I'm heading out to Vancouver in November this year on a year long working holiday visa, but I may apply for another year/look for a skilled worked visa depending on the job situation.
Assuming I've got cash to spare, what bike would you go for? I'm not planning on taking one over so Im planning on picking one up while I'm there.
I guess the question is do I want an all mountain bike for riding the north shore which is where I'll be closest to, a downhill bike, or both?
Anyone who's done a similar trip care to advise? I'll also taken wild speculation and uniformed opinion too 😀
I'd be popping into the Cove Bike shop if I were in Vancouver, you'll be riding in their testing grounds.
All mountain bike and hire a proper DH bike when you go to the park.
I'd be popping into the Cove Bike shop if I were in Vancouver, you'll be riding in their testing grounds.
Unless Cove bikes are significantly cheaper in BC then I doubt I'd be able to afford a new one! A second hand g-spot or std might be a good shout though.
All mountain bike and hire a proper DH bike when you go to the park.
That might be the best bet. Would save lugging a bike all the way up Whistler as well.
'All Mountain' is totally dead around here. You need an ENDURO bike 😉 Don't forget the XC lid and goggles too. Finally get some totally miss-matched clothes and a bum-bag and you are good to go!
There's the usual arguments going on here (Vancouver) with regards the 'best' wheel size. Personally I've got a 29er, and it punches above it's weight when it comes to rolling through the gnar, but it's pretty bloody boring. If you are not too concerned about winning races or getting KOMs I'd probably get one of the many 650B enduro type bikes that are available now. That'll be great for 90% of the riding around here and the occasional Park day. There's so many good trails around Van and Squamish that you might not even go to Whistler much. I think I've been around 5 times since 2008....
'All Mountain' is totally dead around here. You need an ENDURO bike Don't forget the XC lid and goggles too. Finally get some totally miss-matched clothes and a bum-bag and you are good to go!
Oops! 26 and already out of touch with the youthz 😛
Thanks walleater, I've never ridden a 29er, would be keen have a go on one and do like the look of the Specialized Stumpjumper and Enduro lines. Just a bit afraid they'll be too big as I'm a bit of a short arse.
Looking like a 160mm ish enduro bike is the way to go then. I guess $3000 will get me something half decent 2nd hand.
I would buy an Enduro Evo off the Pinkbike classifieds or a dealer.
It's about the only thing that will do it all. That said it will still suck in the park compared to a pure DH bike and on the trails it'll be a pig compared to a light 160mm 29".
Basically you need two bikes.
Hope that helps.
Basically you need two bikes.
Was tempted to spend maybe $2500 on an enduro bike and another $1000 on a cheap DH bike for park duties, should be plenty kicking about pink bike, but then I think, will I actually be in the park that often? Will I even have room for two bikes?! I was tempted by something like a Giant Glory as a do it all.
Don't rush into a DH bike just yet. You'll not be riding park until spring 2015 in any event.. so focus on the bike you'll be riding in the evenings/weekend locally.
As walleater says.. 27.5 "enduro" is right on the money as there's now plenty of pedalling to be done on the shore.
Cheers BearBack. How ridable is the stuff on Grouse/Froome in the winter time anyway? Do the trees provide enough snow cover to keep riding or is it generally under a whack of snow? Do you guys to guiding on the shore too?
For "Vancouver", you want a cheap beater bike. Bike theft is a profession over here 😀
For the North Shore, you've got your answer above...
I don't know, but what a nice problem to have. 🙂
[i]How ridable is the stuff on Grouse/Froome in the winter time anyway?[/i]
Just about all of the lower trails will be open the vast majority of the winter, unless we get a freaky snow year. Some of the upper trails (7th Secret is the highest trail on Fromme) can become closed for a month or so but cabin fever then kicks in and riders start pushing up through the snow and maybe walk down the first sections of the trail until the snow clears.
There's also XC orientated stuff on lower Seymour which is just about rideable all year. And then there's Squamish 45 minutes drive up the highway which has some stuff rideable most of the year...
Whistler can be snowed in from late Nov to April-ish
Just like everyone else said, you'll enjoy a 6"(ish) travel ENDURO gnarpoon for the Shore and some kind of "vintage" Miele hipstervagen with pink Deep V's for cruising East Van in your tight jeans.
Welcome to the promised land.
Thanks Mark, I did wonder if arriving in November was a bad call with regards to getting some riding in, but if most of the lower stuff is ridable most of the time then it sounds like I shouldn't be too worried about not seeing a trail for a while.
Just need to worry about finding a job to fund these bikes now 😛
Welcome to the promised land.
😀