MTB

[Bubbs]

First post in the new forum... wahey! Popped my cycle cherry.

So... Anyone here do mountain biking? I need recommendations for a decent bike. Going through the "cycle to work" scheme. Usually this scheme limits you at £1,000, however I work for the forestry commission so I get unlimited.

I was thinking of a bike in between £1,500 to £2,500. I imagine it should be X-Country rather than full DH. The bike has to be full suspension as a hard tail would be painful.

So any recommendations are welcomed.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[G]

I've got a Giant Reign and I'm very happy with it.

6" of travel and tough, but still light weight enough (mine is the Reign 0, got 2nd hand) to climb very nicely.

Note that there is a big range between 'XC' and 'DH'; I've got a bit lost in last few years but 'free ride' bikes tend to be downhill, but a little lighter with an extra front sprocket for an occasional bit of up, while 'all mountain' accepts you want to go down fast, but also want to get up the next one by pedal power.

[Bubbs]

[haroman666]

Specialzed Enduro? They're pretty damn good for AM/XC. But doubt you'd get one within your price range. (Dont know for sure. Been very out of touch with the MTB community recently so all knowledge of the current bikes/happenings is very limited).

But since it's an MTB thread, here's my trusty steed:
https://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg630/haroman6661/30062010123.jpg

07 Kona Stinky
Upgrades:
06 Marzocchi 66 Forks
Avid Juicy 7 rear brake
E13 LG1 chain guide
Diabolus Crank
Full SRAM X9 drivetrain + Shifter
Blackspire Chain ring
MTX camo laced to a Hope pro2 hub on the rear
Wellgo V12 pedals
Decent lock on grips (cant remember who makes them)
GEAX DH rear tyre, Maxxis Minion DHF front tyre

I think that's it. I've spent about as much money on this as I have on the Bandit.

Where do you guys ride? I spose it would be prudent to know where you guys are from too.

I'm from Cambridgeshire so I ride a Chicksands over in Beds quite a lot. (Well I used to, not so much now i'm at uni)
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Bubbs]

[G]

My Giant only has slightly less travel than a stock stinky (6" vs 7"), but climbs nicely because of the way it's set up (and possibly the 'propedal' thing on the shock) - however of course the Stinky is going to get down the other side much more nicely .

Also, can pretty much just leave it in the middle chainring for 'fun' bits, so a single front chain ring isn't much of an issue.

[UnknownStuntm...]

Step 1: Look here: https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/superlight/
Step 2:Drool.
Step 3:Buy.
Step 4:Enjoy.

For the money you're talking about I'd get one of them, they're awesome, really light bikes. 100mm travel is firmly XC territory, but it's all useable and this bike will not penalise you when you want to get back up to the top.

I've ridden one and it was lush.

[haroman666]