[Closed] Ardrock bike choice

Which one is more fun?

Both technically capable for the stages, it be taking whichever of the 2 is lighter and climbs best.

More energy for giving it beans on later stages, it's where lots of folk lose time IMO, as they're ****ed.

Both perfectly capable bikes for the terrain. Take which ever you have most fun on. Most of the course is open and fast, there's really only a couple of tight corners (stage 2).

Nobeer makes a very good point about energy levels, I was ****ed by the last two stages.

Having said that I'd probably take the Slash and have a hoon.

Some of the climbs are fairly draggy, if you're a decent rider then either bike will easily get you down the stages. slash mighr be a little faster though. I'd choose the Slash as you'll be faster.

Steve,

Both bikes will rinse it. Its not a hard or steep course. I'd take whichever climbs better as its a pretty long day out. Who you doing it with ?

Might try and see if I can get a sport ticket from somewhere and join you.

Dave it's what I'm on this year going round with my mate and his 15yr old.

We thought he'd get too much of a lead on us on the full event...

Dave
Me, Trev and Tom (Trev’s son) are doing it. We’ve talked about it for a few years and decided this year to get our act together.
Our training has already started!!!!
I’d heard it was a steep course????
Hopefully see you there but should try to get together this year for a ride at Reeth or NYM
Cheers
Steve

There was very few tight sections last year (I did the Sprint), and nothing too steep and technical. It was mostly fast, loose and rocky and fairly open in places. You'd probably be faster on the descents on the Slash, but more comfortable on the climbs on the Evil - but there's no rush doing these. Either bike would handle the downs, but it depends on how much fun you have on the bike. Personally, I'd go for the Slash.

I’d heard it was a steep course????

Some people think so, some people don't. I guess it depends on your point of reference. Red trail centre warriors will find it steep in places. If you ride big mountains or pixie built woodland trails you won't encounter anything to phase you.

It’s mostly wide open, fast and you’ll be riding some of it blind. I’d use whatever gives you confidence to hit stuff flat out that you may not remember or ridden. There’s plenty of queuing to recover from the climbing.

In terms of steep theirs one bit on stage 1 lower section of the quarry and stage 2 has a steep section into wood, but as others say, they aren’t too bad as long as you ride natural stuff and not just trail centres.

Everything is rollable and fine at a slower pace, but we all get into race mode and go faster..

Anyone do Boltby bash I felt the switchbacks on stage 2 and 4 were steeper , although I was my first enduro on a hardtail

Just to note the riding is nothing like what you regularly ride around reeth.

Hi All
So moving on 6 months I’m not that much clearer unfortunately!
Been riding both bikes a fair bit recently to get a feel for them and having ridden both on similar terrain at Reeth in the last couple of weeks including some very off-piste stuff I’m tending towards the Evil.
Reasons:
-The suspension just seems to work better for my style of riding
-Better brakes (Saint over Hope-I prefer Shimano brakes)
-Rear tyre is already DD carcass
-Ultimately it’s just more fun to ride on this type of terrain and not overkill!
Thanks for all the feedback
Much appreciated
Steve

PS Anyone want to buy a Slash 🤔

Ridden the following at Ardrock
2016 - Reign, great on the steeper, high speed & rough bits, not great on the pedally bits

2017 -Smugggler, good on the pedally bits, not so good on the rough bits (track is definatelly rougher than the previous year. Have

2018 Enduro 29er, doesn't accelerate out of the corners like the smuggler does, but it carries more speed through them as the tracks are definitely getting rougher and full of more holes. Bike is less tiring through the day than the smuggler.

Have the choice of a Smuggler and Enduro this year, both with roughly the same built kits, both 31-32lb range. Will be taking the Enduro as its going to be rougher again this year.

I'll be taking the only bike I have!
It will be fun, but I'm not chasing times so there is that.

Now, tyre choice is another matter! ;-D

I'm not sure maybe its take the slash. If your a decent rider then the evil prob be faster I guess.

Can I gate crash this thread a bit.

My dilemma is either hightower 150/135
Familiar with bike, ride it on anything really but just a bit fed up with it. 🙄

Just bought a 2019 nukeproof mega 27.5 alu pro.
Wont get to ride it till Sunday. Then a couple if times before practice on Friday.
I know/think deep down I should prob ride the hightower but would I be ok on the mega or is it to much bike for the course. (First timer)

Cheers

Got my choices of 170 old Nomad in super plush set up, 130 5010, or 130 Bird hard tail.

Last year took 5010. Felt Nomad would be lovely for first three stages but very much glad of the 5010 for the climbing and came alive on the later stages.

I'd go for light, agile and pedally.

Though anything works really. I could do it on the hard tail. Rough as, but an experience. Given I'm in it just for a laugh, not to compete.

Take the bike which climbs easier and is more comfortable for what is ultimately a decent/big day out on the bike.  Lots of stuff posted online by people saying it’s savage or steep, it’s not! If you have ridden the area you know the sort of thing to expect.  I took some advice on tyres when I first did it, being told it’s brutal and basically lugged downhill trails around, which sapped the enjoyment. This year I’m running a semi slick rear and riding my enduro bike, because that’s the only bike I have.  If it’s any help in my group (average age 42) we have a Bronson, YT Jeffsy, Slash and Ibis Mojo Hd4.  If I were in your position I would take the Evil