Roadie has Seven soft tail frame+bits,now what?

Whippetboy
Whippetboy Posts: 6
edited March 2011 in MTB beginners
I've often thought of going over to the dark side, and being a titanium freak
(Speedwell,Colnago bititan,Merlin) secretly lusted after a Moots YBB but
never had the cash.However, after a night involving a bottle of wine and
Ebay I now own a Seven Terres soft tail and a hangover.

The frame is a thing of beauty, despite being destined for dirt, and needs to
be ridden. Cantelever only, 1 1/8 forks and I have an STX 8sp non disc
groupset.

Now the questions. Forks- what length. sus or rigid for a newbie+softtail,
what headset, would rigid be suitable or comic, new vs S/H,could I go
disc on the front or would it be unbalanced. I live in North Norfolk so big
downhills are not an issue, but there is plenty of country to cross.

If I go out with a local offroad club, it would be good to have a suitable bike,
as a roadie I know how an unsuitable bike can upset the chaingang.
Thanks for any help, Chris

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Rigid on a softail sounds a bit pointless to me.
    Disc would be fine.
    MTB's tend to be less anal than roadies.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    well i think the first thing is to provide more info on the frame as it is no longer made.

    so pics.

    but I guess a 80mm fork would be suitable
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Less anal than roadies..... we've only the one...ex-lax for off road then.
    Suspension is noted. I've been told Seven take 80/100 mm forks.
    Pics tomorrow, wine tonight.
    Thanks , Chris
  • Noclue
    Noclue Posts: 503
    Fork - as everyone else has suggested 80-100mm, some rockshox models will allow you to reduce the travel by inserting spacers, not sure on other makes, so something like a Reba or Sid for the higher end or a Recon or Tora on more of a budget. The forks will almost certainley have disc mounts and i'd choose a V brake over canti's for the rear.
  • P1010173.jpg
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    P1010177.jpg

    Here's pics, sorry about the delay, had to learn how to do it !
    Useful advise so far. Thanks for all your help - will try and sort suitable forks out - maybe second hand on this Forum. Any more advice greatly appreciated.
  • Beardface
    Beardface Posts: 5,495
    Lovely looking frame there buddy, and welcome to the MTB world!

    There may be some forks on here, but it's worth having a look on Retrobike as well, as there may be some old school parts floating about over there too.