Mountain bikes....

[Deebs]

Need advice on the purchase of a mountain bike. Not really had one for a few years since I gave my last one to my son which was then nicked and replaced with a Specialized Comp XC 2005 model I think.

Have been looking at the range and stumbled across this beauty: Evans Cycles: Product: Specialized FSR XC 2007 Mountain Bike

Pros? Cons? What other bikes should I consider if any? I like the look and although my sons frame is medium I liked it tho I will go for a test ride on a large or xlarge frame to be sure.

 

[Kryten]

Not your normal ride Deebs, most the bikes you end up with have breasts

On the serious side, is this for the odd trip into town or do you actually intend to use it as a mountain bike should be used?

 

[Deebs]

hehe

um, a bit of both, whilst i would love a road bike i tend to cycle up and down canals as well and throw the bike around.

I could go for a hybrid bike but saw one with a basket so fuck that. Mountain bike it is.

 

[TdC]

I like Spesh bikes. They tend to have a high bang-for-your-buck value imo. My first bike was a Spesh Rockhopper and it was a decent little bike.

I have a few points though. Or rather, I'd advise against getting a full sus bike.
Hardtails are more robust and less maintenance than a fully. Rear sus tends to come into it's own above a certain amount of money and usage, and if you're not going to do it at first you may as well spare yourself. Also, generally a hardtail will be a better spec than a fully at the same price.

in that light you may want to consider this one and get them to fit you a better spec drivetrain and/or fork up to your price point. The RockShox Tora 302 is very basic, with the Tora being a decent little fork but the 302 denotes the "lowest" model. (next one up being 318, which will get you air and some other goodies in your fork, but will also buy you more maintenance as air forks can be a bit fiddley). This bike by FELT is an example of a slightly better spec. Tbh I'd choose that over the Spesh Rock Hopper. Another example is this Kona Kula, but still I prefer the FELT because the FELT spec is just a teeny bit nicer imo. This Bianchi bike also looks nice, with it's slightly higher spec shifters and drivetrain, but you note you're back at the base model Tora fork by RockShox but this time you do get a thing called a pop-lock, which allows you to lock out your fork, which is nice for brutal climbs.

You may feel like something completely different in a bike. In that case, get in touch with Brant at On-One (gosh I feel like an On-One salesman heh. He may still have a few older Inbreds or Scandals banging about that he might be persuaded to get rid of. Ofc, you can buy a new Scandal for ~950gbp, but that is about 100squids over what you mentioned. And you'll have no suspention at all (just like I do btw, as I have one just like it hehe)

 

[Deebs]

Argh!! Now I am confused. Make a shopping list so I can go the shop and say this is what I want. Will ask to try your specialized recommendation too.

Am gonna pop to the shop tomorrow

 

[Deebs]

Or what about this one?

Evans Cycles: Product: Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc 2007 Mountain Bike

 

[TdC]

hehe I was reading up. Firstly, on your original choice: the people on the internet seem to think that the FSR XC comp is the better choice of full sus bike. I've seen detail pics and it's certainly not bad at all. Very nice looking bike. Now, on the Evans site they ofc feature both versions. the Comp is 200gbp more, and tbh the main change is that you get a RockShox Recon 335 fork instead of a RockShox Tora 302 fork as "higher" spec upgrade, and some other bits and bobs, like different (but similar spec) disk brake, different but once again similar wheels, tyres, etc. As the Recon 335 doesn't feature on the RS or retailer webbies unless it's with a bike means that Specialized have made a deal with RS to feature this particular fork. Not a bad thing of itself, but it means that if you manage to break it you may be forced to go to a Spesh dealer to get it fixed (but I'm not sure of this ofc). I haven't been able to find out what the rear shock is though. Ofc this is somewhat important because you generally want to know how the front and rear suspension perform together on a sus bike. If they are mismatched performance wise you'll be feeling either that the bike is hard up your arse, or soggy at the back or all kinds of things which will detract from your riding pleasure.

Regarding the Rockhopper vs. the Rockhopper Comp, once again Evans gives you a better spec fork as main upgrade point with a few minor changes to the drivetrain in the different but similar category imo. However, in this case, the upgrade only costs you 100gbp rather than 200, leading me to believe that getting the Rockhopper Comp is a better deal.

Looking around, I find that my fave website in the world (other than FH ofc) has this CUBE on offer which has a nice mix of kit featured on it. Slightly higher spec in the gearing with once again the Tora fork at the front. However the imo best possible deal I've been able to find is this GT with it's higher spec fork and mid level kit average. Ofc it doesn't have disks, and you way want different pedals as I'm somewhat sure you aren't used to click-in (SPD style) pedals that attach you to the bike

I'm thinking that the Rockhopper Comp is the best overall deal at that price mark, with the GT as best possible deal with some things you'll have to change.

Now, the Tora fork certainly isn't bad, but it could be better. At that price point you're either going to have a slightly lower spec fork with slightly better spec drivetrain/wheels or the reverse. Shimano is the generally used kit, and they rate something like Alivio, Deore, LX, Hone, XT, XTR iirc from low to ultra-high spec. If they don't name it specifically it's going to be Deore.

Imo arguing points could be staying with a Tora fork but getting slightly better spec deraillers, shifters and drivetrain. Complete bikes tend to have a mix of spec components which is well and good, but one level of spec is better. Ie if mostly everything is say, LX spec (like the GT above), it's generally going to be a higher level of quality than a mix of say, Deore and XT.

That's me being a fairy princess though. There is nothing at all "wrong" with Deore level kit, it's just that you can argue the spec up a bit. Tell them you saw a GT at the same price and kit level but with a Recon 351 fork and see what they do Btw, your thought of having a ride on different sized bikes is certainly a good idea. That will give you a good impression of what a slightly bigger/smaller bike will feel like. You're reasonably tall, so I'm guessing 18/19" bikes will do it for you (I ride a 16" myself, and I'm 5'8" or thereabouts). Also, imo, if you manage to find a bike where you feel that you're just "in between" sizes, I'd recommend choosing the smaller offering, because that will make it slightly more compact allowing you to boss the bike about a bit more. Gosh, I'm rambling


edit: ofc, you could always get one of these

 

[Deebs]

Woohoo

Am now the proud owner of the Rockhopper Comp Disc 2007. Have not had a chance to play with it yet apart from put the bars and pedals on the bike.

Gotta take my son to a tech college for an interview but I am hoping that when I get back I can take it out for a spin.

In the end I had to go for a 21" frame as the 19" was just too small for me and I felt like I was too far over the bars. Cheers Teedles for the advice.

 

[TdC]

no worries mate, I certainly hope that you'll enjoy yourself hugely (and won't pass out at the top of the first hill hehehe)

soon you'll be able to tell by the taste of the grit exactly what that mysterious thing was you just rode through and possibly even from what animal it came

also....pics!!1

 

[Tom]

Well done Deebs, just make sure you get the saddle position exactly right, or you'll have creaking knees

Get yourself an under-saddle bag as well, one of the biggest you can fit - they're brilliant for stashing house keys, tools, energy bars etc.

Get down to ECP or Halfords and buy some anti-fling chain spray, its the best chain oil there is as it lasts ages.

 

[Deebs]

Cheers for the heads up. Can't wait to taste flies again.

Tom, know the name of the oil I should buy?

 

[Tom]

I have a tin of Valvoline, Any motor factors or Halfrauds will have it, or similar.

 

[Deebs]

I have a tin of Valvoline, Any motor factors or Halfrauds will have it, or similar.

It better than KY?

 

[Tom]

I wouldn't know. Ask Teeds.

 

[Gamah]

I am looking to buy a new bike in a next few months around the £800 mark, anyone got any recomendations?

I will be using it on road when i ride to work and fucking kicking the shit out of it off road at the weekend. (Hence the new bike as it can't stand my riding and keeps fucking up)

 

[TdC]

I wouldn't know. Ask Teeds.

yes, inasmuch as enough friction will cause it to catch fire. then you can shout I'M ON FIRE!! at strategic moments!

 

[TdC]

I am looking to buy a new bike in a next few months around the £800 mark, anyone got any recomendations?

I will be using it on road when i ride to work and fucking kicking the shit out of it off road at the weekend. (Hence the new bike as it can't stand my riding and keeps fucking up)

Slot Dropout Complete bike 26in - on one :: Calderdale's 2nd biggest bike company

 

[Tom]

For want of anything better to do, I'm posting my bike ride today:

Bloody mud. In my opinion horses do more damage to trails than motocross bikes.

Anyhow, have some piccies from my epic mountain biking session today.

Bury-Norden bike ride - a photoset on Flickr

This wasn't leaning on any rocks, this was standing freely in the thick mud. I had to walk the rest of that.

More mud:

Don't slip!

 

[Tom]

The stunning view from the top of the day's largest climb, makes it all worthwhile. That's Rochdale off to the right in the distance.

Remains of industry:

 

[Tom]

Ashworth Reservoir:

Homeward bound (Peel Tower above Ramsbottom in the distance)

I navigated the trail with a new bit of GPS software I bought for my phone, Viewranger (google it). Dead cheap, only £20 for detailed OS maps of everywhere around Bury, Darwen, Rochdale, Norden. Really really good, you can export the trails to Google Earth as well, and you can also set your phone to regularly send a little message to a server so other people can see where you are (with a password), a really nice feature I think.

Bloody knackered now. Time for a nice latte and Bailey's (or five)

 

[Nate]

Nice country side where you live Tom! I'll have to start looking around for some trails near where I am, but Essex isn't very well known for such things.. Heard Thetford Forest is pretty good, bit of a drive there though.

 

[Will]

Holy bump, Batman.

Vid of a very wet Dalbeattie. My appearance is 39 seconds in. Sorry about the shitty quality etc etc, it isn't my camera.

Mine would be much worse.

 

[Tom]

I went out on a ride on the weekend.

First the oil sensor on my car broke, pretty scary when you're on the motorway and think there may be no oil in the engine.

Then, the cleat on my left shoe sheared off at the bolt, so I couldn't get my shoe out - stopped myself by riding into a fence.

Then I broke a pump clip lifting the bike over another fence.

Then on a downhill, the chain slapped around and got caught in the mech - when I started pedalling again out of a pothole, the chain refused to move, the cage on the rear mech bent like a banana, and 4 links became as twisted as a liquorice spiral.

And then I tore my shorts at the crotch.

All in all, a very good day I thought Not for my wallet though. New chain, new cassette, new mech, new cable for mech, new cleats for shoes.

 

[Deebs]

wow Tom, nice scenery. Gawd you must have looked a right state when you got home (no pics of you cleaning the mud off yourself please!).

How long was you out for on the day?

 

[Jimmy]

Rochdale thats not far from me where u live tom and thats some stunning pics looks like a good day

 

[Tom]

The ride near Rochdale I think was about 3 hours, the ride where I broke everything was only about 90 minutes

And Wiggle have fecked up my order, so thats another couple of wasted days

 

[leviathane]

Holy bump, Batman.

Vid of a very wet Dalbeattie. My appearance is 39 seconds in. Sorry about the shitty quality etc etc, it isn't my camera.

Mine would be much worse.

gotta love pinkbike.com xD