Full Sus or hardtail?

[rochey]

Hi Guys,
Back shock on the giant doesn't feel right. Not Sure if it needs changed because its old. I've messed around with the pos/neg still can't seem to sort it. Its the only part I didn't change when I overhauled the bike. Should I

a: Change the shock for an RP23 or the like

b: Go back to riding hardtails (new frame same price as shock)

c: do nothing and just ride it until falls apart

Opinions please Gentlemen

[ST Colin]

If you're happy with the bike you have, maybe the shock just needs serviced????

If not, then only you can decide what will suit your needs, as I assume you have experience with both?

[rochey]

I always rode hardtails until I bought the giant. Its light enough but I have to admit I seen the new giant xtc frame in lisburn the other day and it is sweet. All the new gear a put on mine will fit straight on. Whats the Be One like colin?

[ST Colin]

It's nice mate, quite racey geometry wise, but it fits me now, and with the seat down it's pretty fun.

You sound like you maybe want to go back to a hardtail. I considered the XTC frame last year amongst other things. But my next bike will be full sus, just learning the ropes for a year or two on my hardtail.

[rochey]

I was always told if you master the hardtail everything else will be a piece of cake. I beg to differ, but I think it might just be the way the giant is set up. Need to get out on it more maybe, but i'm definately not settled with the way the shock rides. I've been away from cycling for so long that maybe I'm the one thats not right!!! lol

[ST Colin]

I was the same, hadn't ridden a bike for about 10 years and got back into it last summer. I'm learning it all over again, mainly the confidence.

You Giant looks to be very much a XC full susser? Perhaps something a bit more lazy, more of a trail bike(140mm travel+) would suit???

[rochey]

It definately is a xc full susser. Its light, and climbs like a mountain goat. Was thinking if I got one of the shocks that lock out it more or less should handle like a hard tail. (maybe). I've spent a small fortune putting it exactly the way I wanted it. It would be a waste to change it is like a brand new bike more or less. Everything was changed! Although I do fancy a santa cruz chameleon running on set of rs revelations.

[ST Colin]

Well I've pretty much turned a 2007 BeOne Aspire 1.0 into a 2008 Karma 3.0 with bling on it. The only thing remaining on the bike is the gearset from the original bike.

It totals about £800 I've spent on it, so adding the £380 I paid for the original bike, I'm not sure it's made sense. I bought the wrong size you see, and have been correcting it ever since :D

Lesson very much learnt.

[rochey]

I know exactly what you mean. My giant is a small frame, 16.5" I should be riding an 18", but my theory was a small bike is easier to throw around. For the money I spent bringing it up to date I probably could of put a few quid to it and bought a new bike! Connoisseurs though! At least we have exactly what we want?

[ST Colin]

Exactly, even though it took a fair bit of money to get there!

Any bigger photos of the bike? Can't really see much of it from your avatar

[rochey]

I've a couple need to figure out how to up load them. unless you know? Better still you heading out on the bike any night this week?

[ST Colin]

Yeah, should be. Might head out tonight, depending on the weather, but certainly a few times this week.

[rochey]

I was thinking of heading out tonight but the weathers not great. Was going to head over to Belvoir or maybe the cavehill if it clears up. Do you know how to get pictures on?

[ST Colin]

Yes mate, do you have a photobucket account? If not, create one. Upload them on that, instructions are easy, it takes you through it all. Once the photo are uploaded you can use the links provided for each photo (they appear when you put your cursor over the photo), copy the direct link or image link (can't remember which), and paste that link into the forum.

I'd imagine Belvoir is like a swamp, but Mary Peters might not be too bad.

[benmtbrider]

I'd imagine Belvoir is like a swamp, but Mary Peters might not be too bad.

Belvoir is a mud bath, and depending on where you head up to MP's, if its from Shaws Bridge, up along the Lagan, then down through the woods followed by a climb up to MP's its pretty good, a bit claggy in places, but far better than the conditions up in Blevoir, this is made worse by a half-wit who has a huge scrambler who is wrecking what little trails there are up there, he was out all last friday and sunday, I imagine it is beginning to look like Lord Wardens, he was out for 5 hours on sunday, could hear him throttling his was way around!

[rochey]

lovely, nothing better than riding in the ruts left by some header on a scrambler!!! If any of you are heading out give me a shout. Email or pm. I'll try and sort a photobucket account now colin get these pics on for you.

[ST Colin]

I noticed some of the trails were suffering pretty bad, and it didn't look like it was the weather.

The trail along the top of Belvoir is all but ruined. It really is a mud bath, not rideable at all.

Rochey, you should come out on Saturday for the baps run, i'm hopefully making my first appearance this coming Saturday.

[rochey]

I fully intend to mate. This Saturday coming I can't unfortunately. Definitely Saturday fortnight. Start putting faces to names. I thought for a moment it was going to clear up this evening? Something wrong with that photobucket won't let me upload, it keeps crashing!