Bikes for Trail Riding... The start

[Hairy]

Hi all 

 

In the spirit of the  #Enduro Bikes Thread https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/125804-bikes-for-enduro-the-restart/page-1 I thought I would start the Bikes for Trail Riding thread as this is more applicable to SA and I would assume there are more trail bikes and therefore more interest in trail bikes in SA.

 

Definition of a trail bike .... you can be your own judge on that, as long as the bike is made to have fun on the trails and not just focused on tons of gravel roads and climbs.

 

I understand this thread may have a bit of an overlap with the #Enduro thread.

 

[missioner]

Nice idea.

 

This topic will cover a much wider scope of bikes, like hard tails, duallies, single speeds and many more by the sounds of the definition of trail bike as we use it here in S.A.

 

Looking forward to see the upcoming posts.

[T-Bob]

I'll open my account with my Ripmo. With a new, unnamed, enduro specific Ibis being tested on the EWS I'm saying this is a trailbike. On the AM side of trail or Agressive Trail if we're using magazine lingo. Sure, it's probably not for most trails around the Western Cape but I do ride it on most and to be honest for 160 up front and a 145 out back it does a very good job of the ups and downs. 

 

Normally I'd be happier with a 140mm / 115 - 130mm for my trail bike but this kind of does it all. 

Edited September 25, 2019 by T-Bob

[Nakoota]

My trusty YT Jeffsy filling in as a marathon bike for a 92km ride from Rietvlei to the Vaal Dam.

 

 

This bike really can do everything!

[Hairy]

My trusty YT Jeffsy filling in as a marathon bike for a 92km ride from Rietvlei to the Vaal Dam.

 

IMG_4742.jpg

 

This bike really can do everything!

I really need to take pics of my Jeffsy ... also in Black and Teal Blue ... 3 rides in, and she has been flipping awesome.

[duanelr]

2018 Scott Spark 940. Fox 120mm travel front and rear. Slack(ish) head angle. 2.35 tires front and rear. Must say , for what I use it for it ticks all the boxes. I've done the Trans Baviaans on it, but mainly play on the trails in Pretoria East. It handles all the 'difficult' sections of Wolwespruit, Big Red Barn and the Spruit really well. I even use it to jump with (not moerse gap jumps but big by my standards ) 

[bullet77]

My do it all bike. Some things change during the year, for TransB and the training I take the dropper off to add a bottle cage on the seatpost.

 

130mm fork travel and 105 rear.

Edited September 25, 2019 by bullet77

[thebob]

 

130mm up front, 115mm out back. Handles everything from the Spruit to Thaba and I'm sure it has plenty left to give. Had a DPX2 coming for it

Edited October 16, 2019 by the_bob

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

But.... trail riding IS Enduro. It's what all of us do.... Just with a time attached to it. 

[Falling Over]

I took one of the new alu Pyga Hyrax prototypes out for a ride about two weeks ago. 140mm/150mm travel, climbs like a goat and descends like a demon. Little over 14 kg's.

 

What an incredible bike. From my understanding will it also be priced very competitively as well.

 

Best bike I have ever ridden. Currently number 1 on my dream list. I am *very* keen on getting one when they come out soon.

Edited September 25, 2019 by Falling Over

[MTBeer]

But.... trail riding IS Enduro. It's what all of us do.... Just with a time attached to it. 

yes but you don't need a beard and flannel shirt to do trail riding...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

yes but you don't need a beard and flannel shirt to do trail riding...

Just as well I don't have one anymore... Beard, that is. Still got the flannel.

[Falling Over]

To add some hardtail to the thread, here is my upgraded Trek Roscoe.

 

Originally a 2.8" Plus bike, but upgraded with new SLX M7120 brakes and 2.6" DHR II tires and XT Trail pedals. Possibly upgrade to a OneUp dropper post next, unless I decide to go full squish.

 

Head angle might be a bit steep'ish by todays standards (around 68 degrees), but very capable, not too expensive and can handle everything I give it. Good choice for someone on a budget.

[TyronLab]

To add some hardtail to the thread, here is my upgraded Trek Roscoe.

 

Originally a 2.8" Plus bike, but upgraded with new SLX M7120 brakes and 2.6" DHR II tires and XT Trail pedals. Possibly upgrade to a OneUp dropper post next, unless I decide to go full squish.

 

Head angle might be a bit steep'ish by todays standards (around 68 degrees), but very capable, not too expensive and can handle everything I give it. Good choice for someone on a budget.

I've been eyeing a Roscoe as my next bike. I do a lot of road training and trail riding. What made you switch to the 2.6 tyres, and how did you find the bike in its stock setup? I'm looking at getting the Roscoe 8 that has 1x drivetrain and a dropper.

[Hairy]

But.... trail riding IS Enduro. It's what all of us do.... Just with a time attached to it. 

Yes and No

 

It might be the "same trails", but more #EnduroBikes are certainly on the beefier side of things, if looking at what manufacturers are pushing out.

 

Trail bikes are less so, and more applicable in SA me thinks.

 

So for purposes of this thread, it would be focused on the slightly less burly bikes that are readily shown on the Enduro thread.

[Eddy Gordo]

My 140mm Steelie!! Perfect for long days out