 | Home > Off Topic > Buying a Mountain Bike & Biking in South Wales |
 
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| twopoint6khz Member Since: 18 Aug 2011 Location: North Lakes Posts: 654   
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Mm your inside leg is short for your size, I thought I was bad and I'm a 29" leg and only 5'4".... I ride a 15" frame. Long arms though, I could probably get away with a 17". My commuter bike is a gate-like 19".
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8th Mar 2012 2:35pm |
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| LR90XS2011 Member Since: 05 Apr 2011 Location: bickenhill Posts: 3646 
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buy the best hard tail you can afford,
your best to buy last years model usually at big discounts in the sales for different colour paint, forks are expensive so get the best frame and forks you can other upgrades are relatively cheap then take it out and enjoy it ps ACF50 works great on bikes (but keep it off the brakes) DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS, I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy |
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8th Mar 2012 6:09pm |
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| Livy1309 Member Since: 29 Feb 2012 Location: Flintshire Posts: 2 |
I ride a Merlin XLM titanium hard tail and find it awesome for the majority of the trails you will ride. I have also done the Transalp challenge ( Germany to Italy ) twice on a Litespeed Tanasi hard tail. You don't need anything else for climbing the hills and flying down the descents.
You need a medium size which is a 17inch or 18inch if your buying a Giant. Also look on www.mtbwales.com for other riders around south Wales |
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9th Mar 2012 8:48pm |
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| Welshsurferdude Member Since: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Newport Posts: 2419 
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Hi all!
I actually work at Cwmcarn bike park! I drive the Cwmdown uplift buses, which is basically taking paying customers and their bikes to the top of all the trails in the buses with bespoke ifor williams bike trailers. save all the pushing up and its big business! anyway, a hardtail is plenty for the non technical riding, altho a bit of suspension will be nice as you progress! My bike by the way is a 2011 transition tr250 freeride bike  Roll on the french alps trip! 2008 Santorini Black 110 XS USW (Sold)
2015 Discovery 4.5 Black pack Firenze red XS 2008 Corris Grey 110 XS USW (sold) 2011 Santorini Black 110 XS USW (Sold) |
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9th Mar 2012 11:21pm |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370 
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Mym-cheers for info but I'm still getting my head around what want. If it was black I'd probably have bought it without thinking (yeah, sad I know!!) I keep it mind though as I may come to my senses.
The Merlin looks nice! Mmmm A bit out of my range but dam nice. So far I've come across two that look nice & have substanal discounts. Marin nail trail, but it seems to only have a 100mm travel Orange Pure 7, seems ok & has 130mm Cheers welshsurfdude, I may see you down there of I manage to decide on a bike!!! Lol |
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10th Mar 2012 1:33pm |
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| farmer giles Member Since: 09 Feb 2011 Location: worcestershire Posts: 1299 
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don't worry if a bike only has 100m travel. I spent a week traversing the Lake District on my 2002 Santa Cruz Superlight that has 100mm front and rear.
I agree with everyone here that you should seek out a front sus bike and hone your bike skills so that you can read lines to descend or clime rather than a skills compensating full sussy. However, if you have any back issues then it might be worth considering a Giant Anthem or Specialised FSR. Some bike centres have bike shops linked to them so you can hire one that you are considering buying. Sizing varies - specialised i ride 16"; kona was 18" (although i found a 17" hei hei  )and the superlight is medium; and i demoed 2 Giant and the small felt more comfortable. i, too have 29" inside leg. |
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12th Mar 2012 10:43am |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6308  
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just spent some money on my 2000 my cannondale (X9 running gear and loving it ......)
so much so I want a new cannondale flash ultimate.........the banks having none of it at the moment tho. any how for trails bridle ways etc I convinced a hard tail is all you need - round Cannock Chase yesterday all my mates on their £2.5k full suser's couldn't loose me and were no where to be seen on the up hills.....gave me a chance to get off and pull the camera out 
anyway doing to the coast to coast (off road) in sept for charity - who wants to sponsor me?  |
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12th Mar 2012 11:27am |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370
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Thanks Guys,
I've been trolling the net looking for bikes & info! Unfortunately I'm at work till April!! Cheers Farmer Giles, I wasn't too sure about that. No bad back as yet! Fingers crossed. Caterham- You mention X9, is that SRAM X9? I was talking to On One who could put together a bike in my budget with SRAM X9 all round. What level of kit is SRAM! I really don't have a clue? Most bikes I'd looked at prior had shamano gear! Also has anyone ridden or know about On One bikes. They have a nice Carbon model that with a bit more saving could be manageable? 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver |
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12th Mar 2012 12:28pm |
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| twopoint6khz Member Since: 18 Aug 2011 Location: North Lakes Posts: 654
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SRAM has come up in recent years to be a rival to Shimano. You'll find as many opinions about their kit as there are riders, but basically X7 is probably about SLX equivalent and X9 is roughly XT level. Then there's X0 which is like XTR but er, even more expensive.
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12th Mar 2012 12:35pm |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370
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Cheers for the info, it makes a bit more sense. 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver
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12th Mar 2012 2:07pm |
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| farmer giles Member Since: 09 Feb 2011 Location: worcestershire Posts: 1299
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the boardman range of bikes were getting excellent reviews for both handling and value for money. you can find them at your local halfords; be aware that Halfords customer service/product knowledge range from fantastic to poor, if you go looking at bikes.
land rover bikes wouldn't be on my shopping list |
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13th Mar 2012 8:21am |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370
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Thanks for the info, I'm always a bit unsure of the quality when you can buy a bike from halfords! Cheers 2006 Defender Double Cab- Zambezi Silver |
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15th Mar 2012 9:03am |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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Value for money, you can't beat Specialized.
@ Livy139, I had an XLM too, beautiful frame  |
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15th Mar 2012 9:36am |
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| jonesie Member Since: 25 Sep 2011 Location: Petworth Posts: 231 
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Hello Air Pusher,
Just north of Afan is Glyncorrwg, Whites Level etc., which has got a great shop, Skyline cycles. They have got a large range of demo bikes which I would recommend you try out. I bought a hard tail as a first bike and out grew it very quickly but whatever you go for get the best you can afford and look at how easy it will be to upgrade when the skill and dosh allow. One trail you must do if you get into mtb is the Raven over at Brechfa, although be careful I broke my clavicle there pushing a bit too hard, its right on your door step and can be linked into the Gorlech trail as well. There are usually maps available in the car parks at both trail heads. Whatever choice you make it will be the best money you can spend on keeping fit. Good luck, Chris. Currently with arm in sling having broke the clav a third time fitted with a plate to firm it up (lovely bit of steel grey titanium,) itching to get back on the bike. Series I 86" Petrol orig side valve (daily hack) VW Tiguan ( bit bland but very comfy ) Porsche 997.2 790 Bonnie |
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15th Mar 2012 7:25pm |
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