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#1
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New to mountain bikes
Hi
It all started about 8 weeks ago when I packed up smoking, I found I had loads of excess energy and no where to spend it, A mountain bike was purchased. It was the best bike in the world, it must be, it cost me £160 and had front suspension! I haven't own a "push bike" for more than 20 smoke filled years and £160 is a lot of money to me, bought from Halfords and called the Apollo Transition it was a trusty 2 wheeled stallion and life could not have been better. I then went on to buy all the necessary accessories for "mountain biking". Starting new hobbies is a hobby of mine, and I tend to jump in with both feet and a blindfold on, I bought a mountain bike magazine (What Mountain Bike) only to find the Apollo name not listed at all. Some guy was giving advice on buying a new mountain bike and says if you are buying a "bargain basement" bike for less than £200 don't buy one with ANY suspension !! The mag didn't really recognise any bike under £200 Kona, Specialized, Muddyfox etc etc all alien names to me. "OH well, maybe he is wrong" I tried to tell myself. After about a week of riding, the pumping muscle pain that I felt when I stopped peddling, was starting to fade and my arse was becoming accustomed to the torture "Gel" saddle, this included an add on layer of drawstring retained gel. Rides in excess of 5 miles were now possible Its amazing what you miss when driving a car, I have found loads of bridle paths and short cuts that I didn't know existed and ive lost count of the number of rabbits, squirrels etc that ive seen. Disaster struck at the end of the second week, the bottom bracket failed and the cranks were flapping and clonking. Why is it called a bottom bracket? its not a bracket , its a bearing. Terminology as well as technology has obviously moved on. I took the bike back to Halfords, 2 days later and still no bike, I went round there to see why not, after realising it wasn't their top priority (understandably) I asked for my money back, a lot of ummms and arrghs followed, so I asked about and upgrade, no problem. The assistant then proceeded to show me almost every bike in the shop, even getting some out of the warehouse for me to try, explaining to pros and cons of the various bikes, disc brakes, full sus etc. I ended up getting a GT aggressor in the end, although I almost bought the Kona Fire Mountain. OK these are still classed as the low'ish end of mountain bikes, but they are a world away from my first purchase. Im not sure of the moral of my story, maybe its you get what you pay for? maybe its look before you leap? But its definitely stop smoking, ive never felt so alive BoB |
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#2
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New to mountain bikes
"bob" wrote in message ... Hi [...] BoB Welcome. Please help us all out and on occasion (when train of thought or parkinson like movements occur) and hit the [ENTER] key on your keyboard. Yours is ALT.M-B, -- CP1 |
#3
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New to mountain bikes
CP1 found this in the back of the refrigerator:
"bob" wrote in message ... Hi [...] BoB Welcome. Please help us all out and on occasion (when train of thought or parkinson like movements occur) and hit the [ENTER] key on your keyboard. Yours is ALT.M-B, here's our FAQ ( hopefully I have the new URL ) so lest you think we're getting cranky with you, no one is. http://www.j-harris.net/bike/ambfaq.htm |
#4
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New to mountain bikes
BoB Dang it!!! Even the foreigners now have the smiley! Someone better kawf up the damn secret b4 I get really ****ed and sick a very hungry kitty on your ass's. -- Slacker |
#5
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New to mountain bikes
Bob wrote:
Im not sure of the moral of my story, maybe its you get what you pay for? maybe its look before you leap? But its definitely stop smoking, ive never felt so alive BoB Definitely read the FAQ and Welcome. I've found a good guideline fo buying bikes/components/guns/music is to find out what amount my wif frowns at and then double that (roughly)! Kidding, sort of. Ride wha you can afford and what makes you smile the most. The rest is jus bravado and details (although there is a "noticeable difference" betwee a Wal-goose and a $3K+ semi-custom). Have fun and congrats on gettin that ******* monkey off your back K - |
#6
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New to mountain bikes
On Thu, 18 Dec 2003 18:11:30 +0000, bob wrote:
I haven't own a "push bike" for more than 20 smoke filled years and £160 is a lot of money to me, bought from Halfords and called the Apollo Transition it was a trusty 2 wheeled stallion and life could not have been better. I then went on to buy all the necessary accessories for "mountain biking". Ah, beautiful Apollos... Disaster struck at the end of the second week, the bottom bracket failed and the cranks were flapping and clonking. Ah, beautiful Apollos... I ended up getting a GT aggressor in the end, although I almost bought the Kona Fire Mountain. OK these are still classed as the low'ish end of mountain bikes, but they are a world away from my first purchase. Im not sure of the moral of my story, maybe its you get what you pay for? Pretty much true with mountain biking, up to a point. Certainly you get diminishing returns as you get to the upper end of the scale though. maybe its look before you leap? But its definitely stop smoking, ive never felt so alive Congratulations, and enjoy your rides. Whereabouts are you based? Some of us may be able to offer ideas of places to ride, etc. |
#7
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New to mountain bikes
maybe its look before you leap? But its definitely stop smoking, ive never felt so alive Congratulations, and enjoy your rides. Whereabouts are you based? Some of us may be able to offer ideas of places to ride, etc. Hi bomba Im in West Sussex close to the South Downs, went for a ride there this morn, from Devils Dyke to Truleigh Hill. That's about as far as I can manage at my current fitness level. BoB |
#8
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New to mountain bikes
On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 14:30:37 +0000, bob wrote:
Congratulations, and enjoy your rides. Whereabouts are you based? Some of us may be able to offer ideas of places to ride, etc. Hi bomba Im in West Sussex close to the South Downs, went for a ride there this morn, from Devils Dyke to Truleigh Hill. That's about as far as I can manage at my current fitness level. There's quite a large mountain bike scene based out of Brighton and Hove, I believe. You might want to check on the forums at www.singletrackworld.com for riders and details of trails / rides in your area. |
#9
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New to mountain bikes
There's quite a large mountain bike scene based out of Brighton and Hove,
I believe. You might want to check on the forums at www.singletrackworld.com for riders and details of trails / rides in your area. Thanks for that, very interesting site BoB |
#10
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New to mountain bikes
Bob says:
Im in West Sussex close to the South Downs, My part of the world (well, it was 30 years ago...) We lived between Burgess Hill and Ansty, out in the boonies. Used to bike all over the place, but there weren't any "mountain bikes" around back then. Moved to Emsworth about 1972-ish, then the States in '84. Steve |
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