Mountain Biking general thread

[simon_g]

They're well off the ground because the space underneath is my "long bits of wood" scrap pile. As Rich says, way more stress on a wheel or frame just riding down the road with you on it let alone from rocks and the like.

[Gavin]

Not sure that is a valid argument. The stresses on a bike from a rider on it pressing downwards is not the same as the pressure from hanging something of it's front wheel.

I know people who have it on the back wheel and hooked with no problems and hanging it may be the same but just because a design is strong in it's intended direction, doesn't mean it is not putting pressure on a rubber seal or similar?

[8Ball]

Hanging it from a wheel is still unlikely to over stress is.

[Rich B]

Not sure that is a valid argument. The stresses on a bike from a rider on it pressing downwards is not the same as the pressure from hanging something of it's front wheel.

I know people who have it on the back wheel and hooked with no problems and hanging it may be the same but just because a design is strong in it's intended direction, doesn't mean it is not putting pressure on a rubber seal or similar?

Wheels aren't held together by the force from the outside though - spokes pull on the rim. Hooking it on a wall by the rim means the rim pulling the spokes. It's the same thing.

[simon_g]

Most wheels are built to at least 100kgf spoke tension. You could literally hang your body weight (let alone <15kg of bike) off a single spoke and it would be absolutely fine.

[GG.]

Bit of a newcomer around these here parts and have not owned a bike since I had my pride and joy Marin full suspension mountain bike nicked as a teen back in the late 90s. The thought of that still stings

That having been said, the young one has now upgraded to his first pedal bike so it would be handy to have something to chase him around on... Clearly for that purpose it does not need to be a carbon racing bike with fag paper thin tyres, nor really any need for suspension or nobbly off road tyres with high rolling resistance.

Anyone have any recommendations for entry level cross-purpose (gravel?) bikes around the £4-500 mark? I think the knowledge I garnered from MBUK two decades ago is probably a little stale...

[John]

At that budget have a look at Decathlon, stock might be a problem though.

[Rich B]

I don't really get the point of gravel bikes. They just look like 90s mountain bikes.

[Gavin]

I don't really get the point of gravel bikes. They just look like 90s mountain bikes.

They are to the bike world, what "teachers Day" is to the card industry!

@GG. I would look at hybrids and if it is just for parks etc round dat der London don't spend a fortune, just not worth it. Or a basic model of a decent make front sus MTB if you think you may graduate to something more off road.

We bought a Trek Marlin 5 at the start of lockdown and although it is heavy to fling around going down a hill or round a bike park, it is perfect for the biking equivalent of greenlaning which is what it gets used for.

[GG.]

Yes, the entry level Treks looks good. Think there is an FX1 in the right price range. Giant have an Escape 3 (potentially with disc option) and also Specialized have a Sirrus 1.0 (which I was surprised at as I expected their bikes to kick off at a higher price).

[GG.]

I don't really get the point of gravel bikes. They just look like 90s mountain bikes.

I'm not even clear what the difference is between them and a 'hybrid' - seem to overlap to me?

[Rich B]

I don't really get the point of gravel bikes. They just look like 90s mountain bikes.

I'm not even clear what the difference is between them and a 'hybrid' - seem to overlap to me?

No idea, and to be honest, with their skinny tyres, steep head angle and narrow bars, they'd probably be lethal if you actually hit some loose gravel.

[dinny_g]

Or a basic model of a decent make front sus MTB if you think you may graduate to something more off road.

This - I have a Specialised Hard Tail with Locking Front forks and use Slick Tyres in the summer and knobbly ones for winter. Gearing isn't ideal on the road (I tend to use 18 and 27 only) but it's a compromise.

I had my very first mountain bike stolen and it still stings alright

[simon_g]

I don't really get the point of gravel bikes. They just look like 90s mountain bikes.

Comfy road bikes for non-racers.

[Rich B]

I don't really get the point of gravel bikes. They just look like 90s mountain bikes.

Comfy road bikes for non-racers.

They are to be banished from this thread then!

[Carlos]

I tend to use 18 and 27 only

You have a working 9 at the rear derailleur which are close and designed for frequent use and your entire ride consists of you clunking up and down a triple upfront ?

[dinny_g]

yup...

Didn't say it was right mind...

[McSwede]

Or a basic model of a decent make front sus MTB if you think you may graduate to something more off road.

This - I have a Specialised Hard Tail with Locking Front forks and use Slick Tyres in the summer and knobbly ones for winter. Gearing isn't ideal on the road (I tend to use 18 and 27 only) but it's a compromise.

I had my very first mountain bike stolen and it still stings alright

I had my silver Grifter stolen when I was a kid but the Police found someone riding it and brought it home for me

[Jobbo]

Yes, the entry level Treks looks good. Think there is an FX1 in the right price range. Giant have an Escape 3 (potentially with disc option) and also Specialized have a Sirrus 1.0 (which I was surprised at as I expected their bikes to kick off at a higher price).

I bought a Sirrus Sport quite a few years ago thinking it would be the perfect hybrid. It’s not; it’s basically a road bike with flat bars. It’s not something for slow ambling, and if you want a road bike then get a proper one with drop bars. I bought a Crosstrail Sport a few years later and still have that; for my use (both road and bridleway) it’s much more suitable.

[GG.]

Thanks, thats helpful real world info!