justal
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 08:15 |
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Which MTB?
Right, its about time I had a new toy and I'm thinking about getting a mountain bike. Trouble is I don't know much about them
anymore.
I used to do loads (200-300 miles a week) of cycling and was really into it, but I haven't been on a bike for about 15 years and things
have changed a lot in those years, so what should I be looking for?
I'll basically be using it in the hills around here (West Wales) so will need something fairly good that will allow me to get back into
it again, but I don't want to have to spend too much on it.
Anyone got any suggestions and does anyone know a good place to get one from (other than eBay!)?
Cheers.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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danh
A Force-of-Nature *  
Member #: 1646 Posts 206
Registered: 30-12-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: Need new toys
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 09:33 |
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Hey Al,
I know a great place to get one from. ME
I bought a Kona cinder cone this time last year which cost me £699 with the full intention of getting back into cross country racing
but the purchase of the house has put a stop to that, so its up for sale cause i hate to see a good bike doing nothing. BArely used it
apart from a 2 minute bike ride to work and back for a few months
Im guessing youd want a bike along those kinda lines, as full suspension bikes can be a pain in the arse if yuor riding up alot of
hills as all your power input is absorbed by the rear shock.
Most bikes come with disk brakes these days even the cheaper ones. And most bikes are also 24speed so you wanna be looking out for that
even if your only spending a few hundred quid.
Im sure someone will be able to give better advice though.
Dan
why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death?
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justal
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 10:21 |
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Yeah, thats probably the sort of thing I'm looking for as was actually one of the models I had my eye on anyway... How much do you want
for yours?
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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danh
A Force-of-Nature *
Member #: 1646 Posts 206
Registered: 30-12-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: Need new toys
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 13:06 |
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KONA-Cinder-Cone-2006_W0QQitemZ180141351935QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33503QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem />
Thats the link to my bike al, id take £350 for it if you were interested.
why tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death?
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kelvin
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 148 Posts 356
Registered: 22-2-2003 Location: s.wales Member Is Offline Mood: waiting 4 next blow
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 14:39 |
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ooh a mtb !
depends on what you intend to ride !
if like me , which I belive you are you spend so much time hitting the surf that a mtb is for the turf when the wind aint blowing ?
so a x country flier aint gona be no good as you wont have the legs !!!
so go something a bit more hardcore , and ride some mad downhill stuff to give you a buzz .
Kel www.winsurfing.co.uk
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nick-r
A Force-of-Nature * 
Member #: 1260 Posts 257
Registered: 20-3-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: lazy
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 15:32 |
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my intention was to get a hard tail, until i test rode a full sus bike.
my advice would be not to make up your mind about wot you think you need until you've tried full suspension...even for normal
riding/cross country.
look for hydraulic discs and suspension lock-off.
[Edited on 23-7-2007 by nick-r]
http://www.rcad.co.uk/borthsurf.html
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Spooker
A Force-of-Nature *** 
Member #: 932 Posts 624
Registered: 24-8-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: rattle dem bones
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 16:52 |
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Top advice Nick - much easier on the piles 
You don't get any pedal induced bob on the good full sussers nowadays, in fact they're better at putting the power down on all but the
smoothest surfaces.
Without a doubt the best advice is to try out both, what you intend to do on it and your budget may suddenly change!
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REECEY
Pro 
Member #: 2178 Posts 86
Registered: 26-7-2006 Member Is Offline Mood: CARPE DIEM
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 19:02 |
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Full suspension is fine for mad down hill riding & you do need to spend a shed load more dosh for a half decent one. Disc brakes
are desirable & again cheap one's are no better than STD brakes. Spend your money on a good rigid frame with strong wheels &
good forks. Check out Chain Reaction Cycles. They do some mega online prices.
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mNeil
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 19:23 |
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come on Al at your age and condition you should be looking for one with an engine! i certainly would!!!!!!!
A KITE IS FOR LIFE!! THAT IS IF ITS A YARGA.
founder of storm'n Normans van club!
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REECEY
Pro
Member #: 2178 Posts 86
Registered: 26-7-2006 Member Is Offline Mood: CARPE DIEM
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 19:34 |
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I'v got a Mille,but it don't get you fit.More fun tho'
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justal
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| posted on 23-7-2007 at 20:18 |
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I hadn't been looking as full suspension models, but will do now... When I used to cycle they were nowhere near as efficient as a hard
tail, but things have improved considerably since then I would imagine... Mind you, back then I didn't bother with front suspension
either.
An engine would probably be a better idea, but half of the point is to try to get fit again... Although I guess it is a little more
than optimistic to think I'd ever regain much of the cycling ability I used to have... I guess it will be time to admit that I'm not 21
anymore. One reason I want a MTB rather than simply getting out on one of my road bikes is that if I got on my road bike I'd be
comparing my times to those I used to be able to do which would be a little demoralising.
I'm taking a look at the full suspension bikes now, but probably won't be able to afford one!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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badexcuseforasailor
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 11:19 |
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I think I better post as Ive kind of defected recently to Mountain biking
I not got really anything to add at as most of the other have said what I would of.
Have to point out Al it hurts more falling off a bike than it does a windsurf board 
Its often worth looking into exdemo or hire bikes from some places* they have normaly been well maintained
*not sure if I would want an exhire or demo from say Glentress (proper rough big rocks) but somewhere like Rutland would be ok
Another think to look for is the previous years model
[Edited on 24-7-2007 by badexcuseforasailor]
http://brogboroughlake.windsurf.me.uk/
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adam
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 18:02 |
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What are you going to use it for? If general riding with the odd trail and some road riding I'd look at getting a nice hardtail. If
want to do more serious off road stuff at Coed Y Brenin or Nant yr Arian maybe think about a full susser.
Depends on budget; much under about £7-800 new wouldn't bother looking at a full susser as it will more than likely be quite heavy,
above that with bikes like a Giant Trance or Specialized FSR/Stumpjumper then can get a good 4" or so travel bike that is still about
30 lbs so not too much hard work on the road/uphill
I think there is a test in this months MBUK of £500 FS bikes so maybe my views are a bit outdated...
EDIT here is one for £300 so maybe I am wrong!
http://www.mbuk.com/biketestdetails.asp?id=685 />
Konas are nice and I am a big fan but don't tend to get very good forks/components for your cash.
I think that Giant offer about the best bike for the cash with good quality frames and decent components.
The most important thing is fit though and between manufacturers there is quite a bit of difference so get a test ride if you can.
This XTC 4.5 is absolutely stunning value, hydraulic disc brakes, ok forks with lockout (so if using on the road can lock the forks out
to prevent bobbing) and decent components on a very good frame all for £400 delivered to your door.
http://www.tredz.co.uk/details.aspx?id=7282 />
I test rode one at Rutland and was impressed.
Also the Decathlon own brand bikes look good value and get a lot of component for your cash, think there £600 bike has £300 worth
of forks on it!
Can find some previous year models on offer here:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/ />
Or if you're going used and can give them a good look over try ebay or:
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/list.php?f=5&menu=16
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paul s
Hot shot
Member #: 537 Posts 52
Registered: 10-2-2004 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 18:54 |
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For riding in your area I'd think full sus is a must if you want to really use the terrrain. I'm a bit like you, done loads of road
riding/tri's but moved to offroad some years back after too many near misses with twats in cars. I started with a hardtail, but after
riding a full sus in Vass immediately bought full sus and have never looked back. Two reasons for me - one is comfort for long rides
(you want to feel tired not beaten up after a day in the saddle), the other is that you can keep the power on almost whatever is going
on under your wheels.
We'll be over in Aberdovey next week, so if you see sails coming out from the beach it could be us. We'll also be out on the MTB's -
Cadair calls (omg !). The best riding I've had over your way has been from the map rather than the riding centres.
[Edited on 24-7-2007 by paul s]
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nick-r
A Force-of-Nature *
Member #: 1260 Posts 257
Registered: 20-3-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: lazy
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 19:24 |
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quote:
Originally posted by paul s
We'll also be out on the MTB's - Cadair calls (omg !). The best riding I've had over your way has been from the map rather than the
riding centres.
[Edited on 24-7-2007 by paul s]
what day are you thinking of doing cadair....i want another go...
http://www.rcad.co.uk/borthsurf.html
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justal
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 19:55 |
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All this talk is getting me itching to get out there now.... I know the area and all the trails (and non-marked trails) pretty well, so
I should have some fun once I get a bike.
Sounds like full suspension is the way to go, but now I have to convince my credit card of that.... i do still have a few contacts in
the cycling world and have got my feelers out for a bargain. lets hope I can find something good at a rock bottom price!
Thanks for all the links Adam, there are some interesting options there... I can feel my budget rising already... Who needs food and
clothes when you can have new toys!!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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kelvin
A Force-of-Nature **
Member #: 148 Posts 356
Registered: 22-2-2003 Location: s.wales Member Is Offline Mood: waiting 4 next blow
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 20:09 |
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go on you know it makes sense !
bikes like boards/sails ,
all the bargains are on last yrs or yrs before models .
forget the light weight crap , it only breaks ,its like taking pryde freeride sails out in big waves !
bikes like wave boards all the funs in the jumps ,doubles,tabletops yea bring it on !
Kel www.winsurfing.co.uk
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justal
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| posted on 24-7-2007 at 20:29 |
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LOL.... And if I spend so much money on a bike that I can't afford to eat it'll help me loose weight even if I only leave it in the
living room and drool over it!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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adam
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| posted on 25-7-2007 at 16:51 |
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Aye if you're going to throw some money at it then agree go full suss otherwise (possibly with the exception of that cheap Decathlon)
it'll be heavy and bouncy - poor suspension is actually worse than not having any in my opinion since it rebounds you so nastily!
If you go full suss then have to decide if you want a 4" travel XC bike or 5" Freeride...guessing you don't want more that of a
dedicated downhill machine??!!
Spent my young days in the hills around Machynlleth on both push bikes and motorbikes and it is a fantastic area.
The now marked trails at Mach and Nant yr Arian didn't exist then (in fact a mate put some of Mach ones together) and Coed Y Brenin was
just getting established.
Agree though sometimes nothing beats finding your own way and spending the day in the hills not even seeing anyone else! Just take a
well stocked pack of spares!
Ain't many hills in Cambs so make do with Thetford or a drive to the Peak District, probably influenced why I went for a hardtail again
as its better suited to round here...
Forgot my local shop were trying to flog me a Merida at a massive discounted price, can't remember which model or how much though...
Shame you can't use cycle to work scheme being self employed as its a good way of getting a cheap bike to use 'for work' [although why
anyone needs a £1000 full susser to get to the office is a mystery  ]
Maybe you could get the VAT back if you class it as a business vehicle?!
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paul s
Hot shot
Member #: 537 Posts 52
Registered: 10-2-2004 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 25-7-2007 at 18:08 |
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quote:
Originally posted by nick-r
what day are you thinking of doing cadair....i want another go...
Not sure, depends on the weather. My son is up over the weekend too and he's keen to have a crack at it, so maybe sat pm or sun am. Or
we may end up walking it with the girls in tow 
I'll try to post on here if we get a plan together, but may be incommunicado once we get to Aber.
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk