hardtail or suss for a fat guy

fatgazzer
fatgazzer Posts: 12
edited August 2009 in MTB buying advice
Still undecided on a steel hardtail or full suss alli looking for comfort not speed, me being 17st :o (its not a name its a description) hoping to use the cycle to work scheme if I can persuade my employer to use it. At present I ride a tricross (specialised) and find it a bit harsh when on anything even a little rough.
Hoping to ride single track but nothing too fast :) another consideration is that its quite hilly around here
any ideas welcome Gaz

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Weight is not really a factor for hardtail or full suss choice - both will cope with 17 stone! Apart from some very light XC stuff with weight limits.

    What budget do you have?
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  • KnightofCydonia
    KnightofCydonia Posts: 957
    I'm down to just under 18 stone & use a hardtail. I have a few issues, uncomfortable saddle etc, but it's so much easier to get moving for me than a heavier (which a full sus at my price range would've been)
    Start Weight 18st 13lbs March 2009
    17st 10lbs August 2009
    17st 4lbs October 2009
    15st 12lbs December 2010

    Final planned weight 12st 7lbs
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Yeah hardtails will be better on the hills, and everyone is always going on about the comfortable ride quality of steel hardtails.
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    supersonic wrote:
    Weight is not really a factor for hardtail or full suss choice - both will cope with 17 stone! Apart from some very light XC stuff with weight limits.

    What budget do you have?
    If the cycle to work scheme comes right them circa £1k
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Specialized rockhopper then?
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    RealMan wrote:
    Specialized rockhopper then?
    Aren't they alloy? but is there much difference in ride quality
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Oh yeah forgot you wanted steel. Orange p7? Genesis IO?
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    456 no other competition
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Depends on if he's looking for a long travel fork or not, if not, a normal inbred could just as easily do the job.
  • Flenser
    Flenser Posts: 372
    My brother in law is 17 stone and he rides a Marin Alchemist 4.7 (Full-suss), before that a Claud Butler Cape Wrath D27 (Hardtail). He never had problems with either.
    Claud Bulter Cape Wrath D27 (2009)
    Raleigh MaxLite FS1 (2001)
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    P7

    R8 looks good too, but slightly over budget.
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    edited August 2009
    Realman both look ideal. Just got to find if anyone does them on the scheme and take a test ride. btw any thoughts on Charge bikes or sanderson frames?
    sorry sticky fingers
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Been looking the sanderson soloist myself recently, looks pretty good, but theres better out there.

    Never even heard of carge bikes.

    ----One google later----

    Oh... lol. Yeah, they do some good ones.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Rock Lobster 853?

    You may however find some super skinny steel frames flex too much. I wrote an article on this in this months What Mountain Bike magazine ;-)
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  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    RealMan wrote:
    Depends on if he's looking for a long travel fork or not, if not, a normal inbred could just as easily do the job.
    showing my ignorance here would the longer fork be more laid back ride if so I'd tend towards that
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    They can be yes. How about a travel adjustable fork?

    Have a look at the Genesis Core series of bikes. Tough, good value.
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  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    supersonic wrote:
    They can be yes. How about a travel adjustable fork?

    Have a look at the Genesis Core series of bikes. Tough, good value.
    not really thought about that type of fork in fact not sure what it is :oops: is it a jack of all trades ...
    but the genesis bikes goog is there much to choose between the core and altitude ranges
    thanks all for the info
    Gaz
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Altitudes have steel frames.

    The Rockshox U turn facility allows you to change the travel with a turn of the dial.
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  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    supersonic wrote:
    Altitudes have steel frames.

    The Rockshox U turn facility allows you to change the travel with a turn of the dial.
    sounds ideal just got to persuade my employers and find a cycle to work team supplier yet more research
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    Sounds like you might enjoy an inbred 456 and pikes..
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    RealMan wrote:
    Sounds like you might enjoy an inbred 456 and pikes..
    pikes ???
    sorry 15 years out of date
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Tough forks.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    supersonic wrote:
    Tough forks.
    beginning to make sense now thanks
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    456.jpg


    +


    rockshox-pike454-med.jpg


    =


    :D
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    sounds expensive
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    it's a pretty wild ride though. Could probably build it up for a grand...
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    Serious question...
    Would an inbred take any kind of abuse from a 17 stone bloke?

    I'd put a fiver down on frame failure or damage within a year.
  • RealMan
    RealMan Posts: 2,166
    I doubt if you could find a stronger hardtail frame, unless you start looking at freeride hardtails, and then it gets expensive.
  • fatgazzer
    fatgazzer Posts: 12
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    Serious question...
    Would an inbred take any kind of abuse from a 17 stone bloke?

    I'd put a fiver down on frame failure or damage within a year.
    Don' tthink i would be trying to make it fly too old, inexperienced, scared, (delete as appropriate)
    just to put another spanner in the works been looking at the Giant Trance X5 I think looks good but I am easily swayed by a colour scheme
    any thoughts most welcome
    thanks Gaz

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