Should I, Shouldn't I?

[Tromps]

My last ride was about 95km's long.  My arse was M*****se seer

[Mackem]

I spend about R15k upgrading my bike recently (Spez Alu Epic) to full XTR, XTR Wheelset, KCNC bars, seatpole, stem, bar ends and a new saddle. I saved just under 1,5kg's weight wise. Spending the same amount upgrading the frame to carbon would have saved me +-300g and cost me the same. The bike feels like a completely new ride and a hell of a lot lighter!

 

[Tromps]

hey Tromps what is Strenght?

 

The stuff I need when I get my spelling wrong

[Slowbee]

 

 

Riding a hardtail first will make you a better rider. You learn to pay more attention to picking your lines and how to cope with technical sections of trail since a full-suspension bike makes these sections easier to negotiate.

 

 

They should not sell FS bikes to first time buyers. I've learned alot on my HT and for open flat sections I liked it more then the FS. But the FS is just sooooo much softer on the body. 60km off-road does not fees like 100km.

 

 

 

Are you saying that I should not be buying Crow's bike ?

 

Cause if you are its a bit late.

 

I debated this hardtail softail "learning" issue for a long time. I put as a priority being comfortable for long periods on the bike. Remember, I dont intend doing hours of technical stuff. Figured I would regret not getting a dual and having to upgrade later. The body can only handle so much and if a dual makes it easier so be it. On a dual one can learn to be a better rider, but you cant make a hardtail into a softail for comfort.

 

That said I will also be aware that I bought a softail, and that I will be relying on the bike in some sections I may encounter, but hey I will be riding with more experienced people and hopefully learn something from them.

 

NOW a more serious qstn..... how big a hammer are you allowed to take on mtn bike rides?

 

 

[scotty]

Good old Oliver Yes Tubes

I still got a long way to go on my HT before i get a DS as i have not mastered picking my lines yet.

 

[Tromps]

I can't handle a HT/DS. Every time i neuk into a nice switchback, i land up on my face

[Marius]

My last ride was about 95km's long.  My arse was M*****se seer

 

Now I know who you are, you are PappaBears friend right?? the one that did that 95km ride to Stellenbosch, Eden, Helz Dams and some other Hill over Helz and back t Durbanville??

[Marius]

Riding a hardtail first will make you a better rider. You learn to pay more attention to picking your lines and how to cope with technical sections of trail since a full-suspension bike makes these sections easier to negotiate.

 

They should not sell FS bikes to first time buyers. I've learned alot on my HT and for open flat sections I liked it more then the FS. But the FS is just sooooo much softer on the body. 60km off-road does not fees like 100km.

 

 

Are you saying that I should not be buying Crow's bike ?

Cause if you are its a bit late.

I debated this hardtail softail "learning" issue for a long time. I put as a priority being comfortable for long periods on the bike. Remember' date=' I dont intend doing hours of technical stuff. Figured I would regret not getting a dual and having to upgrade later. The body can only handle so much and if a dual makes it easier so be it. On a dual one can learn to be a better rider, but you cant make a hardtail into a softail for comfort.

That said I will also be aware that I bought a softail, and that I will be relying on the bike in some sections I may encounter, but hey I will be riding with more experienced people and hopefully learn something from them.

NOW a more serious qstn..... how big a hammer are you allowed to take on mtn bike rides?

[/quote']

 

If learning on a HT is suck a MOERSE isseu just lock you rear shock ffs.

[Dutch]

You don't race world cup. Leave carbon alone. Stick with durability. I ride carbon myself and unles you race, its a watse of time and money unless of course, you like bling

[Slowbee]

 

 

Riding a hardtail first will make you a better rider. You learn to pay more attention to picking your lines and how to cope with technical sections of trail since a full-suspension bike makes these sections easier to negotiate.

 

 

They should not sell FS bikes to first time buyers. I've learned alot on my HT and for open flat sections I liked it more then the FS. But the FS is just sooooo much softer on the body. 60km off-road does not fees like 100km.

 

 

 

Are you saying that I should not be buying Crow's bike ?

 

Cause if you are its a bit late.

 

I debated this hardtail softail "learning" issue for a long time. I put as a priority being comfortable for long periods on the bike. Remember' date=' I dont intend doing hours of technical stuff. Figured I would regret not getting a dual and having to upgrade later. The body can only handle so much and if a dual makes it easier so be it. On a dual one can learn to be a better rider, but you cant make a hardtail into a softail for comfort.

 

That said I will also be aware that I bought a softail, and that I will be relying on the bike in some sections I may encounter, but hey I will be riding with more experienced people and hopefully learn something from them.

 

NOW a more serious qstn..... how big a hammer are you allowed to take on mtn bike rides?

 

[/quote']

 

If learning on a HT is suck a MOERSE isseu just lock you rear shock ffs.

 

but thats what I said .....

 

[Fulmenicilus]

I'm currently on a Merrida HFS3000D which is an awesome frame. I am contemplating going to a carbon frame.

 

I weigh about 108kg's though' date=' should I, or shouldn't I?

[/quote']

 

Personally I'm very sceptic about the carbon frames' durability. I saw two broken frames at this year's Epic - both carbon!

[Marius]

oh, sorry, did not read you post

[Slowbee]

 

oh' date=' sorry, did not read you post[/quote']

 

i wonder if i should try for a 30 page thread on the mountain bike shoes ???

 

 

 

[Tromps]

I'm currently on a Merrida HFS3000D which is an awesome frame. I am contemplating going to a carbon frame.

 

I weigh about 108kg's though' date=' should I, or shouldn't I?

[/quote']

 

Personally I'm very sceptic about the carbon frames' durability. I saw two broken frames at this year's Epic - both carbon!

 

That is a very very big concern for me.

[MintSauce]

 

 

Are you saying that I should not be buying Crow's bike ?

 

Definitely not(he'd kick my ass if I did)....it's not critical I don't think. As you rightly say' date=' someone who starts on a FS bike will over time probably become as good a rider.

 

I just always advise people to start on an entry-level bike.

 

I'll try and explain in more detail. When you ride a rigid bike, you automatically have to compensate for certain things on the trail ie rocks, roots, ruts that wouldn't bother you on a FS bike. This manner of riding eventually becomes 2nd nature, sub-conscious or whatever you wanna call it. So, when you upgrade to a FS bike you still apply these techniques to your riding, to an extent that in some instances you might even be over-compensating in certain situations. That's not a bad thing because it ultimately makes you a smoother rider.

 

Anyway....this is merely my opinion

 

 

 

NOW a more serious qstn..... how big a hammer are you allowed to take on mtn bike rides?

 

 

The biggest one you can carry!

 

 

 

 

 

[Slowbee]

Minty, thanks for the detail.

 

Well if you and MR Crow are mates, we will meet sometime. Then we can ummm determine my riding techniques ......