Ticknock MTB trails on a cyclocross bike?

Alek

I never cycled them on an MTB so have no idea what to expect. Are there any CX bike cyclable sections at all?

I don't mind carrying the bike over obstacles, just not all the time

Enduro

I would say that depends entirely on your level of skill. No problem to Robin I would guess. Been meaning to give it a go sometime soon just to see!

Alek

I would say that depends entirely on your level of skill.

This is what I plan to improve doing this I have some power under the bonnet but my offroad skills are far from okay.

No problem to Robin I would guess.

Erm... maybe next year then. :P

StevieGriff

Do it. Ride hard. Wear a GoPro and report back.
Seriously though, rent an MTB and scope it out first, what's rideable on a CX bike to someone else might be full on MTB terittory to you.

Alek

Is there a place near Ticknock I can rent a MTB bike?

Lumen

I did it a few years ago with no issues but I've heard that the trails have deteriorated since then.

Like with all off road it's best to wear cheap clothing and prepare to bleed.

Pedals up!

GTDolanator

Youl be fine,ive not done it on a CX bike but have done on my rigid mtb plenty if times,its just a bit trickyer

Alek

Cheers, I'll give it a go (carefully) once the weather clears a bit then

ford2600

I remember reading a racing and very experienced American mtb'er who reckoned that everyone should learn to ride a mtb with a rigid fork, before moving to a hardtail.

It'll teach you the importance of picking the right line, tyre pressure, position on bike etc rather than relying on your new full sus to do all the work for you....

Not a bad idea to get a lesson(s) or join a mtb club if you have time either.

I forsee OP staring a new thread soon with an N+1 theme...

Alek

I forsee OP staring a new thread soon with an N+1 theme...

Can't deny I am waiting until my bike to work clock resets...

join a mtb club if you have time either

Time is a scarce element in my world.

Given so much of it is downhill, surely your positioning on a CX bike would put you at a severe disadvantage?

I would rather avoid too much downhill, especially in the MTB sense. Is there an easier (XC?) route there? Like the one towards Two Rock on the map perhaps? http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/uploads/tx_r3coillterecreationsites/ticknockmtb.pdf

Tenzor07

Errmmmm No! Just no! Not the upper or lower trails anyways, you'll likely pick up a puncture, a buckled wheel, or slip off on gravel or a rock..
Will wear out your brake pads also..

And you'll get in the way of MTB'ers...

Alek

I get your technical points, but:

And you'll get in the way of MTB'ers...

Are slower MTBrs not getting in the way of faster MTBrs anyway? The effect will be exactly the same if I hire a mountain bike.

RobFowl

Tenzor07 wrote: »

And you'll get in the way of MTB'ers...

Is that not a reason to go for it

Almost as much fun as triathlete baiting...

Tenzor07

Alek wrote: »

I get your technical points, but:
Are slower MTBrs not getting in the way of faster MTBrs anyway? The effect will be exactly the same if I hire a mountain bike.

ah not quite as slow, you can hit the rocks faster on a mtb than on a cx'er regardless, and get around corners on wider tyres better, also able to slow down later with disc brakes..

Stick to the main fireroads and you'll be grand, the places where people will be walking...

Enduro

yeah, in all seriousness, don't try it on a CX until you're comfortable (at least) doing it on an MTB.

That Coilte map is out of date. There are 2 new tracks now. You'd be fine going up the one towards 2 Rock. The descent is bumpy enough on a good MTB though... best avoided on CX I would say. There is a new track off that track though which heads into the forest about 1/3 of the way towards 2 rock. That would be the interesting section on a CX, as it rolls quite well on an MTB (This section was designed by a real MTB trail designer, unlike the original Metros). The second new section replaces the long road climb. It has a few drops on it though which I've seen lads in road club jerseys struggle with (on MTBs).

Borrow an MTB first if you can!

Enduro

Tenzor07 wrote: »

also able to slow down later with disc brakes..

Plenty of CX bikes have discs though (mine does). Definitely makes a big difference.

JazzyJ

You could take the new trail that starts about 300m up the main tarmac road. This trail drops through the forest, down below the firing range and then up the zig zags (Tom's climb). Its part of the white section on the map above - from there though I dunno what cycle back down the fireroad? :pac:

The initial descent on the Upper Metro by 2 Rock was made a fair bit more difficult last year - it's very rocky - I wouldn't recommend it on a CX. The newer Euro trail that runs parallel to it would be better suited, but there's still a good few rockier sections.

From a health and safety viewpoint just get an MTB! :cool:

Lumen

OSI wrote: »

Given so much of it is downhill, surely your positioning on a CX bike would put you at a severe disadvantage? I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable coming off some of the berms with so much of my weight hanging over the front of the bike.

I found the berms are fine. The tricky bits are the really steep sections, which are fine unless you want to slow down. :pac:

In theory you can hang off the back of the saddle, but you can see the limitations in all those "road bike party" videos where Martyn Ashton or whoever is riding a bike several sizes too small with the saddle knocked all the way down. If you don't have suspension you need arse-travel (to pervert a motoring term).

Dropper posts are coming to CX - Scott have specced a hole for the cable on the latest Addict CX. Add in 29er rims, hydro disc brakes and compact geometry and the lines between CX bikes and rigid MTBs are getting more blurred. Which will no doubt annoy some people.

Alek

Cool, thanks, this actually paints a scary enough picture of these trails. I have hydraulic disc brakes and Deore XT wheelset on my CX bike by the way, but my level of self-confidence in the terrain is quite low. I'll practice elsewhere.

For now

ford2600

Alek wrote: »

Cool, thanks, this actually paints a scary enough picture of these trails. I have hydraulic disc brakes and Deore XT wheelset on my CX bike by the way, but my level of self-confidence in the terrain is quite low. I'll practice elsewhere.

For now

You were a good man to go uphill on a road when I saw you cycle but a nervous descender, so I'd give it a skip if I was you.

Hire a decent hardtail and go out with an experienced rider.

Alek

You were a good man to go uphill on a road when I saw you cycle but a nervous descender, so I'd give it a skip if I was you.

That was almost 1,5 years ago and things have improved a bit since then, but I guess you're right - I'm no Zyzz

ford2600

Alek wrote: »

I'm no Zyzz

You might have a bit more in common with him if you try it...:)

Alek

lol

nak

I wouldn't try riding the trails in Ticknock on my CX bike, bumpy enough on my HT as it's pretty rocky in places. I found it quite intimidating in places when I started mountain biking. Some of the trails are more fun on a full sus. I don't see many hardtails there these days in fairness, I'm the only person on one in the group I ride with.

The fire roads are fine and you can get plenty of climbing in.

The tax man

Don't bother. I'd tried it last year for the hell of it. Shaken to bits,on both brakes 95% of the descent. Crawled down due to the fact that if you pick up any speed you'll either damage your bike or yourself.

Caroline_ie

Some of the good guys like Seymour etc started MTB on rigid forks on bikes that look to me like straight bar cyclocross bikes. No Suspensions, no disc brakes, do drop seats etc. #LEGENDS of the sport


These guys were the best MTBers then, and still now. They have the added experience/skills us n00b MTBers and CXers don't have.


You won't get better at CX or MTBing as an adult (assuming you're not 15 years old) doing this now. I doubt it anyway.


If you want to enjoy the trails, then do it on a MTB. You will bleed less.

Alek

You won't get better at CX or MTBing as an adult

Not true, I got mucho, mucho better being 35yo! Well, starting from zero last year :P

Tenzor07

Caroline_ie wrote: »

You won't get better at CX or MTBing as an adult (assuming you're not 15 years old) doing this now. I doubt it anyway.

Are you serious? If so I call BS...

nak

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Some of the good guys like Seymour etc started MTB on rigid forks on bikes that look to me like straight bar cyclocross bikes. No Suspensions, no disc brakes, do drop seats etc. #LEGENDS of the sport

That's why I was advised to get a HT for starters as it's a good way to learn skills - you can get away with a lot more on a full sus bike. That advice came from someone who learned how to MTB on a rigid bike. He wouldn't go back to it now; Enduro bike these days.

C3PO

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Errmmmm No! Just no! Not the upper or lower trails anyways, you'll likely pick up a puncture, a buckled wheel, or slip off on gravel or a rock..
Will wear out your brake pads also..

And you'll get in the way of MTB'ers...

I'm with Tenzor on this ... the fireroads would obviously be fine but the man made trail sections are in a terrible state these days. Wouldn't be any fun at all on a CX bike!

Lusk_Doyle

Enduro wrote: »

No problem to Robin I would guess.

Not an issue Alek either so. He's batman.

smacl

Took my old hybrid down the upper track in ticknock a couple of years ago with my MTB mad brother in law. Not a happy camper on the descent, and wouldn't fancy it on a cross bike either. Too many large boulders and hard things to seriously injure yourself off. Fire roads are fine, and even the wooded single track stuff, but I found the rocky stuff way too unforgiving,