Forum

Hi,

I brought one of these http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-marin-hawk-hill-11-41239 off of one of the guys on the forum a couple of months ago and it's been great for hacking around Thorndon and Epping.

But when the spring/summer comes back around I'd like to try and get to places like Danbury Aston and Porc as well as Thordon and Epping.

So will this do the job ? If not my plan was to keep an eye out on ebay over the winter and try and pick up a full sus frame and just transplant the bit over.

Basicly I'm looking to make a bike on which I can just turn up and ride, weather its XC or Downhill.

If you want an all rounder go for a AM bike ( all mountain) this will serve you well in most places around the uk. 140-160mm travel would be ideal. Ive got a hard tail with 120mm travel "its ok" but for what im planing on doing a full sus is more suited.
everyone has there own fav, but i think AM bikes will do exactaly what your looking for in a bike.

MuZzA

Thanks Muzza,

I'm trying to get my head round what constitutives an AM bike, From what I have seen its quite a strong but light full sus frame with more XC style kit on it. Which is why I had the idea of just changing my frame and transplanting the kit on to it.

I'm trying to keep it quite cheap so a new second hand frame (maybe a few years old) and maybe later on new forks and stem.

Pinkbike is a great place to find a deal
also does your work do a cycle to work program??? if so its an easy way to get hold of a great bike for a lot less £££ and its easier on the pocket. As for buying a frame and possibly forks, not to knock the idea because quite a lot of people do this, ive read quite a few threads and listened to people and it can work out more costly over all. As i said before its all down to personal taste & cash
Go to a few shops, sit on a few bikes, and get a feel for the frame style. "but" IMHO a AM bike is a really good choice, unless FR/DH is more your cup of tea....... then a whole new mine field is open!!!
Plenty of people on here will give advice!!!!
ive given mine

MuZzA

Whats the budget ?

my pitch is aimed at the AM market
i have beefed mine up a bit as i focus on gravity riding more than xc

i think that the rockshox reverb is one of the best mods for a bike like this

Id love to get a frame there are some bargains on pinkbike and spend a couple of months getting all the bits 2nd hand then watching youtube build it all up, im lucky i can spare the time a few hours a day tinkering!

theres always a few job lots on pinkbike!

I usually buy bikes in bits too gets rid of the crap bits

Ive kinda gone the whole hog and built a full DH bike, Commencal Supreme v2, only £500 for the frame, new direct from Commencal in France, they go over 50% off on some older frames and full bikes, but as suggested, lots of good dea;ls to be had on Pinkbike and Ebay plus now its the perfect time to spend some time building a bike up.

Dont really do a lot of general Xc riding, but if Ive got the time and money wouldnt mind building a more XC bike.

If you start with an open mind just have a browse around and see what you like/is cheap.

Andy

Thanks everyone

Anyone know a good bike shop where I can go and have a nose around and get some ideas?

Chelmer cycles ( chelmsford )
les's cycles ( canvey island )
any evans cycles.
NOT HALFRAUDS!!


MuZzA

Is there a budget?

Not sure on budget was looking a maybe a couple of hundred on a second hand frame, I was looking on chain reactionthe other night and they reckon a mid range full sus would set you back about 800 does that sound right ?

Yep for a frame new.

kona's are cheap to buy and a good start point

A+

MuZzA

http://www.bikeactive.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=9604750

160mm trail bike fun!

What ever frame you are looking at make your it has some of the up to date features so you don't end up buying twice at a later on date (look for tapered head tube, tabs for chain guard and through axial)