Recommend me a FUN ...
 

[Closed] Recommend me a FUN but simple bike - a true smile machine

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I have an amazing Evil full suss that covers most of my riding, but i'm afater something for general local mucking about on, winter riding, and tips out with the kids

A simple and straight forwrad hardtail that above all else is just FUN to ride and just makes you smile wherever you ride it

Ideally needs to be fairly cheap to build up as well as confidence inspiring enough to ride at the odd trail centre.

Holy grail? - surely there must be something that fits the bill

Was thinking something like a Stooge but was slightly worried at 6ft about the fit

Whats that one FUN bike that makes you SMILE big time every time you ride it?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:44 am
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Bmx 😀


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:45 am
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[url= http://pedalsbikecare.co.uk/shop/2016-transition-rapture-55cm-complete-ex-display/ ]Everybody's gone to the Rapture[/url]


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:49 am
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You need a rigid singlespeed. My Inbred cost around £1200 to build, including most things from the Hope catalogue and some right-on-trend 35mm rims.

No suspension to service, no gears to fail... Just oil and ride.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:51 am
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Krampus?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:52 am
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I'd say an old explosif with P2s, but I'm stuck in 1994 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:54 am
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some kind of 4X type bike with a long enough seatpost. wheelies bunnyhops silly tricks and trial moves all day, too small to do any serious distance on but that is not the point is it 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:54 am
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any of these would be a hoot.
http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=174482

I always hankered after a DMR bolt as an SS.
I prefer riding SS, even at trail centres. But generally also only ride fully rigid. I reckon these would be a hoot.

Or an Evil Sovereign. Used to be a dream bike, one of the nicest looking frames, but now looking back they seem quite dated and often copied, now with sensible larger wheel sizes too 🙂

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:57 am
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Everyone should own a Santa Cruz Chameleon at some point. They're like an over-sized BMX. Without doubt the most fun bike ever made. The grin factor goes up to eleven! 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:58 am
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A £1200 inbred!!!??? Shirley you mean £120....


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:59 am
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Fat bike. Obviously.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:01 am
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Some sort of steel rigid mtb.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:01 am
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Stooge.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:05 am
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Singular Swift.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:13 am
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5thElefant - Member
Fat bike. Obviously

I concur.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:26 am
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Everyone should own a Santa Cruz Chameleon at some point. They're like an over-sized BMX

Agree. I had one about 10 years ago setup single speed and it was great fun, probably the best frame I have had for messing around on


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:30 am
 bubs
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Boring but true - Mk1 pre-CEN Soul. I have a number of bikes but this is the most "bike like" one of them all. Tow kids, local bimble, xc blast, winter hack, tech slayer, big bike alternative for proper hills....
Other bikes have come and gone but my (rusty and battered) Soul is still there, quietly doing most things well and just getting on it with it.
You can probably pick up a Mk1 for peanuts now too.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:39 am
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I'm about 6' and find the stooge to be fine fit wise.

It's a fantastic bike, to the point I'm having to make a conscious effort to ride my full suss more before my Alps trip in the summer as by default I pick the stooge for just about everything. Its the bike that makes me smile and the mirror black version looks lush.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:43 am
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[url= https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-ramin-one-2015-mountain-bike-EV207300 ]Pinnacle Ramin 1?[/url]


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 11:47 am
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Rigid SS plus bike like a Krampus or Stooge.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 12:01 pm
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Voodoo Wazoo, or one of the last few remaining Calibre Dunes for £493 this Easter weekend.

Or if you like building bikes, make something from an £89 Fatty Trail frame before 31/3/2016.

To conclude, fatbike ftw. \o/


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 12:02 pm
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I'm six foot and i've got a on one inbred which fits really well.Love riding it and have it set up with a on one rigid fork and big 2.5 tyres (tons of space for big tyres in the frame and forks) its not a fat bike maybe more semi-skimmed !!I've got a full susser but for simple fun the inbred is great and has a lot of fans among the steel lovers.Build it up yourself with bargain but good bits and you'll be grinning like a cheshire cat everytime you ride it.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 12:03 pm
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Fat-BMX-Rigid-Singlespeed

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 12:11 pm
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Or a Transition Klunker,needs some skills though!

[img] [/img]

[url=


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 12:21 pm
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Calibre Dune & a singlespeed kit.
£600.
Job done.

Or a Stache.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 1:30 pm
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Fat bike, rigid and budget, so Dune, Wazoo or 90 quid Fatty Trail build.

Seeing a pattern yet?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 1:36 pm
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Surly Krampus - more smiles per mile than any other bike I've owned. Amazingly capable, but also great to ride.

I also own a Transistion Klunker as mentioned above, while it's a riot, it's also very unforgiving on anything other than smooth trails! I've fallen off a lot whilst riding it, usually while laughing though!


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 2:48 pm
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Singlespeed Pug?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 2:57 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 2:58 pm
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[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:05 pm
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Specialized fuse,spot on & very fun


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:11 pm
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The Marin Pine Mountain 1 above is good simple , low maintenance fun , having played on mine for the last few days .. 🙂


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:16 pm
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very nearly bought a PM1 just on the strength of how "right" it looks (and harking back to the bikes I started riding) but went full-fat and love it. Sure the PM is a riot too.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:20 pm
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The only correct answer is santacruz chameleon. Just as good on a canal tow path as it is flying 20ft gaps on a dh track.
I have a 26" and it brings a smile to my face every time I ride it.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:29 pm
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[b]rustybolt[/b] how are you getting on with it? Is it heavy? They look a nice simple fun bike.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:33 pm
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Fat-BMX-Rigid-Singlespeed
I know there's a niche missing from that, but I'm buggered if I can spot what it is 😀


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:34 pm
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I know there's a niche missing from that, but I'm buggered if I can spot what it is

Drop bars.

Fat-BMX-Rigid-Singlespeed-Gravelmonstercross


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 3:39 pm
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Or if you like building bikes, make something from an £89 Fatty Trail frame before 31/3/2016.

Eh?

£150 on their website - unless there is a trick you'd share?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:04 pm
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Looked at a Fuse and Loki and opted for the Norco Torrent , love it , just leaves me smiling every time I get my leg over 😉


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:06 pm
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@ rumbledethumps . I've not weighed it so no idea what it weighs but it probably is heavyish , but doesn't feel heavy being ridden . I'm no weight weenie and it feels good to me so don't really care . This bike for me was for general off road riding , less techy trails and faff free slightly floaty rigid riding . I need to start messing about with pressure in the (for me ) larger tyres as I haven't really experimented yet , but apart from that it will be hassle free . I think it will be good for a wee bit of bike packing too , and the finish and look of the bike for the money is great .


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:25 pm
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mrhoppy

How are you finding the stooge at 6ft

what length stem are you running? / are you running a layback?

Love SS but want to run some gears on this build

Keep those ideas flowing peeps. Remember FUN is the name of the game


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:28 pm
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The torrent does look bloody fun. Can you buy its as frame only?

How does 27.5 plus ride in the winter mud?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:29 pm
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Anyone got the Fuze

Seems everyone is recommending a 27.5 plus. So is that the way to go peeps

Must admit i do fancy giving one a go


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:31 pm
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olibluegoat - Member
mrhoppy
How are you finding the stooge at 6ft
what length stem are you running? / are you running a layback?

70mm stem and an on one twelfty post so only slight layback, ebb in lowest setting. Comfy for 7hr days like that but it stays put as that for everything. Carbon forks are good though.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 4:40 pm
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If you're around Shropshire then you can have a ride on it if you want.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:14 pm
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Ok. I think its going to have to be a 27.5 plus hardtail

Think the shortlist is either:

Marin Pinemountain 1
Oreba Loki
Stooge
Norco Torrent

Anyone ridden the Loki on flatter terrain? Still fun?


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:20 pm
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+1 for the Fatty Trail

It's the only bike I've ridden for the past 3 weeks, and loving it.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:24 pm
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If you're looking at 27.5 plus the yet to be released Sonder Transmitter may be worth waiting for.

... but of course a fat bike is the correct answer 😀


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:26 pm
 hora
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Tick


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:30 pm
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Anyone ridden the Loki on flatter terrain? Still fun?

Ridden one around a car park, that was flat, was a giggle


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:33 pm
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A £1200 inbred!!!??? Shirley you mean £120....

Well the frame was £99, so a £120 build would have been tight!

The wheels were the most expensive part; Hope trials built on Velocity P35s by some chap in Swannage called Charlie. All the other Hope stuff was ordered at the LBS.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:36 pm
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My old mk1 Soul was the most fun bike I owned so I concur with above. My smile bike now is an On One SS with 130mm on the front and 2.4 tyres. Runs like a grown up bmx. Not my most capable, fastest or smothest to ride but easy to grab, use, maintain and always a laugh. Cost me 180 to put it together as well so win alround.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:44 pm
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Cove Stiffee. 😀


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 5:48 pm
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£150 on their website - unless there is a trick you'd share?

the [b]GET AN EXTRA 40% OFF[/b] that's been emblazoned across the site and the subject of PSA threads in the last few weeks? 😉

Code is PXPPP40, expires 31/3, and it's not much of a trick, sorry! Makes the Floater tyres about 15 quid a piece too.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 6:10 pm
 km79
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[img] [/img]

Now that's a true smile machine.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 6:19 pm
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I'm swaying most to the Stooge. Just looks simple and fun


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 6:33 pm
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[IMG] [/IMG]

Loving my stache 5....I wanted a pine mountain 1, but 5 months ago when I had my cycle to work voucher stinging my sweaty paws, I couldn't get one....the stache was dearer, but I honestly have no regrets.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 7:27 pm
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A few people have already mentioned the Orbea Loki but it´s this for me. I´ve been testing it for the last couple of months and am loving it. I´ve actually just done something I´ve never done before and asked if I can buy it at the end of the test period. It´s simple and is great fun. I´ve been using it pretty much all the time over winter. I love how stable it is and the geometry is fantastic. But there´s no suspension, no carbon and feels indestructible. Pure simple fun!
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1620/24647537719_f4c5487cea.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1620/24647537719_f4c5487cea.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
I don´t have any photos of the bike where you can see it well at the moment. This trail is up and down, not flat, but the bike feels fun. It climbs great, partly due to the traction the wheels generate, and it´s only on the road where you feel the drag but even then it´s not as bad as I thought it would be.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 7:41 pm
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Just get a Stooge. I guarantee you won't regret it.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 8:18 pm
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Rigid single speed, loads around, pick one you can afford. I've got the cannondale trail 29 SS and its bloomin marvellous.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 8:27 pm
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Stooge or Loki. The Loki does look bloody good


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 8:41 pm
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Kona Humuhumu?

Nearly bought last year's model for £304 from Wiggle in their January sale, with intention of replacing the mechanical disc brakes.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 8:56 pm
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A few folks suggesting a singlespeed adds to your enjoyment by having much less to maintain. For this I can really see the appeal of the SS but I feel my enjoyment would be limited because I couldn't go as fast on the flat/downhill as you could on a geared bike.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 8:58 pm
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Fatbike here too. Reason being 1) it's awesome, and 2), it's really really different to your current bike. There's lots of awesome bikes but nothing else is more different, while still being fit for purpose, IMO.

Only bummer is, 4.8 tyres don't fit on most uplift trailers (Oh OK also, good fatbike tyres cost a fortune)

The Orbea looks mint though, love that Marin too...


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 9:01 pm
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Stache, Loki or Tarn.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 9:03 pm
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Try something different.

A SS Pompino with cx tyres. It's impossible not to have fun on one of them.


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 9:38 pm
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Dont really want a single speed

Anyone got an orange crush?

The on one fat bike does look a good laugh


 
Posted : 27/03/2016 10:25 pm
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Bizango. Cheap. Always fun.


 
Posted : 28/03/2016 12:15 am
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The reason all us rigid single speed merchants keep banging on about how good they are is because they are mighty good fun, minimal mainenance even in the current filth, get fit quick, just as quick downhill if you let the brakes go, climbing goats. And if you go 26" you'll pick up a frame and all the bits second hand on here for next to nowt. My recommendation is dialled love/hate.


 
Posted : 28/03/2016 12:35 am
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Charge cooker 1 (or cooker 0, or 2,3,4,5....)

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 28/03/2016 9:35 am
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BMX or a small 26" hardtail 😀


 
Posted : 28/03/2016 11:42 am