New to mountain biking

cletus

Folks, my 15 year old son is expressing interest in trying out some mountain bike trails. His current level of experience is riding around the local woods with his mates.

His bike is a hardtail from Decathlon

https://www.decathlon.ie/sport-trail-mtb-men-bikes/329414-153660-29quote-touring-mountain-bike-explore-540-blueslashblack.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw_5unBhCMARIsACZyzS2LtxaqtbfW4gH8tw99mqanTBaP-x90TkuyoBxipUzi99jRqBQnALYaAhIkEALw_wcB#/demodelsize-1045xl_185_200cm/demodelcolor-8607120

SR Suntour fork, deore 1x, 10 speed cassette, the rest of the specs are in the link.

While I do a lot of cycling, I have literally no experience with MTB.

In general, would the easier trails (blue?) in the Slieve Blooms be in any way manageable for a complete novice?

Also, considering I don't actually own a mountain bike myself (unless you count the '86 Muddy Fox I converted to single speed 😀), would I be able to follow him on this trails on a gravel bike?

Plastik

I haven't ridden the trails down there but in general blue trails anywhere should be fine for a complete novice. I see plenty of lads on Strava doing sections of blue trails around Ballinastoe on gravel bikes so you should be able to follow him on a lot of it .. should ..

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121029332#Comment_121029332

Thanks Plasik. Just what I was looking for

Macy0161

If the blue trails in the Slieve Blooms are the same as the ones in 'stoe (same trail builders), then they'll be no issue. A middle aged bloke who didn't have the head or skills for MTB can get around the stoe blue trails on his gravel bike no issue. Enough to put an MTB somewhere on the n+x list!

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121042049#Comment_121042049

Well, that sums me up pretty accurately 😂