Adventure pushies

**R650R** · 17th June 2015, 16:12

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

suspension advice please

Have decided I only need front suspenders but don't know much about them. In my price bracket there are 75mm and 100mm travel predominantly. I'm not going to be doing fast or even semi fast riding but one salesman told me 29er suspension is shorter cos the wheels are bigger, will I be making a big mistake going with 75mm over 100mm?

The bigger wheels do noticeably roll over bumps and stuff better and pedal faster/easier on the straights once you have a bit of momentum. Kinda like the difference between 21 and 17 on the front end of the DR etc....
At a guess I'd say most of your time is going to be riding the riverbank trails and the flat limestone is like riding tarmac anyway.
I wouldn't worry about getting the latest bike, far better to reap the savings and get this years stuff at half the price with most places.
I'd consider 100mm a bit on the short side so not much difference between 75-100 anyway....
I'd invite you over to have a spin on my wheels but might make all your other options feel a bit cheap... eg if your a DR650 owner its good not to know how good a KTM690 rides like...

**Night Falcon** · 17th June 2015, 16:38

Originally Posted by R650R

The bigger wheels do noticeably roll over bumps and stuff better and pedal faster/easier on the straights once you have a bit of momentum. Kinda like the difference between 21 and 17 on the front end of the DR etc....
At a guess I'd say most of your time is going to be riding the riverbank trails and the flat limestone is like riding tarmac anyway.
I wouldn't worry about getting the latest bike, far better to reap the savings and get this years stuff at half the price with most places.
I'd consider 100mm a bit on the short side so not much difference between 75-100 anyway....
I'd invite you over to have a spin on my wheels but might make all your other options feel a bit cheap... eg if your a DR650 owner its good not to know how good a KTM690 rides like...

yup smooth and easy is the way to go for me. The bikes I'm looking at for Sue are like 50% off retail so that's pretty good. But I cant find anything in a 21" frame for me unless I want to get real spendy

Tried a 19" but it seemed a little cramped. Do you reckon I'd be ok with smaller wheels? I do plan on visiting Eskdale but just not going to hard out, I cant risk a major off just yet.....my doctor would kill me even if the crash didn't. Maybe I need somebody who knows a bit about MTB's to point me in the right direction....I'm quite prepared to spring for Hawthorne's coffee in order to extract useful data?

**R650R** · 17th June 2015, 16:53

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

yup smooth and easy is the way to go for me. The bikes I'm looking at for Sue are like 50% off retail so that's pretty good. But I cant find anything in a 21" frame for me unless I want to get real spendy

Tried a 19" but it seemed a little cramped. Do you reckon I'd be ok with smaller wheels? I do plan on visiting Eskdale but just not going to hard out, I cant risk a major off just yet.....my doctor would kill me even if the crash didn't. Maybe I need somebody who knows a bit about MTB's to point me in the right direction....I'm quite prepared to spring for Hawthorne's coffee in order to extract useful data?

Were you taller than me, thought you were same sizeish... 21 is quite a big frame. Some makers like Trek measure it in a funny way to but its essentially based on the top tube length, between seat and handlebar stem.
Most bikes you can move the seat a little too and get different stems.
Smaller wheels (26inch) have been the norm for ages, 29s are fairly recent and 650B (27.5inch) is the new marketing hype (but is actually very good for many technical reasons).
26's are fine, heaps of tyre choices and spares and will feel fine unless you've gotten used to something else. Smaller wheels are faster steering too, good for missing solid objects like trees....

I've still got your number so year catch up sometime, which shops have you been to so far?

**Gremlin** · 17th June 2015, 16:57

I would say the right frame size is of more importance than the wheel size. After all, we got along just fine with 26" wheels for years until suddenly manufacturers decided we had to have 29" and now again, 650 (27.5) and now I think it's 650+... yeah, it's crazy.

My hardtail (first bike) is a 26'er, and yes, I do think the 29'er does roll over roots and suchlike more easily, but depends if that's the terrain you're riding? Technique will trump a few inches any day

**NordieBoy** · 17th June 2015, 17:07

Low speed technical climbing, and I'll take a 29er any day over a 26er.
Not as nimble, but won't stall out as often either.
If you're looking at 20" and up frames, then I wouldn't bother with small wheels.
100mm travel is fine.

21" frame, 10kg, 26er with 100mm travel.

20" frame, 13kg, 29er with 100mm travel.

I'm getting rid of the Stumpy.
It's a fantastic bike if you like light hard tails with gears...

**Night Falcon** · 17th June 2015, 22:06

Originally Posted by R650R

Were you taller than me, thought you were same sizeish... 21 is quite a big frame. Some makers like Trek measure it in a funny way to but its essentially based on the top tube length, between seat and handlebar stem.
Most bikes you can move the seat a little too and get different stems.
Smaller wheels (26inch) have been the norm for ages, 29s are fairly recent and 650B (27.5inch) is the new marketing hype (but is actually very good for many technical reasons).
26's are fine, heaps of tyre choices and spares and will feel fine unless you've gotten used to something else. Smaller wheels are faster steering too, good for missing solid objects like trees....

I've still got your number so year catch up sometime, which shops have you been to so far?

I'm 184cm. I've been to the Hub, Bike Barn, Revolution cycles, Avanti Hastings and one other I cant remember. Every one of them have told me I need the bigger frame. I wouldn't have a clue myself and each manufacturer seems to have different sizes - some are in inches others are just med, large & extra large, so its a bit difficult to tell without having one in stock to ride. I'm home most days at the moment so do feel free to drop me a line anytime for a catch up.

**Kickaha** · 18th June 2015, 06:32

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Thing is - you first bike will last you 12 to 18 months

I've had mine about 11 years too long them

**Paul in NZ** · 18th June 2015, 08:28

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I've had mine about 11 years too long them

Yeah I think so LOL....

**R650R** · 18th June 2015, 17:22

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I've had mine about 11 years too long them

I've still got my Quickshifter XT from school days lol, should do it up...

First MTB lasted about a year... before being stolen, was in good shape still.
Fuel EX-7 clocked about 4500km over about 4 years before being replaced by the Slash. Still in good shape but the running gear all fairly worn....

**NordieBoy** · 19th June 2015, 11:03

338 people in 120 teams registered for the 6hr on Sunday.
Fasting and purging for 8 days should serve me well.
A no training at all 12 day taper should leave me refreshed too.

**Night Falcon** · 19th June 2015, 17:15

I can do 10mins on my exercycle, 6hrs peddling I'd need some of Lance Armstrong's secrete elixir for that

**NordieBoy** · 19th June 2015, 17:38

10min on an exercycle is forever.

**Muzz67** · 19th June 2015, 18:42

is that from his remaining nut?

**NordieBoy** · 20th June 2015, 16:53

Ready to rumble!

And so is my stomach!

**Night Falcon** · 20th June 2015, 17:31

looking good Nordie. Bought our bikes today, plus helmets, and a few accessories. I ended up getting a 29er 19inch frame, hydraulic brakes are nice. We took them for a test ride before the rain ended it and loved it. Amazing how bike technology has changed since 1970

Only thing I might look to change is the seat - I think its made by KTM