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 #1319 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 10/05/2010 @ 16:15 |
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| In reply to post #1318
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finally a decent mat to put my beer on  |
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W.A.F.U. and proud |
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South Yorkshire |
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| #1320 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 11/05/2010 @ 09:02 |
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Aye up
I've not done much riding in the past couple of years but i have now got back into biking and the bug has bitten once again
so much so that i need a new bike, any advice on whats good and whats bad?
want a GOOD xc bike that will handle single track, gentle rock gardens and that wont collapse when i chuck it down some alpinehill etc but will still climb back up - (not looking for a downhill specific bike)
my current bike is a 2004 spesh enduro pro, have been reading good stuff about cube bikes but the range is vast and a bit mind boggling, i used to like marin bikes and also had a spin on a la pierre 714 which was a bit tasty
so with the possibilibity of this thread turning into "what board shall i buy" please feel free to throw some sensible suggestions of bikes to look at in the 2 to 3K range
Cheers
Merv |
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| Posts: 925 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #1321 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 12/05/2010 @ 09:14 |
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| In reply to post #1320
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Oh lord, I think your problem will be that there are so many that fit your description.
Both R and I have Specialized bikes, and they're very much loved in the house! (09 stumpy elite and 10 S works Enduro)
A friend raves about his Trek, someone else loves the LaPierre Zesty.... I think, as usual, you need to try one out if you can...
One thing to note about the 09/10 Specialized bikes is that the bottom bracket seems low, even when you've added something to the rear shock, so you can get a few peddle hits..
that's my 2 pennorth... |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| Posts: 973 |
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South Yorkshire |
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| #1322 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 12/05/2010 @ 20:51 |
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| In reply to post #1321
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thanks caroline
thinking that i might give the cube stereo a shot but i too love specialized,
looking at the current spesh range the enduro seems more downhill orientated than my 04 model, i reckon the stump jumper might be a better option as i like climbing and it doesnt look as heavy / cumbersome.
whatever i get it needs to have a lockout front and rear shock if poss
trying to hold off going into a shop for a bit till i get some research done as i have zero will power and will probably end buying what the sales guy sells me rather considering all options first.
Any good bike shops in nottingham? my firm is digging up the streets round there again and i pop down once or twice a week to check on progress |
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| Posts: 925 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #1323 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 13/05/2010 @ 09:05 |
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| In reply to post #1322
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hehe, I feel for you there.
R's S Works weighs the same as my stumpy, and a friend has the Enduro Comp and it only weighs about 5lbs more - most probably because both of ours are mediums and his is a large or XL (can't remember)
I think if I were buying now I'd go with the enduro (if I were to go with a spesh at least)
In Nottm is an Evans, we have a v small shop called Freewheel but the best one is Leisure Lakes which is really close to the M1. I say they're the best simply because they have the best range of bikes, and they are a Specialized dealer along with LaPierre, Yeti etc..
Oh and if you really don't want to make any impulse buys, never ever go to one of the Specialized Concept Stores ...very bad for the wallet...
I am Specialized  |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| Posts: 973 |
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South Yorkshire |
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| #1324 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 14/05/2010 @ 09:39 |
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| In reply to post #1323
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cheers caroline - will pop into leisure lakes next week i think
am loving the spesh shop, didnt know that existed and is only a mile from our head office - thanks  |
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| #1325 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 20/05/2010 @ 16:18 |
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 Fort William World Cup Rnd 2 of the Downhill.
Bring it on! 5-6th June. Confirmed our attendance once again - look for the Yorkshire flag on TV. |
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"You're so adrift in far off places and hilly strangers you adore, that you're riding blind through eden lying right outside your door"
Pistehors.com
Meteoblue Weather Forecasting
SHredding the Jar Teaser |
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| #1326 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 20/05/2010 @ 16:32 |
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| In reply to post #1320
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Ridden a CUBE AMS pro 125 - in the Alps at Mayrhofen about two years back and I loved it, that handled everything you have in mind, climbed like a beast, lockouts front and back, came downhill reasonably rapid too. I personally Struggled with the euro brake set up - but then again, I'm sure most people would, given the front lever is the back and vice/versa you can imagine the problems coming down, feathering what you think is the back brake, only to be pitched straight over the bars as its the front instead.
I'd love a go on a Lapierre - they for me are beautiful looking beasts! Don't rule out the old Santa Cruz as a brand either or the wonderful carbon IBIS full sussers! They stock these at STIF in leeds. http://www.stif.co.uk/ and if you are really looking for inspiration, they are worth a visit! Just make sure you leave the C/Card at home. 
As for the Specialized, I love my FSR XC, since I jacked up the front end to 130mm. although, like most who ride them, I too find fault with the low bottom bracket height, countless times I have cracked the pedals on rocks etc and this is the only gripe I have with all Specialized bikes.
A friend has the Stumpjumper FSR pro and he said similar about the BB height. He came from riding a Marin (cough!) which had a rediculously high BB in comparison.
Or you could stay British and go with the Orange AM 120 is it? Alpine Mountain or something like that - 5" travel and single pivot. They do make some clunking noises tho. Or Orange 5 Pro.
Something that I liked the look of in a recent MBUK, was the GHOST full sussers - might be worth giving one of them a go too. Don't know who imports them - but they could be worth a look. |
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"You're so adrift in far off places and hilly strangers you adore, that you're riding blind through eden lying right outside your door"
Pistehors.com
Meteoblue Weather Forecasting
SHredding the Jar Teaser |
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| Posts: 973 |
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South Yorkshire |
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| #1327 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 26/05/2010 @ 20:26 |
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| In reply to post #1326
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Cheers ian for the heads up - agree with b bracket height on the spesh range, smashed my chain ring on sunday so new chain set on monday - whilst it was in getting fixed i spent an hour looking at the cubes
my local shop has the AMS 125, the sting and the stereo - really struggling to make up my mind on which one suits best, the stereo looks the DB's but i am drawn to the carbon framed sting ??
Do like the look of the ibis - looked a the SL frame but was prob gonna be in excess of £4k to build a decent quality bike so have left that idea alone |
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North Yorkshire |
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| #1328 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 02/06/2010 @ 09:24 |
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| #1329 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 02/06/2010 @ 11:39 |
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Had an excursion over the bars last weekend, can't explain it, it happened on a flat section of singletrack trail, no brakes involved, caught the left side pedal on a stump or rock, it pitched me forward, next think I know, i'm straddling the bars and crashing out off the right hand side of the trail. Luckily, all that was hurt at the time was my pride - but theres a few nasty bruises coming through now
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"You're so adrift in far off places and hilly strangers you adore, that you're riding blind through eden lying right outside your door"
Pistehors.com
Meteoblue Weather Forecasting
SHredding the Jar Teaser |
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| #1330 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 02/06/2010 @ 11:42 |
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FORT WILLIAM bound for the MTB downhill world cup this weekend 5-6th June - its that time of year again when all the elite riders from around the world, converge on the highlands of Aonach Mor - Get your self up there - its always good craic! |Should also be on TV.
Check freecaster.tv |
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"You're so adrift in far off places and hilly strangers you adore, that you're riding blind through eden lying right outside your door"
Pistehors.com
Meteoblue Weather Forecasting
SHredding the Jar Teaser |
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| #1331 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 31/08/2010 @ 13:34 |
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INFORMATION FOR BUDDING BIKERS _ Especialliy Tom Allan....
You can't go wrong with a decent hardtail/front suspension only bike, if you are just getting into the sport - stick some decent grippy flat pedals on her, invest in some padded cycle shorts, decent full finger gloves, a helmet and go and enjoy!!
If I was suggesting to someone starting out - what to look for, you need a decent lightweight strong aluminum frame (it won't rust if chipped) then look at the forks, suspension is where the bike either adds weight or saves weight,
The forks on the specialized rockhopper range are all made by Rockshox. Rockshox have been making forks since the beginning of time, consequently they are all very good forks, but there are some differences and they make a considerable difference to the performance and feel of the bike..
The Rockshox Dart are very basic coil damped forks bottom of the range they will run and run, be pretty much maintenance free - but they are quite Heavy!! Next in the range are Rockshox Tora's coil or Air damped forks, Then Rockshox Recon all in coil/air variations, Then top of the tree are the Rockshox Rebas they all come in coil/air damped versions - Air damped naturally creates a lighter weight fork and typically more tuneable i.e. you can set the pressure with a shock pump (£15).
Therefore if your budget allows, and you could go for a specification higher, then you would not need to upgrade the forks at a later date...for instance the Darts you can pick up for £80 the Tora's £135 Recon's £260 and Rebas £300 (ish)..
The specialized range - starts with Hardrock (ok bikes but not that great and you would quickly need to upgrade parts as they break/wear out)
Rockhopper is a mid range CrossCountry bike - excellent at most things and a very good bike gets great reviews and a perfect bike to start on and laterly upgrade bits as they wear out.
Within the Rockhopper Range there are 4 specifications of the same bike, they all use the same frame........ The only difference is the specification of the suspension forks, wheels and groupset i.e. gears etc..... Of these the biggest factor is the suspension and wheels.......so.!!!
SL (basic Coil Sprung Dart fork)
SL Comp (Tora Coil Sprung Fork - externally adjustable - quite good!!)
SL Expert (Recon Coil Sprung fork - bit lighter than Tora's)
SL Pro (Reba Dual Air - the dogs Danglies XC racer spec.)
As a bike, the weight is important as it affects how much you have to drag up the hills, the tyres are one area that you can save a lot of rolling weight, look for Kevlar Beaded tyres over Steel Beaded tyres and you can save circa 200 - 300grams per wheel.
Everything else is fairly standard kit and you will eventually upgrade as bits wear out - so a good frame and forks is where it is worth spending the initial money.
As for sizing - I'd suggest looking at a 19" frame size - you don't want to go too big..its better to have a longer seatpost and a slightly smaller frame than to have a bigger frame and short seatpost.
Any decent bike shop should be able to help size you up first, before ordering it online... Look out for the SALE bikes as Specialized often reduce their bikes at the end of the season, around about now actually, so if you were looking at the SL, you might be able to afford the SL Expert in the sale, if you catch my drift...
Hope that I have been of use!! Good luck, get out and ride!! |
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"You're so adrift in far off places and hilly strangers you adore, that you're riding blind through eden lying right outside your door"
Pistehors.com
Meteoblue Weather Forecasting
SHredding the Jar Teaser |
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| Posts: 925 |
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Nottinghamshire |
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| #1332 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 02/09/2010 @ 12:13 |
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Bods, I too had a recent excursion over the handlebars... unfortunately I cushioned my fall with my chin. Got a lovely scab now!
Almost pursuaded me to wear my full face helmet on XC rides...almost but not quite! Ah well first blood had to come some time I s'pose! |
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There are only 2 positions in snowboarding....one is looking coooool....the other is....DEAD!
Not every problem can be solved with duct tape, and it's exactly for those situations we have WD 40 and zip ties |
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| #1333 Re: Mountain Biking... Posted 02/09/2010 @ 15:20 |
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