Cross country biking?

Xios

Hey guys, was watching 127 hours the other, and the cross country biking thing looked like great fun. I don't know much about cycling at all, so i've come here to get some info

There's 2 things i can imagine you need,
a) a bicycle, preferably one with a strong frame and suspension.
b) a strong helmet

I'm just wondering what the entry cost is into a sport like this. Also i live in Lucan, Dublin, is there any clubs or groups in this area? I have a car and motorbike, so travelling ain't an issue.

Edit:/ On a side note, i'll be doing this for recreation and fitness. Not interestd in competing.

uberwolf

In terms of trying it, ballinstoe woods have a dedicated trail and biking.ie offer very reasonable rental at the trail head by prior arrangement.

Clubs, lucan used to have a mtb section, not sure that they do anymore making imbrc your closest, try mick in the cycle inn for info

TinyExplosions

Xios wrote: »

Hey guys, was watching 127 hours the other, and the cross country biking thing looked like great fun. I don't know much about cycling at all, so i've come here to get some info

There's 2 things i can imagine you need,
a) a bicycle, preferably one with a strong frame and suspension.
b) a strong helmet

I'm just wondering what the entry cost is into a sport like this. Also i live in Lucan, Dublin, is there any clubs or groups in this area? I have a car and motorbike, so travelling ain't an issue.

Edit:/ On a side note, i'll be doing this for recreation and fitness. Not interestd in competing.

Entry cost is like most cycling related things, and entirely dependant on what you can afford to spend!

I've not seen the film you mention, but there are mountain bike trails in Three Rock (up in Ticknock Woods) and Ballinastoe.

I'd suggest looking at something like this, this, or this . A good full suspension bike is just too expensive if you're only getting started imo.

Any helmet really will work for you

silvo

There are a good few clubs that specialize in XC MTB in Dublin that do beginner spins now and again:

EpicMTB
MADMTB
IMBRC

Have a look at their sites, and there are generally members who are selling second hand XC bikes. Definitely go for a hardtail with disk brakes to start off with. Lidl are doing specials at the moment on cycling gear, and helmets if you are on a budget.

The cost to start off with is not huge, however, in time it can be costly with new parts, bikes etc etc etc...

Biking.ie do lessons and you can also rent bikes from them. Might be an idea to do a class to see if you like it, and then invest in a bike.

Xios

Went into stagg cycles in lucan village, he was saying i should get a hardtail bike, he recommended an Orbea Sate which was 500 euro. It had hydraulic brakes and lockable front suspension, that a good price?

TinyExplosions

Xios wrote: »

Went into stagg cycles in lucan village, he was saying i should get a hardtail bike, he recommended an Orbea Sate which was 500 euro. It had hydraulic brakes and lockable front suspension, that a good price?

Seems a decent price... the list price (taken from an Aus website is around 600 so I'd say go for it )

Xios

I booked myself in with that biking.ie crowd, heading out to balinasloe this saturday morning. Anyone know a good place to buy a light rain jacket? One suitable for cycling? Should i just go to the local bike shop for one?

Xios

Went up with that biking.ie crowd, have to say, cycling uses a completely different set of muscles than running, was not up for the hills at all.

Have to say it was enjoyable for the brief time i could take. Couch to mountain biking is not recommended, i'm going to buy the bike as soon as i can afford it and work on my cardio, gonna cycle around the pheonix park as i saw some trails there the other day.

Icyseanfitz

Xios wrote: »

Went up with that biking.ie crowd, have to say, cycling uses a completely different set of muscles than running, was not up for the hills at all.

Have to say it was enjoyable for the brief time i could take. Couch to mountain biking is not recommended, i'm going to buy the bike as soon as i can afford it and work on my cardio, gonna cycle around the pheonix park as i saw some trails there the other day.

a couple of things really helped me with starting, one when going uphill have the bike in the granny ring up front and an easy enough gear in the back you want to be spinning not grinding, downhill have the bike in the middle up front and any one in the back so that you can always cycle out of obstacles.

weight distribution is also really important going downhill or off drops etc. you want you stomach to be where the saddle is going down the steep stuff. another bit of cheesy advice i got was to imagine your water on the bike and go where the water would go in the technical stuff instead of just trying to push through everything

As for buying a bike i would look at the second hand market if i where you, great deals to be had at madmtb.com, epicmtb.com and adverts.ie, i got a class full suspension bike for 900 quid over at madmtb.
You should also be aware that you will have to buy things like tubes, multitool, backpack, helmet, good gloves, hand pump, chainlinks and a few other few less important bits and bobs. its expensive enough to get into it but its worth it.

you would probably be able to join mad or epic if you wanted to, they both seem like great clubs.

hope some of this helps

also anyone here feel free to correct me on anything