Am I too old to get back into mtb?
Discussion
Evening Pistonhead cycling gurus...
I used to love mountain biking at university and in my twenties. I was very super fitbor skilled but used to do 30-50 mile rides across dartmoor and The Lakes and had the fortune to go to Moab a few times.
However I am now 45 and my mtb is 20 years old and hasn't been used properly in years. I got into road cycling last summer as I bought a cannondale synapse al 105 just before lock down. I enjoyed that and lost a few kilos and became a lot fitter.
I'm know thinking of an eMTB but worry if I'm going to get the use from it before I'm too old and wrinkly. What are peoples thoughts? Is Thinking I will want to do decent off road rides when into my 50s a bit pie in the sky?
I used to love mountain biking at university and in my twenties. I was very super fitbor skilled but used to do 30-50 mile rides across dartmoor and The Lakes and had the fortune to go to Moab a few times.
However I am now 45 and my mtb is 20 years old and hasn't been used properly in years. I got into road cycling last summer as I bought a cannondale synapse al 105 just before lock down. I enjoyed that and lost a few kilos and became a lot fitter.
I'm know thinking of an eMTB but worry if I'm going to get the use from it before I'm too old and wrinkly. What are peoples thoughts? Is Thinking I will want to do decent off road rides when into my 50s a bit pie in the sky?
Do whatever you want to do.
We have a group of 6 ranging from late 40's to early 50's and continue off-roading around the country. We ride regularly in Derbyshire, different bike parks, and doing the C2C for the 3rd time this year, hopefully. All off-road.
Yes, we are slightly heavier and slower without the same confidence of 20 years ago but it is still fantastic, exhilarating, and gets the adrenalin going. None of us have electric bikes and all expect to be continuing into our 60's and beyond.
We have a group of 6 ranging from late 40's to early 50's and continue off-roading around the country. We ride regularly in Derbyshire, different bike parks, and doing the C2C for the 3rd time this year, hopefully. All off-road.
Yes, we are slightly heavier and slower without the same confidence of 20 years ago but it is still fantastic, exhilarating, and gets the adrenalin going. None of us have electric bikes and all expect to be continuing into our 60's and beyond.
Jaysus man, pull yourself together. You're 45, you rode an MTB in some extreme places not two decades ago. You've retuned your fitness recently on a roadbike....its not like you are an octogenarian unsure if the bumps will burst your collostomy bag!
WTF are you waiting for? Tell you significant other a stranger on the internet gave you permission to drop 5 large on a toy. Get an ebike bought, get out and enjoy it and tell all your mates how much fun it is.
/thread
Regards
A 44 year old who got back into MTB last year and is loving his Cube 160 eMTB.
WTF are you waiting for? Tell you significant other a stranger on the internet gave you permission to drop 5 large on a toy. Get an ebike bought, get out and enjoy it and tell all your mates how much fun it is.
/thread
Regards
A 44 year old who got back into MTB last year and is loving his Cube 160 eMTB.
hantsxlg said:
Evening Pistonhead cycling gurus...
I used to love mountain biking at university and in my twenties. I was very super fitbor skilled but used to do 30-50 mile rides across dartmoor and The Lakes and had the fortune to go to Moab a few times.
However I am now 45 and my mtb is 20 years old and hasn't been used properly in years. I got into road cycling last summer as I bought a cannondale synapse al 105 just before lock down. I enjoyed that and lost a few kilos and became a lot fitter.
I'm know thinking of an eMTB but worry if I'm going to get the use from it before I'm too old and wrinkly. What are peoples thoughts? Is Thinking I will want to do decent off road rides when into my 50s a bit pie in the sky?
I'm 50. You are NOT old. Just get the MTB you have serviced, get out on it, and build slowly and carefully to get your eye back in before you go smashing big features on the trails. I used to love mountain biking at university and in my twenties. I was very super fitbor skilled but used to do 30-50 mile rides across dartmoor and The Lakes and had the fortune to go to Moab a few times.
However I am now 45 and my mtb is 20 years old and hasn't been used properly in years. I got into road cycling last summer as I bought a cannondale synapse al 105 just before lock down. I enjoyed that and lost a few kilos and became a lot fitter.
I'm know thinking of an eMTB but worry if I'm going to get the use from it before I'm too old and wrinkly. What are peoples thoughts? Is Thinking I will want to do decent off road rides when into my 50s a bit pie in the sky?
And if the "hants" in your username is for Hampshire, and you're able to get there without falling foul of over zealous police officers dishing out Covid "fines", try a trip to Minley. Or Deepcut. Or the Aldershot army training areas. There are some fabulous "natural" MTB trails in there, with very few "built" features, regularly used by the Gorrick MTB races. Push on, or sit up, trundle around, and enjoy the woodland, before pushing on later.
If you want an eMTB, and can get one at the moment, then sure. Go for it. But if you're bringing road cycling fitness to the party you'll be fine on a non-assisted MTB too.
I’m 59 & recently purchased a hardtail mtb, to explore trails etc around my way
I last had mtb around 2005, although did still cycle a bit on my Bromptons !
I run pretty much every day, but got the bike to get out & about on non-running days.
No interest in the risky stuff (to me), been good fun, even in grey & muddy January..
I last had mtb around 2005, although did still cycle a bit on my Bromptons !
I run pretty much every day, but got the bike to get out & about on non-running days.
No interest in the risky stuff (to me), been good fun, even in grey & muddy January..
t. Unknown_User said:
Get a grip man, you're still a pup!
Seriously though, you will be fine although you'll find modern mtb bikes very very different from your old bike, so best cut up your credit card.....
Too right. Mucho expensive. Seriously though, you will be fine although you'll find modern mtb bikes very very different from your old bike, so best cut up your credit card.....
I mostly ride a 29er XC hardtail, which is a great, simple, all-rounder.
My 2007 full suspension bike gets used about once a year and is now a museum piece. It still works, though, and isn't noticeably slow on technical stuff compared with other people. You can avoid the mtb arms race.
Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 4th February 12:00
I hadn't ridden for over a decade and started again at 55 and 112kgs, a mate of mine who is your age and has been riding for decades reckons I tackle some stuff younger guys he knows won't. I won't do big jumps and I scope anything I'm not sure of before I try it or chicken out because I just won't heal as quickly as I did twenty years ago. My advice is to go for it, don't be afraid to know your own limits and make the prudent decision occasionally, but if you want to do that big drop off etc. then work up to it and build the skills and confidence.
I did buy an eMTB with 170mm travel suspension though and I suspect the bike has helped a lot when I have not quite got something right. Makes the difference between an off and an ungraceful run.
I did buy an eMTB with 170mm travel suspension though and I suspect the bike has helped a lot when I have not quite got something right. Makes the difference between an off and an ungraceful run.
MC Bodge said:
Get your bike out. Pump up up the tyres. Lube the chain.
Ride it.
Is there anything else to be said?
Ps. 43 and never considered that I was anywhere approaching too old to do anything, other than maybe professional rugby.
So this, but I'm 56 and still ride a Boardman hardtail from 15 odd years ago. I rarely do 50 miles off road, but that's because on the South Downs I'd be lucky do that in under 5 hours. Riding bikes is a great tonic for your mental health, as well as the physical.Ride it.
Is there anything else to be said?
Ps. 43 and never considered that I was anywhere approaching too old to do anything, other than maybe professional rugby.
yellowjack said:
I'm 50. You are NOT old. Just get the MTB you have serviced, get out on it, and build slowly and carefully to get your eye back in before you go smashing big features on the trails.
And if the "hants" in your username is for Hampshire, and you're able to get there without falling foul of over zealous police officers dishing out Covid "fines", try a trip to Minley. Or Deepcut. Or the Aldershot army training areas. There are some fabulous "natural" MTB trails in there, with very few "built" features, regularly used by the Gorrick MTB races. Push on, or sit up, trundle around, and enjoy the woodland, before pushing on later.
If you want an eMTB, and can get one at the moment, then sure. Go for it. But if you're bringing road cycling fitness to the party you'll be fine on a non-assisted MTB too.
Thanks Everyone for the replies! I guess this was the confirmation I was looking for. I might have to get the credit card out! My old Spez Enduro FSR from 2000 is worn out, and when I looked at replacing the suspension bits a few years back it wasn't really viable.And if the "hants" in your username is for Hampshire, and you're able to get there without falling foul of over zealous police officers dishing out Covid "fines", try a trip to Minley. Or Deepcut. Or the Aldershot army training areas. There are some fabulous "natural" MTB trails in there, with very few "built" features, regularly used by the Gorrick MTB races. Push on, or sit up, trundle around, and enjoy the woodland, before pushing on later.
If you want an eMTB, and can get one at the moment, then sure. Go for it. But if you're bringing road cycling fitness to the party you'll be fine on a non-assisted MTB too.
Yellowjack,
Yes I am in (north) Hampshire and pretty close to Minley. I used to go out in Swinley forest a few years back so know some great trails locally. Finding a good group to ride with will be worth while as well I think as I use to find the social group for MTBing worked well (not so much as a roadie as the fitness levels seem to matter far more there so a mismatched group doesn't work to well).
hantsxlg said:
Thanks Everyone for the replies! I guess this was the confirmation I was looking for. I might have to get the credit card out! My old Spez Enduro FSR from 2000 is worn out, and when I looked at replacing the suspension bits a few years back it wasn't really viable.
A few bushings, bearings, a home fork service and a shock refurb by TFT won't break the bank. It will be far cheaper than blowing a few grand on a new bike.I'm still not convinced by E-mtbs for able-bodied people.
yellowjack said:
hantsxlg said:
Evening Pistonhead cycling gurus...
I used to love mountain biking at university and in my twenties. I was very super fitbor skilled but used to do 30-50 mile rides across dartmoor and The Lakes and had the fortune to go to Moab a few times.
However I am now 45 and my mtb is 20 years old and hasn't been used properly in years. I got into road cycling last summer as I bought a cannondale synapse al 105 just before lock down. I enjoyed that and lost a few kilos and became a lot fitter.
I'm know thinking of an eMTB but worry if I'm going to get the use from it before I'm too old and wrinkly. What are peoples thoughts? Is Thinking I will want to do decent off road rides when into my 50s a bit pie in the sky?
I'm 50. You are NOT old. Just get the MTB you have serviced, get out on it, and build slowly and carefully to get your eye back in before you go smashing big features on the trails. I used to love mountain biking at university and in my twenties. I was very super fitbor skilled but used to do 30-50 mile rides across dartmoor and The Lakes and had the fortune to go to Moab a few times.
However I am now 45 and my mtb is 20 years old and hasn't been used properly in years. I got into road cycling last summer as I bought a cannondale synapse al 105 just before lock down. I enjoyed that and lost a few kilos and became a lot fitter.
I'm know thinking of an eMTB but worry if I'm going to get the use from it before I'm too old and wrinkly. What are peoples thoughts? Is Thinking I will want to do decent off road rides when into my 50s a bit pie in the sky?
And if the "hants" in your username is for Hampshire, and you're able to get there without falling foul of over zealous police officers dishing out Covid "fines", try a trip to Minley. Or Deepcut. Or the Aldershot army training areas. There are some fabulous "natural" MTB trails in there, with very few "built" features, regularly used by the Gorrick MTB races. Push on, or sit up, trundle around, and enjoy the woodland, before pushing on later.
If you want an eMTB, and can get one at the moment, then sure. Go for it. But if you're bringing road cycling fitness to the party you'll be fine on a non-assisted MTB too.
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