Mega Avalanche - what bike can I use?

dan45a

I really want to take part in the next mega avalanche in 2009 at alp de heuz.
I spend most of my time riding trail centers in the UK on my Lapierre Zesty 514 which is a 5" travel trail bike. Does anyone know if my bike would be up to the task of riding the mega?

I have ridden the majority of black & red trails in Morzine and Les gets in the alps on a 5" bike in the past without issues.

I hear some people saying there are parts where you need to pedal up hill but all the videos I watch show all downhill?

Any info about riding this event would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

Unidentitified

from the look of it you may want something which can handle bigger stuff with more travel as it needs to put up with alot and you dont want your hands dieing in the first half hour.

nicklouse

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12593559

ride_whenever

How tough are the wheels on the Zesty? That'd be my biggest worry, I'd probably also fit some bigger rubber if possible.

dan45a

They are XT rims on XT hubs. They are still true, and I have givien then some stick around the welsh trail centres over the last 6 months? I'm only 11 stone anyway!!

I did think that upgrading the tyres and tubes to something tougher would helps things. Was also thinking of adjustable seatpost? And definetly flats!!! Anything else I could do?

Would really like to be able to buy a Lapirre Spicy 516, but my missues would got mad if I bought another bike!!

I really want to do the event but can't really change my bike.

*Pez*

From the youtube vids, the Mega looks like a bit of a car park.
A friend of mine completed it in '06 on his 2004 Enduro.

Didn't make the race and had to descend with the rest of the peasants, but if you're there for the experience, then I can't see that there is anything you'll meet that you haven't already encountered in Wales. The length of the run (and a bit of ice and snow) looks like the biggest challenge.

Very jealous. I've got to do it before the wife starts talking about bloody babies!!

I reckon the Zesty is man enough - just depends how competitive you want to be.

Pez.

grantway

Zesty to slow try the new Orange 160 Alpine or the
Orange 5 AM Both frames can take a good hammering
and survive to go back and do it all again.

grumsta

Sorry but what on earth does 'Zesty to slow' mean?

Mate of mine has done Mega on an SX trail - lots of people do it on 5" travel bikes. I am debating doing it this year not sure whether to use my Pitch or try and hire something a bit more beefy.

cougie

Dan havent you answered your own question ? You say you want to do it but cant change your bike - so just go for it - you may need to ease the speed down but you will be fine.

switchback18

My brother-in-law's workmate did the Mega on a DH bike - he said on the steep bits it was ace, he passed loads of people but as soon as pedalling helped, they all passed him again. So, swings & roundabouts... however, this is only one account...

grantway

When MBR done a test on the Zesty It came clear that the frame/test bike
did not have the same turn of speed as some others tested
So you had to stay on the Gas to keep the Zesty upto speed IE Slow

This is in the MBR May 2008 Page 133 The test bike did score a 9

grantway

Could always try a Santa Cruz Heckler Which I believe has a 6 inch rear end
and can take upto a 160mm fork too.