Newbie advice

Oh Marone

Hi there, new to the forums but have been loitering for the past few weeks getting ideas for my first proper mtb. Been checking out the advice you guys give out as well as reviews and whats on offer from online shops etc. Last time I had a mtb was about 17 years ago as a teen (Emmelle) but am after a proper mtb to have fun on and to get some good exercise.

Will be used for general xc/off road and at the local trail centre (Thetford forest), also heard of some unofficial routes around Sheringham (North norfolk coast). Budget is max £700 and I have about another £200 for bike related gear, helmet, gloves, pumps and a few tools etc.

Was looking at the usuall suspects for around my budget, Hoodoo,Rockrider 8.1 and the Boardman(£650). Then I was tempted by the Canyon yellowstone 5.0 http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2537 and my favourite from all the bikes listed is the Radon ZR team 6.0 http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1830/a58198/zr-team-6-0.html?mfid=52. Looks to have an amazing spec for the money and the Radons get very good reviews from the euro bike mags. Really like the looks as well especially in black.

General advice seems to be go for the best shock between bikes as this makes the most difference at my budget. I have seen the Rebas on £900+ bikes in the UK (KHS alite in a recent bike mag) although unsure what difference there is over say a recon silver air other than they are more adjustable and lighter.

Would the Radon be suitable for UK trail centres and general xc as it only has a 100mm fork where as some of the UK bikes have 120mm forks? My main concern though is what size frame to go for as the frame calculator tool on bikeshop.de comes up as a 19" and they only do an 18" or 20". After a comfy riding position over a racy arse in the air hands on the ground position as I have a bit of a dodgy back so a more upright posture should help. Inside leg is 85cm, 183cm tall and shoulder to middle of hand is aprox 60cm.

Am fairly handy with a set of spanners and used to work in a hire shop on a holiday camp in my teens hiring out mtbs and maintaining/rebuilding the bikes. So a mail order bike is no problem, will be buying on a 0% credit card so a used bike is out. All advice is welcome even if it is to complain about the length of my post :P

omegas

Oh Marone wrote:

My main concern though is what size frame to go for as the frame calculator tool on bikeshop.de comes up as a 19" and they only do an 18" or 20". After a comfy riding position over a racy ars* in the air hands on the ground position as I have a bit of a dodgy back so a more upright posture should help. Inside leg is 85cm, 183cm tall and shoulder to middle of hand is aprox 60cm.

Sit on a few different bikes is the only answer, no size/frame calculator will tell you which bike has the correct geometry for you .

Oh Marone

Thanks for the reply.
Went and had a look at the Hoodoo and Boardman Comp today, prefered the looks of the Boardman but wasn't totally sold on an all white bike. The grips looked very grubby being white as well, cheap to replace though. There was no room in the store to actually ride the bikes but I did have a sit on a large Comp (19") and an 18" Hoodoo, the only sizes on display.

The Comp felt ok to sit on but a bit of a stretched out position to the bars, hard to say without actually riding it as it may feel different on the move but thought it was a bit to stretched out for my liking. The top tube was failry high if you had your feet on the floor, could cause some err potential comfort issues. Also didn't find the seat to be very comfy either.
As for the Hoodoo well the seat was set at a stupidly high level and was unable to get to adjust lower as it had the longest seat post known to man and was bottoming out on the bottle cage mount. Even though the seat was way to high the actuall stretch to the bars felt much more comfortable than on the Comp, could deffinatley notice the difference in weight between both bikes as well. Think the Comp is about 1.5Kg lighter looking at the specs on Halfords.

The guy I spoke to didn't seem to know much about MTB's as he had already decided before I sat on the bikes that a 19" would be perfect. Gave some funny answers to some of my questions as well. Also non of the bikes had quick release seat clamps which the bloke in the store seemed to think were not needed. Seemed a bit odd to me as surely you might want to adjust seat height if you ride some rougher terrain or rock drops etc.

Anywho I am still swaying towards the ZR Team 6 and by the looks of it has simillar geometry to the Hoodoo, so think an 18" would fit the bill. Will give bike discount.de a ring to see what size they recommend as the Radon looks to be alot of bike for the money.

Dazzaster

Hey there. Appears we're in the same sort of area. I live in Mundesley. Just got back into mtb myself and loved Sunday, went to bacton woods albeit a little small but fun for a start, definatly need to lose weight and work on fitness. Have you managed to find any local trails?

Have fun.

Dazz.

WindyG

Hi to both of you, I'm not too far from either of you in Hingham and close to Thetford I'd be interested in any other trails other than Thetford forest.

Oh Marone

Hello there, I live in Norwich and only ordered my bike (Radon team 6) at the end of last week so am waiting for a big box to arrive from Germany. Had my first box of goodies from CRC arrive today, a pump and xtools tool kit that was on offer. Still waiting on another box from CRC, some pedals from Superstar and a shock pump off ebay to arrive. Need to buy a lid and some gloves but will go to a LBS for those.

Not really sure what there is in the local ish area to ride but have heard of some routes around Sheringham that are supposed to be good. Think some of the local LBS organise runs in that neck of the woods. One of the bike mags had a run around there before and listed some runs to do, need to speak to a mate at work as I think he knows more about it.

Have heard that Bacton woods is not much cop as I think they closed most of it off a few years back. Main rides for me will be Thetford and a local woods near to home during the week. More of a play area so probably not worth a visit but will do for a quick blast after work.

Maybe we can organise a meet up at Thetford some time if you are interested? Havn't ridden a bike in years and am hoping to burn off my spare tyre so will probably be hard going to start with until fitness/skill improves.

Dazzaster

i wouldnt recomened it if you had to travel far but as im a matter of minutes from it it's ideal for me to work on fitness and some technique to get back into the swing of it all... we will be travelling to thetford at some point in the near future and am already looking forward to it!... only got a voodoo bantu to start on but im already enjoying it and looking through the bike mags i can tell its just the start for me ( wont be telling the missus that though! lol )

Oh Marone

Bike arrived today and looks very sexy in the flesh. Still need to set up the shock which will require a read of the manual and I need an 8mm allen key for my Superstar pedals. Need to get the brake hoses switched over as well as they are the wrong way round (euro set up). Should be good weather on the weekend so hoping to take it out for a blast and see how unfit I really am

WindyG

Sorry missed the replies.
Yeah I'd be happy to meet up for a blast around Thetford, I do any of the routes around there, been doing the blue recently as I quite like the faster pace.
I try and get out every weekend as I am trying to get a lot fitter and drop a small amount of weight, plus getting my wife and 9 year old out on their bikes too.

Oh Marone

I plan to get up Thetford soon before the weather turns so will let you know when I plan on going. Never been before so would be good to meet up. Went out last Sunday for a ride around Lowestoft mainly along the sea front, roughly about 8 miles in total and my legs and back side deffinately felt it. Think it will take a bit of time to get used to the seat and riding in general and I was wearing a thin pair of tracky bottoms. Will wear my proper shorts next time with a padded liner which I hope will improve the comfort factor a bit.

WindyG

Sounds good to me, I'm happy to show you around the routes, I plan to carry on through the winter only heavy rain puts me off.

Padded shorts will make a difference and your body will also get used to it as well