New bike time!
sekana69
Posts: 16
Hi guys, looking for a bit of advice here on a new bike.
Honestly I'm not sure what to go for now.
I have a fair bit of riding experience, but all hardtail.
I've been out of it for quite a few years now but looking to get back into the scene so need a new bike.
During the week I'll mainly be commuting the 4 miles each way to work. But at the weekend I'd like to perhaps head up to Cannock Chase or Bikepark Wales on longer weekends.
As it's my first bike for a while I'm not going nuts money wise so I'm torn between a Vitus Sentier hardtail and a Calibre Bossnut Evo full sus.
The Vitus will cost about £850 and the 2019 Bossnut Evo (the 2020 Bossnut has dropped the Evo bit and whacked the price up) is available for £799 at the moment at Go Outdoors.
My first thought was a hardtail, as I wont be hitting the trails as much as I would like, and I'm a big heavy bloke (until I start training again anyway).
But then I saw all of the rave reviews for the Bossnut Evo and, coupled with the fact it's now £200 cheaper, I'm stuck.
My instinct is telling me the Bossnut, as I'll be less likely to need to change bikes in the near future as my skills come back. But then the sensible part of my brain is saying "yeah but full sus are harder work on road and path riding. Do you want to work harder on the commute?" Then the rebel part of my brain is saying "F*** you boring old t**t! I'll just replace the rear shock for one with a lockout. Duh!"
Help!!!
Honestly I'm not sure what to go for now.
I have a fair bit of riding experience, but all hardtail.
I've been out of it for quite a few years now but looking to get back into the scene so need a new bike.
During the week I'll mainly be commuting the 4 miles each way to work. But at the weekend I'd like to perhaps head up to Cannock Chase or Bikepark Wales on longer weekends.
As it's my first bike for a while I'm not going nuts money wise so I'm torn between a Vitus Sentier hardtail and a Calibre Bossnut Evo full sus.
The Vitus will cost about £850 and the 2019 Bossnut Evo (the 2020 Bossnut has dropped the Evo bit and whacked the price up) is available for £799 at the moment at Go Outdoors.
My first thought was a hardtail, as I wont be hitting the trails as much as I would like, and I'm a big heavy bloke (until I start training again anyway).
But then I saw all of the rave reviews for the Bossnut Evo and, coupled with the fact it's now £200 cheaper, I'm stuck.
My instinct is telling me the Bossnut, as I'll be less likely to need to change bikes in the near future as my skills come back. But then the sensible part of my brain is saying "yeah but full sus are harder work on road and path riding. Do you want to work harder on the commute?" Then the rebel part of my brain is saying "F*** you boring old t**t! I'll just replace the rear shock for one with a lockout. Duh!"
Help!!!
0
Posts
It's not a long commute and very little of it would be on actual roads, but I wondered if it would just be bloody hard work.
At £799 it's hard to ignore.
And it all promised so so much”
Giant Trance 2 27.5 2016 ¦ Bird Zero Mk1 ¦ Giant Revolt Advanced 2 2019 ¦ Giant Anthem 3 2015 ¦ Specialized Myka Comp FSR 2009
I hear you. 799 is a bloody steal.
Instead, just pump up the tyres and/or add air to the shock.
As for the commute; it's only 4 miles, think of it as training and don't change anything on your FS.
One thing I think I will do is scout around and see if I can find a bike shop locally that really has good knowledge of setting up and tuning suspension.
That way I know it's set for me personally and I'm getting the best out of it.
From my point of view.
A HT is great for commuting and can cope with Cannock and BPW but with limitations.
A FS can easily commute 4 miles and will give you loads more smiles per miles at Cannock and BPW.
When I first went to BPW on my HT, two things happened. I nearly died and I realised how out of my depth my bike was. A HT is great fun on the blues but less fun on the reds (I actually came off twice on the blues just due to the sheer speed that you pick up). When I changed to my FS (140mm Enduro bike) it was all so much easier. Better control, more composure, more speed(!) and less arm pump.
Won't bore you with the details but I'd suggest the FS option. More scope to expand your riding and a 4 mile commute is nothing in the meantime.
Buy it and get riding!
PS - my FS has lock out front fork and CTD rear, so I can effectively lock that out as well. Don't worry about that at the moment.
There do seem to be some purists out there who are adamant that a full sus shouldn't and cant be used for anything other than trails and even thinking of riding one on a road or something is pure heresy!
I haven't found a "lockout" yet that actually does what it says. In fact they are all just extra firm compression damping.
When I first got a bike with a "lockout", I only used it when climbing long smooth hills. But then when I got to the top I mostly forgot to disengage it, the ensuing pain was a swift teacher and I stopped using the function.
Whoever you go to for suspension advice, they can only give guidance, they can't ride the bike for you and have to rely upon your feedback. YouTube has dozens, if not thousands, of videos that promise five minute set ups. They all have a value, but follow this link and download the Bike Rumour guide to suspension set up. It contains far more info and advice than you will need for a year or so, but it all comes in easy to understand steps and with loads of pictures too!
https://bikerumor.com/2014/10/30/bikerumor-suspension-setup-series-full-series-pdf-free-download/
I had a chat with someone yesterday about the rear suspension on the Bossnut and his advice was that the Monarch R shock is very capable but he would recommend I get the DebonAir adaptation for it, which is apparently a fairly simple fit. So I'll probably just go for that and see what happens going forward.
I know back in my hardtail days I used to love to ride fast and hard and I'd never pull out of any tricky sections or jumps, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how much more I can push with a full sus.
I'm a bit purist that I think all new MTB riders should start on a HT. It teaches you to ride a bike, feel the trail and manage speed. A FS is then a natural progression. I do think that some people get sold the dream that they need a 150mm £3k FS bike just to get started.
If you do decide to go to BPW you will need full face helmet and ideally knee and elbow pads. Due to the downhill terrain, most unplanned ejections involve a face plant and/or parachute roll. I've seen some nasty facial wounds and bought a FF helmet specifically for my annual trip there. You don't even have to be riding that hard and it can catch you out.
You can just be riding along, minding your own business and then BANG! before you know it you've had an involuntary dismount and are laid there wondering what day it is! Knee and elbow guards as well as the mandatory helmet are the minimum, in my opinion.
Because I have a big head and look a total helmet in a normal helmet. Lol.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.7Protection-M1-Full-Face-Downhill-Helmet_115192.htm
Absolute bargain at 45 quid in the sale right now.
Sure, it might not be anywhere near as good as some of the £200+ cans but I'm not entering the World DH championships just yet! Lol.
But be aware that full face helmets can be very hot except in winter. They also stop you spitting unless you are careful. Drinking is OK from a bladder but not a water bottle.
And whatever you do, don't cough just after putting an energy bar into your mouth!
Definitely more fun on the FS and the HT does get a bit hairy on the more technical areas.
My FS is a Trek Slash and I've got the Monarch without lockout and I've been really impressed. Don't notice any major loss of momentum uphill and it sucks up the big stuff, so I personally wouldn't worry about that. Ride it and see how you feel.
Titus El Chulo 27.5 | 2017
Trek Slash 9 27.5 | 2015 (building)
I would suggest you research and make sure you get the rear shock setup properly as there are loads of different ways to achieve the sag you want. There will be equally heavy riders using the same bikes.
Titus El Chulo 27.5 | 2017
Trek Slash 9 27.5 | 2015 (building)
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Calibre Bossnut
I have reserved an Evo at my local(ish) store and they have text me to say it's ready. So that's a good sign at least.
Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Calibre Bossnut
Although some sites seem to suggest trying a large on a full sus for the longer wheelbase?
On another note, would this bike be able to carry and deal with my weight satisfactorily? 5' 11" and 16st (yeah, I know).
That being said, I am due to start my next training cycle soon so I should be around 15 to 16 stone by March/April time.
https://www.bellbikehelmets.co.uk/products/detail/BEHSANC/sanction-mtb-full-face-helmet/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr8bwBRD4ARIsAHa4YyLRQIaNG1aGErqilTXOfQ-9h6I8kOK4B5kP6OlFM90z98vbbK5qh4waAqG3EALw_wcB
I've spent 3 months using My Fitness Pal. You set your weight loss target and it tells you how many calories you are allowed each day. You have to be honest about what you consume and if you can stick to it, you'll lose weight.
It's the first time that I've lost weight because exercise alone just doesn't work. It just off-sets my naughty foods and snacks. Cutting out the naughty foods/snacks has been far more effective. I ride twice a week, walk the dogs etc but the sensible calorie intake has made the difference.