Where to start?

[bosshog]

Hi all,

ok I'm a serious motocrosser and have been looking to doing some extra training in the week to get my fitness up. Up to now I've been running in the week, but all those years of skateboarding and snowboarding have nackered my knees somewhat and at the my age (37) I'm really feeling it in the knees on runs longer than 50 mins. So I dusted of my 90 quid decathlon (I live im France) moutain bike and went for a ride last night up the road to my neighbouring village (about a 500 meter assent). Anyhow on the way home I cut into the woods and came back to my house via the woods. I had a lot of fun. Now my bikes got zero suspension so I felt like my head was going to fall off over the rough sections and I started to loose vision!

So here I sit at my desk think I need to get a better bike so I can explore this new activity a lot more. Basically I live at the foot hills of the Alps and its VERY hard and rocky in general. Just (literally) behind my house is about 50 square miles of woods on various hilly terrain. The route I'm thinking of doing mostly would be about a 30 ro 50 minutes climb followed by either a) fast long downhill or b) a very steep tight path.

Just browsing the bikes in my local decathlon I don't want to spend much money at the moment, as it might just be another phase, but I think I need something none the less.

I know sweet F.A. about moutain bikes so can you suggest what sort of bike would be best? ie full suspension, just front, disks, frametype? I have no idea where to start.

thanks

[anonymous-user]

sounds like a long travel hardtail might be ideal, or full sus dependant upon the budget, but not knowing how much you want to spend means its difficult to really help...

[Marcellus]

Where abouts in the foothills Boss?

A few of my thoughts if you're trying to upgrade without the cost;
> these descents are they steep - if not do you really need discs
> just how bumpy is bumpy - you can get some entry level bikes with a little travel front and rear for not too many €s.
> try the paravendu - end of the interseason so there might be some being got rid of.

[bosshog]

I'd be looking to spend around 200 to 400 tops

[bosshog]

Marcellus said:

Where abouts in the foothills Boss?

A few of my thoughts if you're trying to upgrade without the cost;
> these descents are they steep - if not do you really need discs
> just how bumpy is bumpy - you can get some entry level bikes with a little travel front and rear for not too many €s.
> try the paravendu - end of the interseason so there might be some being got rid of.

Here:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&source=s_q&...

> just how bumpy is bumpy
Hard to say - what do you call bumpy? ;-)

> try the paravendu
Good idea - what to look for though?

[Marcellus]

bosshog said:

Here:
http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&source=s_q&...

nice area, parents are over towards Port Grimaud

bosshog said:

> just how bumpy is bumpy
Hard to say - what do you call bumpy? ;-)

are we talking roots and stones (upto 6" drops) or more................ if no the latter you could probably get away with only a little suspension on the front and hard tail... if the latter then you need to be looking at full suspension.

bosshog said:

> try the paravendu
Good idea - what to look for though?

Velo?? seriously though set your budget and then see what's there....

how about this;
http://annonces.ebay.fr/viewad/VELO-VTT-ROCKRIDER-...

[bosshog]

Marcellus said:

are we talking roots and stones (upto 6" drops) or more......

In places yes

Marcellus said:

http://annonces.ebay.fr/viewad/VELO-VTT-ROCKRIDER-...

Are they any good the decathlon bikes?

[Marcellus]

A friend used one of these for a few years and it was ok..... on some quite nasty stuff too.... I think it would be a good entry level to see if it is just another fad!

[Roman]

I'd say Decathlon bikes are good value. The 6.3 is very well specced for the price (the 9.1 is the next model up).

If you wanted a hardtail I'd recommend the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 or Commencal Normal Disc or Combi Disc.

A hardtail will develop your skills more quickly as you apply your body weight and balance to a greater degree to maintain control and traction than on a full suspension bike. Your choice though.

If you can find a little used example for a good saving any of the above would be fine, otherwise I would try and find a discounted new version as if you need to renew the transmission and service the forks of a used bike you may end up spending as much as the cost of a new bike anyway.

[bosshog]

Roman said:

I'd say Decathlon bikes are good value. The 6.3 is very well specced for the price (the 9.1 is the next model up).

If you wanted a hardtail I'd recommend the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 or Commencal Normal Disc or Combi Disc.

A hardtail will develop your skills more quickly as you apply your body weight and balance to a greater degree to maintain control and traction than on a full suspension bike. Your choice though.

If you can find a little used example for a good saving any of the above would be fine, otherwise I would try and find a discounted new version as if you need to renew the transmission and service the forks of a used bike you may end up spending as much as the cost of a new bike anyway.

thanks Roman. Basically whats the big difference with a hard tail in terms ride? does it make climbs better and the downs a little more bumpy? whats the pro/cons aside from the skill level you mention?

Can't something like the rockrider 'lock' the suspension at the back? isnt that the best of both worlds?

[Roman]

bosshog said:

Roman said:

I'd say Decathlon bikes are good value. The 6.3 is very well specced for the price (the 9.1 is the next model up).

If you wanted a hardtail I'd recommend the Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 or Commencal Normal Disc or Combi Disc.

A hardtail will develop your skills more quickly as you apply your body weight and balance to a greater degree to maintain control and traction than on a full suspension bike. Your choice though.

If you can find a little used example for a good saving any of the above would be fine, otherwise I would try and find a discounted new version as if you need to renew the transmission and service the forks of a used bike you may end up spending as much as the cost of a new bike anyway.

thanks Roman. Basically whats the big difference with a hard tail in terms ride? does it make climbs better and the downs a little more bumpy? whats the pro/cons aside from the skill level you mention?

Can't something like the rockrider 'lock' the suspension at the back? isnt that the best of both worlds?

A good full susser is like gliding over bumps but a cheap one can be heavy with poor damping. For the same budget a hardtail will be lighter (accelerate and climb faster on all but most technical climbs) with better quality components.

It would be worth asking for a demo ride on each if you have a good local shop or hire both from a trail centre to see which you prefer.

[vwsurfbum]

The decatchlon 6.3 is a good place to start and their after sales are fantastic. My mate has had his nearly 2 years and loves it. Only thing to do straight away would be to upgrade the rear shock as the STD coil one is pony and like you said earlier of you get one which locks out it would be far better.

[bosshog]

this might sound like a daft question, but which size frame? These 6.3 ceom in M and L. I'm 6 foot 80 kgs.

[Marcellus]

I guess (and it is only a guess) a large!

[jshell]

You won't 'need' disc brakes unless you're planning on going out in the mud....

[bosshog]

thanks everyone for you help its much appreciated.

I've gone for a rockrider 6.3 as they are knocking 80 quid off at the moment and I need an XL (couldn't find a decent second hand one within the area).
Looking forward to my 7am ride tomorrow!

[Marcellus]

Bought new??

How much was it BTW and post some pics!!