Build me a bike

[Goldie]

So me, the missus and our girls moved over to Scarborough last autumn. And up til now, I have been mainly getting my riding fix from the lovely, empty roads and the Cinder Track ( http://thelangsett.blogspot.co.uk/2015_ ... chive.html) between Scarborough and Whitby.

But I was having a look at some of the gorgeous bikes on here on Friday night. And then this morning, I rode through Dalby Forest, and saw a very happy looking bunch of lads setting off from Low Dalby to tackle the Ellerburn red trail. And I realised that I need an mtb.

The thing is, I've absolutely no idea where to start. My experience of mtbs to date involves a nasty, nasty Raleigh Tundra and an early nineties, rigid forked British Eagle.

So I need a bit of help coming up with a reasonable spec. I want to keep it pre-1997 if I can, and I'd like whatever bike I end up with to be able to handle the red trail at Dalby with a reasonable amount of style and speed. I would really appreciate suggestions as to appropriate frames, forks, amount of fork travel, groupsets - pretty much everything. I have a soft spot for Raleigh M-trax, Orange P7's and Pace hardtails, but that's literally all I've got to go on...

 

[Kona-Ian]

Important part is budget.
How important is weight..
What bike are you riding right now?

 

[raidan73]

Re:

The M-Trax and P7 options will be easy and cheap itches to scratch but the Pace....not so much I say go for the ones you have a soft spot for - that's how most of us on here started. You should be able to pick up a very tidy M-Trax with a decent spec for a little over £100, less on a good day. The P7 shouldn't set you back too much more than that either. If you enjoy it then start looking out for a Pace frame that you can build up the way you want it - while keeping the M-Trax/P7 to ride while work is in progress.

 

[wildbicycling]

Here are my top five picks.
1. Devinci Spartan Carbon SX
2. Jones 29+
3. Lapierre Zesty Trail 829
4. Niner Jet9 RDO
5. Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon

 

[raidan73]

Here are my top five picks.
1. Devinci Spartan Carbon SX
2. Jones 29+
3. Lapierre Zesty Trail 829
4. Niner Jet9 RDO
5. Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon

Err, did you read the first post at all?

 

[james1985]

You could do a lot worse than finding a usable P7 so you can get out there and ride, then look for some Pace forks or such to upgrade it as you go.
Not saying the M Trax wouldn't be as good but I have never had the pleasure so cant say.

It can get frustrating waiting for the correct parts to be found for a dream build/resto but its not half as bad if you already have something to use!

Some other fairly easy to find but worthwhile considerations...
GT Zaskar, Rock Lobster's, Marins will all do the job nicely.

 

[fagin]

Here are my top five picks.
1. Devinci Spartan Carbon SX
2. Jones 29+
3. Lapierre Zesty Trail 829
4. Niner Jet9 RDO
5. Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon

Err, are you lost?

FTFY

 

[KDM]

it was mentioned about weight, I would ask what weight you are in comparison? I ask due to fitness and the load the bike may carry.

Also don't expect everything to be 100% you on your first attempt, often the fun is "tweeking" the bike with bits to fit you and your purpose.Another consideration given your absence is not to shell out to big incase it doesn't last. so something like a muddy fox courier comp to start with then if you definately want to keep it going, move on from there.

Working therefore onwards, I'd suggest looking at something like the mentioned p7 or clockwork or c16r in the orange group, perhaps a lava dome/cinder cone in konas, specialized stumpjumper etc, the world is your lobster.

What ever you end up with there are always deals, advice and meets which can be found in here

Good luck

 

[Goldie]

Important part is budget.
How important is weight..
What bike are you riding right now?

Thanks all.

Budget - around £215 - but only on the basis that the AA renewal came through the other day and made me go "£215?!? I bet I could sort myself out with a solid mtb for that..."

I'd like it to be nice and light, but the British Eagle - which is the only real yardstick I have at the moment - is so unbelievably fat and lard arsed that anything will probably seem like a treat. I borrowed a new Specialized Hardrock a year or so back, and that seemed fine weight wise. I think they're about 14kg.

 

[Goldie]

it was mentioned about weight, I would ask what weight you are in comparison? I ask due to fitness and the load the bike may carry.

You put that very delicately! About 80kg / 13 stone in old money, six foot and a bit tall. Could do with eating less black pudding and pork pies.