Starting mountain biking

Hi, would love to start mountain biking and seens as though I have the time this summer and the location, I think now is the time.

Just wondering though, what should I be looking for in a bike. Now obviously I dont have a huge amount of money to spend on a bike but would like something decent...what else should I be looking for? Also, as I go to college in dublin during the rest of the year, is there clubs etc. up there where I could continue this?

Thanks

Morgan

You're looking at about €500 for a good entry level mtb, or less if you go second hand. This will buy you a reliable hardtail bike (front suspension only) with a decent drivetrain and probably disk brakes. You can see a few models here.

There are several mtb clubs based in Dublin.

blorg

The Mountainbiking Association of Dublin is a good club. They run a beginners course but it is finished for this year. Worth checking with them if they are still taking on new members.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_254049_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_128817_crumb_33980-90909_parentcategoryrn_128817

What's wrong with this?

blorg

3... 2... 1...

Morgan

Briefly - it'll be very heavy with poor-quality, difficult to adjust components, barely functional suspension and will not stand up to actual off-road use for very long. It's really a "mountain-bike-style" bike rather than something which should be ridden on rough terrain.

WicklowRacer

Don't do it. You'll never be happy with your bike or gear and will spend '000s of euro upgrading, '000s of hours online and become a hopeless addict. You will lose all your normal friends and end up socialising with people who you know only by their nicknames and whose friendship ends when you stop pedalling. You will fight with all other forms of recreational land user, and be marginalised by both motorist and pedestrain alike. If you're really unlucky, your competitive edge will be activated and you will spend even more money and time shaving grams off your ride, starving yourself and going to bed at 10pm on Saturday nights just so you can race Sunday. You will then start to realise that to race MTB, you should train on the road during the winter and will spend the same amount of money and time on a road bike and Assos gear. Add a weekly spinning class into the mix, and an unfortunate visit to a cyclocross race that hooks you immediately and its game over.

Do the golf thing instead.

WicklowRacer

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=232&idproduct=20968 - what about this one?

WicklowRacer wrote:

Do the golf thing instead.

Golf is a little too boring...

Morgan

That would be a good choice, ten times better than the Apollo.

The Cycle Superstore are also a good shop to deal with - you should drop in for a look if you can.

So, 9 days on...and I'm back...

Purchased helmet, lights and the Giant Rock...yay...now, to remember how to cycle...

Still waiting for the bike...so much for next day delivery

Morgan

Where did you buy it from?

Cyclesuperstore online shop...they dfid explain the reason though, they were burdoned down with orders...will be pissed off though if it doesnt come today...

Yay, gots da bike today

Bike is being really annoying...supposedly the gear cable has been stretched or something (according to the manufacturer) but cycle superstore aren't making any contact with me even after 2 emails

Morgan

Sounds like your gears just need adjusting. Forget email, phone the shop and talk to a real-live person.

Drapper

Deleted User wrote: »

Bike is being really annoying...supposedly the gear cable has been stretched or something (according to the manufacturer) but cycle superstore aren't making any contact with me even after 2 emails

if your in Dublin pop over to the shop in Tallaght, they'll fix it on the spot!