Return to MTB and its all changed - New Bike required - Help

Mookarts

I'm just getting back in to mountain biking again after about 10 years away. When I left nearly all (affordable) bikes were fully rigid and avoiding obstacles, being as light as possible and 30+ mile jaunts were the name of the game.

Nowadays, much has changed and the new tougher breed of mountain bikes with sorted suspension has encourage a ride through it mentality and seems to have made things I would once have considered impossible within most peoples abilities. On top of that me having a car and the advent of trail centres opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Anyway on to the question. I would like to buy a new bike to support my return into this new world, but there seem so many types out there I'm really confused as to what to go for. Obviously I need to go and test ride some, but before I do that I'd like to narrow down my options - with your help.

I live in Essex, so my local terrain is best described as flat. Usual riding spots are, Thorndon, Epping Forest with regular trips to the Chilterns, South Downs and Thetford. Currently I'm scared by the the new wooden obsticles built at Thetford :oops: (they're really low, I'm such a wuss), but I intend to conquer fear that soon. In the new world of moutain biking I think I'd like to be a XC/Trail type rider (maybe Trail Lite?) and would like to progress my skills to make use of the Welsh and Scottish trail centres and the natural riding in the Lakes, Peaks, Moors.

So I need one bike suitable for all that(!)

Question 1, I guess is FS or HT. It's pretty obvious to me I don't need a FS bike for the vast majority of my riding and that currently my confidence level doesn't drive one either. Not having ridden one, I'm also concerned that might turn the vast majority of my riding into being as boring as riding on the road. Having said that, I'd say over 60% of people I see at Epping have FS bikes.

From there, I guess its a question of what bikes I should look at, I'd prefer to go for one of the big manufacturers, as I'd like to get the most I can for my money in terms of technology and am not concerned about the rarity of my bike.

As regards budget, I have up to approx £1500 to spend, but would probably only spend that much on FS. For a HT, I'd set about a £1000 limit.

Phew, that's long, if anyone makes it to the end, please help.

Thanks for your time.

The Spiderman

Here in Hertfordshire,I reckon most of my local riding is very similar.Whilst I lust after,full sussers,my Giant XTC hardtail is plenty good enough.

Given that you will generally get a much better specced ht than a full susser,your £1000 will buy you a very nice bike.

I`d be looking at something like a Trek 8000 or GT Zaskar,if you want to stay with the big manufacturers,but actually if you really want bang for your buck,go to www.merlincyles.co.uk and check out the spec on their Rock Lobster range or the Focus bikes on www.wiggle.co.uk

Zaskar

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86678&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle

Trek 8000

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86246&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle



Focus Raven


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360032427&n=Focus%20Raven%202008

Rock Lobster

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=category&categoryId=38

Mr_Orange

For the riding you're planning to do, it's not worth buying a full-susser, particularly with your background in riding a rigid. FS just encourage you to ride through it, rather than technical riding.

A budget of £1000 is very good for an HT, and there is plenty to choose from off the shelf. You could also consider a custom build, in order to pick and choose our components, and with the online prices and deals, it's surprising what you can get for your money.

dirtbiker100

did someone build up a marin hardtail recently. how much did that cost?
hardtail for sure and those mentioned above will certainly be enough to float your boat so to speak

Matteeboy

Blimey those Merlins are good value!

Makes my £1200 Stumpy seem dear but I think the Fox shocks whack the price right up.

Mookarts

Thanks for the advice. My head has been telling me to buy a HT, but the gadget freak in me lusts after a FS bike. It's good to see you guys agree with my head and my wallet!

I've had a look at some reviews of the bikes posted up, and it seems like a lot of them are race bikes, with an arse up, head down stance. When I've tried these in the past I've always felt slightly uncomfortable with the lack of stability this gives in technical sections.
On top of that, nowadays every ride isn't a full out banzai attempt and I often go out with my gf (who is a newbie) and ride at a reasonably sedate pace, session particular bits of trail to help her skils (and mine) and generally enjoy getting to where were going rather than beating the clock. Add in the fact that I'm no XC whippet - 6'2" and a desk job = 90kgs most of the time, and I doubt with my build, I'm going to drop much more than 5 kgs, I wonder if these bikes would really be right for me?

Are there bikes available that are a bit more laid back & confidence inspiring technically, but still can be would up to speed on occasion? Or do I need to get one of these and then perhaps change bar, stem, saddle to get a slightly more confidence inspiring position?

Mr_Orange

Sounds like you really need a custom build. That way you can pick suitable handlebars, maybe risers as opposed to flats, and a shorter stem to give you a less stretched out riding position.

Have a look at a Cove Handjob frame or an Orange P7 frame bike as a starter. Either of those will leave you with around £750 for forks, wheels, groupset and interface bits.

The P7 also comes as a complete bike of course, and Orange also offer some reasonable upgrades. The P7S starts at £800.

The Spiderman

The Rock Lobster might still be worth a look,as it has a shorter top tube,than some of the other suggestions I made.

Also a swap to riser bars at point of purchase,would be quite easy with any of the bikes listed.

However,if you really fancy something a bit tougher,more upright and that will give you more confidence on the technical stuff ,also have a look at the Marin Rocky Ridge or Saracen Zen 3.

The Reynolds 853 steel framed Genesis Altitude 20,is also a nice bike.

http://www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk/products/details.aspx?ref=14814&pRef=78311&vertical=1&v=VARALT2

Underscore

FWIW, I was in a similar situation last year - returning to MTBing after a looong break and live in North Herts. I hired a Giant XTC 4.5 from a bike shop near some friends on Cannock Chase and went out on it with said friend. I loved it - and bought one. I find it great for both solo runs round Llandegla (near the in-laws) and more relaxed outings with the family on the blue and green runs at Thetford. I'm 5'11" and ~80kg so I remain convinced that you should be able to find a HT off-the-shelf that fits the bill.

_

dirtbiker100

Underscore wrote:

solo runs round Llandegla (near the in-laws)

lucky bstrd. not only a chance to escape but awesome riding to escape to!

I was going to recommend the rocky ridge. bumps up against the top of your budget (£999) but it has 140mm of front travel i think which is a fair bit, but shows it can handle its self over the rougher stuff. morty_oxon altered one here:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12554226
he loves it ha ha

GHill

Mr_Orange wrote:

The P7 also comes as a complete bike of course, and Orange also offer some reasonable upgrades. The P7S starts at £800.

I'll second that, definitely worth a look.

Mookarts

Hi Guys,

So an update since I last wrote.

I've been out to my LBS and had a go on a few bikes. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try anything in exactly my size as most shops round here stock 17" and 19" only.

Specialized Rockhopper: I didn't really like this to be honest, but the fork (Reba SL) seemed really good.

Marin Eldridge Grade: I quite liked this bike and it comes with a Fox fork, which I understand should be better than the Reba, but didn't feel as good to me. Possibly it wasn't set up for my weight, or was badly set up. It seems to put a lot of weight on your butt, which didn't seem massively efficient, and has a larger highest gear on the cassette (possibly to make up for this?). At the moment, it's looking likely I'll get the Marin. When the shop gets one in in my size, they're going to let me have another go. I'd like to try one up hill to see how the more inefficient postion works in that situation for me.

I'd wanted to try a Trek 8000, but the shop had sold its last one. Hopefully try something like this soon.

Like many suggested the Rock Lobster's seem like really good bikes, so I was hoping someone could tell me, if based on my like for the Marin, whether I was likely to like these too. It's a long way to go to try one, which offsets the value equation somewhat, but they do look awesome. I'm really reluctant to buy anything, without trying one in case I regret it later.


Finally, I'm finding it hard to judge the brakes as none of the pad's are bedded in. Anything that stands out/or should be avoided at this price point?

ride_whenever

If you are looking for the above, dont miss out the marin rocky ridge, amazing value and a brilliant frame for 999........


hard to get hold of though.

pdid

Bought a Rock Lobster Team Tig SL last year. Coming from a similar standpoint as yourself. Last bike was a fully rigid Diamond Back Topanga, which i bought around 1995 age 15 and still have.

The Lobster is amazing value for money and riding it just inspires confidence. It has handled everything i`ve thrown at it including Grizedale, Llandegla, Ae and Mabie to name a few. Very chuckable, you`ll be throwing it around in no time at all.

I also took a quick look at the Eldridge, however the one i tested was a large and too big for me. The kit on the Lobster and the "handbuilt" also swayed me away from the Marin.

If i was buying now i`d be inclined to hold on and test the new Rocky Ridge.


Cheers Phil

James_F

I think for the type of riding you describe the Rocky Ridge, with 140mm and no lock out (correct me if I'm wrong) is a bit unessecary. Quite heavy as well at about 30lbs. The Rock Lobster is a fair bit lighter and has the Reba SL fork you liked on the Rockhopper and is what I'd pick with £1000 to spend on a hardtail, but I can understand why you'd want to test it first.

Mookarts

Phil,

I had a Diamondback Ascent, probably one to two years earlier.

How does the Rock Lobster climb? I assume your last bike was more stretched out? I'm struggling to get my head round these shorter bikes?

ride_whenever

If you are looking at doing north shore (the scary wooden plank stuff) then you'll want something that'll roll with the larger hits, plus a slightly more burly, longer travel bike will be a lot more fun for day to day riding as it'll inspire complete confidence in you as you know the bike will definitely survive the next 12' drop you come across, even if you don't!

pdid

Mookarts wrote:

How does the Rock Lobster climb?

It climbs brilliantly and as my fitness has improved i have gotten much quicker. I think the complete bike weighs in at less than 25lbs.

Yes the Diamondback was more stretched out but TBH i find the shorter geomentry more comfortable, never really rode anything then like i`m riding now though.

I`m gonna get the Diamondback for a few skills sessions. Its got flat pedals as apposed to spd`s and hence easier to bail.

Phil

Ps if you`re spending £1k on a bike then £30 in petrol isn`t that much to fork out to ensure you get the right bike

Mytchett Mike

If you are willing to consider a new but older bike take a look at the likes of Pauls Cycles - http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/offers.php?cat=1

It is also worth checking out Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle.

Good luck

Mike

stanny

I'd go for the 2008 Saracen Zen 3 or their new Zen 631 with steel frame. I've got a 2007 Zen 3 and its great for the terrain you're talking about, particulalry the South Downs where I ride. If they'd got a steel frame version last year I would have gone for that for a slightly more comfortable ride. Or have you already bought it now?