help with new frame for xc/getting into jumps,taking bigger hits etc

[Lee Broon]

Just getting into it a bit more seriously and am needing a new full sus frame anyone got any advice on summit that won't break after me falling off it a few times!!!
I looking for summit that i can ride all day and is as good at going up as coming down
cheers in advance!!!!

[Crispy]

psycho said:

scenario one
bored 20/30 something buys average bike goes out with the lads a few times gets hooked,starts adding a few small jumps and drops in to thier xc tootles,gets more hooked .Immediately spends way too much on an over engineered bike with all of the bells and whistles and viola they are instantly as good as peaty and the like.

That sum's me up pretty well! As much as I love my Ransom, I definitely feel like it compensates for a lack of skill on my part and I feel like I missed out on the jumping part of my "bike education" going straight from my XC hardtail to something with 6.5" of travel. That's why I got the chameleon to play about on the local jumps etc and get myself more comfortable with being in the air / controlling the bike in the air.

My main problem is jumps with lips. Anything with a gentle upslope I'm pretty fine with, but as soon as I'm faced with something intended to kick you into the air, i lose my bottle and end up just "sucking up" the jump.

[psycho]

I think there's definately an opening for a training event similar to the dummies events but at a trail centre or local track.

Meet as a group as usual but just fanny about and play
those who can advise where possible

I recommend Belmont Bmx track for starters or Darlo track .

the nefa massif will be Training mid week soon too.
usualy an informal gathering on wed/thursday evenings 6 onwards at the main car park.
pootle around the woods ,playing on the t-tops etc.

[Crispy]

psycho said:

I think there's definately an opening for a training event similar to the dummies events but at a trail centre or local track.

Meet as a group as usual but just fanny about and play
those who can advise where possible

I recommend Belmont Bmx track for starters or Darlo track .

I'd be up for a bit of that.

[MARK]

psycho said:

Before I begin ,this is meant to be constructive and informative and is in no way directed at or meant to offend anyone .
(now your scared lol)

I have been riding Bikes agressively (not cycling thats a different ball game altogether)for about 30 years,progressing from messing around on home made off roaders to racing BMX then on to street Bmx and eventually ending up as what I would call a Biker (freeriding is just what I like to calla MAG TAG invented to sell bikes )

most xc riders are capable of dropping a few kerbs without donning full body armour and a full faced lid and the average teeny tearaway can jump ten feet off an old door propped up on a pile of bricks but when it comes to progression most riders go from zero to hero in two bikes.

scenario one
bored 20/30 something buys average bike goes out with the lads a few times gets hooked,starts adding a few small jumps and drops in to thier xc tootles,gets more hooked .Immediately spends way too much on an over engineered bike with all of the bells and whistles and viola they are instantly as good as peaty and the like.

scenario two.

Teen gets bike off santa ,rides around a bit ,finds some jumps in the woods ,breaks self and or bike .upgrades to better bike (parents are proud to suport new hobby),teen demands latest bike o the month as seen on pinkbike etc.
Teen is instantly a top slopestyle rider and is therefore indestructable just like the guys on the videos who manage every thing first time.

reality.
every rider who appears on the race ,slopestyle,bmx or video circuit didn't get there without a bit of work (apart from your prodigy types ).

I always bang on to people about what I call "core bike skills" Skills that can only be gained by riding.
ride xc to get a good sense of balance and learn to control a bike in different situations.

If you want to jump dont head off to gossy trails to that 20 footer, lob off a few kerbs, find a small jump or roller and practice on it until you feel comfortable riding it.
old stle bmx tracks such as belmont are a great place to train on safe jumps.
but walk before you run.
as for dh/freeride you don't have to go big to haver fun and you have to ask yourself are you riding that imposssible off camber shail to test yourself or to impress your mates ?
ask the majority of the walking wounded among the Nefa massif how many hospital visits we had last year mainly from overstepping our skills base .

I welcome all new riders to our sport/Hobby and encourage progression
I am always happy to help our advise in any way
but I do wish that some would take the reality test and ask themselves who are they riding for.


My advice to you is buy any small light hardtail (back country type) with 100/120 mm forks
or a mid range short travel full suss.
shin/knee pads
good helmet
visit as many different types of trail as you can.
don't overtry
do have lots of laughs

[MARK]

What can I say,fantastic advice.

[crashtest dummy]

Amen to Father Psycho for todays serman in cycling knowledge.
Well put Michael,especialy the part about the walking wounded among the NEFA massive.We don't seem to get any wiser the older we get.......Jim!!!!!!!!

[earthworm jim]

Hey just because i've had to have yet another visit to a&e twice this weekend, and have another 5-6 weeks off a bike, doesn't mean i'm gonna give up just yet. Unfortunately the more you push the skill boundary the bigger the accidents get and the more they hurt.

[Lee Broon]

cheers people for all the input and cheers psycho for the wise words coz that is me bored 30 summit enjoying the trails but f*cking clueless really!!! expecting a new toy to make me the nuts (well pointed out that this would be quickest way to 6 weeks off work)
so as soon as you lot start meeting up mid week put it up on here so maybes the less talented out there can pick up some tips
ta again