)
Got it serviced 3 yrs ago when I thought I'd like to get back into it and didn't.
took out to the local parkland recently, mud, hills, gravel trails. It was great:-D .
Thought front susp upgrade would be good as the downhills were more than a bit :shaking2: ,
but it's a 1 inch head, so no decent forks will fit, only some ropey suntour ones. Total cost to change forks and brakes (as old ones wouldn't fit if forks changed) was over £100 for really basic stuff.
as the total bike is worth.......er £75???? if I'm lucky, I decided to leave it as is and use and abuse it.
If I get into biking more later in the year I might go for a whole new bike, but for now it's working a treat.
why get a new one and worry about trashing it when the old one works fine and you can thrash about and not worry about it? Get it muddy, hose it down, spray of lube - sorted.
Folks in the bikeshop also mentioned that I'd lose some power through the suspension and I need to keep all I've got ta!
Enjoy
philipMac
02-03-07, 03:10 PM
why get a new one and worry about trashing it when the old one works fine and you can thrash about and not worry about it? Get it muddy, hose it down, spray of lube - sorted.
Folks in the bikeshop also mentioned that I'd lose some power through the suspension and I need to keep all I've got ta!
Enjoy
Well, might not be the answer you want to hear, but why get a new one? Because if you throw a few quid into a semi decent bike, it will be like night and day compared to that yoke.
Bike technology really clipped along there for a while. Bikes that are fairly cheap (ie less than a grand) are also pretty amazing quality now.
I completely hear what you are saying, nothing to worry about with the junker, trash it, wash it, jobs a good'n.
But, when you ride a decent bike your mind will be changed. You will never take the junker out on pleasure spins again.
About the shop telling you that you will lose power in the forks, yeah, but forks now are better, and, as it stands every single pedal stroke you make, you are ****ing power away into a not great frame, and a load of other inefficiencies.
So, at the end, you are still up getting a new bike.
I have to qualify everything I write here about bikes. I am a bike snob, I rode with teams, trained every day, my junker now that I ride into work is was worth about a grand when I bought it. I just can't stand rubbish bikes.
But, the reason for that is, I know how bikes should feel.
Why drink Budweiser when you can get a nice India Pale Ale for a bit more?
Filipe M.
02-03-07, 03:14 PM
About the shop telling you that you will lose power in the forks, yeah, but forks now are better, and, as it stands every single pedal stroke you make, you are ****ing power away into a not great frame, and a load of other inefficiencies.
So, at the end, you are still up getting a new bike.
I have to qualify everything I write here about bikes. I am a bike snob, I rode with teams, trained every day, my junker now that I ride into work is was worth about a grand when I bought it. I just can't stand rubbish bikes.
But, the reason for that is, I know how bikes should feel.
Why drink Budweiser when you can get a nice India Pale Ale for a bit more?
Listen to the man, I don't have his team past, but I can't stand rubbish bikes either. As for losing power to the forks, decent ones can be bought nowadays with a locking device you can use in smooth climbs. Activate the lock, the front drops to almost standard height, doesn't come up again and stays locked (or almost, giving you about half an inch of travel - nice for ripples) and presto, no more pogoing up the hills.
Firstly,I am no expert. That said I have an opinion on this! I have many years of riding behind me so here we go ..........I have to say i have ridden some sh*t bikes. And have had fun no matter what, however, when you do finally get something decent, it is fantastic.
I have learnt many skills for being on a less then perfect bike. Too many times I have seen people on big sus bikes, flying downhill, with NO CONTROL whatso ever, their bike is doing it all for them. Get them on tight twisties and they are f**ked and spitting out the dummy cos they suddenly realise they have not got skill, just **** hot bikes.
It is a fine line, gain your skills, then invest in the bike. If you wanna just pedal for fitness then hard tail it, and anything pretty much will do, but if you wanna get some adrenaline from it then there will be a time to invest, but not too soon!
Luckypants
02-03-07, 03:44 PM
Firstly,I am no expert. That said I have an opinion on this! I have many years of riding behind me so here we go ..........I have to say i have ridden some sh*t bikes. And have had fun no matter what, however, when you do finally get something decent, it is fantastic.
I have learnt many skills for being on a less then perfect bike. Too many times I have seen people on big sus bikes, flying downhill, with NO CONTROL whatso ever, their bike is doing it all for them. Get them on tight twisties and they are f**ked and spitting out the dummy cos they suddenly realise they have not got skill, just **** hot bikes.
It is a fine line, gain your skills, then invest in the bike. If you wanna just pedal for fitness then hard tail it, and anything pretty much will do, but if you wanna get some adrenaline from it then there will be a time to invest, but not too soon!
Wise words I think.
philipMac
02-03-07, 04:31 PM
Meh.
The thing is, if you stick with your old bike, you wont ride it as much, because it's not as pleasurable. Its like a guitar. If you have a crap guitar, you never play it, and think that you were never cut out to be a guitarist.
But if you have nice one there, that sounds lovely no matter what you do to it almost, you can't help but play it.
Anyway... what I forgot to say was... the most under estimated part of a bike are the pedals.
Get good clipless pedals, and a pair of rigid shoes with the right holes for the bindings. They add about 25% more power onto everything you do.
Again, night and day between riding with proper clipless pedals and the other yokes.
http://www.bx3.com/phil/tri/images/shimano-pd-m540-pedals.jpg
edit... yeah, basically I dont really agree with Tomcat at all there. If you are throwing a bike around, and its twisty downhill crazyness... a good bike will help you. Sure. It might keep you shiny side up. It will inspire confidence, and I dont think that it at all will make you less skillful. I dont like getting on crap bikes and really pushing them about, because I can feel things bending and sagging under me. I can feel the frame struggling.
You can more or less get fitness on a crap bike, but... skills are far easier to learn on something decent.
Luckypants
04-03-07, 11:42 AM
Well partly thanks to this thread I sorted out my bike yesterday, fitted new tyres and went to the Llandegla trails to try them out.
Had a great afternoon, but boy am I not fit! Did the black course, but walked the hills in last 2K. Still Llandegla is a great facility only 20 mins from my house, so I'll be out loads more over the summer.
ivantate
04-03-07, 04:31 PM
Llandegla is ace, called in about a month ago as part of a welsh weekend. Saturday was spent at Coed-y-Brenin which was very technical and then sunday at Llandegla which was very fast and flowing.
The biggest problem with Llandegla it is so fast and accessible it is just asking for alot of injuries, but the visitors centre and cafe is brilliant to recover in.
Went to the peaks yesterday and did a 40miler (which was meant to be 27) so I am aching a bit today!
Best memory was riding up woodhead pass from woodhead tunnel to the pub at the top will a big tail wind and the sun out. 25 miles into the ride I was in the big ring riding up hill! made a change not thrashing up there on the SV.
Jools'SV Now
04-03-07, 09:59 PM
sounds a bit better than Trent Park for Mntn bike training:smt087
...but the fitness is coming along nicely, ran a personal best 10k at Woburn :elephant: today in less than ideal conditions........and the Mrs only beat me by 2min 45secs:notworthy:
I'll beat her on the bike leg of the race in May so should be close, I hope.
phillipMac; I used to road race in my late teens, 3rd cat, so nowhere near your level but was very choosy about my bikes then, built them up from scratch with the latest kit I fancied (that money would allow in those days)
But it's been a long time and the bikes have moved on a hell of alot. the Marin I have now was a £450 bike 11 yrs ago, so it's doing the job. As i say, I'll invest if I get back into more and fancy doing more races.
Cheers for the info/advice
Im gonna get the rigid out of the garage loft, put a gel cover on the seat and go out and ride it. I need to get used to riding a pushbike again after being used to the SV and its weight.
chunkytfg
05-03-07, 08:24 AM
Im gonna get the rigid out of the garage loft, put a gel cover on the seat and go out and ride it. I need to get used to riding a pushbike again after being used to the SV and its weight.
dont bother with the gel seat.
you just need to put in miles and your bum will get used to the seat.
Gel covers dont help. Your sit bones push though the gel to the normal saddle and then the extra gel around it pushesd up into your undercrackers causing more problems.
Just go out and ride and if your bum starts to hurt stand out the seat for a minute or two and give it a rest
Luckypants
05-03-07, 11:15 AM
Llandegla is ace, called in about a month ago as part of a welsh weekend. Saturday was spent at Coed-y-Brenin which was very technical and then sunday at Llandegla which was very fast and flowing.
The biggest problem with Llandegla it is so fast and accessible it is just asking for alot of injuries, but the visitors centre and cafe is brilliant to recover in.
Yeah, Llandegla was good. Fast and flowing yes, in an artificial way if you follow me. Was not fast after a long time off the bike, but nearly stacked big style a few times and had to bail on a berm once..... My mate was laughing his head off after I landed on front wheel off a jump and just missed a tree....
I prefer Coed-y-Brenin as there is more choice and the downhills are more technical, if I'm going to a centre. Marin Trail is good but busy too, but if I'm over Llanrwst / Betws I'll just take myself off as I know the country from thrashing around as a kid.
but TBH any biking is a bonus right now!....
Can anyone recommend a saddle to me? Took mine out today for the first time after sorting it out, rigid was fine for the terrain (Mild to moderate) but 6 hours after getting off the bike ive got a megasorearse. I notice the modern saddles are flat at the top where mine curves and is frankly some kind of torture implement.
I can do without the suspension at the moment, but a saddle has to be an immediate upgrade to get on with this bike. I was only out for a couple of hours!
Luckypants
14-03-07, 09:40 AM
Nah! Grit your teeth and take it like a man! :p
Its still sore this morning! Bruised more than anything else i guess
Luckypants
14-03-07, 09:46 AM
I know it's hard, but basically your sit bones need to get used to it. Go out three or four times and if no better, get a new saddle. It will improve. Just be grateful you ain't a girl...........
ivantate
14-03-07, 09:49 AM
SDG Bel Air has the best reputation for comfort at the moment.
A mate of mine reckons the Specialized Body Geometry (I think Alias 145mm) is the best seat ever.
philipMac
14-03-07, 02:19 PM
I know it's hard, but basically your sit bones need to get used to it. Go out three or four times and if no better, get a new saddle. It will improve. Just be grateful you ain't a girl...........
yup
your body just needs to get used to it.
once you get used to it you will nave no problems more than likely.
back in my day, we used to be fond of those Flite saddles. I am not sure how technology has moved in the mean time. They are recommending you get a saddle with the center cut out of it now, for better blood circulation.
http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/images/selleItalia-flite-gel-flow.jpg
Dragging this one up. Been out on the MTB quite a bit lately and been enjoying it a lot, however still held off buying one. Reckon now seems to be a pretty good time to pick up a bargain with xmas approaching, new models coming in and the old ones being sold off. Im gonna look around the £500 mark - may stretch a little more if the bike is heavily discounted or its just too good to turn down. Definitely sticking with a hardtail as I want a bike with a top frame (any budget components can be upgraded), may even go down the custom built route (is this a wise option/cheaper????)
I bought one of these a couple of years ago for £500 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360026427&N=Giant%20XTC%20EX%20Bike
Excellent bike, brakes are awesome and the lx/xt groupset is nice. If you shop around you can find it cheaper than the link I gave. I couldn't recomend it more. I used to ride in cross country comp's and wish I had this bike back then when I was doing it.
What size should I be looking for these days? Im 5'8 and have a 30" inside leg. I think I'm after a bike for the trails (forest & moorland) but want it to be able to stand up to relatively light jumps as I become a bit more used to it. None of this 6ft stuff!
I always judged it as the cross bar should have an inch gap to your testicles when you stand over it. That's more based on self preservation than anything else though!
I spend all my working days build up bikes, up to about £5000, anything from kids bikes to bmx's and mountain bikes, road bikes.
So if you need any advice ask us, how much u got to spend? sub £800 go for a hardtail, look at the likes of GT, Giant and some Kona's. Best for the money is GT or Giant. £500 gets you a 2008 GT Avalanche 1.0 disc with hyrdaulic disc front and back, Full deore 27spd drivetrain with LX rear mech, wtb wheelset, and Sr Suntour forks with a lockout.
Hows that for you?
oh and you need a 17/18" frame!
ukgooner
19-10-07, 07:42 AM
I'm 5'8'' and have a 31" inside leg, my stumpy FSR is a medium and I have no problem with it. My old rigid stumpy was a 17" frame and was spot on.
Fizzy Fish
19-10-07, 08:43 AM
Dragging this one up. Been out on the MTB quite a bit lately and been enjoying it a lot, however still held off buying one. Reckon now seems to be a pretty good time to pick up a bargain with xmas approaching, new models coming in and the old ones being sold off. Im gonna look around the £500 mark - may stretch a little more if the bike is heavily discounted or its just too good to turn down. Definitely sticking with a hardtail as I want a bike with a top frame (any budget components can be upgraded), may even go down the custom built route (is this a wise option/cheaper????)
I'm in a similar place to you right now - looking to pick up a quality hardtail as my first decent bike. Been looking on ebay/Gumtree and there are some great deals to be had there, some bikes virtually new and saves you hundreds, which means that you can get better quality for your mullah. May be worth considering anyway...
454697819
19-10-07, 08:55 AM
What size should I be looking for these days? Im 5'8 and have a 30" inside leg. I think I'm after a bike for the trails (forest & moorland) but want it to be able to stand up to relatively light jumps as I become a bit more used to it. None of this 6ft stuff!
excuse the shameless plug, but im thining of selling my Haro Mountain bike..
Its high spec and about 2 yrs old but only used a handfull of times.. hence the sale.. if your interested at all... drop me a PM
Cheers
Alex
Tim in Belgium
19-10-07, 05:56 PM
What size should I be looking for these days? Im 5'8 and have a 30" inside leg. I think I'm after a bike for the trails (forest & moorland) but want it to be able to stand up to relatively light jumps as I become a bit more used to it. None of this 6ft stuff!
Rob, just freakily seen this thread as I went mountain biking last weekend (on an old $h1tter) and loved it so decided I'd look out for one in a few months time, the plan being to use the old $h1tter for a bit longer.
Anyway to cut a long story short I was in my village bike shop getting an inner tube for my road bike and when I had a quick browse through their mountain bike section I saw a heavily discounted beauty. So I tried it for size, mulled it over last night, rang them this morning to reserve it and picked it up this evening:
http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/22410/2645241420084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2645241420084392296wWXrYk)
http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/24125/2759365660084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2759365660084392296ppzRfO)
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/22619/2777991820084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2777991820084392296dSpzVU)
http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/23200/2957014920084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2957014920084392296pOzNvi)
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/25626/2730683330084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2730683330084392296gsgRtZ)
The frame is an ex-demo, but all the components are new, hence the discount! And it lloks nice (along with being black, so goes with my black bike stable). I checked it out with the mountain bike gurus at work and they gave me the thumbs up so it's now sat in my kitchen.
Pretty new to all this so if you want to head up on to the moors or Guisborough woods at any stage let me know. Loads of the bike shops around here have deals on, take a trip through Stokesley (westbrook cycles), Great Ayton (Bike Traks) and Guisborough (Bike Scene) and you should come up with a pretty good deal.
That is very similar to my bike but with a nicer frame. Same brakes, suspension, gear set but with what looks like a carbon frame.
Tim in Belgium
19-10-07, 06:07 PM
Yep it's a carbon frame, they saw me coming. It was love at first sight!
But it was cheap for a carbon frame (I think/hope).
philipMac
19-10-07, 06:21 PM
Nice bike. That'll do the trick.
Dont worry about the frame being ex-demo. Carbon frames dont really lose any stiffness from being beaten about, unlike Aluminium frames which can go off if they are hockeyed by big riders.
In fact, its almost preferable to get Carbon ex demo, since if any of the joints were going to crack, they would have by now. (My mates 1 yo Cervelo just cracked at the BB.)
Tim, I should really ask how much that was, because I was looking at the XTC albeit not carbon!
Think I've narrowed my choice down to:
Carrera Fury
GT Avalanche Disc 1.0
Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27
Decathlon Rockrider 8.2
Specialized Rockhopper Disc
Focus Black Forest Mountain.
For the informed, can anyone give an unbiased review of the above?
Tim in Belgium
19-10-07, 09:48 PM
Have you been looking on bike radar, because I think that's very similar to my shortlist (before I shopped).
I decided a mountain bike is a better sink for cash than a crosser myself.
Have you been looking on bike radar, because I think that's very similar to my shortlist (before I shopped).
I decided a mountain bike is a better sink for cash than a crosser myself.
I would say that it wasnt such a big sink potentially
Jackhammer
19-10-07, 10:08 PM
Carbon is an interesting material to use on a bike - as you hear boulders clanging off your down tube it creates mixed emotions - the speed and adrenaline rush from hammering decent downhills is offset by hearing rocks bouncing off the down-tube of a frame that is likely to cost me £2k to replace should the worst happen. I ride a Scott Genius MC-10 and i absolutely LOVE it - however - not a good bike to start on....
Full suspension bikes can give you a level of confidence that can outstrip your skillz - you'll be going quick because the bike may soak up all the bumps - but when you run out of talent - you'll hit the deck harder than on a hard-tail - mainly because you won't be able to go as fast as you would on a full boing .... :-)
I would definitely start on a Hard-Tail with a fairly decent group-set - there have been some good suggestions in this post... keep your budget low-ish to begin with as you will not get the benefit from having ultra-light expensive trick-bits when starting out, and invest some money in some decent quality all weather riding gear, as then you#ll be able to enjoy the trails come rain or shine, get more use out of the bike, and get your monies worth ..... oh - and buy as decent a helmet as you can afford to - never ride with out it IMO - fallen many a time when on the limit and even when not and a good lid save the day!!!
HTH - and have fun
Mike
Tim in Belgium
19-10-07, 10:09 PM
Have you been looking on bike radar, because I think that's very similar to my shortlist (before I shopped).
I decided a mountain bike is a better sink for cash than a crosser myself.
I would say that it wasnt such a big sink potentially
Exactly.
chakraist
20-10-07, 01:42 PM
I have a Specialized Rockhopper Disc, it's worth about £650 and does everything I need it to do. Don't go for FS unless you want to fork out over a grand- anything less than that will be worthless, also, as someone said earlier, FS is pretty much not that great unless you do downhill. The amount of travel you get with FS kills me, and the bikes tend to weigh often twice what you would find in a hardtail.
If you want to do XC, you could go much worse than a Rockhopper. If you want to do downhill, get something around the £1500 mark, anything else you will probably snap if you are just getting back into it.
Tim in Belgium
20-10-07, 03:43 PM
Just been out on my new bike, great fun, only fell off two or three times when getting stucki in a rut going uphill. Luckilty the heather softened my landing. A great trip out and I really appreciate the disc brakes, so controllable on downhill sections.
well the rockhopper is definitely one of the bikes i'll be looking at, going out sometime this week for a browse and maybe a demo.
philipMac
21-10-07, 01:25 AM
I really appreciate the disc brakes, so controllable on downhill sections.
Yeah. Hyd disks give you that putting big braking in, and being confident you are not about to do a superman, like with the V's.
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