MTB queries

Posted by: dave brubeck on 19 May 2005

Hello all,

I used to be the proud owner of a custom built MTB several years ago which sadly I had to sell.

Now I am looking at buying a new one - however I am well out of touch with current technology developments.

My old bike was a fully rigid aluminium frame and forks - light as a feather, fast, responsive but a bit uncomfortable over long rides.

I'm now looking at a new custom bike. I always fancied a Coyote Ultralite frame but it looks like these are no longer poduced? I have also searched for GT Zaskars - are these also out of production?

Seems most bikes are now made for suspension forks. I have never ridden a bike with any kind of suspension - others have told me that suspension forks take a good bit of getting used to, and feel less responsive than rigid. One of my favourite manouevres used to be screaming to a halt at traffic lights doing nice long front wheelies with the back wheel high in the air controlled by the front brake - can you do this with suspension forks?

I also fancy getting a bit more into 'trick' riding - don't know the exact word for it but I see these guys jumping up and down off park benches/ bollards and the like.

My main question is is there a sort of hybrid style bike with minimal gears that could be used for trick riding and also short blasts out into the forests? I'm over 6ft so this may also be a consideration..
Posted on: 26 May 2005 by dave brubeck
Thankyou Fraser.
Posted on: 26 May 2005 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by dave brubeck:
On long travel forks is it possible to 'lock out' at anything other than full extension?


My Talas RLC's adjust from 80-125mm and can be locked out at any setting.

Some of the Marzocchi forks have a useful setting called ETA. The 105mm travel set I had could be locked down to just 30mm of travel for climbing - not a full lockout but in practice I found it more useful.
Posted on: 27 May 2005 by notMatthew
Dave,

Can't say enough about how good the Cove Stiffee is -- very strong and reasonably light it can be built either as an all-day trail bike, a street/park bike or a north shore/freeride bike. Or something inbetween as fits your needs.

When I broke my headset the bottom cup split and the crack extended half way around the inner sleeve part of the cup as well but the headtube took it all in it's stride with no flare or cracks. It also remains a fantastic ride as well.

Downsides are its not nearly as comfortable as a steel bike and it costs £500 for the frame.

Matthew

PS Try contacting AlexG on the pink fish forum. He has a Cove and was thinking about selling it at some point.
Posted on: 22 July 2005 by dave brubeck
Hello again all.

Just to resurrect this thread - have been doing a wealth of reading up on the subject and have come across the Santa Cruz Chameleon - looks very much 'the business'. Any views?