Best MTB for Bedgeb...
 

[Closed] Best MTB for Bedgebury

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Hi,

Does anyone out there regularly ride Bedgebury in Kent? If so what do you think is the ideal bike for Bedge?

I currently ride a 2010 Whyte905 HT, but have often wondered if a full sus would be more fun? I'm 40+ and no trail ripper, but I love pushing hard within my own limits and sometimes find the HT 26er a bit unforgiving over the rooty-rocky stuff.

I've been thinking about a Whyte T129s (29er) or a Whyte T130s (650b), but any thought's would be interesting...


 
Posted : 27/05/2015 12:25 pm
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Depends...I live nearby and have ridden Bedgebury on a Marin Wolf Ridge, a Spesh Camber and an old skool Enduro.

There's nothing there that'll tax a hardtail overly, but a full suss will be more comfortable. Why not hire one there and see what you think?


 
Posted : 27/05/2015 12:30 pm
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Hi - I have ridden Bedgebury on both.

I spent around a year riding exclusively hardtails around there with no problem. As you know it's not particularly steep, and a lot of the trail has been resurfaced, with many of the rooty sections replaced.

I have ridden it, also on my 140 mm full sus bike, but it's probably overkill for the trail. I do tend to ride faster on the full sus though, and don't feel as beaten up (47 yo)

I would think that a low travel full sus, such as an Anthemn would be perfect for Bedgers.


 
Posted : 27/05/2015 12:32 pm
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ridden it on 140mm trail bikes and 150mm trail bikes.

Next time i go i'll be on the cross bike and do a few laps as anything big and heavy with suspension is totally pointless there


 
Posted : 27/05/2015 12:34 pm
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I think a skateboard would be ideal - such a waste of effort that place

ive only ever done it SS rigid though


 
Posted : 27/05/2015 1:54 pm
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Hardtail is the only way to go there, maybe a CX bike I suppose.


 
Posted : 27/05/2015 4:04 pm
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I'm sure Bedge must seem tame to many, but it's about right for my level of fitness and adventure.

I've been HT'ing there for 5 years, but I see a lot of full-sus there too. Maybe it's the 45yo in me that thinks they look more comfy. I'll just have to take a test bike there.

I see a few 29er HTs there too. Any thoughts on the 26, 27.5, 29 debate. I know somepeople say 29ers are better for tall folk - I'm 5'9".


 
Posted : 28/05/2015 1:36 pm
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I'm local to Bedgebury so I've have ridden various bikes there. I currently ride a 150mm full sus which is definitely overkill but I only have one bike to choose from!

A 120mm full sus would be the perfect choice if you just ride at Bedgebury, which is what I used to ride there (an old Stumpjumper). This is definitely more comfortable than a Hardtail, which was my first bike.

I know Bedgebury is very easy in terms of a graded trail centre but saying a CX bike is suitable for it might be taking things to the other extreme. Unless I'm incorrect in which case please upload a video of you doing both the blacks there. (Once again I know the blacks are more like Reds but still, not suitable for CX!)


 
Posted : 28/05/2015 2:31 pm
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Like a few other posters here I'm a Bedge regular. I don't enjoy my FS there as it removes a lot of the feedback. Most satisfying to ride is an old school steel frame with no suspension - you really have to take care of the front tyre. Most fun is my singlespeed hardtail. If my back hurts I stand on the pedals more 😀 I'm 50+ btw


 
Posted : 28/05/2015 2:47 pm
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Im convinced that whatever bike you have is the right one to ride wherever you are going.
People are getting too hung up on the bike / tyres / wheelsize etc. Obviously some stuff is going to be inappropriate like a road bike or possibly DH bike, but these are extremes.
Its not the riders fault, but the industry which feeds people's insecurities by telling them without x,y & z they wont be able to ride beyond the pavement without exploding into a shower of penguins and emus.
If you're happy with your current bike great, if you fancy a FS bike fine go for it, but do it because thats what you want to do, not because you'll be better or whatever.


 
Posted : 28/05/2015 3:01 pm
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Yeah ride what ever you like.

Cross bike is fun and fast but pretty rattly

I set a lap record (32min20s) a couple of years back on a 100mm 26'er hardtail.

Blue pig (150mm) is also fun but personally I think a bike you can peddle fast is the key to getting some thrills out of the place.

Speed makes everywhere awesome.


 
Posted : 28/05/2015 6:19 pm
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I would say you only really need a hardtail there. I have a whyte905 2010 too, and it is perfect for that kind of stuff, hardtail is most fun there.

They seem to be making everything there more like a blue graded trail! so annoying.


 
Posted : 28/05/2015 6:39 pm