MTB help

[macp]

Afternoon all

As a road rider I could do with some advice as I'm getting into off road riding. A mate has offered a Kona stinky full suspender for 450 quid. It's in nice condition with upgrades but I'm told it's built for going down hill fast and not so great for climbing and noodling about on the hills. I'm thinking of spending anything from 300 to 500 quid and don't mind used. Any advice most welcome.

[battered]

What do you want it for? If you want to do old-school cross country, bad choice. Trail centres where you lug it up the easy angled tracks and then blast down the tricky bits, better.

[joshleb]

Kona Stinky for anything other than pushing to the top of the hills I wouldn't recommend.

They've been out of production for a while now and were never held with the best regard even whilst they were being sold.

For that budget I would probably recommend a second hand hardtail, not full sus. Especially if you're only getting into as a full sus isn't required for most trail centres and you pick up better technical skills riding a hardtail anyway.

Something from one of the big brands (Trek, Giant, Scott, Specialized) would be recommended, and don't get sucked in to number of gears malarkey and all that.

[macp]

Sounds stupid I know as I'm not certain I guess I will start off using it on forest trails and following trails up in the hills.

[macp]

joshleb said:

Kona Stinky for anything other than pushing to the top of the hills I wouldn't recommend.

They've been out of production for a while now and were never held with the best regard even whilst they were being sold.

For that budget I would probably recommend a second hand hardtail, not full sus. Especially if you're only getting into as a full sus isn't required for most trail centres and you pick up better technical skills riding a hardtail anyway.

Something from one of the big brands (Trek, Giant, Scott, Specialized) would be recommended, and don't get sucked in to number of gears malarkey and all that.

Cheers man I am now watching a few choice machines on the bay of e.

[macp]

So it seems like a trail bike is what I want rather than an XC bike but how do you tell the difference when buying used ?

[joshleb]

Travel, frame head angle, wheels and disc brake size.

xc bikes, especially race focused tend to have 100-120mm travel, very steep head angle (69 degrees+), rim diameter narrow and narrow tires (1.9-2.2") with 160mm discs.

Trail bikes have more travel, 130-160mm, slacker head angle (65-69 degrees), rims are normally wider and heavier to put up with more abuse and wider tires (2.35"+), mix of 160-180mm diameter disks.

Got any links of ones that have caught your eye?

[battered]

macp said:

So it seems like a trail bike is what I want rather than an XC bike but how do you tell the difference when buying used ?

Read the magazines and the online reviews, they will tell you what niche the models fit in. There are more niches than there are bikes sometimes.

[P-Jay]

macp said:

So it seems like a trail bike is what I want rather than an XC bike but how do you tell the difference when buying used ?

What's your budget? We can offer some suggestions and argue amongst ourselves about it

If you're after a FS trail bike and value VFM you'll struggle to do better than this:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-bossnut-full-s...

Brand-wise it's nowhere, you won't win any trail centre pissing contests, but it's winning loads of awards at the moment, it handles beautifully (I've read) and whilst the spec isn't 'sexy' it's all entry level Shimano and Rockshox stuff which whilst not flash, not lightweight and doesn't do anything special like have a massive 50t 12 speed cassette, it's tough and works well.

Back-up wise I know a lot of people on STW have bought them and are happy, one guy had an issue with a failed rear shock which caused the rear tyre to hit and mark the frame - he took it back and they just replaced it for a brand new bike, which compared to most bike manufacturers is something of a miracle.

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/full-suspension-bikes...

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...

http://twowheelsbetter.cc/best-of/is-this-the-best...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0gGKQlvT1s

Edited by P-Jay on Wednesday 3rd August 13:54

[firemunki]

What year is it?

My 2005 Coiler frame looked identical to the 2004 Stinky my mate had. Different components but if it's been ridden regularly since then they'll most likely be changed about.

[FD3Si]

On your budget I'd look at a second hand 650b hardtail. The newer breed of hardtails are magnificent, and an absolute hoot. 26" will be cheaper, but resale and parts availability are slowly reducing.

Something like a Vitus Sentier, Whyte 800 series, Specialized Rockhopper Evo from the last few years should do you admirably.

[macp]

P-Jay said:

What's your budget? We can offer some suggestions and argue amongst ourselves about it

If you're after a FS trail bike and value VFM you'll struggle to do better than this:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-bossnut-full-s...

Brand-wise it's nowhere, you won't win any trail centre pissing contests, but it's winning loads of awards at the moment, it handles beautifully (I've read) and whilst the spec isn't 'sexy' it's all entry level Shimano and Rockshox stuff which whilst not flash, not lightweight and doesn't do anything special like have a massive 50t 12 speed cassette, it's tough and works well.

Back-up wise I know a lot of people on STW have bought them and are happy, one guy had an issue with a failed rear shock which caused the rear tyre to hit and mark the frame - he took it back and they just replaced it for a brand new bike, which compared to most bike manufacturers is something of a miracle.

http://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/full-suspension-bikes...

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/m...

http://twowheelsbetter.cc/best-of/is-this-the-best...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0gGKQlvT1s

Edited by P-Jay on Wednesday 3rd August 13:54

Sorry on hols in the lakes hence late reply. Excellent response thanks

[macp]

firemunki said:

What year is it?

My 2005 Coiler frame looked identical to the 2004 Stinky my mate had. Different components but if it's been ridden regularly since then they'll most likely be changed about.

Don't know will take a look this weekend. Not now even sure I have the model right

[macp]

FD3Si said:

On your budget I'd look at a second hand 650b hardtail. The newer breed of hardtails are magnificent, and an absolute hoot. 26" will be cheaper, but resale and parts availability are slowly reducing.

Something like a Vitus Sentier, Whyte 800 series, Specialized Rockhopper Evo from the last few years should do you admirably.

Cheers I do fancy something from Specialized. Have seen all sorts of models such as hardrock which seems to get frowned upon also stump jumpers and rock hoppers

[macp]

Just got back home with this a 2008 Rockhopper very pleased with it.A few jobs to do but its clean and original.