[Closed] Building a bike and then not liking it

I had a similar experience getting my first full suss at the end of last year and seriously considered getting rid. It took me until a couple of months ago, to really "get" the bike, and now it's amazing. A couple of rides isn't enough when it's such a different bike to what you're used to IMHO.

i built my bottlerocket and rode it yesterday. feels like a wet rag at teh back.
i hate air shocks 🙁

Just because you always wanted it doesn't mean you have to like it. I find it takes along time to be certain if a bike is right for me or not.

The first few rides on my new(to me) Handjob were a shock compared to the last 4 years spent on a full-sus but i'm slowly getting used to switching between the two and now love the hardtail for whenever the mood takes me.

Ken, new bikes take time to bed in, sometimes its tinkering with setup, sometimes you need to adjust the way you ride. going from a 5spot to a HT is a big difference, you will need to change your riding style a bit going from one to the other.

like a new pair of jeans or shoes they never quite feel right at first, you need to get used to them and they need to stretch a wee bit to fit you perfectly. Bikes is much the same, but you'll need to fit new stuff rather than have them stretch 😉

In a way. I built myself up a pimpino, I've posted pictures up on here many times.

[url= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3805020476_db7d1a2835.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/3805020476_db7d1a2835.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

And it looks fantastic. It took me a long time and cost me a lot of money. I had so much fun on my old 200 quid pompino that I reckoned pumping a lot into this one would make the experience even better.

Not so, it's just been a total pain in the arse. I've never really got the brakes working properly. The front disk has always rubbed and has never been that powerful, the rear brake squeals like mad and locks up a lot. The gearing was insanely ambitious and while I can turn the cranks going up steep hills, it's not fun.

Dunno, I just got sick of it in the end and put it in storage. I feel very bad about it and should really get it back down and get it sorted but it just annoys me everytime I think about it.

Ken,

the best thing you can do is sell the parts on to me at bargain prices 😉

E-mail in profile.

APF

Ask Ton 😉

AT the start of the year I fancied something lighter to ride to work on so built up a Scandal which was such a change from my usual ride, a RM Slayer. It took a while to get used to the light floaty feel of the frame and the very unforging HT back end was something of a shock too lol.

That said I really enjoy riding it and feel it has improved my riding to have one of each. Stick with it dude, it will come right 8)

fettle some more? Change of shock/stem/gearing if SS. My 456 feels perfect now, except on the road but thats neither here nore there. took 6 years of constant changes from bikes to components to get that feeling. I will doubtless keep on fettling and changing stuff for ever more (probably a P7)

Isn't this the joy of secondhand bikes? If you don't like it you can sell it on and the chances are you'll not lose too much money?

Pin point what it is that feels wrong(apart from rear end having no suspension)and figure if it can be sorted by changing componentry. If it can`t, flog it and put it down to experience.

And next time have a go on one before you build 😉

Where's Hora? He changes frames like he changes underwear. I don't think he's ever had one he likes. I don't think one exists

Last full suss I built I wasn't convinced by to start with. But I stuck with it. Suss out why it doesn't feel right. In my case it was the front end. Over time I changed to longer forks, shorter stem, higher rise bars and loved it!!

Given the variables, its unlikely you're going to get it right first time

I had lusted after an ibis mojo for years then got a dodgy deal on one as ibis went into bankruptcy.

I hated it and sold it on quite quickly. Love my current steel hardtail though.

I've only done this once (not bad considering the amount of bikes I've had).
I always fancied a 24Bicycles Pornking so bought a S/H frame S/H, started building it but didn't even need to ride it to realise it had a ropey slack head angle for what I wanted it for (SS dirtjump bike).. stripped it down again straight away and punted most of the parts straight onto another frame. I've actually still got that frame, just couldn't be arsed selling it.
I've bought well over 100 complete bikes over the years, some I've only kept for one or two rides then sold on. Generally I'll stick with a frame/bike I like until I snap/bend it. Luckily I know exactly what works and doesn't for me now.

You need to get rid of the red gear cables. It'll be OK then. 🙂

samuri - Member
...I've never really got the brakes working properly...

It's the horrible cable routing from those aero levers. If you can find a set of NOS Shimano top loading levers, even cantis work fine 🙂

You know it's not the Pompino...

jedi - Member
i built my bottlerocket and rode it yesterday. feels like a wet rag at teh back.
i hate air shocks

Same! I was really keen to have a go on a mates Spesh Pitch, with Totems and DH(ish build) it felt like a mini DH plow bike as I sat on it but after only a few pedal strokes I wanted to give it back (infact I only got half way down a local DH run and did).
felt the same way about MCs shock at Hamsterly and that's a coil rocco (but I think his settings are ropey).

You getting a coil shock for it? Duanes BR felt really nice with a DHX coil (But I am heavier than him so it was super sagged out and a little slacker than it's meant to be)

just gone from my Turner 5 spot DW linik to a Cotic BFe.
I was nervous at first but cant believe how good it is.
stick with it fella!

Make sure teh riding position is spot on - changes the ride dramatically IMHO - prob not the frame - prob the setup no?

Most expensive build I ever did I hated. Airborne Lancaster Ti nice bits lovely and light just hated the geometry.
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i hate 29" wheels everytime i switch from 26" and then vice verser for about half an hour, then i get used to it, is that the same?

i've had a roadrat, a giant atx 990,a marin east peak, a GT zaskar, and a kona NuNu and sold them all on after a short time as they didn't feel right

BigDummy - Member
You need to get rid of the red gear cables. It'll be OK then

Easy as then....off to the BMX shop for some pink ones then

BigDummy......you know you'll have coloured cables on your bike next year 😉

I reckon the geometry on those Curtis frames looks pretty funny.

The stays are dead long and the head angle looks really steep.

What exactly do you not like about it?

Ken, I have a theory. Like you, I've always wanted a Curtis. However, when you sent the measurements the other day it struck me that the bottom bracket is way higher than Curtis quote for this frame - you measured at 13.5" and they quote 11.9". Now, I know this can be an effect of which forks and tyres etc. you fit but not usually by this much.

This is not just Curtis that have BB height discrepencies. I've had both a Mk1 and Mk2 DB Alpine. The Mk1 felt great, stable, fun as if sat in the bike. Whereas the Mk2 felt tall, wobbly, clumsy and perched. I measured the BB heights and there was almost 2 inch difference - I sold the Mk2 because of this.

In terms of the way a bike feels this difference is huge and would probably make you feel very perched.

I have in the past spoken to Gary Woodhouse about the geometry of his bikes and he is fairly convinced his numbers are right. I know what I like and the Freeride model numbers just don't add up. For example, the website quotes 71 degrees head angle as being just right. Not for me it ain't. I think this may come from their BMX background.

As a comparison, my Orange crush has a 12" BB height with 67 degree head angle.The Curtis' 71 degree head angle coupled with 13.5" BB just doesn't seem right to me.

13.5" BB and 71deg HA? that's well ropey.
never understood why you'd call a gate like frame "freeride"? especially as the SX had decent geometry and could easily handle a bit of freebro action.

mildred - what fork did you have on your 2nd alpine? a mate has one in the short 15" frame size and I quite liked it with a 100mm fork.

Initially Pikes at 140mm then 55's wound down to 120mm.

The Mk1 felt spot on with the Pikes.

gw, eventually i'll get a ti coil shock

What exactly do you not like about it?

I think Mildred is correct in as much as I feel very perched on top of it. The top tube measures similar to my Turner but it feels very short and twitchy but this is with a longer fork than the 5Spot has.

Some of this will be due to the shorter stem (20mm) but there is something I'm really not sure about.

Now the problem is do I take it up to Woburn on Sunday and ride it round trails I know and risk having a poo ride coz I don't like it or just take the 5Spot as I know that'll be fine

I've had the same problem but with my bmx. Wanted to get back into it for ages as I used to really enjoy it, but so far I've fell off loads and it just feels really unstable all the time. Tried selling it to replace with a 24/26" "big bmx" but no ones bought it, so I'm going to have to get used to it :\

Airborne Lancaster Ti nice bits lovely and light just hated the geometry.

I had one of those too, and likewise! Hated the geometry on it...

Over the years I've predominantly run full sus bikes, but have decided to get a hardtail as well to boost my skills etc. And just about every hardtail I've built I hated pretty quickly!

Until I got my current Genesis Altitude and my On One Inbred 29er that is... Geometry is all important, and these 2 bikes do it for me where plenty of others have failed.

tom.
what tt length is the bmx?

It's a 20.5" TT as far as I'm aware, with 74.5 degree head angle. Sunday OG frame from 2006. I used to ride 21", not sure how much difference that .5" makes.

Went from a 140mm '06 Enduro that would destroy any downhill but was a pig to drag uphill, to a 150mm carbon '08 Enduro that was a pleasure to ride uphill but didn't feel so confident downhill.

Just recently been to Fort William and the bike excelled in all areas - I'm now happy with it all round (changed the setup slightly).

AT the start of the year I fancied something lighter to ride to work on so built up a Scandal which was such a change from my usual ride, a RM Slayer. It took a while to get used to the light floaty feel of the frame and the very unforging HT back end was something of a shock too lol.

I did the same thing a few months ago. I mainly ride the Quantocks and swapped my heavyish full susser for a scandal, its the first proper hardtail i've had since getting back into mountain biking and its by far the best bike i've ever owned but has taken some getting used to. I've come off it a few times now, unfortunatly the last time resulted in cracking my helmet in 3 places and a fractured elbow 😥

Still cant wait to get back on it though 8)

I always reated my inbred and thought I'd try out something a bit more knarrly so I built up a summer season with coil pikes. It was shit - dodgy slack steering and it weighed a flipping ton. I rode it twice then stipped it down and sold the frame. I bought a nice 853 PA off the classifieds on here and that, on the other hand, is quite awesome.

You ever tried a Cotic Soul Ken? I'm a long time 5 Spot and Flux rider and found the geometry of Cotics bikes very similar.

I also dreemed off a Curtis once but after looking at the various pictures on their web site and owners pics on here got put off as the geometry always looks awkward.

That Curtis does look very awkward - like it was designed for radically shorter forks than are actually fitted to it.

soma_rich & mboy -

Most expensive build I ever did I hated. Airborne Lancaster Ti nice bits lovely and light just hated the geometry.

Did you ever ride an original geared Inbred? If you did you would have hated them as well, The geometry of Lancaster's/Lucky Strike's is identical (every degree, every mm) to the original Inbred.

I had both an Inbred and a Lancaster and preferred the Inbred. It wasn't the geometry though, it was that the Lancaster frame had too much lateral flex and struggled to keep a line in the rough stuff.

I built a road bike and although the parts were all good I just couldn't get on with it. It stayed in the shed for ages then got sold. I think it was probably something as simple as the wrong stem length but I couldn't be bothered messing about with it. My current road bike is spot on and the stem is quite a bit shorter.

do I take it up to Woburn on Sunday and ride it round trails I know and risk having a poo ride coz I don't like it or just take the 5Spot as I know that'll be fine

You HAVE to give the Curtis a chance, otherwise that'll be it, you'll sell it before the end of the summer.

100 bikes gw i hope you do know what works for you after that figure. 😀
im guilty as sin at this .mainly with off the peg bikes rather tha nbuild ive done myself.

flog it where only here once & for a short time .

also second asking ton

Can someone translate that?

cynic-al - Member
Can someone translate that?

I would but I only understand English and he appears to be talking b0ll0x 🙄

BigDummy - Member
You HAVE to give the Curtis a chance, otherwise that'll be it, you'll sell it before the end of the summer.

The way I feel about it it'll be lucky to not up for sale by the end of the week

Have you talked to Curtis about it? They may have some suggestions about possible spec or riding styles?

Buying a Curtis is rarely a complete impulse, you must have thought about the purchase and chosen that frame for a reason, if its not matching your expectations I would think Curtis would be keen to help resolve it.

From what I know about Curtis they may be able to tweak the frame a bit if there is something wrong there.

When I spoke to Gary, he couldn't slacken the angles for me, which prevented me buying one. They are custom but only within quite tight parameters. I know this prevents them building to a punter's spec', and that then being a dog with their name on it.

mangoridebike

I bought it on impluse s/hand off here so there has been no Curtis involvement. I would have been back to Gary before coming on here if I'd bought it new

Whoops - sorry Ken, I thought it had been a work in progress for you. At least as a S/H purchase you've not an emotional investment in it.

From looking at the picture of your bike again the BB does look high, I'd try some lower travel forks and maybe a higher rise stem / bars?

I've got a new (to me) FS frame in the garage at the moment and my excitment about building it up is tempered by the knowledge that it may not work out an I'm hoping. I guess that's part of the buzz of new bikes 🙂

Ken,

Been in a similar situation when I killed a full sus and had to replace with a hardtail, rode the HT and thought what a load of s**t. Bought a new full sus frame, built it up and thought I would be in heaven again. Not so. The riding style is just sooooo different you really need to give it some time. There are defintely routes I would choose to take the HT on now and some things I would take the full sus on. Give it some time and be open minded. Saying that if after giving it a real go you may just need to get rid and don't be afraid to do just that.

Dm

Anybody else had this doubt over a new bike and what did you do?

Yep 😉 . Chalk it up to experience, sell it on at a massive loss then move on. There are plenty more fish in the bike shop 😉 and experience is great 😀 .

I've been a bike-buying wreck this last month since some potential thieving scumbag tried to nick my Slopestyle from outside work (yes, I know, I know, but I love it to bits and want to ride it everywhere). In my quest for a new commute bike in the last month I've tried a Schwinn cruiser, folding shopper, BMX cruiser, Halfords full-susser (all gone the way of the big 'E') and last night I built up a Cove Sanchez with budget bits and pieces. I was not sure about bonding with this one, especially as the top-tube decal was lacquered over and not removeable (funny, the Handjob and Stiffee never bothered me) but today's ride home via the scenic route was pretty good . . . and it's orange 8)

Santa Cruz Blur4x. After this it will be a LT2, the next/closest thing to a 4x.

Mint.

Got a mojo that I'm falling out of love with.........the Bloody five just feels too good.......stil one good long spin may sort it out or ebay here I come.... 😳

yup, just bought a Cannondale Bad Boy and it's way too small for me 🙁 Hoping the seller (local) will take it back as I've only ridden it a few miles in the dry. *crosses fingers

Yes, just built a Chumba VF1 up and it's too short for me... that will teach me to buy a bike without test riding it. Brilliant bike though, I'm debating wether to just put a long stem on it or stick it on the classifieds.

Hated my 456 when I first built it up. Seemed really slow compared to my old giant yukon. Took about two months and some really hairy technical riding to get the point of the bike. It's more stable and composed a lot more comfortable. Slacker head angle and extra weight needed a bit more fitness to get the same performance speed wise out of it. Now I love it. It really is a [i]Do It All Bike[/i].

Nothing wrong with my Curtis
😆

Ken wind the pikes down to 120mm and accept that it does not like pointing down anything steep. I found it was perfect for uppy downy sweeping natural single track. If you want something slacker with a lower BB have a crack on a Sovereign

mundiesmiester - Member
Ken wind the pikes down to 120mm and accept that it does not like pointing down anything steep.

😯 not accepting that

Here's the bike, it's fitted with non-adjustable travel Marz Z1 Light forks which are set at 150mm travel. [s]I'm going to change the travel to 130mm but I need to get a 130mm travel ETA unit.[/s]

Was going to look for a solution but I think I'll cut my losses and sell it 😕

and save up for a Heckler 😀

[img] http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=126jrg&outx=800&quality=70 [/img]

I've wanted a Curtis for ages.... I agree the forks look too long. Could you try it with a more xc setup - shorter fork/longer stem? Seems a shame not to give it more of a chance.
Let me know if you're thinking of selling....not that I need a HT!!!

BB is way higher than the axel isnt it?
looks like it would handle badly just from the photo.
lower the fork to level off the chainstay, and less of a bonkers sweep on the bars?

when you say sell it, i presume you mean sell the frame and swap it for a new frame for the original parts

same build as my summer season pretty much, which i got in "a bit too small" size, and its rad 🙂

Yes Olly sell the frame and swap the bits over to another frame

I have been looking through my spares box and what's fitted to other bikes in the garage to see what I can change

been looking at the Dialled Alpine, Ragley Blue Pig, Sanderson Blitz and Cotic BFe and similar that I can get in a bigger size

Built up a Kona Stinky and it took me a while to get used to it but when I did, I loved it. Stupidly sold it to fund another build and missed it ever since.

Built an Alpine, 15.5" model. Fantastic bike, just not "right". I think I am probably between the 15.5" and 17". Mike tells me that they are now available in a 16" but I try not to listen to him. 😉

Rode a Norco DH bike and hated it, just felt wrong. And like the poster above, tried my bro-in-law's Pitch. Great bike that I wanted to love but just couldn't feel anything for it.

Currently building a DMT Trailstar LT :fingers-crossed:

^hope you like the Trailstar, I'm loving mine 🙂 It's a little short for steep climbs but I've managed Cannock (FTD and monkey) and a 25km'er round The Long Mynd with it, so I think it does ok! Currently contemplating putting a longer stem on but think it might make it crap for jumping.

u-turn pikes go very well on it. Wound in to 110mm for climbing/singletracky stuff then wound out to 140mm (and seat dropped) for descending and jumping! Perfect.

I was looking at a Curtis build earlier this year and they were happy to build whatever I asked for so long as I understood that if it was a complete dog to ride it was my own fault.

I bottled it tbh.

Cube Ltd Race here... un loved from the second shot out.. gave it to my nephew. Problem solved...

I've always loved the look of Curtis frames, but like above, the angles are just retarded. 'Freeride'? WTF....Maybe in 1996. Why are UK frame builders (not designers) so behind the times? Maybe they need to actually try and ride a gnarly trail with a 71 degree head angle and see how it feels.

Conversely, I just built up a Chromag Stylus frame, and holy crap does that thing shift!!

I've put a longer stem (90mm up from 70mm), put some EA70 bars on and with the forks running on 40mm sag on 150mm travel fork it feels loads better.

I'm going to take it to Swinley tomorrow and see how it goes 😕

ken by your standards thats ugly take it to swinley dig a hole and leave it there 😆

rickmeister - Member
Cube Ltd Race here... un loved from the second shot out.. gave it to my nephew. Problem solved...

Is your nephew using it for cycling to work then 😉

showerman - Member
ken by your standards thats ugly take it to swinley dig a hole and leave it there

Yes, I call this bike "Terry" 😉

I know exactly how you feel- I had always wanted a Blur but rode it 3 times and sold it as just didn't bond with it- just had an orange 5 and clicked with it straight away. tbh i think the problem with the blur was the rear shock but couldn't risk spending more money on it and still not liking it

You have to give it a fair whack - then get rid if it isn't right for you. A couple of months would be reasonable and try just riding that and not your other bike(s). You might get it - you might not - but it might be a grower.

Looks like the forks are way too long, causing the high BB. What length forks is it designed around?

I've done this a few times - EBB model Chameleon, Inbred, Dialled Love/Hate - so I just sold them on. Bizarrely I still hanker for a Chameleon (but a medium this time) even though I know I didn't get on with it. How weird is that?

Druidh.. Absolutely.. He is over in August on an Internship organised with the help of folk on here... so he will be on it to Loanhead from Musselburgh...

If you know what I think you might know about this your probably still laughing.... Me, I'll stick with the Marin...

Yup. Ti456 - I hated it with a firey passion.

Cotic Soda - Possibly my fault, I was "in-between" sizes and ended up buying a Large. Should've bought the medium.

Yup. Ti456 - I hated it with a firey passion.

Why? I bought a Ti456 in 18"- I should have bought the 16".

All is at peace with the world 😀

Yesterdays ride round Woburn was a success with no problems (although riding with flatties was a bit weird) so this ones staying in the man cave

A big hi to Tim Drayton, let me know when you're next going to Woburn and we'll meet up

All is at peace with the world

Always good! My world is an absolute mess of bike bits and unfinished projects again now 😕 . The Inbred frame is sitting there begging to be built back up, the Cove Sanchez I bought last week is on ebay 🙄 (cracking ride just a little too long . . . and I'm waaay too picky), still haven't received the tiny Orange Zero frame I bought off ebay over a week ago, and if I'm totally honest the only bike I really want to ride is my completely impractical, but so much fun it should be illegal, Slopestyle . . . sigh.

will do ken!