rock and a hard place

Sparks4c

For the last four and a half months I have been riding an 08 Mongoose Tyax Elite. It has been doing about 150 miles a week mainly off road and working quite hard as I have progressed. I loved this bike. It got washed every day.

I am 6ft 3ins and weigh in at 16st 2lb. Four months ago I was much heavier lol.

Ok well the Tyax has had problems. The chain broke, the rear cassette was shot so I had it replaced. A week later the derailer went into the back wheel and ping no spokes. Not so bad but on the Pennine trail on an evening it's a bit of a nightmare.

More repairs, this time new wheel, new derailer then first time out gears lock off and I come off (again - 3 x in three wks).

Now to cut a long story short no Tyax elite. Just don't ask please as you will not believe me lol.

So I'm looking at a new bike that can do the job. It has to take my weight, my height, a lot of trailing and some off roading (rougher trailing) and in all weathers. I love riding. Day, night, morning, rain, wind anything. It's great!!!!


I have been directed towards a Specilised machine or a full sus Felt which looks ace and is bang on for me in terms of size and build.

My train of thought is that I killed one hard tail bike in 4 months so do I go for a full sus bike or another hardtail? I can get a full sus felt discounted for £1100-00 or a specialised hard tail for the same price. Argh how hard does it have to be he he!

Also with £1100-00 to spend what is the best bike for the job. Really confused here.

All I know is that I need a bike that will do the job, be reliable provided it's serviced and not leave me in a rock or hardplace in the dark in the middle of nowhere.

I'm seriously well kitted out for all events except the gearing system not working. I DONT WANT ANOTHER MONGOOSE though.

Any advice would be welcome before I part with a lot of cash lol.

Cheers

Sparks

supersonic

Sorry to hear you had problems with the mongoose - but at nearly 3000 miles parts will wear, and when replaced, it is essential to set them up again correctly. Seems to me that the mech wasn't set correct for it to go into the spokes like that. I can assure that this wear will happen on any bike, rgardless of price!!!

Do you need full suss for your riding? A hardtail will be lighter, better specced and less to go wrong.

Sparks4c

Well yea it would seem the parts wore out but maybe my beef was with the servicing & repairs which I had the shop do.

I'm now trying another shop who seems to have looked after me well for my other bits.

Hard tail is what they say is best for my ride but I can't help thinking that Blacker Hill at 35mph didnt help lol. Maybe full sus would cope beter.

I have made a decission that I'm gonna have new parts fitted (chain, rear cassette etc) every three months. Thus any bike should cope.

The tyax was a superb ride but always had issues with gearing. They just got worse, taking me off 3 times in 3 weeks lol.

The trail is easy, the off road off the trail is harder by quite a lot as its not maintained.

So, hard tail or full sus.

Thanks for the reply by the way. It's much appreciated

supersonic

Seems the shop could have been a bit lax. Always good to learn how to set the mechs up, saves you a fortune in the long run, and allows you to nip problems in the bud before they get worse. When a new mech or cable is fitted, the cable outers bed into the stops, throwing them out of line and need readjusting after a ride or two.

1100 is a nice budget and will get you a decent HT or FS. Don't need to go overboard with travel - 4 or 5 inches should be plenty from the sounds of it. I'd see if the shop will allow you to demo a couple.

Sparks4c

Well I got that impression but perhaps its best not to go there lol. I see you are in Chap which is not so far away from me in Barnsley. Thanks for the advice. I do really appreciate it. I know this or similar questions have been asked before but its my brass I'm spending lol so I need to feel like I'm doing the right thing.

supersonic

You could do a lot worse than try Barnsley Cycle Centre (this is where you tell me that is the shop you were at lol!). I worked at the Sheffield branch 10 years ago, good shop.

Sparks4c

To be fair the tyax may have had a twisted frame after chain crash. It may not have been noticable though.

Its the only thing that adds up on the list of back end problems but who knows?