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So, I’m a road rider, predominantly endurance type stuff and audax. I’m getting older though (55). I hate the gym and love being outdoors. To get a bit more of a varied workout I’m going to start doing a mountain bike ride once a week on local bridleways and probably a monthly trip to local park (DalbyForest). I’ve got a 8 year old voodoo hoodoo which as had very little use but is quite old. Would I gain anything with a new bike, if so hardtail or full sus? Guy in LBS shop says the newer mountain bike will have better head tube geometry which will make off road easier. My off-road skills at the minute aren’t great!
I’ve got a gravel bike which does the local off road bits pretty well but there’s definitely some where an MTB is better.
All depends what off roading you are trying to make easier. I actually dislike slacker head tubes for my riding as I don;t live anywhere challenging enough to warrant it and prefer the steering I get from steeper geometry.
depends what you want to do, if you want to go out on many 10's of k's through the countryside, perhaps the gravel bike is the one. if you want to session mtb trails then perhaps a new mtb might be nice, will it be 100's/1000's better than the 8 year old voodoo? only you can decide that as the value will be in your eyes.
TBH, if you have a road bike and gravel bike, i would be looking for something that creates a bit of gap, a short travel full sus, it will have some crossover with the gravel bike, but gives you way more scope to push your riding
Never been to Dalby but I don’t think it’s very technical.
If it’s a 2018 Hoodoo it has a Suntour air fork, 1x drivetrain and ok geometry that isn’t hugely outdated, I’d not cutting edge. The one thing it lacks is a dropper post.
Personally I’d add a cheap dropper post and just go and ride it and see how it goes. Yes it would be nice to have a lighter fancier hardtail or full suss, but see if you enjoy it before splashing out.
I find the most annoying thing on a hardtail is pedalling seated on slightly rough ground that doesn’t really warrant standing up for long periods of time. I tend to use mine for flow stuff with loads of rollers etc - although I also don’t mind it pointed down steep / rough stuff generally.
If I were buying a bike for xc / light trail right now I’d be looking at short travel full suspension probably - Spec Epic Evo / Transition Spur / Trek Top Fuel sort of thing.
Dalby's official trails aren't challenging and haven't changed since they were built when we were all blatting around with 24 gears, 26" wheels and hardtails with 100mm travel. The bike you have sounds like it'd be fine for it.
Dalby's official trails aren't challenging and haven't changed since they were built when we were all blatting around with 24 gears, 26" wheels and hardtails with 100mm travel.
Trail centres are great for seeing some properly retro kit! You get a lot of parents riding round with the kids, the parent often on something they were riding 15 years ago!
Dalby is no exception although bits of the Black / UCI run have their moments for technical features!
You could improve/upgrade your Voodoo for not too much money, try it for a bit (3 months) then if you end up doing it frequently, invest in a more modern bike.
The Voodoo will also do well on all the loads of gravel tracks all over the N Yorks Moors (as will the gravel bike - although some of NYMs gravel is quite chunky!)
It'll be a bit limited if you were doing some of the unofficial steeper stuff (at Dalby, and other little pockets around the edge of the NYM), but it doesn't sound like that's your kind of riding just yet.
If you've the cash to splash, a decent modern 29er HT, or a short/mid travel FS with not-too-heavy/draggy tyres would be a good shout.
I think you'll be fine. I'd suggest just riding what you have and seeing how you get on. If you feel like you might go over the bars on some sections, then possibly look at a 29r with a slacker head angle etc. But if you don't experience that sensation then no real need.
How much do you want to spend? If you are looking at Voodoo money again I'd just use what you have but if your budget stretches further then a better specced hard tail or full suss would probably make a difference.
If you've got a new bike itch to scratch, and want the best possible solution... modern XC full suss.
If you are asking if the current bike will do it, yes it will be fine. Adding a dropper will let you get the most of it and distance it from the gravel bike in terms of capability.
...Guy in LBS shop says the newer mountain bike will have better head tube geometry which will make off road easier...
I be he does. The thing to just keep in mind is the chap in the Bike Shop is selling bikes, that is his job. I bet if I go into a BMW dealership and ask the staff if I should buy a new, the answer would be "yes sir, you should buy one of our cars..."
If you're voodoo is still functional, and you're not really sure what riding you're going to be getting into, I'd just get out and ride it, see where you feel it's deficiencies lie and then figure out if you want a few new bits (posher forks, better brakes a dropper post, etc?) or indeed a whole new bike.
But you have a good starting point, a solid HT MTB that can go out and tackle various things this summer, then decide what you might want a new bike for before you start browsing potential new purchases.