Safe to take on a trail?

[jack smith]

Well this Is as high as budget permits for me at the moment had it a while and spent 20 quid on some white paint shifter/brake levers stem adaptor and grips, it's a canny little runaround and I've had it out in the forest on some pretty rooty stuff and I'm really enjoying getting off the road and into the dirt.

it was originally a muddyfox mtb only cost 50 new, obviously I'm not fussed if it breaks after a while but would you take it on some of the red trails and trust it not to kill you ? I'm thinking of going to hamsterly forest and sticking with blue most of the day, but I helped build a red trail there and really want to try it for myself, it's got v brakes which are dodgy but stop really well ( sometimes rub after they have been applied) but that's better than having none, tbh I'm not too fussed if I fall off and get a little bump but id rather not end up in a&e lol I'm also not going to be flying down them either

 

[fossyant]

I've done red and black on a rigid old Skool MTB, but it is a proper bike with XT kit. My worry would be the wheels and the front forks, especially if there are any hard drops. Don't go mad and you should be ok

 

[jack smith]

I weigh a good 95 kilo so im pretty careful on drops with it, im desperate to get back out again somewhere abit better than the local forest as i loved it i did have a nice pair of forks spare but it seems the steerer is too big to fit in the frame ahh well

 

[HovR]

I regularly do blue and reds on an old late 90's Spesh Hardrock Comp, which has v-brakes and an old Rockshox Jett fork. It copes with it fine, brakes are slightly more 'interesting' in the soaking wet, but they still stop sufficiently (with Asda's own cheapy pads, too. You'll chew through them, so stay relatively cheap).

Limited fork travel and old (or cheap) seals will be a factor, but if you can pull the lowers off (normally two allen bolts at the bottom of each fork stanchion) then you can clean them out and grease them pretty easily to keep them running smoothly.

As fossyant has said, I think wheels will be the limiting factor. If you can keep them straight enough for the rim brakes you should be fine! Maybe this is an ideal opportunity to perfect your wheel truing skills?

 

[jack smith]

Oh the wheels came brand new in shocking condition true wise i spent hours getting them sprted at home and getting the hubs running smooth and the wheels run great, no idea how long they will stay true the way im bashing it about but they seem to be doing well so far, the only main issue im having is the bototm bracket keeps coming loose and im getting some play in the cranks but once sorted it stays fine for a week or so and tbh im not fussed about it, i do have a half decent frame in the garage though along with forks so im tempted to make it into a cheapo project when i can, all i need is a cheap pair or disk brakes for it and the rest i can pribably botch from my bits box

 

[HovR]

Oh the wheels came brand new in shocking condition true wise i spent hours getting them sprted at home and getting the hubs running smooth and the wheels run great, no idea how long they will stay true the way im bashing it about but they seem to be doing well so far, the only main issue im having is the bototm bracket keeps coming loose and im getting some play in the cranks but once sorted it stays fine for a week or so and tbh im not fussed about it, i do have a half decent frame in the garage though along with forks so im tempted to make it into a cheapo project when i can, all i need is a cheap pair or disk brakes for it and the rest i can pribably botch from my bits box

I'm guessing it's a loose bearing unit? In which case ensure the fixed cup and lock ring are adjusted nice and tight. If you're going to be using this bike for an extended period it could be worth getting one of the cheap Shimano sealed units.

In fact I think I have a spare Shimano BB in the garage you could have for postage if it'll work with your setup. It'll be an asymmetric UN26 122.5mm BB. It is 63mm drive side and 59.5mm non-drive side, if it's any use to you!

 

[jack smith]

Ive no idea with mtb bottom brackets but as far as i can tell its thr sort your describing where it has a locking nut, i took a hammer to it lastnight to bash is tight a few extra turns so im hoping it stays! Ill try to find out the diamiter for it though!

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

Have a read of this
http://road.cc/content/feature/12692-scrapheap-challenge
Quite light hearted but also quite surprising.

 

[jack smith]

Well i took it on the red trails yesterday and it was flying away from the high end bikes and the hire bike my mate was on, not sure of its the bike or because im just a fearless b*stard but pretty fun! Brake pads definatley need sorting though

 

[young Ed]

Well i took it on the red trails yesterday and it was flying away from the high end bikes and the hire bike my mate was on, not sure of its the bike or because im just a fearless b*stard but pretty fun! Brake pads definatley need sorting though

thank god you're still alive!
glad you had fun and soon enough or at least when the money permits you will buy a really nice bike for a grand or two and a expensive dropper seat post
Cheers Ed

 

[jack smith]

Don't think I'll ever get a truly high end mtb cause I go out to smash then about and take a break from the road and would t want it breaking all the time snapping the mechs off ect but I do have my eyes on getting a specialized rockhopper or similar oneday!

 

[Gravity Aided]

You may wish to try a used bicycle for that, of a higher end make. That may give you the chance to have something truly nice to smash about on, and there are , at least in the States, a lot of old Specializeds roaming about. I have a hardrock, myself, and enjoy it alot.