What bike is fun to ride?

Hi All

I have been off the bike recently and now fancy getting back into riding. I think part of the problem is that I have never felt that inspired by my current bike (Cannondale hardtail), so have been less inclined to go riding. I think part of the problem is it is quite a harsh bike to ride and I’ve never felt that confidence in the level of front wheel grip. I used to love my old Rockhopper before the ‘dale.

I’m now thinking that getting a new bike could help – what ‘fun’ bikes can everybody recommend? I had thought about a full suss, but I’m not sure just because I’m thinking it could be expensive to get a good one. Budget – maybe £1k (including resale of my current bike)

Any suggestions gratefully received 🙂

Its a bit tricky as there is so many bikes out there and most are fun to ride but I understand your point regarding the Cannondale. I know these choices sound predictable but just to start the ball rolling as it were, I’d say if it was FS, a Spez Pitch and if it was hardtail, a 0-0 456.

Around 1k should get you a decent full-susser from some of the “big” names (Trek, Specialized etc) – there’s some pretty good sales on 2008 models, too.

Excuse my ignorance – what is a 0-0 456?

I would look at full sussers, I guess I’m just aware that I could get more value for money with a hardtail.

Maybe I need to take more test rides – I didn’t really try many bikes before getting the Cannondale. I’m guessing most decent bike shops these days offer decent test rides?

Cheers 🙂

what is a 0-0 456?

Sorry…I meant On-One 456 😳

As per http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/On-One_Complete_Geared_26in_bike_order_page.html

I suppose the other option is to build my own (although that makes test riding a little more difficult)…. is there one particular factor that defines how ‘fun’ a bike is to ride?

is there one particular factor that defines how ‘fun’ a bike is to ride?

Wheels? 🙂

Seriously, test ride a bunch of different bikes. It’s the best way to get a feel for what you prefer.

Somefink wif weels 😀

It has got to be dependant on you whats fun for one is no fun for the next, test rides needed by the sound of your post.

Most fun bike I’ve ever owned has got to be my current ride an 08 santa cruz chameleon, great fun bike and not as harsh as people say.

It does depend on what you want to do on it but I’ve found the original Giant Trance, Mongoose Teocali fun to ride. Both in rather budget guises, but decent suspension and a lot less than £1000 on places like Pauls Cycles.

Also, the old style quad link Marin Riftzone is available for £899 at some places and I sometimes wish I’d never sold the one I had.

One thing I would say is don’t necessarily get taken in by the hype of “all mountain” bikes.

I’ve got an Orange P7 which is fun to ride in a confidence inspiring way, but for all out laughs then i’ve yet to find anything to beat my Planet-X Jack Flash.

Geometry is the defining thing I reckon so test a whole bunch of stuff. Generally I find the slacker angled stuff like Kona’s more fun as they feel a bit more stable at speed/when it’s steep but that’s just me.

Cove stiffee comes to mind,awesome front end 😉

Spesh Pitch is a great ride for about 1k
what sort of riding are you intending to do?

Thanks for all the replies.

Just like xc riding really, nothing too hardcore. Cannock chase isn’t far away – I really enjoy the follow the dog route. I would like to try out some of the mtb centres up in North Wales, see what they have to offer as it is only a couple of hours up to North Wales

Blimey, that Specialized pitch is an odd looking bike!

Looks like the point is that its good geometry and good selection of certain components – wheels and forks being the main thing. I’m not sure if the headshock on my cannondale is what doesn’t inspire me with confidence.

Can anybody recommend decent bike shops in West Midlands that offer decent test rides?

Are you really Dave’s mum?

I don’t know the specifics of gemetry but I have dscovered that a “slack” head angle seems to make a bike “fun”. (Not too sure about Bottom bracket height or seat angle and Top tube length)

In the past 5 years I went from an Orange Evo 2 then to a Santa Cruz Blur LT and then to replace the Evo2 a Stiffee. presently running both the Blur LT and the stiffee.

I love the stiffee. It’s head angle encourages madness and general mucking about. However the full suss is better for all day riding and is quicker as I can pedal through things.

I would consider the Marin Rocky Ridge at your price budget (seems to get good reviews).

I’ll have to try a few bikes out to see what I get on with, but I’ll be a bit nervous about going for one of the more aggressive xc bikes if it means they compromise the ability to ride all day. On the other hand I don’t want an out and out xc racer so maybe there is a fine line somewhere inbetween the two styles

RudeBoy – what if I am Dave’s mum?! 😀

http://www.mammothlifestyle.co.uk/

Try this shop in Milford Specialised and Giant they have demo bikes and right on the Chase open Sunday 9-1 closed Monday open Tues-Sat 9-6

or Swinnerton Forest Centre at Birches Valley visitors Centre

Yeah just try things out, I wouldn’t find a Pitch fun to ride, they’re heavy and slow!

I find my Epic really fun, its very very fast and nimble, which is what I like in a bike. However, I don’t doubt that many people on here would find it twitchy and skittish.

The only bike I’ve ever got on that has brought an instant smile to my face is a Surly Pugsley.

The most ridiculous bike in the world.

But so much fun it’s untrue.

inspired by a *bike* ?? Wouldn’t that be very sad ?? Be instead inspired by where you ride, what you DO and who you ride with :o) Bikes are just a means to an end.

RudeBoy – what if I am Dave’s mum?!

No, I don’t mean owt bad by that!

Just thought it was a funny login name!

Quite cool though; very original! I like it!

“Be instead inspired by where you ride, what you DO and who you ride with”

yep,I can relate to that 🙂

look mum ,i’ve told you before stick to knitting 😉

Oh I almost forgot.

Tandems.

They’re a propper riot to ride.

No matter how slow and unstable you look on em they’re a blast to ride.

For that money, Orange Crush. Or P7 if you want to go less fun, more xc.

If you’re happy with the components on the cannondale, why not just try swapping the frame and fork? Would probably work out a lot cheaper, especially if you hunt out some second-hand stuff.

The big bonus with second hand stuff is that if you decide you don’t like something you can always sell it on and buy another for very little financial outlay.

Top tip here is to get a versatile travel-adjustable fork that will work with many different frames. Something like a rock shox pike.