Am I buying the wrong MTB?
Discussion
Hello. It has been a while since I’ve owned a mountain bike, and even then it was a £250 Trek which was used for everything from getting around when at university, to having a go at the Skyline Trail once. So not a great basis for comparison. I’ve had a road bike for the last seven years, but lived near the Alps for a bit, and had a go at downhill on rented bikes (never anything decent or properly suited to the task unfortunately!) a couple of times in 2Alpes and Espace Killy while nearby.
Now I’m in the comparatively boring South UK, but not far from places like Aston Hills and Woburn Woods. I’ve wanted for a while to get something that will allow me to go to these places, and others, when I have a day to myself, and just have some fun. My work cycle scheme meant a lot of the more expensive stuff I was aiming at is looking a bit too much of a reach now (Canyon Spectral AL 6.0, YT Jeffsy Comp), so I took advantage of 20% off at Go Outdoors and reserved a Calibre Sentry. The shops all closed the next morning so I don’t have it yet (hopefully it’s still waiting for me but who knows).
Now that I’ve got time to review this decision, is it the right bike for that kind of usage? I don’t imagine I’d be doing a lot of XC, simply because I don’t think I’m in the right part of the country for it, and have children who are too young to join in for the next few years, so probably wouldn’t travel to do it either. As an enduro bike, will it be overkill for some low-lying UK trail centres? The travel is quite large, and at 16kg it seems on the heavy side.
However, a friend from my time in France, who spends a lot on his bikes, said in this position he would rather have the money in his pocket and climb a bit slower. Also, the spec level seems very good for the money and the reviews are good.
Any thoughts or insight appreciated.
Now I’m in the comparatively boring South UK, but not far from places like Aston Hills and Woburn Woods. I’ve wanted for a while to get something that will allow me to go to these places, and others, when I have a day to myself, and just have some fun. My work cycle scheme meant a lot of the more expensive stuff I was aiming at is looking a bit too much of a reach now (Canyon Spectral AL 6.0, YT Jeffsy Comp), so I took advantage of 20% off at Go Outdoors and reserved a Calibre Sentry. The shops all closed the next morning so I don’t have it yet (hopefully it’s still waiting for me but who knows).
Now that I’ve got time to review this decision, is it the right bike for that kind of usage? I don’t imagine I’d be doing a lot of XC, simply because I don’t think I’m in the right part of the country for it, and have children who are too young to join in for the next few years, so probably wouldn’t travel to do it either. As an enduro bike, will it be overkill for some low-lying UK trail centres? The travel is quite large, and at 16kg it seems on the heavy side.
However, a friend from my time in France, who spends a lot on his bikes, said in this position he would rather have the money in his pocket and climb a bit slower. Also, the spec level seems very good for the money and the reviews are good.
Any thoughts or insight appreciated.
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Wednesday 8th April 23:02
From the sounds of it (previous mtb was a £250 one, been a while, Woburn woods etc), you're fairly new/a beginner to MTB?
If so, and if the trails you'll be riding are tame trail centres, then yes, the Sentry will be very overkill for what you need.
The Sentry is a cheap Enduro bike - designed to be ridden up a tame fire road, then blasted back downhill as fast as possible. If you're riding flat trails, then the 16kg weight and 150/160mm suspension is going to make things hard going.
If so, and if the trails you'll be riding are tame trail centres, then yes, the Sentry will be very overkill for what you need.
The Sentry is a cheap Enduro bike - designed to be ridden up a tame fire road, then blasted back downhill as fast as possible. If you're riding flat trails, then the 16kg weight and 150/160mm suspension is going to make things hard going.
Thanks for the replies. I am a beginner really, except for the odd bits and pieces I’ve done over the last decade that I mentioned. I don’t think I’d be looking to do XC, so I was looking at trail bikes as the main thing I wanted to achieve was having fun in small bursts of a couple of hours or so.
Things like the Canyon and YT that I mentioned in the OP were picked because they topped recent ‘trail bike of the year’ awards. The Sentry appeared to offer a similar bike but for less money.
I don’t have enough experience of riding different bikes like this to know what difference an extra 20mm of travel makes, or whether slack geometry matters to me, or whether an extra 2kg is a deal-breaker, or whether 29 or 27.5 is for me, or FS vs. HT, or if I need that next rung up to the groupset ladder, etc etc...
I’ve researched it a fair bit but don’t really feel like it has got me anywhere
I guess I thought it couldn’t hurt to have more bike than you need so that you don’t have to buy another one in 18 months if you start branching out.
Things like the Canyon and YT that I mentioned in the OP were picked because they topped recent ‘trail bike of the year’ awards. The Sentry appeared to offer a similar bike but for less money.
I don’t have enough experience of riding different bikes like this to know what difference an extra 20mm of travel makes, or whether slack geometry matters to me, or whether an extra 2kg is a deal-breaker, or whether 29 or 27.5 is for me, or FS vs. HT, or if I need that next rung up to the groupset ladder, etc etc...
I’ve researched it a fair bit but don’t really feel like it has got me anywhere
I guess I thought it couldn’t hurt to have more bike than you need so that you don’t have to buy another one in 18 months if you start branching out.When you sat "XC" - what do you think that means?
XC is cross country, which is doesn't have to mean racing, it just means mellow trails, not much gnar, a blue/red trail centre route could be classed as "XC".
So it sounds like you will actually be riding XC stuff, when you say you won't.
A trail bike is a good allrounder, something with 120-150mm travel, 27.5 or 29er wheels.
Once the lockdown is over, get yourself to a trail centre that does decent bike hire - i.e. proper MTBs and hire a hardtail for a couple of hours. Then hire a FS the next time. And/or get yourself to some demo days.
Set a budget, and read up on lots of reviews etc. But get out there riding on some modern bikes before you decide what to buy, as it doesn't sound like you've ridden a modern MTB.
XC is cross country, which is doesn't have to mean racing, it just means mellow trails, not much gnar, a blue/red trail centre route could be classed as "XC".
So it sounds like you will actually be riding XC stuff, when you say you won't.
A trail bike is a good allrounder, something with 120-150mm travel, 27.5 or 29er wheels.
Once the lockdown is over, get yourself to a trail centre that does decent bike hire - i.e. proper MTBs and hire a hardtail for a couple of hours. Then hire a FS the next time. And/or get yourself to some demo days.
Set a budget, and read up on lots of reviews etc. But get out there riding on some modern bikes before you decide what to buy, as it doesn't sound like you've ridden a modern MTB.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 8th April 20:07
I probably don’t know what XC is. I thought (well, assumed 
) it was taking a bike for a point-to-point trip off road, so a long time on the bike on mixed terrain. Hiking on a bike basically. Sounds like it covers a fair bit more than that...
The most modern thing I’ve ridden was a Rockrider 720s rented from Decathlon about three years ago ...which I took to the top of a run which started at 3200m. Not my most sensible decision for trying something new
I knew there were demo days, but they seemed to be for one manufacturer, and for the pricier end of the spectrum. Plus they seemed a long way in the future at the time, and I was being impatient. I didn’t realise some bike parks rent as well though. I asked around at bike shops etc and was met with blank faces, so I must have asked the wrong people. Thanks for the advice.
) it was taking a bike for a point-to-point trip off road, so a long time on the bike on mixed terrain. Hiking on a bike basically. Sounds like it covers a fair bit more than that...The most modern thing I’ve ridden was a Rockrider 720s rented from Decathlon about three years ago ...which I took to the top of a run which started at 3200m. Not my most sensible decision for trying something new
I knew there were demo days, but they seemed to be for one manufacturer, and for the pricier end of the spectrum. Plus they seemed a long way in the future at the time, and I was being impatient. I didn’t realise some bike parks rent as well though. I asked around at bike shops etc and was met with blank faces, so I must have asked the wrong people. Thanks for the advice.
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Wednesday 8th April 20:50
That sounds like bikepacking, rather than XC...
Essentially there's a few different disciplines of MTB riding, most of which come from/take influence from the racing side, which handily correspond with bike travel.
100-120mm
XC racing - lycra, lightweight bikes, hardtail or full suspension. Nino Schurter. Flat out, faster uphill than down, mega fitness.
XC non racing - mellow, flattish riding, tame bridleways and forests
150-180mm
Enduro racing - timed stages on the downhill sections, and untimed transitions (uphill) to get to the stages. Sam Hill. Faster than you'd believe downhill, and still covering 20/30/40+ miles in a day. EWS Enduro World Series
Enduro non racing - ride up a fire road climb with your mates, stop at the top for a chat and a bike fettle, then send it down a gnarly trail as fast/as stylishly as you can. Uplift optional but regularly used. Bikepark Wales/Whistler. Calibre Sentry is THIS style of bike.
120-160mm
Trail/All mountain (no racing for this) - Full suspension or hardtail, riding a bit of everything, flat trails, climbing mountains like snowdon, red or blue trail centres, enduro trails, all the above or none. Basically trail is the middle ground between enduro and XC, it'll do it all well.
180mm+
Downhill (racing or not, the same) - uplift to the top, and send it down the most gnarliest trails and biggest jumps, faster and bigger than you ever thought possible. Loic Bruni. Fort Bill. Utter, utter, madness.
Then the sub categories: Fatbiking (big fat tyres for snow/sand), bikepacking (camping on a bike, bags, wilderness), gravel (road bike but can go offroad, exploring bridleways and byways).
Do yourself a favour and spend an hour on youtube and look up some of the above.
Demo days are generally free or a small charge, some will be just single manufacturers, but some will be multiple.
Essentially there's a few different disciplines of MTB riding, most of which come from/take influence from the racing side, which handily correspond with bike travel.
100-120mm
XC racing - lycra, lightweight bikes, hardtail or full suspension. Nino Schurter. Flat out, faster uphill than down, mega fitness.
XC non racing - mellow, flattish riding, tame bridleways and forests
150-180mm
Enduro racing - timed stages on the downhill sections, and untimed transitions (uphill) to get to the stages. Sam Hill. Faster than you'd believe downhill, and still covering 20/30/40+ miles in a day. EWS Enduro World Series
Enduro non racing - ride up a fire road climb with your mates, stop at the top for a chat and a bike fettle, then send it down a gnarly trail as fast/as stylishly as you can. Uplift optional but regularly used. Bikepark Wales/Whistler. Calibre Sentry is THIS style of bike.
120-160mm
Trail/All mountain (no racing for this) - Full suspension or hardtail, riding a bit of everything, flat trails, climbing mountains like snowdon, red or blue trail centres, enduro trails, all the above or none. Basically trail is the middle ground between enduro and XC, it'll do it all well.
180mm+
Downhill (racing or not, the same) - uplift to the top, and send it down the most gnarliest trails and biggest jumps, faster and bigger than you ever thought possible. Loic Bruni. Fort Bill. Utter, utter, madness.
Then the sub categories: Fatbiking (big fat tyres for snow/sand), bikepacking (camping on a bike, bags, wilderness), gravel (road bike but can go offroad, exploring bridleways and byways).
Do yourself a favour and spend an hour on youtube and look up some of the above.
Demo days are generally free or a small charge, some will be just single manufacturers, but some will be multiple.
Edited by Tall_Paul on Wednesday 8th April 21:16
One thing to mention is that if you start doing more technical trails, the added suspension will be more forgiving for any mistakes, but you could end up riding with poor technique and line choices.
I've decreased the travel on my main bike from riding a Specialized Demo DH bike to now looking at 125mm steeds (Norco Optic or something similar) via a 150mm enduro bike in the middle. Still riding the same trails, and whilst the speed that I rode them on the Demo might be quicker, I am having a lot more fun and being rewarded more.
Enjoy, with whatever you end up with!
Once the world returns to normal go push yourself in Wales!
I've decreased the travel on my main bike from riding a Specialized Demo DH bike to now looking at 125mm steeds (Norco Optic or something similar) via a 150mm enduro bike in the middle. Still riding the same trails, and whilst the speed that I rode them on the Demo might be quicker, I am having a lot more fun and being rewarded more.
Enjoy, with whatever you end up with!
Once the world returns to normal go push yourself in Wales!
I think you will be fine and will not know any different if you avoid trying too many other bikes, Aston hill has some fairly good downhill runs that can make use of the longer travel bike you have selected. Woburn sands is more suited to less travel bikes but you can still use a longer travel bike there without being much slower, disavantaged. (Chicksands is worth a look if starting out too, and fairly local). In your position I would have prob gone for the bossnut as cheaper and maybe better suited overall, but wouldn't worry to much sure you will love it.
Tall_Paul said:
That sounds like bikepacking, rather than XC...
Essentially there's a few different disciplines of MTB riding, most of which come from/take influence from the racing side, which handily correspond with bike travel.
100-120mm
XC racing
XC non racing
150-180mm
Enduro racing
120-160mm
Trail/All mountain (no racing for this)
180mm+
Downhill (racing or not, the same)
Then the sub categories: Fatbiking, bikepacking, gravel.
Where do these two fit in? The Cannondale is mine, and the Salsa is, er, also mine, but ridden by my youth. Definitely lacking in any skill compensators.Essentially there's a few different disciplines of MTB riding, most of which come from/take influence from the racing side, which handily correspond with bike travel.
100-120mm
XC racing
XC non racing
150-180mm
Enduro racing
120-160mm
Trail/All mountain (no racing for this)
180mm+
Downhill (racing or not, the same)
Then the sub categories: Fatbiking, bikepacking, gravel.
Late reply but maybe helpful. As you state you've been off MTBs for a while I'd guess your not going to stretch the capabilities of most current (decent) MTBs regardless of terrain ridden, you'll probably find the biggest limiting factor is just that your skills.
I have a 160/150mm travel "enduro" MTB in the shed alongside a 130mm Ti Hardtail. Even when I plan to ride the local woods Red and Black runs I find I take the Ti Hardtail and I'm not significantly (strava times) slower over those trails and much prefer the hardtail for the climbs back up, though I've slogged up and down for 5 years on the full boinger before scratching a need to return (mostly) to my MTB roots with a hardtail, I say mostly as when I started suspension forks were only visible as pushbike pron in US mtb mags so we were rigid riders only oooerr missus.
I have a 160/150mm travel "enduro" MTB in the shed alongside a 130mm Ti Hardtail. Even when I plan to ride the local woods Red and Black runs I find I take the Ti Hardtail and I'm not significantly (strava times) slower over those trails and much prefer the hardtail for the climbs back up, though I've slogged up and down for 5 years on the full boinger before scratching a need to return (mostly) to my MTB roots with a hardtail, I say mostly as when I started suspension forks were only visible as pushbike pron in US mtb mags so we were rigid riders only oooerr missus.
Thanks again for the advice. If anyone else had similar questions, I found this video a nice and clear explanation:
https://youtu.be/jCaDWd0Nqb0
I’ve also watched a fair bit of GMBN and seen what is possible on a hardtail! (admittedly with a seriously skilled rider)
I’ve found a few places where I could hire both FS and HT and have a go on some trails (when things reopen). Nothing too close to home sadly, but it’s nice to know this option exists.
I’m now looking more towards something like a Voodoo Bizango Carbon, with an added dropper post, as something that appears to be a good bike but will also allow me to build up some skills and have a go without spending too much money. Unfortunately my work c2w scheme has been pulled while the place is shut down, so I may have to wait a bit for it if I want to save a bit extra.
If I get impatient though there’s a few used YT Jeffsys kicking around for sale #overbiked
https://youtu.be/jCaDWd0Nqb0
I’ve also watched a fair bit of GMBN and seen what is possible on a hardtail! (admittedly with a seriously skilled rider)
I’ve found a few places where I could hire both FS and HT and have a go on some trails (when things reopen). Nothing too close to home sadly, but it’s nice to know this option exists.
I’m now looking more towards something like a Voodoo Bizango Carbon, with an added dropper post, as something that appears to be a good bike but will also allow me to build up some skills and have a go without spending too much money. Unfortunately my work c2w scheme has been pulled while the place is shut down, so I may have to wait a bit for it if I want to save a bit extra.
If I get impatient though there’s a few used YT Jeffsys kicking around for sale
#overbikedEdited by Prawo Jazdy on Wednesday 15th April 10:10
I've got the AL Bizango and really like it...I just really got into biking last year and found its been spot on for everything I want to do (local trail riding, some of the bike parks in Wales)...The initial set up was a mess but once that was sorted it's been a great bike.
My mate has just bought the Carbon one a couple of weeks ago...the geo is definitely different, they change between the bikes so the carbon has a shorter wheelbase...so don't read the AL reviews and think it's just a lighter version of the same bike.
My mate has just bought the Carbon one a couple of weeks ago...the geo is definitely different, they change between the bikes so the carbon has a shorter wheelbase...so don't read the AL reviews and think it's just a lighter version of the same bike.
Prawo Jazdy said:
Thanks again for the advice. If anyone else had similar questions, I found this video a nice and clear explanation:
https://youtu.be/jCaDWd0Nqb0
I’ve also watched a fair bit of GMBN and seen what is possible on a hardtail! (admittedly with a seriously skilled rider)
I’ve found a few places where I could hire both FS and HT and have a go on some trails (when things reopen). Nothing too close to home sadly, but it’s nice to know this option exists.
I’m now looking more towards something like a Voodoo Bizango Carbon, with an added dropper post, as something that appears to be a good bike but will also allow me to build up some skills and have a go without spending too much money. Unfortunately my work c2w scheme has been pulled while the place is shut down, so I may have to wait a bit for it if I want to save a bit extra.
If I get impatient though there’s a few used YT Jeffsys kicking around for sale #overbiked
Good choice. Like many at this time I am thinking about getting back into MTBs (after a long time out), and something like the Bizango appears like a natural progression for me. After watching the video you linked, I too watched a few GMBN vids (the Gravel v Retro MTB and the riding a hardtail hard ones were good for me) relatively entertaining and glad they mention the #overbiked factor. Obviously it's all about having fun and whatever floats your boat; I've lost a lot of my skills but the hardtail still appeals to me for many personal reasons.https://youtu.be/jCaDWd0Nqb0
I’ve also watched a fair bit of GMBN and seen what is possible on a hardtail! (admittedly with a seriously skilled rider)
I’ve found a few places where I could hire both FS and HT and have a go on some trails (when things reopen). Nothing too close to home sadly, but it’s nice to know this option exists.
I’m now looking more towards something like a Voodoo Bizango Carbon, with an added dropper post, as something that appears to be a good bike but will also allow me to build up some skills and have a go without spending too much money. Unfortunately my work c2w scheme has been pulled while the place is shut down, so I may have to wait a bit for it if I want to save a bit extra.
If I get impatient though there’s a few used YT Jeffsys kicking around for sale
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