Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

The wheels are STW, hubs are Shimano deore. I took the bike for a quick spin this morning. Slight tweak of the front rotor needed, gears all shifted, brakes working fine, nothing is loose, I have new 8 speed chain on. So for now I’ll probably just replace gear cables/housing and replace fluid to the disk brakes. When I go a bit more serious I’ll replace avid elixir 1 brakes and SRAM 3x8 gear

Happy new year bike hive mind.

So I'm in the lucky situation of having a £2k insurance payout in voucher form for wheelies.co.uk (or less usefully halfords). I've got a year to use it.

I've not done any offroad or mountain biking since I was a kid but I'd like to get into it.

I'm based in south London but am quite regularly in south somerset near the Wiltshire and Dorset borders. I'm also furloughed so might be down in the southwest a bit more than usual.

I'm 6'3" and about 88kg

Advice please. What should I get? Was thinking probably hardtail or trailbike 29er of some description. I don't think about to get into anything very extreme now I'm pushing 40.

Is it the mt500 'plus' over shoes that you have?
What size are they and where did you get them? I cant find a single place online that has the 'plus' version in size xxl that would suit a size 11.

This is in stock in XL, good price, very versatile, good resale value
https://www.wheelies.co.uk/shop/p232051/Orange-P7-S-27-5-2021-Mountain-Bike.aspx

Seems to only be that or the Merida full suss but I'd have to wait for it.

From what I've read sounds like something with 29" wheels would be better for me (easier to roll over stuff, more grip so not to fall off)

wheelsize makes very little difference
for the same money a hardtail's going to be a whole lot better and less maintenance than a full sus
also, you're not riding anything gnarly which you need a full sus for

I think so, and these are the largest they do (XL IIRC).

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Did they fit over the size 11 five tens?

The endura website lists a L/XL (8.5 - 9uk)
And an XL/XXL (10-11uk) but out of stock in XXL

Have googled but can't find them in stock anywhere

I've got a set of 5.10 trailcross, one of the ones with the high ankles. Find then good year round. Can be a slightly chilly in winter, but doesn't feel like you're pedalling through cold mashed potatoes like the more pillowy versions. Just more like a normal/decent cycling shoe really. Also stiff ish soles mean they work well on longer rides

Test ride went well.
Could not be happier.
First one by set up for me and works really well.
Chain fell off the top of cassette at one point, but no damage luckily. School boy error.
Get the xt shifter for the extra special shift options, rest of it can be deore in my opinion.
Cheers all.

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Funny you say that about the XT shifter, was a nice surprise when I shifted down by pushing the lever away from me.

On the shoe chat, those FIVE TEN TRAIL CROSS MID PRO MOUNTAIN BIKE SHOES are definitely the best looking. Beat the skate shoe look.
I saw them on sale from time to time, but then got barely used Ride Concept Powerline which are not that foamy. Or at least not as massive as the Sam Hill five tens I tried. Those are monstrous.

down by pushing the lever away from me

That's just normal Shimano, XT does 2 shifts per push though which SLX and below don't.

Nice, frame looks to be in pretty good nick paint wise.

Keep and eye on the bearing mounts on the swing arm at the lower pivot. There were a few of these mk1 tallboys that developed cracks at the bearing mounts.

Check that it doesn't look like this

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Oohh that is not good, will check mine later .

Sorry, I don't mean to put the shiters up you! Just thought I'd mention it. Worth checking.

No worries . Given the colour of your photo, I thought at first you had zoomed in on mine. I bought the bike at what I thought was a great price from an old guy and it looks hardly used . I wonder if such a crack is warranty able or fixable , I know they went to double sided braces on the swing arm in later versions as no front mec h needed .
Will update later, j had to source and roglue a chain protector so was staring at that area, but not sure I was paying attention .

To be fair, from your photos the frame doesn't look like its been abused at all.

Santa Cruz/Jungle UK have an excellent warranty policy for the original owner. But I've heard of them sorting out second owners with cheap crash replacement prices too if you ask nicely.

@Jeromeo your Santa Cruz looks ace, I’m sure you will have plenty of great rides. thanks for sharing :)

Dropped you a DM

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@platypus seems as one of the main reasons I got into fixed gear was the lack of maintenance this sounds like sound advice.

However there is also this from halfords. Full suss Boardman MTR 9.0 2021

boardman

I got L-XL, which I had thought were for size 10ish, but what you’ve just said explains why they are very snug. I think I’d struggle to get an 11 in, so would say that XL-XXL would be the way to go.

just buy the orange

Does the "Steel is real" extend to mountain bikes too these days?