Rider weight and bike weight
maksovnik
Posts: 2
Hey everyone 
I'm 14 years old and ride quite a lot. The trouble is I only weigh 8.5 stone or 119 pounds.This means I can hardly use any of the forks travel and the best way to describe it is that the bike feels like it want's to go it's own way. I don't feel very in control of it. Also I have tried for about 6 months now to bunny-hop or manual but I can't seem to lift the front wheel more than about a foot. I have practised the 'L shape' and watched practically every video on you tube on the subject! Is this because I can't push the fork down to preload enough?
My fork is the heavy Suntour XCT HLO - Coil sprung. My bike is the GT Avalanche sport 2016. I have upgraded every part except frame, hubs, rims and fork to better parts ( a lot lighter ) the front end is now heavier than the rear. Could I have upset the balance causing the front end to be almost glued to the ground? :P
I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest any tips for me on how I can adjust my bike to work for someone of my age (New fork???) or make the bike lighter? or is this normal and I am just lacking the skill? (Its about 29 pounds currently (13.2kg)
Thanks guys
I'm 14 years old and ride quite a lot. The trouble is I only weigh 8.5 stone or 119 pounds.This means I can hardly use any of the forks travel and the best way to describe it is that the bike feels like it want's to go it's own way. I don't feel very in control of it. Also I have tried for about 6 months now to bunny-hop or manual but I can't seem to lift the front wheel more than about a foot. I have practised the 'L shape' and watched practically every video on you tube on the subject! Is this because I can't push the fork down to preload enough?
My fork is the heavy Suntour XCT HLO - Coil sprung. My bike is the GT Avalanche sport 2016. I have upgraded every part except frame, hubs, rims and fork to better parts ( a lot lighter ) the front end is now heavier than the rear. Could I have upset the balance causing the front end to be almost glued to the ground? :P
I would appreciate it if anyone could suggest any tips for me on how I can adjust my bike to work for someone of my age (New fork???) or make the bike lighter? or is this normal and I am just lacking the skill? (Its about 29 pounds currently (13.2kg)
Thanks guys
0
Comments
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It's only technique. Also, you have to know that 13kgs is not a heavy bike at all. Regarding the fork, get a new one (Rockshox XC32 Air is good for the cheap price) with air suspension, or replace the coil inside your current one with a lighter coil made for your weight.-Cube Acid 29" 2013
-A new Giant Trance 3 2015!0 -
At your weight, that ultra heavy fork could make manuals tricky.Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=130702350
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RockmonkeySC wrote:At your weight, that ultra heavy fork could make manuals tricky.
I weigh just a tad bit more than he and have not had any problems relating to bike weight, even on my cheaper, older and heavier bikes.
Not saying that a better fork isn't a good idea though.-Cube Acid 29" 2013
-A new Giant Trance 3 2015!0 -
Greyville are the distributors for Suntour, they should be able to supply you with a soft spring.
https://www.greyville.com/
Manuals are all about technique, you can either do them or can't, fork will make little or no difference to someone who can.0
