Mountain Biking - wanting a full suss but don't have the cash available

so the thought occurred to me that i have a perfectly good hardtail sitting there 07 GT avalanche expert(only thing i've changed is the rear wheel on it) spec - http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=14542, and i wonder if it would be possible to just buy a full sus frame for maybe say around £400-£500 then transfer the remainder of the parts over? thus me ending up with a full susser, and probably just rebuild the HT back up over time... so would you think,

1. would be worth doing?

2. would i run in to and compatibility problems?

3. if 1. and 2 aren't much of a problem, whats a good frame for around £400-500 quid? looking for something that will handle the likes of the 7 stanes red and black routes (bit of the red - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvGvXJT05x8 ), i'm only doing the reds just now, idea is to progress onto the more difficult stuff at some pint in the future, i'm not mad into jumps but will do some of the smaller ones...

cheers for any suggestions/input.

ment to put this in the mtb forum btw..

Your plan is fine. The one thing you might want to think about is whether or not the fork you are running will work with a full suspension bike. You may need to sell your XC fork at buy something that will balance out your new frame. Oh, and make sure that your new frame and fork supports whatever break system you are using.

Moved at OP request in the thread (By implication ;) )

It is doable, although you will need to pay attention to things such as steertube size, bottom bracket spacing, seatpost sizing, and (rarely) rear wheel spacing. As to if it'd be worth doing, that's another question. If you do though, a better approach might be to move parts back over to the gt when you buy better ones for the new ride.

soo you need a full suspension moutain frame for 1000.00,
how about a 4-500 dollar frame and a 4-500 dollar fork

Frame (http://pricepoint.com/detail/14969-175_SETRL5-3-Parts-60-Frames/Sette-Relic-FR-Frame-w_-Manitou-Swinger-Coil-SPV-4-Way-%2706.htm)

plus a

fork (http://pricepoint.com/detail/16007-315_MARZ16-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Marzocchi-Z1-Sport-Suspension-Fork-%2706.htm)

and a

new front wheel (http://pricepoint.com/detail/12676-365_SUNDS3-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Sun-Ringle-Front-Abbah-20mm-hub-w_-Sun-Ringle-DS2-Rim.htm)

as long as shipping is less than 90 bucks you will be about at your budget


all of this is in usd

so the thought occurred to me that i have a perfectly good hardtail sitting there 07 GT avalanche expert(only thing i've changed is the rear wheel on it) spec - http://www.dalescycles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=14542, and i wonder if it would be possible to just buy a full sus frame for maybe say around £400-£500 then transfer the remainder of the parts over? thus me ending up with a full susser, and probably just rebuild the HT back up over time... so would you think,

you don't need a fully, stay with the hardtail.
1. would be worth doing?

2. would i run in to and compatibility problems?

3. if 1. and 2 aren't much of a problem, whats a good frame for around £400-500 quid? looking for something that will handle the likes of the 7 stanes red and black routes (bit of the red - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvGvXJT05x8 ), i'm only doing the reds just now, idea is to progress onto the more difficult stuff at some pint in the future, i'm not mad into jumps but will do some of the smaller ones...

cheers for any suggestions/input.

1. no

2. maybe, it depends

3. get a hardtail

You really don't need a fully, personally i hate full suspension bikes for what i do (dj/street/freeride), i find that pedal bob kills me and i'm not going to be blowing money on a fox rp3 anytime soon....probably never - but that's just me.
maybe if i was a downhill racer or something, otherwise u won't see me on a dually(fully, full-suspension, dually, dual suspension, etc.).

Also there's alot more maintenance to be done on a full-susser:mad::(.





cheers

1. no

2. maybe, it depends

3. get a hardtail

You really don't need a fully, personally i hate full suspension bikes for what i do (dj/street/freeride), i find that pedal bob kills me and i'm not going to be blowing money on a fox rp3 anytime soon....probably never - but that's just me.
maybe if i was a downhill racer or something, otherwise u won't see me on a dually(fully, full-suspension, dually, dual suspension, etc.).

Also there's alot more maintenance to be done on a full-susser:mad::(.





cheers

Not to be too rude, but why would you tell him to stick with a hardtail just because you find you do not need the rear suspension or like pedal-bob with the type of riding you do. If he rides XC the additional suspension may help him. Besides he can get an air shock with lock out if he feels he needs additional efficency. Also fox makes shocks with pro-pedal that are not too expensive. (float rp3, float rp23)

Not to be too rude, but why would you tell him to stick with a hardtail just because you find you do not need the rear suspension or like pedal-bob with the type of riding you do. If he rides XC the additional suspension may help him. Besides he can get an air shock with lock out if he feels he needs additional efficency. Also fox makes shocks with pro-pedal that are not too expensive. (float rp3, float rp23)

I know, i pointed that out(except the float part, i couldn't remember).
And yeah i told him from my preference and opinion, i wasn't make a post saying he has to stick to his hardtail, i was simply saying i would, no offense taken or anything;).



goodnight, everyone:)

excellent, cheers for the input, just a thought really that popped into my head there, i think the idea would be, as someone mentioned, to put the parts back on the GT as i buy new ones...we'll see tho, think there is some investigation i need to do before i go any further, never thought about a new fork i was assuming it would be transferable same with tge front wheel....

the other option here is just to go for finance and see what i could get for £1500 and maybe if there's anywhere that will do interest free on it over 24 months or whatever....

and mullet, i know the arguements for and against FS/HT i've been riding HT for 6 months now, just getting and urge to go FS.. and i'd want to build the HT up again anyhow so it's not as if it'd go neglected for long......

ideally i'd like both a HT and a FS so the finance option is a possiblity here, tho do i really want to be paying something up for the next couple of years, mind you it's much the same building up the HT again and there is the fact finance is alot lot less hassle...

excuse the rambling btw, i'm just thinking out loud, i want a FS just wondering the best way to go about it.. cheers again everyone for your thoughts..

I know, i pointed that out(except the float part, i couldn't remember).
And yeah i told him from my preference and opinion, i wasn't make a post saying he has to stick to his hardtail, i was simply saying i would, no offense taken or anything;).



goodnight, everyone:)

hey your right im sorry. I guess i read over the" for what i do" part.

excellent, cheers for the input, just a thought really that popped into my head there, i think the idea would be, as someone mentioned, to put the parts back on the GT as i buy new ones...we'll see tho, think there is some investigation i need to do before i go any further, never thought about a new fork i was assuming it would be transferable same with tge front wheel....

the other option here is just to go for finance and see what i could get for £1500 and maybe if there's anywhere that will do interest free on it over 24 months or whatever....

and mullet, i know the arguements for and against FS/HT i've been riding HT for 6 months now, just getting and urge to go FS.. and i'd want to build the HT up again anyhow so it's not as if it'd go neglected for long......

ideally i'd like both a HT and a FS so the finance option is a possiblity here, tho do i really want to be paying something up for the next couple of years, mind you it's much the same building up the HT again and there is the fact finance is alot lot less hassle...

excuse the rambling btw, i'm just thinking out loud, i want a FS just wondering the best way to go about it.. cheers again everyone for your thoughts..

don't finance toys... building your HT over time is a better option, because if you can't afford a payment one month, you just wait until the following to buy that part.

don't finance toys... building your HT over time is a better option, because if you can't afford a payment one month, you just wait until the following to buy that part.

this is sound financial advice if i ever saw any.

I have a '05 GT Avalanche 3.0 and recently purchased a Mongoose Otero Super. http://www.mongoose.com/mtn/ProductDetails.html?id=2603&enc=mtn|6
It's the same company "Pacific Cycles" GT/Mongoose/Schwinn.
The '08 with decent specs not top of the line but not bad is only $800us or so.
Mine is a '07 which I paid less then $700 for and it works really well for what it is and it has a manual lockout for the rear shock.

1. no

2. maybe, it depends

3. get a hardtail

You really don't need a fully, personally i hate full suspension bikes for what i do (dj/street/freeride), i find that pedal bob kills me and i'm not going to be blowing money on a fox rp3 anytime soon....probably never - but that's just me.
maybe if i was a downhill racer or something, otherwise u won't see me on a dually(fully, full-suspension, dually, dual suspension, etc.).

Also there's alot more maintenance to be done on a full-susser:mad::(.





cheers

You really are about 13, right?

I know, i pointed that out(except the float part, i couldn't remember).
And yeah i told him from my preference and opinion, i wasn't make a post saying he has to stick to his hardtail, i was simply saying i would, no offense taken or anything;).

So explain #3 in your list...it looks like you told him to get a hardtail.


1. no

2. maybe, it depends

3. get a hardtail

Everyone would be a lot better off if you just didn't post. Or, better yet, take some time and think before you decide to post anything.

You really are about 13, right?

would you just get off his case? seriously, I've watched you flame this guy for a couple of threads now. Whatever, he's 13, he posts moronic crap, thats fine, but what is it to you? If he posts advice thant may be dangerous, something along the lines of "ride a hardtail on your next downhill resort trip" then you're welcome to step in, but otherwise:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348944

...If he posts advice thant may be dangerous, something along the lines of "ride a hardtail on your next downhill resort trip" then you're welcome to step in...

How is that dangerous? Last time I was at one of the resorts around here, a couple of the locals were killing it on Norco FR hardtails...didn't look overly dangerous, they actually looked like they were having fun. Plus the mountain is pretty intense...almost 4000ft vertical descent and RATHER steep.

So explain #3 in your list...it looks like you told him to get a hardtail.



Everyone would be a lot better off if you just didn't post. Or, better yet, take some time and think before you decide to post anything.

No, as i posted earlier that was only advice from me, and he certainly doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to, i still never said he HAS to get a hardtail, please stop trying to pick typing fights with everyone, it's seems endless with you guys:o.


again, nothing i posted was like a ransome or some other *****, so no more: "but it looks like you said ___ here and then you said ____ over here", ok?


thx, :)

would you just get off his case? seriously, I've watched you flame this guy for a couple of threads now. Whatever, he's 13, he posts moronic crap, thats fine, but what is it to you? If he posts advice thant may be dangerous, something along the lines of "ride a hardtail on your next downhill resort trip" then you're welcome to step in, but otherwise:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348944

Pot--->kettle-->black.

You're not far off from MAM yourself, in some of the advice spew you've posted.

Yes, don't take a hardtail to a lift service resort. You'll die!!!!!!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/lift%20riding/DSCN1556.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/lift%20riding/scrub20KS2028Medium29.jpg

Pot--->kettle-->black.

You're not far off from MAM yourself, in some of the advice spew you've posted.

Yes, don't take a hardtail to a lift service resort. You'll die!!!!!!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/lift%20riding/DSCN1556.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/lift%20riding/scrub20KS2028Medium29.jpg

haha! mam? that's pretty good, keep it up scrubs:D!

Pot--->kettle-->black.

You're not far off from MAM yourself, in some of the advice spew you've posted.

Yes, don't take a hardtail to a lift service resort. You'll die!!!!!!


for a beginner mountain biker? Hardtail downhill? I will be the first person to admit I'm not gutsy (nor skillful) enough to do it. Perhaps you are. Perhaps the person in question isn't.

No, as i posted earlier that was only advice from me, and he certainly doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to, i still never said he HAS to get a hardtail, please stop trying to pick typing fights with everyone, it's seems endless with you guys:o.


again, nothing i posted was like a ransome or some other *****, so no more: "but it looks like you said ___ here and then you said ____ over here", ok?


thx, :)

Maybe you should actually think about what you post...especially if what you type isn't what you mean. I'm just pointing out that your posts are useless and contradictory. You didn't answer any of the OPs questions with any valid information then you started talking about your riding. Maybe instead of telling the OP what you'd do, ask him what type of riding he does so people can provide better advice.

Perhaps the person in question isn't.

That person doesn't exist...it was a hypothetical situation you created.

BTW, one of the guys I ride with is on a hardtail and isn't exactly what I call experienced. He came out with us one day and hit our local shuttle trails. A couple of the trails are steep and rocky while other sections had snow and were muddy and slick...he was fine...just slower than everyone else and walked sections he didn't feel comfortable riding. So it can be done.

for a beginner mountain biker? Hardtail downhill? I will be the first person to admit I'm not gutsy (nor skillful) enough to do it. Perhaps you are. Perhaps the person in question isn't.

The OP didn't say he's a beginner. He's riding some decent trails. I'm just going after the sideline discussion of riding lift stuff on hardtails, and the assumptions that other posters ride the same way, on the same terrain as everyone else.

The OP didn't say he's a beginner. He's riding some decent trails. I'm just going after the sideline discussion of riding lift stuff on hardtails, and the assumptions that other posters ride the same way, on the same terrain as everyone else.

not the OP, MulletArgyleman

Aren't you the same age, if not younger?

If not, then I feel sorry for you. 5'4 for life.

When did I say I was 5'4"? I don't recall that. I'm fifteen, if it matters.

would you just get off his case? seriously, I've watched you flame this guy for a couple of threads now. Whatever, he's 13, he posts moronic crap, thats fine, but what is it to you? If he posts advice thant may be dangerous, something along the lines of "ride a hardtail on your next downhill resort trip" then you're welcome to step in, but otherwise:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=348944

Maybe I'm overreacting. I'm around his age, he posts stupid ****. I at least have SOME idea of what I'm talking about before I jump in with my advice, most of the time, but because I'm around his age and he acts like an idiot I get lumped in with him.

great idea. I'm doing the same thing. I love my HT but it's killing me on the roots. I've just bought a used FS frame for $175 and just about all of my stuff will transfer over fine.

Keep it on the cheap and if you fall in love with full sus the rig you will have created may be perfect for you and you're done.

cheers