The MTB thread

[G]

Just out of interest what makes a bike over engineered, or what parts specifically lol... I'm intrigued to know as its a pretty wild statement lol

Speedplay, Halifax built?... Alps in June / July? lol

G, dont get paranoid I wasn't aiming it at anyone.

But, do certain parts really need changing once you get up to a certain level of quality? Wouldn't the average mtb above a certain spec suffice for most average mtb riders?

I just see, not just on here, people changing parts all the time, I just wonder if it's for looks rather than for function.

Like I said before, spend your money how you please

Personally speaking, looking at prices of parts, I'd only change parts if they break or have a different function as I'm not sure I'd go faster or higher with the new bits if they were the same as the old ones but a different colour or whatever.
That said, I do need another seat as mine is stupidly uncomfortable, I've tried getting used to it and I can't, it's a razor blade to my buttocks

[pookie]

I think most expensive parts are due to the fact they give a weight advantage albeit grams ( except frames and forks I guess) . Secondly if it has a whiff of carbon, titanium scandium and a splash of anodising will add a slight premium.

Generally all should function as it says on the tin. I like the mix n match approach but generally stick with the best I could afford at the time, I'm not too fussed if its the latest kit, just the best.

[Drew Carey]

I think it is much in the same way as motorbike's.......some people like them spotless and shiny.....some people are happy to just use them and leave them.

Same applies for MTB's......for me, I bought a bike at a price range that I could afford.....I was happy at that time with what I had and it did the job well.......however, all bikes (unless you have bikes that cost mega bucks) will have been built with some cost savings in mind.

As an example, my bike is a cracking frame, but came with forks with no adjustability, wheels that are relatively weak and a crackset that was cheap. Therefore I have bought new wheels - had the forks worked on and changed the crackset. The one element people should always do however is adjust the controls to suit them - ie I have changed Stem, Bar, Grips, Pedals, Saddle - not to gain "bling" but to give the feel of the ride I want.

Finally, the one element of "bling" you could say I have is the adjustable seatpost - however, in my view this is also the best and most useful addition anyone can buy.......as it really does transform the way you can ride.....being able to instantly get the saddle out of the way before a trcky section - meaning that if you go over a drop off you don't nose dive.

However, all of this is to tailor the bike to the way I ride - which is agressively downwards based......I am too unfit to enjoy going uphill.....so I don't have a bike designed to do so (although it comfortably will). If someone is only ever going to do parks, red routes at trail centres - whilst going round the big jumps etc - then yes, any bike above a certain level will do. But, if you take a bike in that bracket to a trail centre and regularly hit the black runs doing every jump possible - then you will soon find the limit of many of the parts. Trust me, I did and ended up trashing a £600 hardtail with a decent medium level of parts (with only 4 trips!). This was because I got the confidence back from when I was a kid and started committing to even the hardest trails.

This is why most people I know upgrade so much on MTB - not because they want bling - but because they want to advance the style of their riding to do new things and try new tricks / jumps etc.

Originally Posted by G

Speedplay, Halifax built?

God no!
I may be a Devon boy but i don't want a tractor!!
Have got a demo one booked on a test week though alongside what I really fancy...

[pookie]

is it a whyte? what with that british trails in mind

Free biscuits for Pookie
Whyte 146x is what I have in mind...

[pookie]

I too have read the marketing material be interested in whether it lives up to the design philosophy.
A whyte in my hands is wasted but does make an interesting ride to the shop

Made an interesting ride at the weekend.
Will see what it's like as the demo bike is booked for a week

[Paul the 6th]

I want a specialized pitch pro now.. There's some on eBay... Do I really need a fire blade... I'm sure it'd solve my cramp & confidence issues, honest