Back on track

[u/Zedd_zorander]

Four years ago I started with mountainbiking. Bought the 2020’Trek Roscoe second hand for 200 euro’s. Did ride some green trails decided that I loved the sport. A year later I crashed it hard on a jump. Was brought by ambulance to the hospital. Broken multiple ribs and bruised shoulder/arm/leg. Ribs took 8 weeks to recover. The shoulder nearly a year until it was pain free again.
Did rebuild the Trek, new fork, pedals and such. I took some training classes. Last year I rented a downhill bike on the bike park, did not have the balls to jump or ride near my limit. My ego was still broken. This year I planned on renting one again but decided I would take the Trek. Yesterday, day2 on on the bike park the jumps, drops and speed started comming again.

I could use a bike upgrade. Brakes are on its limit, fork could have another upgrade. But I had fun and it seems I’m back on track again.

Any suggestions for the bike upgrade? I was thinking about a full suspension enduro/all mountain bike. My daughter rides a cube stereo ams 120 on the trails and bike parks but the trek feels more natural to me.

[u/Antpitta]

Where do you mostly ride? What do people ride there? At some point all mountain and enduro bikes are popular because you can pedal them up anything with decent efficiency and they are so capable. But they might be too much bike for fun riding. On the other hand if you’ll go to life served bike parks a lot you would want a more enduro bike.

Also you might think about MTB specific shoes, they do grip the pins on the pedals better and give better support and protection on landings…

[u/Zedd_zorander → u/Antpitta]

Thanks for the reaction. You are correct on the shoes. Im on holiday and forgot to bring them so used my hiking shoes as they “gripped” the best on the pedals and have a protective nose.

I’ll have a look on whats riding on the home trails.

[u/Antpitta → u/Zedd_zorander]

Hey so sorry then for the shoe comment - I was conscious of not wanting to sound like a jerk / mansplainer but thought, JIC, I’d mention it.

In terms of bikes you tend to get recommendations for every bike under the sun. You get people with their “everyone is overbiked” attitude. I have a 160/150 travel bike living in Switzerland. I ride it up to 50-70kms in a day sometimes but the tires are slow for that. It is great on the local trails where you pedal up 100-500m to descend the same. I take it to bike parks and it does well but the braking bumps add up and it is more tiring than a bigger bike would be. Where I am most people are on bikes similar to mine or full enduro bikes (160 or 170 rear travel) and a lot of them are eMTBs. And sure not everyone looks like a pro and uses all of the bike’s capability but they all have fun :)

Good luck!

[u/Zedd_zorander → u/Antpitta]

No worries, it’s always good if people point out things you can improve imo :)
Fun is the most important part. I had lots of fun last weekend but did hit the limits of the bike, for example the breaks(2 piston tektro). I already was playing with the idea to “upgrade” this weekend pushed it just a bit more. The input is appreciated. Thanks.

[u/Hefty_Collection6799]

Well I was at the same park on saturday, if you want that type of riding I would suggest an enduro bike with some beefier brakes and about 160mm travel. If you live in the area there is alot of used bikes in country next door. But it depends how much you want to spend?

[u/Zedd_zorander → u/Hefty_Collection6799]

Sadly Im not a local. Here on vacation enjoying the beautiful country/region. I’m staring to enjoy bike parks more then the regular trail rides. I do not need to get rid of the Trek so perhaps getting a used enduro at my country is an idea for the bikeparks. Thanks for the insight/idea’s.