Hardtail in Whistler, will it be rubbish?

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Hardtail in Whistler, will it be rubbish?

33 posts & 18 voices | Started 1 year ago by _tom_ | Latest reply from mick

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_tom_ - Member

Apologies if you read Hardtail Nation as I've near enough just copied/pasted this from there Long post ahead.

I may be off on a working holiday to Canada some time around September, and obviously will want to get some biking in before it starts to snow I was just gonna rent a bike but at $100 a day it will get pricey very quickly when you add on lift pass etc! Other plan was to buy a cheaper dh bike when I get out there but seems like a minimum spend of $600-700 on a low end Kona Stinky or something which I'd then have to spend more on for new coils and that to suit my weight (I'm probably heavier than most riders at about 15 stone)! Plus don't they have their brake levers the wrong way round?

So I was wondering whether it's worth bothering with riding my hardtail in Whistler? Mine needs a load of work - the brakes are in dire need of replacement (Juicy 5s which won't firm up even after multiple bleeds) and upgrade to bigger rotors, change cranks for my Deity 3pc, and the frame is a Trailstar so pretty steep HA and probably unstable at the kind of speeds that you'd get on a proper mountain. So that would probably be replaced with a NS Surge or something..

Currently the roughest place I've ridden DH at is Bringewood which seems to just be constant roots. Survived the day there though and didn't feel too battered the next day! Not really sure how this would compare to somewhere like Whistler, to me it seems apples and oranges.

I've seen the old "hardtail in whistler" video on youtube so I know it's possible, but I'm not really the most confident rider, so wonder whether I'd just have a better time spending a load of cash on a big bouncy slack skills compensator ? I've only ever had a go on one proper full sus, an Intense Uzzi, at the FOD and I found it felt proper sluggish and a bit dull to ride there. It did smooth out the bumps though and it was easier to go faster. Other than that I'm from a bmx background so always rode ht..

Sorry for the long post, would just be good to get some opinions from you guys Preferably from someone who has actually done it (or similar) rather than the typical pessimistic STW armchair warrior

Posted 1 year ago #
Coyote - Member

Been to Whistler a few times and whilst something like a Stinky will be a useful bike, I would imagine that a Trailstar would be loads of fun there. I've got a Trailstar LT that I'd love to take over there.

How about a compromise? Fettle up the Trailstar and take that for most days and then treat yourself to the occasional hire bike. So full of win it's bursting!

Posted 1 year ago #
Coyote - Member

Reading your post again, you say you are from a BMX background? A-Line on a hardtail will be right up your street. A load of other trails, "Crank It Up" for example will be no worse on a HT.

Posted 1 year ago #
Oxboy - Member

If it was me I would get over there, rent a bike have a look at the terrain I wanted to ride then buy a 2nd hand 'big rig'

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Yep it's a Trailstar LT I've got as well, with Pikes at the minute. I haven't actually ridden bmx for years but that's where I first learned that getting both wheels off the ground is fun

Posted 1 year ago #
Oxboy - Member

then again if it costs no more to take your bike to try you could do that, you could always px it

Posted 1 year ago #
Coyote - Member

September you say... Not *exactly* sure when the season ends but there could be some mileage in contacting G1 rentals and seeing if you can get a special rate on purchasing a park bike? Also, rental is cheaper if you do it online rather than on the day. see here

Posted 1 year ago #
rs - Member

braking bumps by September will be horrible especially on a hardtail.

Posted 1 year ago #
Burts - Member

Whistler bike park season ends mid-October, but village shops start selling off demo & rental bikes by early September, once the summer crowds have left. Friends picked up a 2010 Stumpjumper & Enduro in excellent condition last September for about $2000 each. You'll find better quality ex-rentals in the village shops.

Agree with rs, the trails are bashed by August/September. Of course a hardtail will be fun, but a full-suss will be funner (sic!).

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

oof, I'll only have probably a max of $700 to spend, dunno if I'm likely to get much bike for that. Maybe a bit more if I can get a job that pays more than just living/drinking expenses.

Posted 1 year ago #
Wibble89 - Member

Hardtail in Whistler - video (not me)

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Horses for courses, go, do what I suggest, find out for yourself, either way you'll have a grin a mile wide at the bottom of your first run.

Get out there, ride, use your accent, pull some chick then ride her bike... simples.

Good points, I am way over thinking this

Posted 1 year ago #
jimjam - Member

Buy a bike when you get there. They are much cheaper and towards the end of the season they should be easy to get hold of as people flog them to get next seasons off the peg bike or because of injury.

You'll get absolutely battered if you take a trailstar to the bike park. Bring the bike you buy back with you, you probably won't lose money on it.

Posted 1 year ago #
walleater - Member

There's a lot more to Whistler and surrounding areas than the Bike Park. I did a reason of XC guiding in the area on my Dialled 853 Prince Albert with old Z1 Freerides.... To be honest, the climbs were harder than the descents on it. I beat the shit out of that bike and it wasn't too often that the XC guests were buzzing my rear tyre. I took it in the Park a bit too and it was a right laugh on the likes of Crank it Up, and somewhat terrifying on Joyride.

You might get lucky and pick up and old Bullit or similar for the money you will have but if I was to come over now with that sort of cash I'd do up the hardtail and ride the trails it will be a laugh on (Big Timber up on Kadenwood, Pseudostuga and Half Nelson in Squamish, Cream Puff in Pemby etc).

If you want to look for an old bike, check Craigslist as well as PB:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bik/

Posted 1 year ago #
walleater - Member

Although, reading your post again, maybe will have more than $700 to spend? If you can at least double that, then it would make more sense to buy a whole bike here (BC) because as jimjam says, you probably won't lose much money on it compared to UK prices. In which case the logical choice would be to get a full suspension bike.

I wrench in a shop in Vancouver so you are welcome to email me at walleaterATgmailDOTcom nearer the time and I can see if I can find you something new that will work in your price range and needs. 2011 models and older will be on sale by the fa...autumn as most people over here put their bikes away for the winter by late October.

Posted 1 year ago #
Coyote - Member

Which shop walleater? I'll pop in and say hello when I'm over in August.

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Although, reading your post again, maybe will have more than $700 to spend? If you can at least double that

Probably won't have double that to spend, I imagine probably around $1000-1200 max if I'm lucky.

Are there good non-bikepark trails within doable riding distance of Whistler Blackcomb then (this is where I'm currently applying for a job, through the working holiday club)? I'm not much of an xc'er, I don't think I've done one xc ride this year so far actually! I don't mind it and will endure a climb, but always prefer pushing up then pointing my bike back down

It's weird as all I really read/hear from whistler is about the bike park but in a place like that there must be loads of unofficial natural trails. It looks like the bike park closes end of October as well so it'd probably be worth having a bike suited to the non-bikepark stuff for when it's not snowed under!

Posted 1 year ago #
scruff - Member

Wallheater works at Ass-4-Meth.

Posted 1 year ago #
5lab - Member

I think there's loads of other trails, but mostly not lift accessed - ie more of an xc setup, for which the hardtail would be good. The trails are well maintained, and for some a hardtail would be fine (I think aline would be ok, crank it up etc would be great, and fatcrobat would be awesome) but a lot of the trails are pretty haggared, and would suit something with bounce at both ends.

Take the dmr out there, but accept you may have to buy something. Have you budgeted for parts? whatever the bike whistler is pretty hard on parts

Posted 1 year ago #
acehtn - Member

An odd way to jump in to this.... tom did you post on HTN about 24 hours ago then ? just trying to back track things as the forum on HTN has now been hacked.
Just trying to work out roughly when it got shut down.

I just read through this thread, went to check over on HTN and wham! hacked forum...

As to your question on Whistler, as every one else has said really, just remember not all tracks out there need the skill of a world cup racer to get down or a pro freerider, there is plenty to ride on thats not so scary, they have tracks for all skill levels, just be honest about your own ability with yourself and stay clear of the technical tracks.
If you fancy a challenge, some of us do the http://www.nofussevents.co.uk Fort William DH Enduro, thats on the world cup track, think Jesse Wigman got 4th overall last year on his beat up P2, this could be the roughest track in the UK to ride, and is still small compared to the big mountains of Canada. Oh and get insurance for riding in case you come off as they dont have the NHS out there.

Right off to find the other HTN admins and sort out whats gone on over there

Posted 1 year ago #
allmountainventure - Member

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv7TyakE8qw

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

^as I said I've seen that vid but he's clearly a way more talented rider than I!

An odd way to jump in to this.... tom did you post on HTN about 24 hours ago then ? just trying to back track things as the forum on HTN has now been hacked.
Just trying to work out roughly when it got shut down.

Think I posted about it on sunday night.. I think I checked yesterday morning and could get onto HTN but then I tried again in the eve and it was down/hacked.

I was considering the Fort Bill enduro thing actually, is it still open to book a place?

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Oh and if I did end up taking my bike how would the rest of the "main" parts hold up:

Pro 2 front/rear hubs - rear is 135mm QR, front is 20mm maxle. EX721 front rim, EN521 rear rim (maybe worth swapping the rims round?)
Deity 3pc crankset (to replace current Deore LX)
old 2nd hand Pike 454 air.
Deity D30 bars & Deity stem
Juicy 5 brakes which may get replaced with something bigger/better.

And I am still tempted to buy a 2nd hand Surge if I can find one

How much extra do flights usually charge for a 2nd bag/box with a bike in?

Posted 1 year ago #
nicko74 - Member

Tbh, you shouldn't have too many problems - the wheels and forks are solid - but as you say, the brakes are probably worth upgrading.

Posted 1 year ago #
deserter - Member

if you have Whistler to look forward to in Sept why don't you just work your ass off now and then have a bigger budget

after all I doubt you will be working too hard over here

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Been trying to get another evening/weekend job for the past month, nobody is interested at the minute. That would be ideal though!

Posted 1 year ago #
deserter - Member

would be ideal, just keep trying to get another job, I know it will be a bit shit now but at the end of the day your are going to experience something a lot of people can only dream of

Posted 1 year ago #
BearBack - Member

Are there good non-bikepark trails within doable riding distance of Whistler Blackcomb

More than you can shake a stick at!

Whistler has far more XC (AM/trail) riding than it does DH stuff.
Everything is within pedal distance from where ever you are in town.

Sadly the bike park gets all the hype/media but the XC is the best stuff imo

Posted 1 year ago #
_tom_ - Member

Excellent Is the XC stuff fine on a HT or will a full sus get the best out of that as well? I have found a NS Surge 2 going for quite cheap and I'm very tempted to buy it

Posted 1 year ago #
BearBack - Member

Plenty of people rocking hard tails here.. but depends what your level is and how open minded you are in terms of pushing your boundaries.. FS will give you more confidence imo but horses for course.

Here's a good idea of Whistlers XC
Click the link for Danimal XC ride vid

Posted 1 year ago #
stilltortoise - Member

I was going to comment but then read this...

rather than the typical pessimistic STW armchair warrior

Posted 1 year ago #
mick - Member

You'll be fine Tom

Posted 1 year ago #