Mountain Biking general thread

[Rich B]

Dammit, I went out for a local ride with my brother today, and he bloody turned up on a new 2021 Specialized Kenevo (ebike) that he'd kept a secret. I've barely been out in the last 6 months so my fitness is fucked, but it was just ridiculous how much more fun he was having, not having to do a slog/push between runs. I've ridden them before, so I know they're just as capable of jumping and cornering as
mine, but I was burying my head in the sand whilst all my group had normal bikes.

I think the rest of today will be spent doing man math...

Interestingly, I reckon Swinley was about 50:50 ebike to normal today.

[Zonda_]

Now I’m looking at the Bike to work scheme! 32% off!

[Rich B]

Now I’m looking at the Bike to work scheme! 32% off!

yeah, his was bought on his R2W scheme the jammy sod...

[Gavin]

I know e-bikes are not a "bad thing" but whilst I am able to pedal myself up the hills I will leave them be I think.

I have had a go and it was fun but as it is my main form of exercise....

[Rich B]

Well I didn't last long! Man math complete - why fucking wait - I've bought one.!

A YT Decoy Shred (to replace my YT Capra CF)... now the wait!

[Rich B]

I know e-bikes are not a "bad thing" but whilst I am able to pedal myself up the hills I will leave them be I think.

I have had a go and it was fun but as it is my main form of exercise....

it's a funny old one really, the older we get the less we go out. Real life gets in the way. So a 4 hour ride every 2-4 weeks ain't going to do anything for our fitness levels. But being able to not waste loads of energy pushing up places like Aston hill, Rogate or Windhill means we get to do twice as many downhill runs and have more fun/get better.

We haven't been to a place called peaslake near us in 15
Years because it's just too far riding between the jump locations and you're knackered by the time you do it. We don't even bother exploring the crowthorne end of swinley because it's too far. This way we'll be doing loads more of the fun stuff!

[Zonda_]

Well I didn't last long! Man math complete - why fucking wait - I've bought one.!

A YT Decoy Shred (to replace my YT Capra CF)... now the wait!

Link?

[McSwede]

Well I didn't last long! Man math complete - why fucking wait - I've bought one.!

A YT Decoy Shred (to replace my YT Capra CF)... now the wait!

Is it on 29's??

[Gavin]

With the recent cold and months of rain I was managing 3 or 4 rides a week, albeit mostly just a quirk 3 miler on tracks, rather than climbing but enough to keep fitness up with the odd trip to Glentress or wherever but I totally see the argument for them.

You have space for all the old ones too?

[Rich B]

Well I didn't last long! Man math complete - why fucking wait - I've bought one.!

A YT Decoy Shred (to replace my YT Capra CF)... now the wait!

Is it on 29's??

yes and no.... It's a mullet - 29 up front, 27.5 rear.

[McSwede]

Well I didn't last long! Man math complete - why fucking wait - I've bought one.!

A YT Decoy Shred (to replace my YT Capra CF)... now the wait!

Is it on 29's??

yes and no.... It's a mullet - 29 up front, 27.5 rear.

Blimey. It's a lovely machine!!

[Rich B]

With the recent cold and months of rain I was managing 3 or 4 rides a week, albeit mostly just a quirk 3 miler on tracks, rather than climbing but enough to keep fitness up with the odd trip to Glentress or wherever but I totally see the argument for them.

You have space for all the old ones too?

Thats good, I need to try and get out a lot more. Hopefully this will help as my bro will be keen to do night rides too.

I'm a one bike (ish) person so I don't keep my big bikes because I just don't use them once I have the shiny new one. I have a pub bike and a hardtail for emergencies!

I'll have to sell the Capra because it's still worth about £2k in this crazy Covid times and I need to to justify buying this one!

[KiwiDave]

I expect full reviews!

[Rich B]

I expect full reviews!

definitely. I'm a little apprehensive because it's not a Specialized Kenevo like everyone else has (I saw at least 20 today) but reviews I've read a good and I've had my Capra for 4 years now and love the geometry and quality.

[dinny_g]

I started out with cross country and I’m still there. I would like to try an eBike but I can’t ever see myself buying one.

[KiwiDave]

I expect full reviews!

definitely. I'm a little apprehensive because it's not a Specialized Kenevo like everyone else has (I saw at least 20 today) but reviews I've read a good and I've had my Capra for 4 years now and love the geometry and quality.

I'd quite like to try both. I figure my talent and bravery doesn't really warrant the extra burliness of a Kenevo (but then I found the Nomad I rode amazing) and I'm also super keen to see how the good bikes such as the YT stack up. I think I posted back a bit, but the last new bike I tried was the Levo SL and it really made me question the bigger heavier bikes like the standard Levo, so the opposite direction.

Answer is one of everything I guess.

[Rich B]

I know a guy who rides a Levo faster and bigger than most people with Kenevos - they're definitely capable machines in the right hands. I just like pounding 170mm bikes down bike park red trails really though, so anything that allows more of that is good for me!

Another thing is YT have finally opened a showroom/service centre about 5 minutes from my work. I never had any need of it with my Capra, but it's useful to know it's there with the added complication of electric.

[Gwaredd]

Good darts. I'd love a Cube Stereo hybrid but my man maths isn't is good as yours!

[John]

YT have their place in Surrey now so no need to send it back to Germany if it needs any work.

My Canyon Spectral lasted about a month after I bought my ebike, too similar to each other so it had to go. I've still got the Trek hardtail and I'd say my riding is 50/50 at the moment.

[Jobbo]

I'm intending to get an e-bike this year but I keep ending up at full suspension MTBs and a £5k+ price. I've never gone trail riding (well, unless you count cycling up public footpaths up hills 25 years ago) but full suspension seems to be worth it on an e-bike even just for road riding.

Going to visit Onbike in Worcester to have a sit on some when I get the chance.