Cheap Bike, does that mean I can't off road?

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Hi,

I'm fairly new to the forum but I've spent the last few weeks reading through the posts. Around 12 months ago I wanted a bike, so I bought a cheap dual suspension mtb. Friends had racers and I cycled quite regulary on road routes with them. Modified the bike by giving it slicks and a bigger cassette on the front. Since then I've bought a Peugeot Performance road bike but would like to also try a bit of off-roading with my currently retired mountain bike. It's got big grip tires back on, comfortable to use and I live close to woodlands and quarries perfect for mountain biking. I know you can spend a fortune on expensive gear but just because I've spent a fraction of what real enthusiasts can, does that mean I can't get involved in throwing myself down steep slopes and rugged routes?

Cheers,

John

Around 12 months ago I wanted a bike, so I bought a cheap dual suspension mtb ... would like to also try a bit of off-roading with my currently retired mountain bike. It's got big grip tires back on, comfortable to use and I live close to woodlands and quarries perfect for mountain biking. I know you can spend a fortune on expensive gear but just because I've spent a fraction of what real enthusiasts can, does that mean I can't get involved in throwing myself down steep slopes and rugged routes? FWIW. Without knowing what you actually have, I think a skilled rider might be able to use your bike down many routes that a novice rider would find to be impassable on the most expensive bike ...

Try modest trails, at first ... learn what YOU can handle comfortably on your bike ... and then, progressively ride more demanding terrain until you find out what the limits are for YOU or your bike.

BTW. The range in tires is pretty vast ... and, your idea of "big grip" may be different from that which other people have ... AND, if you have too much air pressure in whatever you choose to use, you will bounce over obstacles rather than roll over them (riding AROUND some obstacles is better!). To state what is obvious to many people, some tires are better in wet conditions than others.

Being able to ride UNDER CONTROL is the key (though, I suppose the adrenaline rush is something which some people look forward to) ... and, some suspensions let you do so at greater speeds than others. If it wasn't hyperbole on your part, then "throwing" yourself "down steep slopes and rugged routes" before you have the skill to go quickly may be something you would only be able to do ONCE regardless of the bike you were on since your buddies might be visiting you in the hospital for a while, thereafter.

Hi Alfeng,

Thanks for your advice, I think I'd be better off starting to get used to my bike and what both I and the bike are capable of doing. The more experience I get then I'll understand more about different tyre types and settings, including mtb bike types. It ws more a case of wanting to use my mtb rather than it sit there and be wasted.

Cheers,

John

Yes, you can ride off road on your "cheap bike". Just use good sense and gradually tackle more advanced trails.

I started mountain biking on a $99 full suspension department store bike. It was really heavy, front forks would bottom out, brakes and derailleurs always needed adjustment, and I constantly had to true the wheels. But I still had a great time, grew to enjoy the sport, and learned alot about bike maintenance.

I rode the hell out of that bike for about 6 months, sold it to another beginner for $50, and then bought a well used quality mountain bike for $400. After a few years on the $400 bike, I made the jump to a new $2000 bike. Is the $2000 bike better than the $99 bike - you betcha. But as a beginner, I would not have benefitted that greatly from a more expensive bike. In the beginning it's more about gaining fitness, technique, learning bike maintenance, etc.

Check if the hubs, bottom bracket and headset are sealed. If not, you have to repack every once in a while. The grease will keep the grit out of the bearings for a while but not forever.

You will need to straighten the wheels more often so get a spoke wrench and learn to do it.

Inspect the frame, seatpost, fork, crank, etc for cracks every now and then. I saw a dept. store mtb which had cracked clean through the hole which held the pedal to the crank.

I bet the fork will get full of crud easily if you ride when it's sloppy out.

Check if the hubs, bottom bracket and headset are sealed. If not, you have to repack every once in a while. The grease will keep the grit out of the bearings for a while but not forever.

You will need to straighten the wheels more often so get a spoke wrench and learn to do it.

Inspect the frame, seatpost, fork, crank, etc for cracks every now and then. I saw a dept. store mtb which had cracked clean through the hole which held the pedal to the crank.

I bet the fork will get full of crud easily if you ride when it's sloppy out.
Good advice, and I'll add that he should take care with drops and bumps...if his bike is like the dept. store full suspensions we have in Canada, then he should be careful not to break his steerer tube...we've seen a lot of that here...one kid broke his face when his fork fell off

Good advice, and I'll add that he should take care with drops and bumps...if his bike is like the dept. store full suspensions we have in Canada, then he should be careful not to break his steerer tube...we've seen a lot of that here...one kid broke his face when his fork fell offAlthough not all cracks will occur in places you can see, (like steerer tubes for example), it would be wise to carefully examine a cheap bike for cracks if ridden aggressively. Even good ones can have structural failure.

Just get out there and have fun. Put about a thousand miles on the bike you have now and start saving for a new bike. You'll be ready for it and be able to talk to the LBS about what you like and don't like. Good riding.

Great advice! I hadn't ridden a bike for years, so when I decided to buy a mtb last year I went the beginner route and bought an el cheapo. I made some important upgrades (headset, crankset, BB and wheelset) but in a reasonable fashion. Get as much wear and tear out of your new bike as is pleasurable, then upgrade when you're ready.