Advice - 2 bikes into one
Discussion
Asked this in my usual forums, just thouht I'd bob it in here see if you guys had any input...
Simon on descent-world said:
Right guys me again. Let me run this one past you -
Currently get two bikes... Transition dirtbag setup for DH, and a sweet wee hardtail for everything else.
I'm tempted, to 'streamline' (marketing gabble alert) back down to one bike. I currently use the hardtail for riding to work, and at weekend I ride trail centres and big xc rides on either bike depending on how I'm feeling. I either struggle my arse off uphill on the big 9spd bike, or I get the sh1t kicked out of my ass on the hardtail cos I cant go as fast as I want.
I'm yearning for not having that choice to make. Just having 'A bike'. No choices, no sh1t, just a sweet bike. Like the old days. Also, I'm off back to Uni this month, so my bikes have to live at the end of my bed. I'm struggling to fit two bikes in to be honest!
Been thinking through some options...
A - Sell hardtail. Sell Boxxers. Buy airshock, SC forks and new chainset for dirtbag. This works well because the dirtyslag is an amazing frame, i love the ride, its super strong, it fits,it pedals relatively well, etc etc.
B - Sell hardtail. Sell dirtbag frame (mint, btw!). Sell boxxers. Buy new cheapish 6'' travel frame, perhaps a new heckler.
This works, because i get something shiny and new. However, it'll be a limited budget for something new, nothing super-bling, and i already know my frame works well.
My other problem, is selling the boxxers. Looking at the weight of some of the new long travel SC forks, there no lighter than my boxxers. And my Boxxers are SWEEET. I would really miss them. They are almost the perfect fork. The ONLY problem with them is getting round hairpins...
What do you think..
Any ideas ? Possible frames I could think of? Needs to be really tough, long travel, quite cheap, and it only has to go up hills slowly.
I don't want an 'XC' bike, I want a Mountain bike, one I can kick the f**k out of without it breaking. (New heckler seems to match this well).
Other thread is here - http://www.descent-world.co.uk/forum/index.php/top...Currently get two bikes... Transition dirtbag setup for DH, and a sweet wee hardtail for everything else.
I'm tempted, to 'streamline' (marketing gabble alert) back down to one bike. I currently use the hardtail for riding to work, and at weekend I ride trail centres and big xc rides on either bike depending on how I'm feeling. I either struggle my arse off uphill on the big 9spd bike, or I get the sh1t kicked out of my ass on the hardtail cos I cant go as fast as I want.
I'm yearning for not having that choice to make. Just having 'A bike'. No choices, no sh1t, just a sweet bike. Like the old days. Also, I'm off back to Uni this month, so my bikes have to live at the end of my bed. I'm struggling to fit two bikes in to be honest!
Been thinking through some options...
A - Sell hardtail. Sell Boxxers. Buy airshock, SC forks and new chainset for dirtbag. This works well because the dirtyslag is an amazing frame, i love the ride, its super strong, it fits,it pedals relatively well, etc etc.
B - Sell hardtail. Sell dirtbag frame (mint, btw!). Sell boxxers. Buy new cheapish 6'' travel frame, perhaps a new heckler.
This works, because i get something shiny and new. However, it'll be a limited budget for something new, nothing super-bling, and i already know my frame works well.
My other problem, is selling the boxxers. Looking at the weight of some of the new long travel SC forks, there no lighter than my boxxers. And my Boxxers are SWEEET. I would really miss them. They are almost the perfect fork. The ONLY problem with them is getting round hairpins...
What do you think..
Any ideas ? Possible frames I could think of? Needs to be really tough, long travel, quite cheap, and it only has to go up hills slowly.
I don't want an 'XC' bike, I want a Mountain bike, one I can kick the f**k out of without it breaking. (New heckler seems to match this well).
The new heckler seems to fit this gap well, fox 36's and XT/XTR or X9/X0 and some lightweight finishing bits should do it.
I tried to build the bike you described with my Yeti ASX though and it does everything OK... just doesnt do any one thing "very well".
Spec is:
2006 ASX frame
Fox DHX 5
Marz 66 SL's
Diablous Cranks
EA70 post/bars
Hope ProII/EX721's
Its around mid-high 30lbs but is still a bit of a chore to do the distance work on.
Im doing the opposite of you though and going for 2 bikes. One HT for the distance and keep the Yeti as the heavy duty bike for trips to wales/chicksands/esher etc.
I tried to build the bike you described with my Yeti ASX though and it does everything OK... just doesnt do any one thing "very well".
Spec is:
2006 ASX frame
Fox DHX 5
Marz 66 SL's
Diablous Cranks
EA70 post/bars
Hope ProII/EX721's
Its around mid-high 30lbs but is still a bit of a chore to do the distance work on.
Im doing the opposite of you though and going for 2 bikes. One HT for the distance and keep the Yeti as the heavy duty bike for trips to wales/chicksands/esher etc.
_daveR said:
Im doing the opposite of you though and going for 2 bikes. One HT for the distance and keep the Yeti as the heavy duty bike for trips to wales/chicksands/esher etc.
Don't get me wrong, its great when you have the room etc. It worked for me for the past 3 years. However, I am just after simple life, and the new breed of FS frames and shocks are so much more capable than a few years ago. I have a 'contact' in the states who has just got in touch, there may be a possibility of an Intense 6.6 in the pipeline...
Ah see, Im almost the total opposite situation wise... Just moved from a shoebox flat to a nice cottage with an enormous garage!
Ive never used a DHX Air but a friend ran one on his Nicolai for ages but went for a PUSH'D DHX an Ti spring as he just didnt find it consistent. Sometimes it was fine, then without warning it would overheat halfway down a run and go soft as shit.
If I could justify losing as much as I would on my Yeti then Id like to try a Heckler say built to low 30lbs. With the right gearing it would be fine.
Id not bother building the Dirtbag into an all rounder though. IIRC the frames are around 11-12lb with the shock? My ASX is 9lb with the shock and its NOT an all rounder! IMO you need to be looking at 6-7lb frames.
Ive never used a DHX Air but a friend ran one on his Nicolai for ages but went for a PUSH'D DHX an Ti spring as he just didnt find it consistent. Sometimes it was fine, then without warning it would overheat halfway down a run and go soft as shit.
If I could justify losing as much as I would on my Yeti then Id like to try a Heckler say built to low 30lbs. With the right gearing it would be fine.
Id not bother building the Dirtbag into an all rounder though. IIRC the frames are around 11-12lb with the shock? My ASX is 9lb with the shock and its NOT an all rounder! IMO you need to be looking at 6-7lb frames.
Look at a coil shock with Ti spring. Much the same weight as Air and a shitload more reliable.
Ive just realise that the frame I was thinking of from SC is the Nomad, not hte Heckler!
Last time I was at CwmCarn a guy had a Nomad on 36's with middleweight components and he was flying!
Ive just realise that the frame I was thinking of from SC is the Nomad, not hte Heckler!
Last time I was at CwmCarn a guy had a Nomad on 36's with middleweight components and he was flying!
Yah that was a bit shitty with the Jamie fella. luckily I never had to deal with him, I got mine before he was anything to do with them.
They have a proper importer now though, so no problems.
They make sweet bikes, its a pity no-one really rides them in th UK, there such good value.
this setup looks sweet, its pretty much what i'm aiming for. Tough enough for the abuse i'll give it, just about light enough to ride all-day.
They have a proper importer now though, so no problems.
They make sweet bikes, its a pity no-one really rides them in th UK, there such good value.
this setup looks sweet, its pretty much what i'm aiming for. Tough enough for the abuse i'll give it, just about light enough to ride all-day.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff