Discussion
Like many during lockdown with no access to the usual forms of exercise I dusted off my old mountain bike and have loved getting back into my childhood hobby. Ever since I've been using my 21 year old Specialised but think it's about time I tried something new! I live deep in the countryside so ride almost exclusively on bridleways and byways, I can ride 20+ miles with barely two miles on road linking the trails. Trail centres when I rode as a kid didn't exist I don't think, so I'm unlikely to use them and besides I'm the wrong side of 40!
So the question is should I be looking at a trail bike or a XC bike or simply sticking to a hardtail? I've watched lots of YT vids and am starting to get a grip on just how different modern bikes are (my Specialised doesn't have front suspension either), the geometry differences are fascinating, but I'm going round in circles on what to get?
I won't be spending huge sums but want to see where this takes me then maybe step up if I deem it necessary etc.
So suggestions etc would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
So the question is should I be looking at a trail bike or a XC bike or simply sticking to a hardtail? I've watched lots of YT vids and am starting to get a grip on just how different modern bikes are (my Specialised doesn't have front suspension either), the geometry differences are fascinating, but I'm going round in circles on what to get?
I won't be spending huge sums but want to see where this takes me then maybe step up if I deem it necessary etc.
So suggestions etc would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
If you are sticking to bridleways and off-road bits where you aren't particularly interested in only seeing how fast you can bomb down a hill or trail or go around and around a jumpy circuit, then XC seems ideal for you.
Hardtail or Full Suspension is up to which you prefer.
I have a Full Suspension XC MTB, 29er, and race it. I'm 54.
It's ideal for the type of MTB I like. I don't do jumpy circuits, not since my teen days in BMX, and I'm not interested in downhill only. I like to ride up steep hills as much as I like to go down them and prefer undulating, fast single track etc.
Hardtail or Full Suspension is up to which you prefer.
I have a Full Suspension XC MTB, 29er, and race it. I'm 54.
It's ideal for the type of MTB I like. I don't do jumpy circuits, not since my teen days in BMX, and I'm not interested in downhill only. I like to ride up steep hills as much as I like to go down them and prefer undulating, fast single track etc.
A Nukeproof Scout hardtail would suit what you want perfectly - whether 27.5 or 29 is up to you but I prefer the 27.5. It's a bike that will also handle hardcore trails as well so it's something of a do it all - I've had it around Whinlatter and did not feel disadvantaged over my Orange full sus 29er though the latter is certainly more forgiving.
If you've been used to riding an old 26 inch bike you will find the modern geometry revelatory.
...I'm 61 BTW so your re introduction into the world of MTB'ing is at the very beginning.
If you've been used to riding an old 26 inch bike you will find the modern geometry revelatory.
...I'm 61 BTW so your re introduction into the world of MTB'ing is at the very beginning.
I'm considering upgrades too.
If you're riding long easy sections you might question whether 1x drivetrains are for you.
Personally I like a high (by modern MTB standards) top gear for riding around the lanes.
There look to be some good used quality bikes around.
Some used prices seem to have fallen off a cliff lately.
Come to that, there are some crazy discounts about for new bikes.
I'm looking at something nice and light, with a decent front fork.
I'm open minded about hardtail/full sus, it's a compromise.
I also have a kind of 'gravel bike' which is great for the relatively civilised longer trails and the tarmac.
Riding a few different bikes is the only way to know what you want IMHO.
Modern MTB geometry has persuaded a lot of people to buy gravel bikes....
Which suggests to me stepping back a generation might get more of an all-rounder?
Also if you get a full sus bike, go looking for rides where it excels, likewise if you get a gravel bike, go looking for rides which suit that.
If you're riding long easy sections you might question whether 1x drivetrains are for you.
Personally I like a high (by modern MTB standards) top gear for riding around the lanes.
There look to be some good used quality bikes around.
Some used prices seem to have fallen off a cliff lately.
Come to that, there are some crazy discounts about for new bikes.
I'm looking at something nice and light, with a decent front fork.
I'm open minded about hardtail/full sus, it's a compromise.
I also have a kind of 'gravel bike' which is great for the relatively civilised longer trails and the tarmac.
Riding a few different bikes is the only way to know what you want IMHO.
Modern MTB geometry has persuaded a lot of people to buy gravel bikes....
Which suggests to me stepping back a generation might get more of an all-rounder?
Also if you get a full sus bike, go looking for rides where it excels, likewise if you get a gravel bike, go looking for rides which suit that.
Many thanks for the feedback and encouragement re the age element.
Full suspension would be good I think as some of the bridleways are simply the side of a field so with horses using them are as rutted as our roads!
Trail centres look great but I do it for the exploring, exercise and downtime from work and screens, as I suspect many do!
Re gearing got to say the single drivetrains are very different, my Specialised has 3 x 7, looking at my Nephew’s Nukeproof made mine look like the equivalent of a Tesla vs a steam train!
I like the idea of a full suspension bike, but the cheaper end of the market (£1000 - £1500) do weigh a lot, my old bikes about 13kg for comparison.
Everything seems to be trail bike related with their very different geometry, XC as far as I can tell are more akin to what I was use to.
Appreciate the input.
Full suspension would be good I think as some of the bridleways are simply the side of a field so with horses using them are as rutted as our roads!
Trail centres look great but I do it for the exploring, exercise and downtime from work and screens, as I suspect many do!
Re gearing got to say the single drivetrains are very different, my Specialised has 3 x 7, looking at my Nephew’s Nukeproof made mine look like the equivalent of a Tesla vs a steam train!
I like the idea of a full suspension bike, but the cheaper end of the market (£1000 - £1500) do weigh a lot, my old bikes about 13kg for comparison.
Everything seems to be trail bike related with their very different geometry, XC as far as I can tell are more akin to what I was use to.
Appreciate the input.
It sounds like you’re in the enviable position of being able to cycle from the house! As the majority of your riding is byways and bridleways then you’re a great contender for a modern, 29er XC hardtail or even a gravel bike. It will be a lot more fun and spritely than a modern trail bike, which have moved on a long way in the last 5 years or so.
I wouldn’t bother with full suspension, it adds quite a lot of (I suspect for your use case) unnecessary weight, expense and complexity.
The Nukeproof Scout mentioned above (whilst brilliant) is probably a lot more hardcore than what you need, and I don’t mean that in a patronising way.
I wouldn’t bother with full suspension, it adds quite a lot of (I suspect for your use case) unnecessary weight, expense and complexity.
The Nukeproof Scout mentioned above (whilst brilliant) is probably a lot more hardcore than what you need, and I don’t mean that in a patronising way.
I've seen a few tempting used bikes on ebay, but they are mostly either not my size or 200 miles away.
Not something I'd buy unseen personally.
Not looking for new or even immaculate, as I'd only get cross when I scratch it.
I find the geometry thing quite confusing, more so looking across different eras and frame sizes.
Add in different wheel sizes and the way nobody mentions 'trail' which is a key dimension for a motorbike, it leaves me just wanting to try more bikes.
Not something I'd buy unseen personally.
Not looking for new or even immaculate, as I'd only get cross when I scratch it.
I find the geometry thing quite confusing, more so looking across different eras and frame sizes.
Add in different wheel sizes and the way nobody mentions 'trail' which is a key dimension for a motorbike, it leaves me just wanting to try more bikes.
Assuming you can find one for sale in a Halfords somewhere (or second hand of you like), how about a Voodoo Bizango or Bizango Pro? They always get good reviews but I think they are due a new version out next year - they release a new version every two years and I think it's on the even years (but I might be wrong).
I upgraded (or should that be updated) from a 2009 GT Avalanche Pro (26") to a VB Pro last Jan - no problems or issues with it and I've done a couple of big rides on it - the Cambrian Trail back in May being the main one (I'm over 50 if you want an age to put with this).
I upgraded (or should that be updated) from a 2009 GT Avalanche Pro (26") to a VB Pro last Jan - no problems or issues with it and I've done a couple of big rides on it - the Cambrian Trail back in May being the main one (I'm over 50 if you want an age to put with this).
TT1138 said:
It sounds like you’re in the enviable position of being able to cycle from the house! As the majority of your riding is byways and bridleways then you’re a great contender for a modern, 29er XC hardtail or even a gravel bike. It will be a lot more fun and spritely than a modern trail bike, which have moved on a long way in the last 5 years or so.
I wouldn’t bother with full suspension, it adds quite a lot of (I suspect for your use case) unnecessary weight, expense and complexity.
The Nukeproof Scout mentioned above (whilst brilliant) is probably a lot more hardcore than what you need, and I don’t mean that in a patronising way.
Yes very lucky that in almost every direction I’mI wouldn’t bother with full suspension, it adds quite a lot of (I suspect for your use case) unnecessary weight, expense and complexity.
The Nukeproof Scout mentioned above (whilst brilliant) is probably a lot more hardcore than what you need, and I don’t mean that in a patronising way.
right out into the countryside, I can go for miles & only see the odd dog walker.
Thanks for all the replies & tips, it’s great to find a new hobby (kind of as I loved cycling as a kid) & be learning, but I have to say I now know how a non petrolhead feels looking for a car, it’s mind boggling!
Strewth bikes have changed since I bought my Saracen tuff track in the late 80’s!
I think you need a hardtail xc bike! You could even consider a gravel bike with no suspension at all, if your rides will involve much road. Full suspension adds a reasonable amount of weight and cost, it would be wiser to spend the budget on a better lighter hardtail. There seem to be some good deals on specialized epic? I went for a trek procalibre. Because I have storage space and poor impulse control I have filled the full suspension, hardtail, gravel and winter road bike niches over the last few years and the lightweight hardtail is probably the best and most fun option for what you describe.
vexed said:
I think you need a hardtail xc bike! You could even consider a gravel bike with no suspension at all, if your rides will involve much road. Full suspension adds a reasonable amount of weight and cost, it would be wiser to spend the budget on a better lighter hardtail. There seem to be some good deals on specialized epic? I went for a trek procalibre. Because I have storage space and poor impulse control I have filled the full suspension, hardtail, gravel and winter road bike niches over the last few years and the lightweight hardtail is probably the best and most fun option for what you describe.
I enjoy my gravel bike immensely but I do a mix of road and bridleways on it. The OP is in the fortunate position to go off-road almost exclusively so a 29er would be my choice in his position. Hardtail is a good shout but I wouldn't discount FS, I prefer it over my previous hardtail. My KTM Scarp Sonic 29er is 9.3kg, so not exactly heavy and full sus. In fact, it's lighter than my Specialized Diverge Pro gravel bike!
vexed said:
I think you need a hardtail xc bike! You could even consider a gravel bike with no suspension at all, if your rides will involve much road. Full suspension adds a reasonable amount of weight and cost, it would be wiser to spend the budget on a better lighter hardtail. There seem to be some good deals on specialized epic? I went for a trek procalibre. Because I have storage space and poor impulse control I have filled the full suspension, hardtail, gravel and winter road bike niches over the last few years and the lightweight hardtail is probably the best and most fun option for what you describe.
I would agree with this and, as suggested above, there are some cracking deals on Nukeproof right now - I bought a Scout Elite a few weeks ago with £1,000 off list at CRC.And whilst a 29er is perhaps more capable/fool proof I decided on the 650B version as IMO they are more playful/fun - and that has been borne out in my experience riding it
Sounds like a Hardtail xc is what your riding needs. I keep my rear suspension locked out until I am descending rocky terrain. I am thinking of replacing my fsr whyte t130 as I think a Hardtail is probably best suited to my riding needs these days. Being 57 I find downhills less enjoyable than I did and would now rather have less weight for the climbs.
I'm in a similar position to you, I still ride a Boardman HT from somewhere around 2005; triple chainset, inner tubes, you sit on it more than in it.
I live in the South Downs and don't need to go far before I get off road, but I keep crashing on what they call "green chalk" which is slippery as ice, so I have been researching this. Is there an Alpkit shop near you? They make Sonder bikes, I'm thinking of a Dial as they weigh around 11kg. They have quite a wide range including gravel bikes, full sussers etc. You can visit their shops and try them, hire them for a day, or buy online. There is a degree of customisation too.
Friends of mine have gone for gravel bikes lately, but the bike seems to affect where you go. Their rides now involve more Tarmac and smoother off road trails. That's fine if that's what you want and know what your bike is capable of, but I like getting properly off road.
I live in the South Downs and don't need to go far before I get off road, but I keep crashing on what they call "green chalk" which is slippery as ice, so I have been researching this. Is there an Alpkit shop near you? They make Sonder bikes, I'm thinking of a Dial as they weigh around 11kg. They have quite a wide range including gravel bikes, full sussers etc. You can visit their shops and try them, hire them for a day, or buy online. There is a degree of customisation too.
Friends of mine have gone for gravel bikes lately, but the bike seems to affect where you go. Their rides now involve more Tarmac and smoother off road trails. That's fine if that's what you want and know what your bike is capable of, but I like getting properly off road.
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