The Get fit club!

[schmenke]

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I don't plan on doing any major off roading, the primary reason for a mountain bike is that I do just enough off road to warrant a mountain bike over a hybrid type bike. Most of my miles will be on the bike trails or roads, with the suspension being to protect my back. I considered a full suspension bike but decided a hardtail with possibly a dampened seat post will likely do fine.

This is what I'm currently leaning towards getting....

http://www.scott-sports.com/global/e...pect-950-Bike/

I checked out and rode the Aspect 750, which is the 27.5" version. I like the geometry but it was a little too "short" for the reach and stretch I prefer. The 29er geometry is almost the same, but with the larger wheel size and a little more space where I want it.

Completely understood on the fork, and I suspect I will be upgrading it as time goes on, especially if I make time to get off the road more. I considered the higher end versions of the bike, but really they add a lot of crap I don't really need or want to get to the point of having a better fork. I don't need 27 or 30 ratios, and even at that level the fork isn't that great. I know the XCT is essentially a crap fork, but the characteristics of being stiff might work well since I am more concerned with protecting my back from the major hits than I am with a plush dampened suspension.

And if I dislike the fork earlier than thought, Suntour has an upgrade program with discounts. I could either use that or go to another brand.
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That’s a decent spec’d bike. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Don’t bother with a full sussy unless you plan on riding exclusively downhills.

I’d be curious to know how you feel about the 29”-er.

Last summer I upgraded from my previous old tank-of-a-bike (sounds similar to your BOMB, ) that had 26” wheels and opted for the 27.5”. When I test rode the 29” bikes I found them to be somewhat unstable due to the larger frame and rake angle of the fork. I don’t know, perhaps it was just the leap from the 26” to the 29” that left me feeling unsteady. The 27.5” seemed to be the right compromise, upgrading from years of riding on a 26”.

[Mark]

I rode a Scott Aspect 27.5er at Dalby Forest last weekend. I know nothing about mountain bikes but it seemed decent enough to me. Shifted well and went over rocks and all that.

[airshifter]

That’s a decent spec’d bike. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Don’t bother with a full sussy unless you plan on riding exclusively downhills.

I’d be curious to know how you feel about the 29”-er.

Last summer I upgraded from my previous old tank-of-a-bike (sounds similar to your BOMB, ) that had 26” wheels and opted for the 27.5”. When I test rode the 29” bikes I found them to be somewhat unstable due to the larger frame and rake angle of the fork. I don’t know, perhaps it was just the leap from the 26” to the 29” that left me feeling unsteady. The 27.5” seemed to be the right compromise, upgrading from years of riding on a 26”.

I think geometry plays into the stability as much as wheel and frame sizes. I did like the 27.5, but felt it was still a little too small. I'm hoping the bigger wheels, front fork combo will lessen the hard hits on big bumps but do realize that I will probably give up some of the tighter handling aspect. I don't mind having to muscle it around more in the tight stuff, since I'm rarely in that boat.

I rode a Scott Aspect 27.5er at Dalby Forest last weekend. I know nothing about mountain bikes but it seemed decent enough to me. Shifted well and went over rocks and all that.

I thought for the price it was a fairly solid package. I'm not sure which spec you rode, but the basics remain the same with primarily the fork and number of ratios changing depending on model. Since I'm ok with less ratios I thought the price difference was not reasonable for the fork that is still borderline. I can keep the money in my pocket for now, but even if I upgrade the fork my total out of pocket should be less than the higher spec'd bike.

It seems the Scott bikes are more popular over there, with few US dealers. But just for reference, both the Aspect 27.5 and 29er models in the base package can be had locally for $550.

[Mark]

It was the 750 I think. 3x9 gearing.

[schmenke]

Did a short ride after work yesterday evening along some single tracks I've never done before. A section was so narrow that my front wheel skidded off and I toppled resulting in an "owie" on my right elbow and left shin . Thankfully no one was around to witness the embarrassment .

[airshifter]

Did a short ride after work yesterday evening along some single tracks I've never done before. A section was so narrow that my front wheel skidded off and I toppled resulting in an "owie" on my right elbow and left shin . Thankfully no one was around to witness the embarrassment .

Those are always fun. Though we don't have many good places to get off the road, I've still got a bruise on my inner thigh from where the seat bit me hard going through a ditch. I stayed on the bike, but just misjudged where the seat would slam into over the big bump.

I guess I should just be happy it was my inner thigh and not more central!

[Mark]

Did 50 miles today about half of it off road but more of a road bike type off road with well graded gravel. Still got my bike dirty as hell; so I won't make a habit of it!

[Mekola]

Keep at it, it's not your age (I'm 36 and have been cycling about 3 years) this year I'm up to 5500kms of cycling commuting already, manage about 220-300kms a week, an hour each way most days. Gradually increase the distance or speed over the existing distance and you'll get there.

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Thanks Robinho! This week I did two rides on two consecutive days, and the first one was longer (demoted about 50 mins the entire trip). That increased my resistance, thanks to that, the following ride I was not tired after the trip, on a shorter distance of 40 mins.

[airshifter]

I've done about 110 miles this month riding, and another 20 or so walking. Though it's not much, it's something, and my last ride I burned over 1200 calories in an hour. My back is doing better, and lately time has been my biggest hurdle with a vacation this month and a busy work schedule. That being said, I was up at 5:30 today and had time for a ride, but didn't go!

I had a ride a couple weeks ago that made me realize how much more fun it would be if I could find others to ride with. On a fairly popular trail a woman tucked in behind me for the trip one way. I didn't realize she was back there at first, and I'm still not sure if she was drafting or just pacing with me. On the return trip I paced behind her and noticed the difference in techniques at intersections and such, but it did add some motivation. We were both watering up as we slowed for a busy intersection, and I was tempted to speak to her, but didn't in fear of interrupting her ride and/or not wanting her to think I was hitting on her.

But at any rate, it made me realize that riding with someone could be more fun and extra motivation. There is a local bike shop that does 20 mile rides at several paces on Saturday mornings, but I found out that even though I could maintain the (slower) pace on my mountain bike without issues, they don't allow mountain bikes on the rides for "safety reasons". I suspect that actually they don't want people on beat up old cheap mountain bikes riding because they are in the business of selling bikes.

Since I've been busy I still haven't pulled the trigger on the new bike, which would come from the above shop.



On a side note, I also installed the My Fitness Pal app to watch my calories and nutrition some. It takes activity off of Endomondo and seems to work fairly well. Though my weight loss goal is something I could do without an app, it has been very helpful to me, especially in terms of nutrition. It does have some quirks but seems fairly painless to use. So far every food or drink I've scanned has come up in the database, including some craft beer I had to bike off on Sunday morning.

[Mark]

Riding with someone certainly makes it fun. Last Sunday I organised one of our clubs Steady Rides which is supposed to be for beginners and me because I'm too slow for the normal club runs.

But 5 miles out most of the group except me and two others took a wrong turn; they all know where they are going so the three of us decided to make a race of it to Corbridge. Three of us working together properly like it's a Tour de France breakaway we even caught and passed a club run from another club. Haven't had so much fun in a while and we beat the main group to the cafe by 20 minutes.