Trail bike - would this take some abuse?

teacherman
teacherman Posts: 454
edited March 2008 in MTB buying advice
Looking for a trail bike and saw this frame 4" I think?

Kona's are fairly tough - want to take a few http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=22326 drops, jumps etc.
Would this be too much of an XC rig?

Would 5" more trail dedicated be a better idea?
I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Page wont load for me.

    Many 4 inch frames are for XC, but do get 4x ones that are tougher.
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    Oh, me neither! :oops:

    What did I do?

    Anyhow its a Kona King '07 - guessing scandium = very light and therefore a bit on the fragile side.

    Want to keep the hardtail for XC rides and a dedicated trail bike for the tougher stuff.
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Oh, an XC race frame! Personally, I wouldnt jump and drop it!

    I use an Idrive XC4 - its tough, and has held up to a bit of punishment. But as above, more travel copes better, and usally is a tougher build too.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    link fixed :wink:

    and Nope i would not be getting it for your required use.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    edited March 2008
    Aye, thought as much.

    What's the weight of the XC4 with the build you've got there?

    Have weight worries - 30lbs and over starts to scare me :lol:

    Cheers Nicklouse.
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    13.4kg listed weight, so 30lbs. But for 250 quid for the LOT, I wasnt complaining! Plenty of scope to lighten it. I got the forks out at 130mm.
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    :shock: :shock: You been taking candy from babies as well?

    30lbs I could cope with.

    Would want to use it for NY Moors summer rides as well so needs to be a reasonable climber.

    Will probably buy frame, forks and drive train and then swap rest between the 2 bikes (fitting permitting) have a budget of around £900 by the time I'm ready to buy.

    Any thoughts?
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Get a whole bike here for half that!

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=15121

    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension

    Sell the bits you dont want or store for a rainy day. Amazing bargain, as cheap as the frame on its own.
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    Nice - well apart from the hideous yellow on CRC :lol:

    What do you reckon to the wisdom of buying 2nd hand on ebay or similar? Have tracked things like '07 Norco Fluid that went for about £300 - looked to be in mint condition. Just wasn't my size.
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Mine was 2nd hand, but mint. Have to know what you are looking for and at, its a minefield.

    The thinking with the Idrive for me was sort of a hardcore hartail (130 fork) but with a bit of give and pedals well - and short travel Idrives pedal amazingly.
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    Sorry supersonic, dog just barfed what looked, and smelt, like liquid shite all over the living room. :twisted:

    Hope a new rug isn't coming out of my bike budget :cry:

    would you say that having a look if buying second hand was essential then?

    While I've got you here what would I be lookng for in terms of worn bearings etc - how do you tell?
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I prefer to buy new, esp full sussers, but I knew the guy and as an ex mechanic was able to give it a good once over. just have to use common sense really - check the frame for cracks, or signs of bubbling paint, and check all bearings for play. Wheels often get battered too. And so on.
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    Thanks.

    As always - great advice 8)
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I might put a guide together one day for 2nd hand bikes ;-)