Well Done Steve Peat

I know this isn't totally OT but I don't think it's worth a new thread.

At the moment my knowledge of bikes which get muddy is 0 but by the start of summer next year I would like to know enough to build a mtb (5 or 7 speed maybe rigid maybe hardtail). Could anyone recommend any good websites/forums to learn about off road cycling/mtb's as I have no idea where to start. What are the mtb equivalents of Sheldon and LFGSS?

Any links or pointers would be ace

NSMB.com

it's the LFGSS of the north shore mtb scene.

That said, don't build your own MTB at first. There are a lot of parts and variables and frankly the OTP bikes are pretty dialed. With only a few minor tweaks (such as cutting down the bars and adding your pedals) almost any price bracket will become the bike you are looking for. People that build their own MTBs aren't trying to save money, they are trying to get th exact bike they want because they know which brakes they like, what chainguide, which fork they want, etc... If you don't have an opinion on this stuff (which you obviously don't yet) then it's basically a pointless endeavor to spend more money on piecing your own bike up.

Also the Gear section on that site can be full of adolescent twats that have been riding MTBs for 10 years, so take it with a grain of salt. The XC section is more helpful.