[Closed] Can your body be too old for hardtails?

only if you are a soft shyte........... 8)

No, but I guess you can be unfit. Different muscles innit? You've used the ones that your armchair has been protecting all these months.

agree with the big chap, I only ride hardtails and I'm an old git, so you must just be a pathetic wee mite with arms like knotted string and no backbone!

*bloomin yoof of today*

Na, did Clyncorrwg and Cwm Carn last week, two days on my inbred, had a blast and I'm an oldish fart.

No nurofen is your friend 🙂

71Km on a hardtail today and I'm 53.

I only ride hardtails and I'm an old git

+1

MTFU you old tart 😀

( or get a Thudbuster :wink:)

Well, for the first time in my life I'm looking at a 120mm fullsuss 29er to replace my 29erSS. I've a lefty too and that's quite a harsh ride, but both these h/t bikes are starting to give me a right old PITA (lower back) but then my riding is changing and a f/s will fit me far better I reckon(s)

I'm not that old (laughs all the way over to the massage table, creak..)

Grumble (cough), grumble. Potters out of thread and pours half a mild.

Its not the age its the mileage.

hora, i am doing a uplift day at inners on sunday...........on my 456.
😀

Rear suspension is for the infirm and the inadequate. 🙂
Ugly too.

I've done 3 rides in 3 days on my c456 after riding mostly FS for a year (and a Ti hardtail before that). It's quite rocky in bits of the Malverns and I'm still walking. Out again tomorrow, might need to be shovelled out of bed come Thursday 😉

Core Strength is your friend here. 10-20 mins a day, you'll be a new man 😉

Ride it more often, you'll get used to it. Eventually..
Did the first hard ride of the year in rocky terrain on mine a week back and my spine was pretty beat up for a couple of days.

full suss is for soft shites indeed, get fitter!

My problem now is I've tried a Spesh Camber a Santa Cruz TallBoy and about to try a Trek Rumblefish.. so far I've been pleasantly surprised to find that I can ride longer over the moors n stuff (oop north when I'm there) on these than either the SS or lefty.. Both these fellas have hindered my riding me thinks (and I've never really thought that before)

And I'm an ex semipro roadie from back in the day.

And that's the problem I think, I still love the roadie stuff and often ave 250k's a week on that beauty.

FCOL what a ridiculous thing to say. Just MTFU. Or buy a Ti.

😉

40 miles today on mine, and I'm a lot older than you - and where is oldgit, he's older than me and rides more

More probable you've the wrong size 🙂

Core Strength is your friend here.

This... I'm younger than most of the posters in this thread (I think), and used to have problems on hardtails. Went to the gym, worked on my core strength quite a bit, and suddenly no more problems! And I still sit down more than I should.

More probable you've the wrong size

Also very important... Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you the wrong side of 6ft and riding a 16" 456? Or did I not remember that right? Anyway, if so, you need a bigger bike!

after just 2hours of riding one again.

By your standards that's a " keeper" 🙂

+1 for getting a bigger bike and doing some core exercises. I can't believe you're riding a 16"! I've been following a very relaxed exercise routine over the last few months and the top tube on my road bike seems to have shrunk.

No sympathy, time for you to join the Golf Club with all the other wingers 😉

I have been on a Ht all winter, the first couple of rides were pretty weird as i tended to bounce when pedalling and struggled due to using slightly different muscles.

I found that I was loath to go back to FS as I have been loving the beast that is my Sov but the other day I did a big xc loop on a 120mm FS and after getting over the initial feeling of having a flat rear tyre the comfort and traction meant that I was considerably less fatigued than I would have been on the HT.

Both are good and it does sound like you may have a sizing problem but at the end of the day go for what will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your biking and don't listen to all the hardnut HT riders calling you a wossy...

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
that'll be a no then. 😀

There is a thudbuster and a USE SX seatpost in the classifieds. Cough cough, wink 🙂

Emm
Tee
Eff
Yoo

Ya big pansy.

Just got myself a HT for the first time in years, its going to take a bit of getting used to after full suspension.
[IMG] [/IMG]

Is that an Ellsworth carbon? NO offence meant but it makes the c456 seem pretty IMO 😯

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans! You couldn't make it up! At the risk of pointing out the bleeding obvious, and of being somewhat repetitive...

YOU'RE RIDING THE WRONG SIZED FRAME, YOU ****ING IMBECILE!!!!!!

You're 6'2" and you're on a 16" frame. And you wonder you don't feel comfortable on it? Oh... and its made of the wrong material too.

I've ridden 100 miles on the P7 in the last 4 days, and I'm not remotely achey. And I'm a good few years more ....ahem.... 'vintage' than you

You're always buying bloody bikes. How about giving it a bit of thought first, before spunking yet more cash on the latest thing to pop into your goldfish-level concentration span. You need a steel hardtail - and not a bloody Evil Sov or something! You're not a freeride god! You're a bloody mincer! Same as the rest of us.

And FFS get something that's actually the right size for you (ie: 18' upwards), you pasty-footed mong-tard 🙄

Eeek a 16",

I've shoes bigger than that.

Binners, I'm not getting a bad back. Its the kicking in the ass etc.

Age is less relevant than the state of your spine but the two are often correlated! In my case, my radiologist friend who is also a bike rider took a look at the scans of my spine and strongly advised I get rid of the hard tail. The vibration and jarring that is transferred to your spine can cause micro-damage (his term not mine) which can accumulate over time and case problems further down the line. My spine is basically border line f***ed from one too many accidents but yours may be just fine!

nothing to add to what binners said.

and I think the Ellsworth looks pretty good actually, not sure about the goldy graphics and stem, though. Oh, and the tyre logos shoudl be by the valve, not the rim logos 😉

I repeat...

YOU'RE RIDING THE WRONG SIZED FRAME, YOU ****ING IMBECILE!!!!!!

Shall i just keep shouting it at you? Until it sinks in? I suspect it might take a while. You don't think you're (completely spazzy) riding position isn't contributing to your discomfort?

How do you manage to get yourself dressed in the morning,and out of the house, without assistance?

I've not ridden my Suss since last summer, ht all the way, as above, get one that fits and isn't made from girders
6.2 on a 16Inch.. 😯 wow!!!.... Do you use a brompton seatpost?

Binners so when I experienced the same on a 18" 456 was that also too small? Should one buy a gate and not enjoy anything vaguely technical? 🙄

A couple of years ago I had to see a Chiropractor for a few sessions. I think some of us need the cushion to extend riding longevity.

[i]Binners, I'm not getting a bad back. Its the kicking in the ass etc. [/i]

you need to get your arse off the saddle, to much lazy boy FS sitting down.

I must point out the photo of the Ellsworth was taken with the seatpost too high and before the brake levers were fitted.
Its a lovely bike to ride..and for the weight weenies it weighs a nats over 22lbs

[i]I experienced the same on a 18" 456 was that also too small[/i]

steel 456's aren't the most forgiving of frames in any size, tbh.

The Curtis I got from CRC is a magic carpet compared with the steel 456 I had.

and stand up more on bumpy bits.

Binned my FS, fully rigid HT now

Maybe you should try another make of frame, oh hang on.......

Are you sure it's not the forks?

You ride technical stuff sat down? I think I may have found the root of your problem.

If you sat down whilst going through technical stuff you'd be kicked over the bars.

No stood up and even my arms suffer. I had a hard paper round so a FS is damage limitation..

What on earth are you blathering on about then?

GO and buy yet another full suss then and stop moaning. How about a Blur 4X? Have you ever had one of those? Oh yeah.... about 6 of them

I agree with Klunk, if the saddle is hitting your arse then your riding style is all wrong, probably not adjusted it from FS riding. Your probably not picking a line and there's the obvious sizing issue.

Can your body be too old for hardtails?

Am I a clueless woose in search of a reason to once again change bike?

did you write the latest C456 Bikeradar review? 😉

I've been riding a full sus for the last few months because my Soul developed a crack which took a while to get welded, powdercoated and put back together.

But I took the Soul to Long Mynd last week for a 7 hour blast, then have been on Cannock Chase a couple of times since with it (after re-converting it to singlespeed.

Apart from my mistake of using a roadie saddle (because it looks prettier than my old WTB) I'm glad to be back.

59 in June.

[i]I experienced the same on a 18" 456 was that also too small[/i]

If you're 6'2", then probably, yeah. I'm 6'1" and had an 18" 456. Always had a sneaky suspicion it was too small as I always felt a bit over the front of it. A week in the Italian Alps decided it for me. I'm now on a 20" 456 and now get that near-mythical feel of being 'in' the bike rather than 'on' it.

16"? Behave.

It would be so much easier if the folk who designed these frames gave some indication of the size of frame a rider should buy based on their height.

Hora, seriously if you are riding a 16''456 it is way too small for you.
you are the same height as me and i ride a 20'' with plenty of post out.

[i]It would be so much easier if the folk who designed these frames gave some indication of the size of frame a rider should buy based on their height.[/i]

It would, wouldn't it.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FROO456/on_one_456_steel_hardtail_frame_2011#Sizingguide

Hora could have a bike custom made for him, and there would still be issues.

is it sinking in yet?

[img] [/img]

I hear em bitchin'..

Years ago I got on well with my Rocky Mountain Vertex and then Santa Cruz Chameleons' then on a revisit I started picking up niggling pains, injuries etc. I never have any of this riding a full sus. Its just not for me anymore.

As for the 'look at the sizing guides'. Rioght. Furry muff' but shouldn't you also ride the frame that feels most comfortable to how you like your bikes? 🙄

Soul on Long Mynd? Long Mynd was designed for the Soul! 8)

shouldn't you also ride the frame that feels most comfortable to how you like your bikes?

Not if the way you 'like your bikes' is two sizes too small. Think of applying the same concept to underwear

[img] [/img]

hora - Member
shouldn't you also ride the frame that feels most comfortable to how you like your bikes?

Long Mynd was designed for the Soul!

True. It was them rocks at the top of Stiperstones on our little detour that beat me up.

[i]Should one buy a gate and not enjoy anything vaguely technical?[/i]

Hora

I'm the same height/build as you, here's my old gate/20" 456 - seems plenty of seatpost showing.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Yes it felt right but on the same descent I didnt feel the slightest bit weary or tired if I'm on a full sus. On the hardtail its a different story.

I went back to HT a few months ago after years of FS only (at least 7) It beat my back up for the 1st 2-3 rides but soon adjusted.

Had a play in Delamere at the weekend which involved quite a few drops (took HT instead of FS) - really felt it in my neck afterwards but again think I just need to adjust. (42 in July and riding FS less and less)

I was forced to stop riding my Intense Spider after the bearings ate themselves, so while im waiting for new bearings to be made i had to 'modify' my Santa Cruz Chameleon back to XC.
Yesus! I couldnt have chosen a worse bike- stiffer than a .... very stiff thing 😯 .
Good acceleration though, but over rough ground be prepared to get chucked all over the place. I didnt have this problem when i was chucking it over jumps, but then dirt jumps are generally smooth 😆
Now i yearn for the '96 Cinder Cone that i shamefully sold to get my original Chameleon. Steel is real and i dont recall having these problems on a steely hardtail.
Mind you that was 15 years ago!

my oldest HT riding buddy is 59

im only 6'0" and ive never fitted anything under 18"/M frame,

seems you have fallen for the internerd hype that anything above a medium is a 'gate'
so buy a full susser that looks nice.

And elves.

Don't forget the elves

sry druidh, edited to stop me getting another email slap from the slap happy mods.

Now i yearn for the '96 Cinder Cone

Lol don't recall having any problems with my GT Timberline (steel/rigid) or Zaskar (Alu/HT crap forks) before the days of full suss - we have been spoilt and become softies 🙂

soobalias - Member
sry druidh, edited to stop me getting another email slap from the slap happy mods.

b r - I've got a monkey build. I wouldn't get comfortable leg extension on your bike!

Yes, I am also worried about future back problems. At the end of the day, I've tried different sizes but I've never felt beat up on a full suss.

Listening to my body I think I'll go with the route that lessens or increases the chances of future back or knee issues. Hopefully we'll all be riding when we are 60 still.

You're worried about future back problems, yet you're riding a frame that's miles too small for you? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Do you think there could be any connection between these two things? You really aren't very bright are you Baldrick?

[img] [/img]

Hora - to put it bluntly, are you a shite rider? You seem quite fat, do you have any core strength to support your mass?
How do you think that you get used to a bike? get riding it for more than 1 ride!

[i]You seem quite fat[/i]

😯

I think binners gets away with this stuff 'cos a) he knows hora and b) we all know he's not *that* serious and c) he's quite funny.

the pictures back it up as does his facebook profile

Another alarming thing (for me) is the pain in my hands when I ride a hardtail.

that will be the fork.

I love these threads 😆

[i]Another alarming thing (for me) is the pain in my hands when I ride a hardtail. [/i]

That'll be because, wait for it, your frame's too small. Your weight is right over the front of the bike and a lot of it being supported by your hands. On a larger frame a greater proportion will be supported by your arse. I speaketh from experience here young grasshopper.

Another alarming thing (for me) is the pain in my hands when I ride a hardtail.

OI!! Planet-head!!! My forehead is bleeding now, as I've just repeatedly headbutted my keyboard

[i] “Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.”[/i]
? Albert Einstein

Hora you can be such a bellend some times 🙄 😆

😉