Best Stock Bike Setup?

[_tom_]

So, it looks like I ride a stock bike after reading some various pages.. Just wondering what you lot think the best allround setup is for a stock? Ie what kinda forks, best gearing etc.

At the minute I am using some Marzocchi suspension forks but I dont know if I really like the feel - too soft even when I have them as hard as they can go (55psi each leg)! However I do ride some bumpy off road singletrackky stuff aswell so I dont know if I should stick with sus forks or get some rigids..

As for gearing, I am currently running 9spd with a 39t chainring. I did have a 32t but it didnt work with my mrp chain device so I had to opt for a bigger one. However it can go as low as 36t so I am wondering if you think that may be the best compromise for speed in the lower gears, yet ease of movement in the higher ones..

Anything else you feel a stock bike needs to perform for trials? I just dont want to give myself all the hassle of learning on the "wrong" bike (Y)

Cheers

[bambi_3]

I think your best option would be to purchase another stock trials bike aswell because it sounds like your bike is setup totaly wrong,maybe try going for a t-rex build (Y) its up to you though dude im just giving you what i would do. :)

si

[_tom_]

Yeah trouble is I cant afford another bike! I would if I could though..

[petit_pablo]

Id get a lower gear ratio on there with a bash ring. Learning without is going to cause tears.

Also for trials, idealy, a rigid fork is best as they are lighter, you have a better feel through the bars and more control.

There isnt really an ideal set-up as everyone is different, but certain parts will help.

[miket-raptorman]

no really i think if you use that for trials youll just end up breaking it and putting an end to your trialsing and xc riding. also if you make a multipurpose bike it usually means the bike feels quite shite for everything you use it for and eventually cost more. so i would put trials on hold for now untill you can get a cheap trials bike, go second hand if you have to.

[ShiroKage]

i reckon you could get away with keeping your cassette and mech but make it 22t up front. that means u can still have a half decent gearing for off roading.

[Luke Rainbird]

Yeah trouble is I cant afford another bike! I would if I could though..

It seems to me that your best bet would be to save up as much cash as you can, and buy a full setup such as an entry level T-Rex or similar, as these are now down to very reasonable prices. Check out www.tartybikes.co.uk for more info.

The thing is that if you try to modify your existing bike to allow trials, you will wreck its capabilities to do other types of riding. Trust me, I have seen and ridden many peoples attempts to create such a bike and none of them have been anywhere near a worthwhile quality.

If you want to seriously take part in one or more disciplines, it is worth getting a suitable setup to avoid problems later, but if you just want to be able to try a few little backhops and things between rides etc. it probably isn't worth your while trying to build a compromise.

Harsh as it sounds, to get a bike for all types of riding, you need a bike for each type of riding!

A very basic all-rounder (lower the saddle, good range of high/low gears) will allow you to try a few things out if you would prefer to get a feel for things before you decide to put some more serious money/time into trials, but if you want a good bike to get the hang of things, theres only really one way to do it.

[nmt_oli]

i reckon you could get away with keeping your cassette and mech but make it 22t up front. that means u can still have a half decent gearing for off roading.

that would be way too low, 22:12 is really not high enough for general riding.

for a good allround bike, you want a 32 or 36t chain ring, and a full range cassetter at the back (low enough gears for trials then.

keep it light, and have as low frame as posisble while maintaining long seat tube for the longer rides (ie 16" frame, amybe 14" frame depends how tall you are.

short travel 80-100mm forks, as hard as you can would be good. you could always get some rigids, and a new headset race so its very easy to change them over depending what riding your doing. my mate did this and could switch forks in 10-15 mins.

you would then have a pretty good alround bike. i learnt trials basics on my jump bike, so don't be too put off. if you like trials, then think about getting a specific bike. no need to jump into anything.