Dirt Demo opens a new can of worms

MrKawamura

Hi all,

Roadie here, looking for a MTB (inserts the traditional apology for a long "what bike" post):

Went to Swinley Forest Dirt Demo at the weekend and one ride around the course was enough to tell me that I want a bike that will be happy jumping, dropping and taking some hits and spills on technical trails, rather than the XC speed machine I thought I wanted (eg Scott Scale).

That said, part of the reason for getting a MTB is so I can go along with my girlfriend on the organised XC rides she does. So I suppose that leaves me considering weight issues and looking for something in the middle.

So with a £700-1000 budget I'm thinking: Hardtail with 130mm travel. Nice and strong for the occasional jump, but not incredibly heavy for those XC climbs. Oh, and I've got short legs and long body, so I think I'll want a long top tube. Does such a bike exist?

Looking through the reviews: Saracen Zen 2 or 3, Marin Rocky Ridge or B-17, Genesis Core 40 (lighter than the others - does this mean it's not as strong?), or even the top rated sub £1000 full sus - Mongoose Canaan.

Am I wildly off-track here? Please help.

papasmurf.

so what bikes did you ride at the demo, did any appeal?

obviously jumps and drops and XC racing don't really mix...plenty of decent long travel hardtails out there, .maybe somehting with a travel adjust fork that you can dial down for XC races..

actually I misread, XC rides, so they just group rides as opposed to races?

crashtestdummy12

Definately an OnOne Scandal. 3 and a little bit pound frame and you can still put a 130mm fork on it without wreking BEAUTIFUL the handling. And it's ridiculous value for money (£250 for an ANODISED SCANDIUM frame with full bikes starting £800 ). Guess what- the top tubes also nice and long! Sounds Perfect!

Wow-I said all that and I don't even work for On One!

papasmurf.

but you own a Scandal? the 456 might be worth a look aswell.

crashtestdummy12

Well- maybe :oops:

MrKawamura

Thanks for your input,

I only got to try one bike. It was a Giant Trance X 2. Doesn't help as it's too pricey, but at least I learnt a bit about the kind of riding I want to do. Also, I hardly had any standover room, but still found the reach a bit short - short legs, long torso - if all manufacturers put geometry info on the web it would make life easier...

I'm not planning to race, just group rides, so I suppose the weight thing isn't a big deal. I'll go and have a look at some long travel hardtails.

I'll check out the scandal - is that mail order only or is there somewhere you can go to see the bikes?

MrKawamura

Hmmm,

I don't think I know enough about mountain bikes to pick all those bits... and lots of them are out of stock.

Chaka Ping

The On One website is hugely confusing, it's not just you.

You've done really well to identify the sort of bike you want straight from the off - I wish I'd had that sort of foresight when I was buying my first new bike for a decade a while back.

If you're already intending to ride jumps and drops - just go straight for a Rocky Ridge or Zen. Both look like cracking bikes - and you shouldn't struggle too much on the climbs if you're got good fitness from your road riding anyway.

MrKawamura

Actually going out and having a proper ride on some trails has been the best decision. Two weeks ago I was set on a Scott Scale - lovely bikes, but I think it would have left me itching for something else. It's still hard to choose when you're not experienced, unless you can afford several bikes at once.

I see the process of elimination like this: what kind of riding you want to do > what fits the best > differences in spec/weight > looks/brand preference.

In practice, there are so many brands and models that it can come down to what's available. I'd happily buy my next road bike online because I know what fits, no so with a MTB. I drove around for several weekends when getting my first roadie, got a speeding ticket and still ended up with a bog standard Spesh. Happy with it though.

Might go over to the new Cycle Surgery shop in Chertsey at the weekend. Happy hunting all.

papasmurf.

even if you buy what you think is the perfect bike for you...within a few rides there'll be something you want to change and fettle hehe.

best bet is have a scan through the mags and round a few shops try and draw a shortliust of maybe 3 and get a ride on them, even if its just round the car park..a good spec list on paper might not feel as good to ride to you as a mixed spec bike if you se what i mean.

hava look at stuff like
Marin
Genesis core
orange p7
gt avalanche expert
saracen Zen

or somethign like the Rock lobsteror a frame up build depending on budget

hoathy

I can't believe no one has properly mentioned the marin rocky ridge! its the perfect bike for you! and its off the shelf. Its not to heavy has the longer forks, an excellent frame, looks the part and its great value for money. Buy this bike! IMHO

MrKawamura

I thought I read somewhere that the Rocky Ridge is sold out everywhere? Anyone know?

Chaka Ping

Give ATB Sales a bell direct, they're the importer.

MrKawamura

Ah, thanks.

The Spiderman

Only slight fly in the ointment is the top tube tends to be a bit short on most of the long travel hardtails,but I guess the top tube reach thing is a legacy of your roadie past.Give it time youl`ll get used to not needing to have a flat back.......

MrKawamura

The Spiderman wrote:

Only slight fly in the ointment is the top tube tends to be a bit short on most of the long travel hardtails,but I guess the top tube reach thing is a legacy of your roadie past.Give it time youl`ll get used to not needing to have a flat back.......

Hmm, yes, the review on here mentions that specifically about the Zen. When I got my road bike I was sure I was going to get a longer stem sooner or later, but I've got used to it and not bothered. Seems that the long travel bikes have you sitting further over the front, but I imagine there is still variation in cockpit room between the frames.

Guess my next step is to go have a look at some. Thanks for all the help.

crashtestdummy12

Still, the On One Scandal Does have a nice LONG toptube and LOW standover