[Closed] I have no idea what my next bike should be and its really annoying.

I'd say stick with the Soul and learn the proper techniques for riding the terrain you want to ride.

How tall are you as I am selling my Blur LTc frame and fork (Lyric) which sounds about perfect for your needs....

I bought a Krampus and seem to be riding faster with a bigger smile on my face. it then I have a Glory for the really BIG days

I've got a Prophet, bought second hand. It's awesome. I run a tapered fork, a gravity dropper, 1x10, short stem and wide bars. It is light, fun and great in the gnar.

And cheap as chips on the Bay.

The standard response is...

<inset forum name> I would recommend <insert own bike make and model> because it is the bestest and chosed it

I would recommend a few demo days - blow some cash on test rides. Or blag your mates bikes.

I have to say jones, it's way better downhill and on technical stuff than my Solaris was, solaris felt faster though, and was way cheaper, i need to get rid of the Cotic if you fancy trying one cheap.

Tomaso speaks sense.....^^

Get a penny farthing. Next years cool next best thing.

I'd say stick with the Soul and learn the proper techniques for riding the terrain you want to ride.

15+ years, im still no closer to taking on the proper gnar. The real steep descents terrify me. I need all the help I can get!

How tall are you as I am selling my Blur LTc frame and fork - I bought a Krampus and seem to be riding faster

Im 6'1". I was checking out the Krampus last night, they certainly look fun. Can they genuinely keep up/beat a 'normal' suspended bike around 'normal' trails?

ve got a Prophet, bought second hand. It's awesome. I run a tapered fork, a gravity dropper, 1x10, short stem and wide bars

Pretty much exactly how I would set mine up. Asides from 26" wheels I think this is one of my best options

😆 @tomaso

15+ years, im still no closer to taking on the proper gnar. The real steep descents terrify me. I need all the help I can get!

To start with, get a dropper seatpost or move your saddle out of the way.

Why not invest in a skills day and learn to ride what you have rather than thinking that buying bike x will make me super at riding, you will still be scared just more comfortable.

A dropper post (with remote) would be a good start. Makes a big difference IMO.

Bigger wheels won't help you take on bigger drops. They do smooth out the trail a bit but they won't soak up hits any better than 26in wheels.

By all means try a full sus but don't get more travel/burliness/weight than you really need. That is, unless you're prepared to spoil 95% of your riding for the sake of a bit more confidence on the other 5%

Tapered steerers, 650b, Maxle rear ends, tubeless, 20mm more travel - they're all pretty marginal changes IME.

Skills session with Jedi or greatrock (others are available) would work wonders for you.

This is all true. The dropper post was bought 2nd hand on here years ago, and fitted to the Cotic Simple I had at the time. I was revolutionary for my riding on xc loops, no more pausing to lower my saddle or not bothering and then not being able to really rip the downhill. I can't recommend a remote dropper post more highly.

iolo - Member
Get a penny farthing. Next years cool next best thing.

Is this a 29er front with 24 rear?

i need to get rid of the Cotic if you fancy trying one cheap

The standard response is...
<inset forum name> I would recommend <insert own bike make and model> because it is the bestest and chosed it
I would recommend a few demo days - blow some cash on test rides

Yes this is the sensible reposne. Ive breifly demoed an Intense Spyder 29er and quite likes the big wheel feel. Im also hoping to trial a Transition Bandit 29er soon

A dropper post (with remote) would be a good start. Makes a big difference IMO.

Skills session with Jedi

Funny enough Ive just literally recived a response from Tony regarding a follow up session..

The Krampus I built has a lefty, or Hefty I should say (yes,I am that funny) and so far I am matching or bettering my previous times. (I happen to use Strava to measure my own improvement as I hopefully move from Shirehorse, to Irish Cob and finally to Italian Stallion ( I can dream...as does my wife)

It's a lot of fun in a way that seems to make little sense other than full sus seems over the top on the UK trails. but it depends why you ride...

If you want to go faster for longer and be all gnar n stuff then go full sus.

If you want to keep the greatness of a good hard tail but add a couple of extra dimensions, such as ridiculous climbing and cornering grip and stupendous amounts of momentum, then I would seriously suggest having a go on a Krampus.

Added bonus last night of explaining to a random bloke asking for a 29er tube from me in the Swinely car park, that my inner tube is bigger than his tyres. He looked at me like I was talking utter rubbish until my hand gesture moved his gaze towards my Knards. Enlightenment followed.

Jumps and stuff are fun, but enjoying all of the trails is even more fun.

can I have a go Andy?!

Yup, doubt very much that the bike would be a limiting factor in trying bigger stuff. Skills training, practice, session stuff, even read a book (Lopes's book is a good place to start.)

On the other hand, if you just fancy a new bike then go for it 🙂 I'd keep the soul though and go for something for a different type of riding.

Sure.

Could meet up in Swinely or Frimley if you ever get out that way?

I'm going to jump to the natural conclusion, that you just want another bike, and the reasons you've given are basically irrelevant 😉 But despite that- it's easier to learn a skill on a more forgiving bike, then apply it back to your hardtail, than it'll be to learn it on the hardtail- there's tons of stuff I'll now ride on my Ragley that I wouldn't have done if I'd not already done it on my Hemlock (and same for the Hemlock and the 224) It's a bit of a safety rope.

Out of your list, probably the Five, they're a bit normal/ordinary but ordinary is good unless you're looking for special, which you aren't because you know if you're looking for special. Simples. I don't actually like 'em very much but I understand the appeal, they do the job in a straightforward predictable way. And give you a nice bit of clear blue water between what you have.

See also- Stumpy Evo. Zesty maybe, are you buying used? Rocket maybe if you're a fanboy. Mondraker SuperUgly RR. Stuff like that. Everything in your list is good but the Solaris probably makes least sense.

mr blobby - I like your advice, and yes I am investing in all of it (training etc, and most likley a new bike!)

Andy - ive been meaning to try out the 'new' Swinley sections all year, would be a great excuse.

I'm going to jump to the natural conclusion, that you just want another bike, and the reasons you've given are basically irrelevant

Yes, the 5 seems to fit me well I think. I like the fuglyness of them too.

Let me know when you can make it, my mail address is in my profile.

You say Camber looks ok. I bought my '12 Expert 26er about this time last year but then got an injury (non-cycling but stopped me cycling) in late Nov. I only got back riding in May. Plus I've just bought a 29er ht which suits what I can do now. Long and short of it is the Camber is hardly used and could go for the right price.

Let me know if you are interested and I'll email over pics, etc.

sure, will happily take a look if size large + ?

Yes, it's a large.

I'll email you.

AndyRT - hope you had a good ride on Dartmoor the other day 😉

I did thanks. Cleared a lot of cobwebs out. Had a lot of fun going slightly off piste on the way back. Very dusty and fun. Love riding there.

Medium, blue / white.

Heck, sorry Sean I could only go for a Large otherwise id probably have bitten your arm off.

Ask people for a go of thier bikes (nicely) its all down to how you feel on the bike, not how people tell you you'll feel.

+1 Northwind comments

If you are 6'1" and fancy a Five then you could take a look at the frames from Bike Scene

[url= http://www.bikescene.co.uk/ORANGECLEARANCEFRAMES-107.html ]http://www.bikescene.co.uk/ORANGECLEARANCEFRAMES-107.html[/url]

I'm just building mine up and can't fault their service. I won't pretend it is the best bike or even the best bike for you, only you can decide that. But you probably won't be able to get a new one as cheap for a while. At least until they go back to 26" and have to dump all those 650b frames anyway 🙂

But despite that- it's easier to learn a skill on a more forgiving bike, then apply it back to your hardtail, than it'll be to learn it on the hardtail- there's tons of stuff I'll now ride on my Ragley that I wouldn't have done if I'd not already done it on my Hemlock (and same for the Hemlock and the 224) It's a bit of a safety rope.

Sort of agree with this. Certainly riding a big full suss made me rethink what I could ride and the speed i could carry on a bike which then carries over to riding the hardtail.

Though reckon skills are better to learn on a HT as you really need to be pumping, manualing, hopping the bike about to carry speed over technical trails. A hardtail definitely lets you know if you are getting it right or wrong! Can't think of many better bikes to practice these sorts of skills on than a Soul.

Kind of agree with Northwind but would err more towards the opinion that if you can't ride something on a hardtail then a full sus won't magically make it rideable.

You can often ride faster on a full sus and save some energy on the longer rides but in terms of actually riding a line I wouldn't say there is much in it personally. A dropper post may be a practical help, tapered steerers/ different wheel sizes/ etc make naff all difference to a line you might or might not try and ride.

The biggest issue is mental and the commitment required, especially on the steeper stuff you mention... maybe a full sus would give you that confidence even if in reality there is little difference (unless you are doing a rather large drop in to a very rough landing or similar)?

I also personally like short travel full sus or hardtails to feel a bit more "connected" to what is going on rather than let a long travel bike dull a lot of what is happening under the wheels (a generalisation I realise!). That is just personal and I am sure a longer travel bike might be faster on some descents but if don't like the look of a line then the amount of travel the bike has won't change that 😀

There really is no compensation for skills and technique but perhaps the mental benefits of confidence and having a shiny new bike are worth it 😉 As others have said, a lot of it comes down to experience too- if you ride a certain line at a certain speed once you kind of get a better idea of what is possible and the confidence grows from there

Just buy this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kona-abra-cadabra-suspension-bike-2012/rp-prod95348

A full sus or bigger wheels is the last thing that's going to help you out on jumps and drops if that's what you're wanting to get better at. Best way of getting better at that stuff is getting the saddle all the way down, flat pedals, and spend a few hours a week practising bunny hops/manuals/dropping off curbs etc. Get strong when it comes to standing up ie try and do a loop standing up the whole time.

For rough stuff, yea a full sus will make it tonnes easier.

Out of interest, you say you struggle with steep, what travel are your forks and how much sag do you run? Running too soft will make things steep and nervous.

im running 120mm Reba's with Maxle. I put in as much pressure as I dare as my weight goes a wee bit over their highest recommended setting.. (insert blushing emoticon)

Thanks for the input guys. I have to agree with DanW above.. I need to get out and practice more, my manual skills are rubbish for a start - but im getting there slowly.

I am now also officially booked to see Jedi again in December!

However, ive got an itchy trigger finger over this puppy! :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-camber-elite-frame-Large-Amazing-condition-/271272353467

No probs, have fun choosing a new one though.

The ebay link seems like quite a lot of money for a second hand alu frame although it does look very nice. Logic should play no part in the desire to buy a new bike/ frame though so don't worry about justifying it in any way let alone as some kind of mechanism to improving your riding* 😀

*So long as no children will go hungry or divorce ensues as a result

I would not buy that Camber, too expensive (and frankly not very good, mine got sold pretty quick, felt like it was about 5 degrees too steep, and it's not a light or particularily good pedalling frame either, they're decent seen in isolation but then you ride a stumpy evo and realise it's not much heavier, barely any less good climbing, and about a million times better at going downwards...

Get a fatbike! 😀

Northwind, the reviews are so positive for the Camber, im surprised to hear you found the geometry steep but thanks for your thoughts. Out if interest what would you suggest would be that frames true value? (If u actually liked it!)

TBH, I'd be tempted to go for something around the 150mm mark, with a decently damped fork and a good platform shock, it wont hinder you on the ups and will have that bit in reserve for the downs.

I'm a Spesh fan and wouldn't go for that Camber either

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Specialized-Stumpjumper-Expert-29-Frame-19-Inc-Custom-Fox-Brain-Rear-Shoc-/200955628100?pt=UK_Health_Beauty_Fragrances_Women_s_Fragrances_PP&hash=item2ec9e38a44 ]Stumpy 29er from a dealer?[/url]

That camber no good at £500 then?

The stumpy looks good but a little beaten up, plus if i went for a 26er frame i could transfer most of my parts and keep the cost down. If i go 650b or 29er its likely to be a new bike i guess

slimjim78 - Member

Northwind, the reviews are so positive for the Camber, im surprised to hear you found the geometry steep but thanks for your thoughts. Out if interest what would you suggest would be that frames true value? (If u actually liked it!)

It's not actually that steep, IIRC it was somewhere 68 degrees-ish. But it rode steep/front-endy, point it down something steep and it all went wrong. Good at trailcentre stuff mind. Did improve when I replaced the useless divey Fox fork but even then it wasn't great. YMMV of course but it just felt a pointless compromise when even Specialized have bikes that outperform it at everything- you'd tolerate the descending manners if it was great on the way up but it was very average at that too. Very disappointing, it looked like a good idea.

£500 is probably a reasonable price in market terms, I sold my Pro frame for a little more, though it was in better nick, with a better shock (and a less disgusting colour 😉 ) But I wouldn't buy it at any price, personally. Stumpy is a better bike. Stumpy Evo is a hilariously better bike.

erm.. should I be considering a 456 Evo Ti in this mix?

Orange 5 would be my recommendation easy to get used to and go down hill with ease which will do your confidence good and help you push further, and combine it with a couple of skills courses you will be flying.
I had one for a couple of years really helped give me confidence. 🙂