Perfect mtb

[Reinardt]

I was 120kg when I got a 2017 spark 940. I reckon 2x11 is a must for our weight. Suspension is plush and holds up well( ride cascades and karkloof area). Only shortcoming for your perfect bike is the brakes, but the M6000 work well. Personal opinion: I will not ride a bike without remote lock out

[Slabeye]

It's hard shopping for a soft tail mtb. There are lots of options, and lots of terrible advice from inexperienced sales people that try take advantage of an inexperienced mtb buyer. I'm a good salesman, so I recognise a chancer /idiot

 

Regarding the components, I believe that riding pleasure relies on reliable, smooth components. I like a great derailleur.

I am looking for a fork with 120mm travel as I am heavy on my hands, and a shock with 120mm travel because I am a little bit heavy still (120kg). I also realise that the racing snakes are probably harder on their bikes than I will ever be, but I don't know where that line is and the balance point.

 

My perfect bike :

 

SRAM Eagle 1x12

XT brakes

120mm travel fork

120mm travel shock

 

Handlebar same height as the seat (unless I am educated differently?)

????

That's the important stuff to me

 

I am not a racing snake, I have an important family and career that doesn't allow me more than a few hours a week riding, I just want to regain some strength and fitness

 

Thoughts /advice?

 

Ps:I do love riding

Edited my requirements

[popcorn_skollie]

I just wanted to point out that your weight has nothing to do with the travel required on any given bike. Your desired travel has a lot more to do with the bikes intended purpose. My weight is fixed but I have bikes which vary in the amount of travel they offer. Because they are different bikes intended for different purposes but all used by the same person.

 

Having said that 120mm is still a pretty good choice as a single do it all bike.

Assuming of course you're not going to bomb A-line with some veteran pinners on a regular basis. A 120mm bike is ideal for basically anything. Versatile enough for general trail mischief and she probably won't shy away from a stage race either.

 

I haven't read all the posts but let me address the other issues you raised.

 

An Eagle drive train is a great choice. But its certainly not the only drive train capable of smooth and precise shifting. If you're balling then go for it. But if you're on a budget. You would probably benefit more from a good set of wheels and good suspension. It would contribute far more to your bikes overall ride quality than any drive train. Its far more practical and sensible to invest in these components first. Before splurging on a drivetrain of that calibre. 

 

XT brakes are also a great choice. But again. Not the only brakes worth considering. 

 

Your bar and saddle height are determined by the bike in question and the results of a proper bike fit. Funny enough I've noticed that on nearly all my bikes. The ideal climbing position is having my saddle dead level with my bar. But this does not ring true for everyone. And there are bikes I've ridden myself where this solution was not ideal. 

 

That said. There are some great choices out there for bikes which fit your description.

A plethora of options really. Have a look around. Post some of the suggestions here. And we'll help you narrow it down. Good luck.

[Slabeye]

I just wanted to point out that your weight has nothing to do with the travel required on any given bike. Your desired travel has a lot more to do with the bikes intended purpose. My weight is fixed but I have bikes which vary in the amount of travel they offer. Because they are different bikes intended for different purposes but all used by the same person.

 

Having said that 120mm is still a pretty good choice as a single do it all bike.

Assuming of course you're not going to bomb A-line with some veteran pinners on a regular basis. A 120mm bike is ideal for basically anything. Versatile enough for general trail mischief and she probably won't shy away from a stage race either.

 

I haven't read all the posts but let me address the other issues you raised.

 

An Eagle drive train is a great choice. But its certainly not the only drive train capable of smooth and precise shifting. If you're balling then go for it. But if you're on a budget. You would probably benefit more from a good set of wheels and good suspension. It would contribute far more to your bikes overall ride quality than any drive train. Its far more practical and sensible to invest in these components first. Before splurging on a drivetrain of that calibre.

 

XT brakes are also a great choice. But again. Not the only brakes worth considering.

 

Your bar and saddle height are determined by the bike in question and the results of a proper bike fit. Funny enough I've noticed that on nearly all my bikes. The ideal climbing position is having my saddle dead level with my bar. But this does not ring true for everyone. And there are bikes I've ridden myself where this solution was not ideal.

 

That said. There are some great choices out there for bikes which fit your description.

A plethora of options really. Have a look around. Post some of the suggestions here. And we'll help you narrow it down. Good luck.

I ride the Cradle, and northern farm, and tracks available when camping, no mine-shaft downhills. Not a kid anymore, now a Dad.

 

I am 6ft6in, long legs, less long arms, so I think I am forced to be heavy on my hands (added to a tired, old core), and my fingers go numb during rides.

Not sure where to shop in Jhb anymore, they are all disappointing

[the nerd]

Head down the Sprocket and Jack at the trailhead and test ride the new trek fuel... proper bike that! 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Head down the Sprocket and Jack at the trailhead and test ride the new trek fuel... proper bike that!

I'll second that recommendation.

[Slabeye]

Head down the Sprocket and Jack at the trailhead and test ride the new trek fuel... proper bike that!

Thanks. Now in English please?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Thanks. Now in English please?

It's a bike shop.

[Slabeye]

It's a bike shop.

Thanks. Where?

[porqui]

http://sprocketandjack.co.za/

[porqui]

Not a kid anymore, now a Dad.

 

Then what you have got may just be good enough and what you need is a good bike fitting and setup and some skills training. Posture on a bike also makes a huge difference. Time in the saddle also helps.

 

I'm a Dad too and an old one at that and my 27yr old kid is the one that has to keep up - he does have less fear on the downhill though. We ride tech single track kind of stuff.

 

Seriously a bike fitting and skills training.

Google and Youtube is your friend.

 

Then maybe a new bike.

[Mada3400]

Head down the Sprocket and Jack at the trailhead and test ride the new trek fuel... proper bike that! 

So the trek Fuel would be my dream trailbike but as they currently are I'll never buy one

 

 

the reason why is because I'm also pretty tall with long legs, which means that i need a lot of seatpost sticking out my frames, and on the trek fuel (and new yt capra for that matter) the actual seattube angle is super slack, so when the seat is at my height, its also sitting over the rear axle which will make even something brilliant like the trek fuel horrible to try climb

 

if you got long legs, a seat angle and actual seat angle are more important (than if you have short legs) because of the position where the saddle actually ends up in relation to the rest of the bike.

 

EDIT: Bike recommendations

 

all the above takes out a whole bunch of awesome bikes like the trek fuel and evil whatever

 

if i were you id probably just get a new stumpjumper ST or scott spark(genius), but if you're feeling like you want something a little bit more unique then, if you can find a Kona Satori that bike looks like it absolutely rips!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Mada has a very good point.

[Goodbadugly]

Blur

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/gear/gear-news/santa-cruz-unveil-all-new-blur-and-highball-cross-country-race-bikes-r7189

[the nerd]

Test ride, test ride, test ride.. 

 

Doesnt matter the bike, the shop etc, walk in, like the look of the bike. 

 

Take it for a ride, as Mada pointed out, could look great and end up riding terribly for your build! 

 

Go ride some bike! 

[SCD]

****

 

Your bar and saddle height are determined by the bike in question and the results of a proper bike fit. 

 

****

 

A good bike fit is a very good investment and a great influencer on the comfort and fun you will have on any bike! You should maybe have this done BEFORE you get set on the choice of your bike so you know the frame size, stem, etc beforehand.