 | 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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My (jaded, cynical) tuppenceworth is you should buy a steel hardtail for trails like that, or you'll be bored to tears. Not saying they're bad, just a 5" full suspension bike will mean you basically can't feel anything and might as well ride round the carpark.
I've got a Cove Handjob and it's ace for things like that - slack geometry, bit of compliance, 130mm forks and simple kit. Not particularly light, but it flies down singletrack. If you're going to be doing a bit of riding elsewhere (i.e. on Welsh bridleways) I'd look at what's called a 'trail' bike these days - 130mm ish of travel both ends, medium-weight build. In terms of brands, you can't go far wrong with the likes of Spesh or Giant, although you won't get anything that 'interesting'. |
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8th Mar 2012 10:33am |
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| mymini007 Member Since: 10 Nov 2011 Location: Chippenham Posts: 273 
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I would say a hardtail too. If I can draw your attention to this post
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic11670.html This would be ideal. 
All joking aside, I have ridden cwmcarn and the downs are great on a full sus, but the up hill sections you will be struggling. If you want to downhill. Go for a full on down hiller, but from what you have said a good quality hardtail, such as a Cannondale SL1 would suit your needs. I have done a couple of all day rides on this very bike and its more than capable. You cant polish a turd! But you can roll it in glitter 
2006 Mercedes Benz CDI320 2001 Volkswagon Caddy Van 1.9 SDi 1993 Nissan Patrol 4.2 TD 1986 90 200tdi - SOLD 1990 Mini mayfair (highly modified) - FOR SALE |
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8th Mar 2012 10:42am |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370  
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Cheers, Thats one of the aspects I was getting confused about, hard tail, suspension etc. |
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8th Mar 2012 11:03am |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370
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Nooooooooooooo!!!!! You can't show me shiney things!!!! Cheers for the reply, Yeah, basically I'm looking for an all rounder to start with. Some shorter ride around me at Llantrisant & caerfilly & some longer ones. Does look nice though! |
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8th Mar 2012 11:06am |
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| mymini007 Member Since: 10 Nov 2011 Location: Chippenham Posts: 273
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Unless you are goign to do some really big downhill stuff stick with the hardtail, I sold my full sus as I just didn't justify it. most of the cwncarn and afan trails can be done an a hardtail. And you will find the climbs a lot easier. You cant polish a turd! But you can roll it in glitter
2006 Mercedes Benz CDI320 2001 Volkswagon Caddy Van 1.9 SDi 1993 Nissan Patrol 4.2 TD 1986 90 200tdi - SOLD 1990 Mini mayfair (highly modified) - FOR SALE |
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8th Mar 2012 11:07am |
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| custom90 Member Since: 21 Jan 2010 Location: South West, England. Posts: 20487
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I bought my hardtail from here: http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk Good prices IMO and a good service also. Also based in Wales.
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8th Mar 2012 11:33am |
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| twopoint6khz Member Since: 18 Aug 2011 Location: North Lakes Posts: 654
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Bought my first 'proper' MTB from there in 1998
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8th Mar 2012 12:00pm |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370
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Cheers Guys,
I'll have a look at that site & see whats on sale. I've been offered a Orange P7S (I think?) from around 2010 hardly used for £750. Looks nice (said like a girl) but I have no idea! Also how do you judge size for MTB's? I was thinking around 19-20" for a 5'10" with 30" leg! |
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8th Mar 2012 1:20pm |
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| twopoint6khz Member Since: 18 Aug 2011 Location: North Lakes Posts: 654
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In general, go for a larger frame if you're riding long distances on non-technical stuff, and a smaller one if you're riding more techical trails. A smaller frame will be less comfortable over long distances though, so swings and roundabouts...
At your height I'd suggest 17" - 19", but there's no way to know properly without sitting on a few bikes, as top tube length also makes a difference. This can be corrected up to a point with a different length stem, but some frames come up shorter than others. |
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8th Mar 2012 1:27pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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30" leg?
You need a 17" or a 'M'......DON'T go bigger!! I spent the last xx years working for shop that specialises in custom fit bikes.... |
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8th Mar 2012 1:30pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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Stem length and saddle position also needs be right as 2.6 says
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8th Mar 2012 1:33pm |
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| airpusher Member Since: 04 Sep 2011 Location: South Wales Posts: 370
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Yup! Short arse inside leg!! It's around that, i'll have to see what the last suit I had made was!! Cheers for the heads up, I'll have to have a trip out to sit on a few & get some advice! |
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8th Mar 2012 1:35pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10383
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Me too
Make sure you go to a QUALITY shop |
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8th Mar 2012 1:52pm |
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| mymini007 Member Since: 10 Nov 2011 Location: Chippenham Posts: 273
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My cannondale is a m=17, I have a 30 inside leg Open to offers.
You cant polish a turd!
But you can roll it in glitter
2006 Mercedes Benz CDI320 2001 Volkswagon Caddy Van 1.9 SDi 1993 Nissan Patrol 4.2 TD 1986 90 200tdi - SOLD 1990 Mini mayfair (highly modified) - FOR SALE |
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8th Mar 2012 2:04pm |
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