Travel vs category of bike, gone mad or what?

2

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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Good thing is there is so much choice now. When giving advice I will still steer people to what seems to be the most appropriate - but people like different things. I prefer shorter travel and steeper angles. Many dont!
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  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    supersonic wrote:
    Good thing is there is so much choice now. When giving advice I will still steer people to what seems to be the most appropriate - but people like different things. I prefer shorter travel and steeper angles. Many dont!

    See me and sheeps totally different tastes in styles here. but both equally valid and enjoyable for actually riding.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    ride_whenever wrote:
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    i know that people think a long travel bike is wasted on smooth routes, but some people like long travel bikes because they feel different to short bikes, no other reason, surely there's nowt wrong with that?

    i like the angles associated with longer travel bikes, even though i only ride with my wheels on the ground at all times. its dificult to really express why i prefer bigger bikes, i just do.

    i dont find riding it boring in the slightest.

    Have you tried slack short travel hardcore bikes?

    no, only trail and all mountain bikes and the occasional hardtail (which i detest of course)
  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    ride_whenever wrote:
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    i know that people think a long travel bike is wasted on smooth routes, but some people like long travel bikes because they feel different to short bikes, no other reason, surely there's nowt wrong with that?

    i like the angles associated with longer travel bikes, even though i only ride with my wheels on the ground at all times. its dificult to really express why i prefer bigger bikes, i just do.

    i dont find riding it boring in the slightest.

    Have you tried slack short travel hardcore bikes?

    And yarp,

    Made me feel kinda sick to be fair lol.
  • meesterbond
    meesterbond Posts: 1,240
    Northwind wrote:
    meesterbond wrote:
    Why would riding a longer travel bike suddenly make it boring?

    By making it easier. I can think of plenty of trails round here that are challenging on a rigid, just about fun on a short travel bike, and no more exciting than tarmac on a big bike. Course not everyone would agree, but I reckon a lot of the time there's such a thing as too much travel. It's not about having the minimum amount "needed" though, just not about having such a capable bike that it makes things too simple.


    I guess I don't equate easy with necessarily being boring... although I spend most of my cycling hours on a road bike, so perhaps it's just me. Just being out on a bike in the country is enough a lot of the time - I don't always need it to be pushing me technically.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    andyrm wrote:
    I love riding my big travel bike - I have a singlespeed hardtail too and it's noticeable even on local trails in Bristol just how much faster I am on the big bike.

    I think that's the big thing, for some speed is the most important part, for others it's less important. My own attitude is that the same descent, made harder and ridden slower, gives a better time return on the time spent climbing, and hurts less if you crash :lol:
    Uncompromising extremist
  • Thewaylander
    Thewaylander Posts: 8,594
    hehe yup that's definitely the difference as i like to try and rinse as much speed as I can out the downs :P
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    You are but one step away from become a roadie :lol:
    Uncompromising extremist
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    Northwind wrote:
    meesterbond wrote:
    Why would riding a longer travel bike suddenly make it boring?

    By making it easier. I can think of plenty of trails round here that are challenging on a rigid, just about fun on a short travel bike, and no more exciting than tarmac on a big bike. Course not everyone would agree, but I reckon a lot of the time there's such a thing as too much travel. It's not about having the minimum amount "needed" though, just not about having such a capable bike that it makes things too simple.

    Yep - head nail situation

    For example where is the fun in pulling off a nice drop off/climb/berm/lime if you could have just rolled it sitting down and gotten away with it....

    I suppose different people get different things out of biking
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • TargetP
    TargetP Posts: 4
    Hhhmmmm........

    Consider this, more travel reduces the skills required of the rider. Therefore the rider can do more, feels more capable and thus makes more difficult routes more accessible to the average rider, by default those routes that were challenging previously become easier and I dare say "boring"

    I rode a rigid fork hard tail for years and only moved up to a short travel full sus when I could no longer keep up with the crew on their new bikes. Then two things happened; I tested an all mountain full susser on the black route at GT and rode it faster than ever before, no one could keep up; later I busted my shoulder on a kicker jump when I got it crossed up and couldn't get away from the bike I was clipped into.

    Taking my time to ponder; firstly the all mountain route would be a mistake, I am always pushing the limits and those limits on that type of bike are so much higher that the next time I got it wrong was going to equal serious hurt; so what next? I realised the guy I admired most always rode a hardtail and still managed to thrash almost everyone, after a long chat I took a step back to what was laughingly (by today's standards) called a Long Travel hardtail - a DMR Trailstar with 130mm of coilsprung RS Revelation fork and flat peddles.

    Results 2 years on: My bike handling skills are substantially better than ever before, I can even bunny hop properly on flats now! My confidence and the amount of fun I have on almost any trail has grown exponentially. I have rocked the DMR in the Pyrenees and the Tuscan Alps. Oh and that smug feeling of satisfaction I get passing the guys on their very, very expensive big full sussers is priceless :wink: Not bad for an old duffer of 45 :wink:

    And finally
    Gone mad or what?
    Only if you believe hype of the PR Men who's only goal is to get you to part with your hard earned pennies as frequently as possible :twisted:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    ddraver wrote:
    For example where is the fun in pulling off a nice drop off/climb/berm/lime if you could have just rolled it sitting down and gotten away with it....
    I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again. If you think a longer travel bike lets you sit down through rough terrain, you're doing something wrong.

    If you see travel as a compensator for your own embarrassing skill level, don't assume that it's the same for everyone. Some of us intend to get the most out of our bikes.
  • andyrm
    andyrm Posts: 550
    Exactly. I find big travel lets me do more to push myself, carry loads more speed into turns, nail impossible looking drops and generally take it to another level. I can get a similar buzz on my ss but it's at far lower speed and for me it's about being fast and smooth throughout a whole ride. Big travel allows that!
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    andyrm wrote:
    Exactly. I find big travel lets me do more to push myself,

    Exactly, if interesting becomes easy, then surely the previously unrideable becomes rideable.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    big fs bikes make you look rich, thats why i like them,
  • andyrm
    andyrm Posts: 550
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    big fs bikes make you look rich, thats why i like them,
    didn't you mean big adjustable travel...?
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    For example where is the fun in pulling off a nice drop off/climb/berm/lime if you could have just rolled it sitting down and gotten away with it....
    I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again. If you think a longer travel bike lets you sit down through rough terrain, you're doing something wrong.

    If you see travel as a compensator for your own embarrassing skill level, don't assume that it's the same for everyone. Some of us intend to get the most out of our bikes.

    There are limits obvioulsy yes - but one is unlikely to find them at Trail Centres or where many (not all!) "average" riders ride...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    the whole point is that one mans boring is another mans fun. one mans too much travel, is another mans perfect amount.

    people get very hung up on what other people ride and their reasons why, whereas the people braking the rules are the ones enjoying their bikes for whatever reason they choose to buy them and ride them where they like.

    also, people with shorter travel bikes are poor.
  • andyrm
    andyrm Posts: 550
    Sheepsteeth makes a very valid point about different tastes and styles. For some it's about maximum rider skill, some like big freeride stuff. I fall into the AM/light freeride (god I love a good pigeonhole) category and it's all about maximum point to point speed regardless of terrain. I'm competitive by nature so anything that makes me faster is king.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    ddraver wrote:
    If you see travel as a compensator for your own embarrassing skill level, don't assume that it's the same for everyone. Some of us intend to get the most out of our bikes.

    There are limits obvioulsy yes - but one is unlikely to find them at Trail Centres or where many (not all!) "average" riders ride...[/quote]
    You seem to have some chip on your shoulder if you think that riders aren't getting the most from their bikes then.
    I bet you also feel the same for people with sporty cars who don't go to track days?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    if i could make one change to bikeradar it would be this: people would just choose to like what they like without needing justification, to themselves or anyone else.

    if someone likes a bike because it is fun to ride, then it is the perfect bike for the job at hand, regardless of the fact that other people think it wouldnt suit them.

    the other thing i would change if there were 2 changes to be made would be that i was in complete charge of BR.
  • stubs
    stubs Posts: 5,001
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    if i could make one change to bikeradar it would be this: people would just choose to like what they like without needing justification, to themselves or anyone else.

    if someone likes a bike because it is fun to ride, then it is the perfect bike for the job at hand, regardless of the fact that other people think it wouldnt suit them.

    the other thing i would change if there were 2 changes to be made would be that i was in complete charge of BR.

    Bloody hell sheep stop talking sense man you are beginning to worry me. Get back to limes and jars of liver at once.
    Fig rolls: proof that god loves cyclists and that she wants us to do another lap
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,697
    You and me both mate!

    I do see more people who could get more out of their days ride than they do (and they often admit this). MBR were suggesting 6" of travel was the best bike for Cannock Chase an Llandegla this month....seriously?!!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    if someone likes a bike because it is fun to ride, then it is the perfect bike for the job at hand,
    Sorry sheeps, that's bollocks.

    The ideal bike for any situation is a 6" travel bike, with rigid carbon forks, steel frame, and a geared fixie system. With one 29" wheel at the rear, and a 20" wheel with a 4" tyre at the front. It would also have wonky bars made of titanium, with leather grips, and would have a brookes saddle.
    AND, it would be made by a bearded hippy in a sweatshop in his back garden (but not really, cause it would be made by Lynskey, obviously, but ssssh, don't tell anyone about Lynskey)
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    ddraver wrote:
    You and me both mate!

    I do see more people who could get more out of their days ride than they do (and they often admit this). MBR were suggesting 6" of travel was the best bike for Cannock Chase an Llandegla this month....seriously?!!

    and again you're concerning yourself with other peoples choices of bikes and where they choose to ride them. i love to ride at llandegla on my 150/160mm bikes, infact, it is my fve way to ride it regardless of the smooth nature of the trail, i felt the same about thetfor, and not only is thetford smooth, its flat too.

    but even though most folk would consider my bike too much travel for them at those places, i dont consider them too much travel for me, and so i ride my bike there because even though i dont quite know why, i like to ride it there
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    if someone likes a bike because it is fun to ride, then it is the perfect bike for the job at hand,
    Sorry sheeps, that's bollocks.

    The ideal bike for any situation is a 6" travel bike, with rigid carbon forks, steel frame, and a geared fixie system. With one 29" wheel at the rear, and a 20" wheel with a 4" tyre at the front. It would also have wonky bars made of titanium, with leather grips, and would have a brookes saddle.
    AND, it would be made by a bearded hippy in a sweatshop in his back garden (but not really, cause it would be made by Lynskey, obviously, but ssssh, don't tell anyone about Lynskey)

    aah, i take it back, thats actually a good point, one of them got 10/10 in mbr the other week but it needed new bars and different tyres and could do with an upgraded shock to get the best out of it.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    ddraver wrote:
    You and me both mate!

    I do see more people who could get more out of their days ride than they do (and they often admit this). MBR were suggesting 6" of travel was the best bike for Cannock Chase an Llandegla this month....seriously?!!

    and again you're concerning yourself with other peoples choices of bikes and where they choose to ride them.
    Bang on the money. ddraver seems to have more of a chip on his shoulder than most about what bikes other people ride.
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    ddraver wrote:
    You and me both mate!

    I do see more people who could get more out of their days ride than they do (and they often admit this). MBR were suggesting 6" of travel was the best bike for Cannock Chase an Llandegla this month....seriously?!!

    Not exactly...
    MBR wrote:
    Llandegla, what to ride:
    a hardtail brings with it no serious drawbacks and would actually be beneficial on certain features....However, given free reign, a short travel FS with civilised high speed manners and fast rolling tyres would take some beating
    MBR wrote:
    Cannock, what to ride:
    Any bike will do on FTD. If you're going to ride the Monkey we reckon you'll have more fun on an FS than hardtail
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    :lol:
    BOOM!
    Bails hits a home run!
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    bails87 wrote:
    Exactly, if interesting becomes easy, then surely the previously unrideable becomes rideable.

    Which is fine, if you have loads of incredibly technical trails around you that require a really big bike. Hardly anyone in the UK has this though.

    Usually I just put it down to personal taste but there's one thing that boils my piss a bit- people with big long travel bikes complaining that trails are too smooth or not technical enough. Sitting in the cafe at glentress with your Alpine 160 beside you bashing the FC because the trails aren't challenging enough...
    Uncompromising extremist
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Northwind wrote:
    Sitting in the cafe at glentress with your Alpine 160 beside you bashing the FC because the trails aren't challenging enough...

    Ah, now I've never heard that. I moan that my local stuff is boring, but it would be boring on a road bike! :lol:
    I just tend to see people on bigger bikes going over the same stuff faster.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."

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