1st Post. 1st 29er.

jj93

Hi All. New to this forum, but been lurking a while.

I'm a 50yr old geezer with a slightly dodgy back. Been riding a cheap crappy Harlem full suspension MTB for about 10yrs. It weighs a ton (20kg) and every major component on it has failed in it's lifetime. Even though it's full suspension it's a bone shaker, even with the sprung seat post.

Last weekend I took part in the London - Southend BHF Off Road Ride for the 2nd time. Raised about £150 in sponsors. I was very pleased. But, I'm suffering now with chronic back ache! It'll be gone in a few days so don't worry about the sympathy. (yeah, right!)

So, having seen all the 29er's gliding over the rough stuff, while I was taking a pounding, I've decided that's what I want and need.

Trouble is that all the reviews of the cheapos in my immediate price range (3-400) are pretty grim, with particular reference to the forks.

I need a bike that's very forgiving in the comfort department. As I'm a shorty it needs to be a 16" frame. I've sat on 18"'s in Halfords and I can get away with that size, but it'll be a nut buster when I step down onto the crossbar.
So I need recommendations. 'Used' is probably my best bet, but 'used' what? Will air shocks give me more comfort than coils? Will a springy seat post help? How much difference will bigger tyres make?

And any other advise will be welcome.

TIA.

PS. Halfords staff at the Basildon store are a bunch of useless dicks.

buddy_club

Welcome to the forum,
First of all ignore sprung seatposts, they are heavy and not very effective in adding comfort anyway. If you wanted a new bike it would definitely be worth saving up for a Voodoo Bizango from Halfords (£599). Also you could look for a used 2014 Bizango (black and yellow) which i would expect to be around the 3-400 pound price range. Air forks on lower end bikes are almost infinitely better than coil so it is worth looking out for those.

The Rookie

A used Bizango would be a good buy.

I'd admire your tenacity but not your intelligence for taking a Harlem that far, the rear suspension is useless, it's either soft and hopelessly squidgy and power sapping, or fixed but adding 6Kg to the bike weight.

jj93

Believe me, I won't be taking the Harlem on any more long distance rides. The suspension is truly dreadful. The Zoom shocks (with a max travel of about 50mm) are better than nothing, but the centre spring has to be done so tight to stop bouncing on tarmac that it becomes almost fixed, as you say, doing nothing but adding weight to an already heavy old beast. Through the forestry wasn't so bad, as I was out of the seat most of the time, but the long few miles along the tractor track by the farmers fields was unbearable.

2 yrs ago when I did the ride there were loads of old crapper bikes like mine. This time I was on my own. Every other bike was a good'en. And the 29er's stood out for me.

The Bizango does look like a good bet with the air shock. Shame it doesn't come in a 16" frame but that's something I'll have to live with. Just need to wait till something comes up local at the right price.

stubs

29ers in your price are a bit rare but Vitus are nice bikes have a look at
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-bikes-nucleus-290-hardtail-bike-2015/rp-prod120705

Does it have to be a 29er. Halfords are doing the Carrera Vulcan 27.5 for About £340 and the Voodoo Bantu 27.5 for about £399.

jj93

Cheers Stubs. Yup, it must be a 29er. Voices in my head say so. Unless I just can't get what I want, but it's early days yet.
Went out today to sit on a few and have a ride. Cycle King had a few, including a 17". All cheapies, but that wasn't the problem. The top tube height was just too high, even on a 17" 27.5. My short legs are the biggest obstacle to me getting a 29er. Went to a really great shop on Canvey Island.... Les Cycles. Very helpful owner and staff. Tried a 18" Forme Alport 300. Almost small enough. Then tried a 'Small' Scott 750 (27.5). It was a good fit. The Scott is available in a 'small' 29er as a 950, although they didn't have it in stock, so I'm trying to find the geometry on the net.
Not seen the Vitus in my searches, but it lists a 15" frame, and the specs show it as good for my height (5"6' with 29" leg). The spec looks great for a new bike in my budget. At the moment I think it's winning.

PS. I won't go back to Halfords unless they really are the last place on earth.

stubs

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19691314#p19691314]jj93[/url] wrote:

PS. I won't go back to Halfords unless they really are the last place on earth.

There are some stores that stink but I have found if you go during the week you tend to get the lads who know what they are talking about rather than a weekend guy who wouldnt know a bike from a wheely bin.

Trek and Specialized seem to do the widest range of sizes from my experience see if there is a specialist in those makes in your area they might not have a small frame in but can get them pretty quickly.