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Scomuir


Posts: 300
Joined: Sep 2004
Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 15.51hrs on Wed 2 Sep 09
I’m considering buying a new mountain bike, and am looking for some advice/opinions. As with skis, where I just use them, and tend not get too excited about the various technical aspects of them, I am lacking in knowledge regarding the best thing to get.

I am planning to do more reds, maybe venture into blacks at some of the mountain bike places. Also use it for single track trips, and hurtling down granite rubble strewn landrover tracks in the Cairngorms. Unlikely to be intentionally doing big drops, but happy to do little jumps (such as can be found on the reds at Wolftrax).

I want a bike, and the components on it, to last, rather than buying the lightest/latest thing going (for the budget). I am, ahem, not the lightest (a little under 100kg), and after a little research, I believe the term that may be appropriate is “Clydesdale” . That said, I want to have a bit of fun on it, and not be riding a tank, so looking for a balance. Given that my current £240 as new a few years ago bike has not completely rattled itself to pieces yet despite some serious attempts to do so, I am not sure I do need to go for something like that.

I’ve ridden mountain bikes, usually at the bottom end of the price scale, for 20 years or so, so was hoping to get something a little better this time. That said, i didn’t really want to spend more than say £650/700. I’ve found a few 2008/2009 models reduced that would fit into that budget (e.g. Kona Hoss / Kona Caldera), and from what I can gather are reasonable bikes, with the Hoss being described as for “Clydesdales” (see above).

However, as I am unlikely to be parting with cash for another bike for some time, I secretly really want a full sus bike. I understand that’s where the budget becomes an issue, as you need to spend a lot more to get the reasonable components, so was a bit frustrated, and resigned to getting a reasonable hard tail. Then I found this:
[www.alpinebikes.com]

This got me wondering if it was worth spending a little more on it! With reference to my lack of knowledge of components and so on, would this be a reasonable buy?

I appreciate the more opinions I get, the more difficult it can be to make a decision, but thought i’d ask anyway. Other recommendations would be welcome too!
Many thanks,
Scott


[www.scomuir.com]

pfairbrother


Posts: 812
Joined: Nov 2003
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27th Nov 2017
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Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 16.49hrs on Wed 2 Sep 09
looks like a good buy Scott. Is 19ins your size?

Also look at Boardman Pro.
Excellent value bikes with rave reviews.
[www.bikeradar.com]


Finally think about ex demo or ex hire bikes. Bargains to be had and you'll get a proper ride around before you buy.
Paul

Niall Thomson


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3rd Aug 2019
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 17.32hrs on Wed 2 Sep 09
Iron Horse went bust earlier this year. Probably been picked up by a new owner as the brand was strong. Worth checking out though as you'd want to avoid any future warranty issues.



steelytail


Posts: 175
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22nd Mar 2020
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 18.34hrs on Wed 2 Sep 09
The Iron Horse would be a good bike for you. It spec is good and suited to your riding style.
Couldn't see what kind of brakes are on it but there aren't any bad disc anymore.
The wheel rims could be a little stronger but fine for a few years of general riding. If you bust them it shouldn't cost too much to change them.

HTH


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Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 12.57hrs on Thu 3 Sep 09
Interested to hear comments in this thread. I might need to replace my own MTB in a wee while. Surprised to read that Scomuir's situation is a bit like mine...except my bike was even cheaper, £175 from a trade outlet in 2003!

It hasn't fallen apart yet, but the time will come. - I'm interested in frame geometry for hardtail MTB's.

Do modern hardtail frames have a higher BB clearance for rough trails? - I was thinking about this while walking down the Kilbo path in Glen Clova yesterday, for example.

Scomuir


Posts: 300
Joined: Sep 2004
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 12.58hrs on Thu 3 Sep 09
Thanks for the advice. Seems I may have got excited over nothing, as they only have one left in the company, and it's reserved for someone else. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Paul, 19ins might have been my size! Current mountain bike 20ins, but that was bought principally at the time for easy landrover tracks and road use, so would go smaller. My (hybrid) commuting bike is "58cm", so bigger again. I will need to try some!

Niall, apparently Iron Horse, or the parent company, were bought, so should be OK as far as warranty issues.

Steelytail, the brakes were Avid Juicy 3. Wheel strength was one of the things that is a concern for obvious reasons.

Cheers for the info - any other recommendations welcome.

Scott

[www.scomuir.com]

Hustler at work


Guest
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 14.32hrs on Thu 3 Sep 09
As I know Steelytail will readily confirm, Kona is one of the best places to look if you want a bike to actually ride and then improve on.
More than anything else, the geometry determines how a bike will feel and handle. Kona have been getting this bit right for longer than pretty much anyone else. They also do single inch size increments in many of their models, so getting the right fit is easy. John Simpson at Leuchars has plenty in the shop from the supplier; he may be able to cut you a deal as good as anything on the web this late in the season. He's also on the web as Fife Cycle Centre.
At 5'11' and 32 inside leg, I ride 18' frames.
Steelytail is just over 6' and has a 19' Kona.
Budget will determine which model to go for; anything with Mavic wheel rims will last relatively well but as Steely says, they are replaceable. If in doubt, go for the Hoss.

Henry, you'd need to be a brave rider to come down the Kilbo into Clova on a hardtail. Steely & I did that earlier this year on our big bikes and it was 'interesting' and a lot of fun. Remember though that for this kind of Scottish riding, most riders use a bashguard in place of the big ring on the crankset- see our photos from last Sunday, all four of us that day were riding this sort of set up. It increases clearance and damage prevention.

steelytail


Posts: 175
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22nd Mar 2020
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 15.18hrs on Thu 3 Sep 09
There are quite a few things to consider when sizing up a mountain bike.

Inside leg measurement and standover height. (You need to be able to straddle the bike with a least 3" spare. More is better. On steep terrain you'll appreciate this more when you don't castrate yourself on the top tube.

Top tube length and Torso/arm length. (If you want a bike to cover the miles a longer more stretched out/aerodynamic postion will. A shorter more upright stance is more manouvrable and rides better on technical terrain. So a compromise is inevitable)

Bar width (narrow bars=streamlined, wide bars=more control)

Crank length (short legs <30" go for 170mm cranks, >30" go for 175mm cranks)

Hopefully this answers a few questions.

HTH


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Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 16.59hrs on Thu 3 Sep 09
Thanks for comments. I agree Kilbo looke awkward in patches, which made me think.- BTW Fife Cycle Centre is just a mile down the road from me.

He's a decent bloke and has helped me a few times with bits. Interesting history too. - H.

naefearjustbeer


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22nd Nov 2015
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 18.01hrs on Thu 3 Sep 09
Test rides are the way to go! I have a 16 inch framed bike and a 17.5 inch framed bike from 2 different manufacturers and they both fit me well. My new bike was too cramped in the 16 inch since so I had to move up a size, I still have plenty stand over clearance so no ball crushing moments. The reach on both are very similar!

Niall Thomson


Posts: 95
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3rd Aug 2019
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 10.51hrs on Fri 4 Sep 09
Would second the test ride suggestion above because at the end of the day you're not going to get sold a pup by any of the major brands.

I use a big ring protector which allows me to keep a triple set up - doesn't have the same clearance as a double / bash but it's rarely an issue and I like having the speed for high speed exits out of long glens ;-)

Scomuir


Posts: 300
Joined: Sep 2004
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 13.17hrs on Fri 4 Sep 09
Thanks for the further advice. Just had a shot on the 2009 version of the MKIII Comp (http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/bikes/mkiii09/mkiii-comp.php). The shop only had a 17" fram, but thought i'd give it a go. They had to pump a bit of air into the rear shoc smiling smiley Felt odd, a bit twitchy up front, but that could be due to a number of things: what felt like relatively narrow handlebars, being more used to riding bigger frame bikes, but on top of that, I wonder if it is just a little small? Then again, didn't seem to have much clearance straddling the bike.

I found I was sitting on the back of the seat, and wouldn't be comfortable enough for any distance on a landrover track if needed, for example. I know I can move the saddle back, but not a huge amount, and I know that I will be out of it for a lot of the descents, but needs to be a consideration. Going to try the 19" when it comes in, but suspect it will be too big. There's only so much you can tell when nipping around cobbled or tarmac streets. Hmmm. Don't know!

[www.scomuir.com]

Stefan


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16th Apr 2015
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 08.24hrs on Mon 7 Sep 09
As bike geometries vary considerably, you want to test a number of bikes before buying to ensure you find the bike best suited to your physique and riding style. I would suggest going to a demo-day, but likely to be few of them this late in the year. Alternatively, go to Glentress or Laggan and ask if you can try out a few of their hire bikes. Some bike shops have demo bikes that they allow you to take to the local trails - I know Perth City Cycles do, so others are likely to do the same.

Also worth checking out singletrackworld.com for second-hand bikes once you know what bike you want - more bike for your money!

lynseyf


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26th Jan 2019
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Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 19.29hrs on Mon 7 Sep 09
Have a look on ebay at second hand bikes, my friend got a second hand, barely used Specialized Pitch for about your budget while another friend got a more heavily used Kona Coilair for about the same money. A surprisingly large number of people seem to spend a lot on a bike and barely use it.

chrisski


Posts: 359
Joined: Feb 2005
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 20.21hrs on Mon 7 Sep 09
id recommend a specialised rockhopper but im biased as i have one and has lasted 6 yrs, well the frame has!

Scomuir


Posts: 300
Joined: Sep 2004
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 12.59hrs on Tue 15 Sep 09
Thanks for all the advice. I nearly swung for a hard tail, but then decided I would probably spend a lot of time looking enviously at others with FS bikes and wondering "what if". This wasn't helped by a mate buying a FS bike last week.

So, I went for the Iron Horse in the end (the 2009 version). Had a day out at Wolftrax on Saturday, and it was great fun - more so than the other time I was there on a hard tail.

Cheers,

Scott



[www.scomuir.com]

Attachments: above_aires_sco.jpg (326kB)   black_sco.jpg (418kB)   upper_red_sco.jpg (292kB)  
pfairbrother


Posts: 812
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27th Nov 2017
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Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 08.38hrs on Thu 17 Sep 09
good news Scott. Hope the 'incidents' on the black didn't draw any blood or bruises.
I know what you mean about aires rock. The secret obviously is to just do it. Next challenge - ride up it! lol
Paul

telemarker


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12th Apr 2021
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 12.15hrs on Thu 17 Sep 09
nice bike, you wont regret getting a full susser!

Aires rock itself is that hard, the problem is first time i was so relieved at riding it i didnt brake hard enough at bottom and overshot the tight turn you have to make

i have also done all of the black now, but not all in one go without climbing back on bike and re-riding it

things like 2 ton drop look awfull but are really easy to ride

back-sac-crack attack and stiletto staircase are the worst obstacles for me, leg/arm armour helps make the spillages less painfull

Scomuir


Posts: 300
Joined: Sep 2004
Re: Mountain bike advice
Date Posted: 13.00hrs on Thu 17 Sep 09
I didn't get any bashes or bruises which was surprising. The bike only ended up on its side once, and I think the obstacle I shuffled down might have been 2 ton drop - a short steep scooped slab? Anyway, will go back some time and do it. Aires rock was fun, despite me being a little hard on the back brake.

Had the head camera on for some of it - not great (angle, as usual!), but the aires sections come out OK: [www.youtube.com]

Paul, has anyone managed to ride up it? Sounds like a challenge smiling smiley


[www.scomuir.com]

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