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Getting back into mountain biking

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Slacker24seve...
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Joined: 10 May 2010
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PostPosted: 17:11 - 18 Oct 2015    Post subject: Getting back into mountain biking Reply with quote

I rode mtbs quite a lot in my teens, I did a fair bit of jumping and what could probably be described as freeride and general trail riding around the Forest of Dean, Coed y Brenin etc. I had at various points a Specialized Hardrock, FSR big hit and P3.

It's been 9 years since I last pedalled anything in anger and I sold everything except the Hardrock (because it was, and still is pretty knackered) to fund clay shooting and motorbikes. I'm now itching to get back into it but everything seems to have moved on, a lot. For a start wheels aren't 26" any more.

What I'd like to know is, what else has changed? Are cheap full sussers still terrible? and how much roughly to get kitted out and for a decent mid level bike? I'm not planning on doing massive drop offs or jumps like I used to as I don't bounce well any more but I don't plan to pussy about either Laughing

BCF's very own Tot has offered to take me for a ride (fnar) to see if I still like it, which I'm looking forward to Cool
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chris-red
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Joined: 21 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: 18:13 - 29 Oct 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I still really rate Hardrocks, So much so I've still not my ~10 year old Hardrock Pro. I've kept an eye on Chain reaction, and upgraded as and when I saw a deal. Now the only original parts are Frame, Wheels and Crank.

It could be worth upgrading the Hardrock. Spending £3-400 on it will get you a better bike than something new at that price.
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stinkwheel
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Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 18:58 - 29 Oct 2015    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree. Fix your hardrock. They were and still are decent bikes.

Dirt is still dirt. Mud is still mud. You're riding the same places. If anything they get more sanitised and graded as time goes on (not necessarily easier, but more predictable, especially if you're doing "built" runs like forest of Dean and Ced-y-Brenin).

You can still do red routes on a rigid bike if you want (although I went on one a bit back that had mandatory half-log rumble strips on a bit of single track which was a tad unpleasant!).

I've done the blue route at coed-y-Brenin on a rigid, single speed road bike with 27 x 1 1/8" tyres.

There are various sizes of tyres you CAN get but a 26" wheel is still round and still rolls when you push the pedals.

I personally like the 650B as a compromise size buit yeah, I'd rebuild your hardrock if I had one sat there.

One of the more significant changes is MUCH higher ranges available on rear casettes making 2x10 or even 1x11 gear setups not only do-able but covering a larger range than the old 3x9 gearings. Much nicer to rattle up and down a 10 speed casette than clank up and down chainrings.
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G
The Voice of Reason



Joined: 02 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 20:07 - 29 Oct 2015    Post subject: Re: Getting back into mountain biking Reply with quote

Biggest change - decent 26" bikes are now often very good value as they're out of fashion Smile.

Personally, I'd go for a secondhand full suspension bike. I've had enough hard tails, but more moddern mid-age full suspension bikes offer a decent ride that can be better up hills while being a lot better down - and don't give me back issues from the impacts.
From about £250 for a Boardman FS comp (gives you a bit for new bits and pieces from the £400 discussed) you would get a much nicer (to my mind), ride that's a fair bit more flexible.

If you want a bit more bounce, I recently paid £430 for a big hit - it's got a bit short travel front suspension, but otherwise seems pretty good.

Or going for a serious budget, a GT i-drive with hydraulic brakes for £125. Shouldn't be too bad for general XC, though I'd spend a bit more given the choice (this was got more for the parts for someone else's bike.)

Oh and yes I 'could' have ridden a hardtail around Temtiwr, but pretty sure I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun if I had.
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