Re write your question so that it isn't stupid and I will answer it.
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Mountain Bikes & places to ride.
- Thread starter 174Racing
- Start date
Re write your question so that it isn't stupid and I will answer it.
Dave L
Well-known member
174Racing
Well-known member
Can someone tell me what they think of this? Does it sound like a bike suitable for a beginner, and I'm just shy of 5'10" so is it the right size for me?
Trek Fuel 90 (size 19.5″)
Front triangle is black (warranty replacement)
Rear triangle silver
FD: LX
RD: XT
Crankset: RaceFace EvolveXC – black
Brakes: Hayes Stroker Trail – grey
Wheels: Custom build – WTB LaserDisc Lite hubs, Mavic XC717 Disc rims, DT Supercomp spokes.
Tires: Panaracer Cinder
Grips: Ergon
Cassette: XT 11-34
Shifters: LX
HeadSet: RaceFace Deus
Cateye Enduro 2 computer
Shockpump included
Trek Fuel 90 (size 19.5″)
Front triangle is black (warranty replacement)
Rear triangle silver
FD: LX
RD: XT
Crankset: RaceFace EvolveXC – black
Brakes: Hayes Stroker Trail – grey
Wheels: Custom build – WTB LaserDisc Lite hubs, Mavic XC717 Disc rims, DT Supercomp spokes.
Tires: Panaracer Cinder
Grips: Ergon
Cassette: XT 11-34
Shifters: LX
HeadSet: RaceFace Deus
Cateye Enduro 2 computer
Shockpump included
The Trek Fuels are decent frames. I wouldn't buy one, but that's down to personal preference. The specs listed are decent. Wheels look good. Personally, I think a 19.5 is going to be a stretch for you, particularly if you have shorter legs (<32").
kwtoxman
Well-known member
Wrong. Kona is 50% US owned and 50% Canada owned, as noted on their website.
How old is the bike? The older it is the more important the maintenance is. Chains, sprockets, brakes, etc wear out. Make sure the components are quality, which is important. As mentioned, I'd say the size is definitely too big for you if you want to push it on the trails. I'm just over 5'10" (no shoes) and my bike is an 18" frame. Any less of a top tube angle and 17" would have been better.
If going used, I'd find a bike shop that could do a once over on any bike you're interested in for a nominal fee and tell you what it needs and what shape it is in overall. Win win.
Bikes are a fairly personal choice. Trek never did much for me although they are a fine bike. I'd recommend at least a quick ride of the major brands your interested in (with similar frame design to the bike you want to buy) so that you get a feel for the various frame styles and MB types and see what you prefer. This is very helpful. Even when looking at used bikes because it gives you some experience from which to evaluate bikes and their feel and handling.
You get what you pay for on a mountain bike. I'd personally recommend spending $2k or more on a new bike (for a full suspension mountain bike) to get some reasonable quality. Nothing is worse than something cheap that doesn't shift well, needs constant adjustment, etc. You'll end up not using the bike. Spending that money will begin to give you some entry level quality components (shifters, derailleurs, etc). Used, probably $1000 + is a good starting mark. As mentioned earlier, nix the rear suspension if you don't have much of a budget. A mainstream frame, decent name and quality level shifters, derailleurs, brakes, cranks is important. The correct frame size is huge. Any bike shop can help you figure out what frame size to use as well. There are a lot of components on a bike, the other stuff (stem, pedals, headsets, etc) is a little easier to change up if needed.
Here is my bike. 2012 Kona Abra Cadabra with a few add-ons. Retail is over $5k with those add-ons. Great fun in the Rockies.
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kwtoxman
Well-known member
I haven't heard of any bicycle shops that wouldn't let a person go for a ride. Use the internet and yellow pages to find bicycle shops. As for internet, you can also pick a bike manufacturer and go to their website to see where the nearest dealers are to you. Kona, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Rocky Mountain, etc.
daught
Well-known member
http://www.everytrail.com has some really nice stuff.
Anyone been to albion hills? Looks pretty good on topo maps
Anyone been to albion hills? Looks pretty good on topo maps
Kri$han
Well-known member
If not for commuting to work, I probably ride my mountain bike more than my motorcycle 
Try the buy/sell forums at www.pinkbike.com, (although lately the website isn't working all that well for me, i think it's my work proxy - anyone else seeing a ghetto, text only page there?)
Honestly, even if the frames are Canadian, almost ALL the comopnents (which make up 75% of the bike) are Chinese made, so who cares. Best bang-for-buck lately has been Giant Bikes... can't beat 'em for the price. I got a 2010 Reign X1... a tad on the small side for me, ergonomically, but the thing is sooooo much fun to ride.
I ride a LOT at Kelso & Hilton Falls. Did Hydrocut a few times, but found it boring due to a lack of features (skinnies/drops, etc.). Same thing with Hardwood Hills just North of Barrie, but if all you want is to pedal your face off and get a work out, anywhere will do.
Do any of you do any DH riding? My bike is "All Mountain", so it can handle the light down hill stuff, like at Horseshoe Valley - the place is s RIOT!!! But I don't have anyone to go there with cuz my buddies just like to pedal, or don't have appropriate bikes. I'd be down for a meet up with some GTAM folks
Try the buy/sell forums at www.pinkbike.com, (although lately the website isn't working all that well for me, i think it's my work proxy - anyone else seeing a ghetto, text only page there?)
Honestly, even if the frames are Canadian, almost ALL the comopnents (which make up 75% of the bike) are Chinese made, so who cares. Best bang-for-buck lately has been Giant Bikes... can't beat 'em for the price. I got a 2010 Reign X1... a tad on the small side for me, ergonomically, but the thing is sooooo much fun to ride.
I ride a LOT at Kelso & Hilton Falls. Did Hydrocut a few times, but found it boring due to a lack of features (skinnies/drops, etc.). Same thing with Hardwood Hills just North of Barrie, but if all you want is to pedal your face off and get a work out, anywhere will do.
Do any of you do any DH riding? My bike is "All Mountain", so it can handle the light down hill stuff, like at Horseshoe Valley - the place is s RIOT!!! But I don't have anyone to go there with cuz my buddies just like to pedal, or don't have appropriate bikes. I'd be down for a meet up with some GTAM folks
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If not for commuting to work, I probably ride my mountain bike more than my motorcycle
Try the buy/sell forums at www.pinkbike.com, (although lately the website isn't working all that well for me, i think it's my work proxy - anyone else seeing a ghetto, text only page there?)
Honestly, even if the frames are Canadian, almost ALL the comopnents (which make up 75% of the bike) are Chinese made, so who cares. Best bang-for-buck lately has been Giant Bikes... can't beat 'em for the price. I got a 2010 Reign X1... a tad on the small side for me, ergonomically, but the thing is sooooo much fun to ride.
I ride a LOT at Kelso & Hilton Falls. Did Hydrocut a few times, but found it boring due to a lack of features (skinnies/drops, etc.). Same thing with Hardwood Hills just North of Barrie, but if all you want is to pedal your face off and get a work out, anywhere will do.
Do any of you do any DH riding? My bike is "All Mountain", so it can handle the light down hill stuff, like at Horseshoe Valley - the place is s RIOT!!! But I don't have anyone to go there with cuz my buddies just like to pedal, or don't have appropriate bikes. I'd be down for a meet up with some GTAM folks
Pinkbike has been working fine for me lately.
I know what you mean about some places being boring. Places like that can be fun if you have the leg strength to go fast enough. I wish there was more good technical stuff near me, Kelso isn't too far so I'll be there a few times this summer for sure!
Lickety-Split
Well-known member
I think my favorite place to ride on the weekends is Albion Hills. Its fairly close to the city - 45 mins from downtown Toronto. Lots of single track and it can be difficult in spots. A lot of the trails actually have a hard and an easy route around obstacles or rocks. Its hilly enough for a great workout too. The 24 hours races are a ton of fun - nothing like riding in pitch black with only your lamps lighting up the trail. Get a few active guys together and it makes for a great weekend!
Here's the summer trail map: http://trca.on.ca/trca-user-uploads/trailMap-AlbionHills-Summer.pdf
Here's the summer trail map: http://trca.on.ca/trca-user-uploads/trailMap-AlbionHills-Summer.pdf
Lickety-Split
Well-known member
Oh yeah, bikes. I have had 4 Cannondales and I love them. They have some pretty solid parts lists in the $1000-$2000 range. I would say do not get a $1000 bike with rear suspension - you will not get a quality bike. Unless you spend a lot of times going downhill, the rear shock will hinder your riding, more than help.
Here's my current ride:
Here's my current ride:
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Weirdos, I tell ya.
Second strangest linkage fork I've ever tried. Pulled to the left on compression enough to be disconcerting.
What'd you call me?!
Roomie
Banned
Been into cycling for a long time. Former cat 2 road racer. Then I got a mtb. 2009 trek top fuel 9.8. Upgraded bits and wheels.... amazing fun once you get some practice in. The dirtier the better
(excuse the bottle holder, took it on a few easy rides with new customers at my friends shop, normally not there)
Puff, puff, left? I don't get it either. Even if they're great to ride, getting your brain over the fact that you only have half a fork would be weird.
Do it! Best place ever for mtb in this area. Something there for everyone. Just watch out for the tea cup if you're relatively new. It's a little uh.... rough
(excuse the bottle holder, took it on a few easy rides with new customers at my friends shop, normally not there)
Puff, puff, left? I don't get it either. Even if they're great to ride, getting your brain over the fact that you only have half a fork would be weird.
Do it! Best place ever for mtb in this area. Something there for everyone. Just watch out for the tea cup if you're relatively new. It's a little uh.... rough
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