are you looking to cover distances and being a whippet?
or erring more towards "fun"
if its the latter, i would suggest a specialized "P all mountain" from a bike shop
Bike Forum
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Beginner with aspirations - Hardtail or FS?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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As said, go and try. But HT will probably be your best bet.
Also its a good time for some 09 deals so you can probably make your cash go further than you think. I just got a DMR with 37% off
Would agree with the get the best frame possible. Genesis are good, also have a look at Charge.
Posted 2 years ago # -
[quote]So, above all, I'd recommend you get some training.
Is this a joke or are you being serious?
Being fairly serious. Would you recommend someone take up skiing or similar by just buying the gear and 'giving it a go'?Of course not, but how many riders do you see out on the trails desperately floundering around without any real idea of how to tackle techy trails except to spend more on a better bike, somehow hoping that will allow them to 'conquer' the trail.Anyway, I'd probably buy a FS in your situation as you'll get more long-term use out of it as your skills develop. You'll probably gain confidence more quickly, as your skills develop.
Posted 2 years ago # -
What's this "FS for longer rides" myth? I did an 8 hour ride around the peak ditrict on Sunday on my Cotic Soul hardtail and none of my knackeredness was down to it being a hardtail. If you get a nice fat tyre on the back and a layback seat post it will smooth out the trail buzz unless you have a particularly wonky back. (And the guys who finised the ride at the same time as me all had a mix of HTs and FSs, so it wasn't the bike making me slow).
If you spend the money on a HT make sure you get one with a decent fork though. IMO that's the most important part to get right - because it costs a fortune to geta better one afterwards.
And of course with a HT you can singlespeed it too...
Posted 2 years ago # -
OP, I forgot about sizing. I'm 5'7" and ride a 16" frame for the most part. I live and ride on the North Downs / Surrey Hills, by the way. I do own a full sus bike, and love it, but most of the time 'round here I'm on a hardtail. HTH.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I rode a HT almost exclusively for a few years including riding it in the Alps and I remain totally unconvinced that it made be a better/less lazy/more genuine/faster/slower/more core/less core rider in any way shape or form. However, it is a lovely bike and I still like to ride it when I feel like it (tonight as it happens).
Pick the bike that suits the terrain that you'll be riding on and the bike that's going to inspire you to get out and ride most.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Like Trailmonkey said, pick the bike that suits the terrain you're riding on.
The Boardman or even a Trance X5 are good exceptions to the sub-£1000 full suss. I bought a £700 Scott G-Zero 9 years ago and never looked back. Both the X5 or the Boardman have decent forks (some hardtails are still coming with low rent RS Tora forks at that kind of price) and reasonable kit. With not too much if any a weight penalty over a hardtail at this price, fitting fast rolling tyres and pumping the suspension up harder will be enough to make it feel fine on easy terrain and will allow you to progress when you get to more tricky trails.
Equally, if you're just starting out and see a hardtail as the way to go, don't get drawn in by over built play bikes or all mountain. They will be way over built for what you need and likely heavier than the full suss options.
Too many people on here seem to see owning a hardtail first as a rite of passage!!?
Posted 2 years ago # -
If you're from Farnham, what better way to get you out on the bike and meet people to ride with than Cinnamon_girls forum ride at Swinley in a couple of weeks.
Mind you, meeting some of us lot might put you off.
p.s. my 2 penneth, hardtail with 120mm ish forks, plenty out there to choose from.
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
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