I am currentley riding a 98 Giant ATX with stratos helix shock, have just spent some money on some new wheels and forks(On Jr T but 20mm) and the bike is feeling better. This weekend I feel that my riding got a little better. It got me thinking does the bike make you a better rider?? If I shell out 2k on a new bike am I going to be putting in the times and hitting up the big road gaps?
I have broken the rebound on my stratos shock (and the ATX is cracked)so was thinking do I go for a better shock will it make any diffrence? or I could pick up a AC Team cheap(Any good for DH) or save a bit and go for somthing like a ClubRoost DH8 or Save even more for a DH Team.
A better bike will possibly make you faster, smoother and/or give you more confidence but not a better rider in terms of your skill. Some people will be smoother and more confident on a hardtail than a 10 inch dh bike it just depends on the individual.
If the ATX is cracked I wouldn't throw money at it for a new shock. Get it on the wall before it goes completely.
The Ac will be a nice short travel dh bike but you really should try as many different bikes as possible before you commit to buying anything. All you'l get online is different peoples opinions on certain frames but just because one person doesn't like a frame doesn't mean you wont.
mate frames can inprove your time as they will feel more better pedeling wise, but 90% of its in your head! if you have the top kit you will feel more confidence so will go bigger!
Its like if you don't wear body armor then do your'll feel alot safer so go faster, its a massive mental thing generally.
If your frame is cracked i expect it makes you feel unsafe on it. So reducing your confidence,
as your frame is cracked i would say get rid of it and get something new.
ACs are amazing bikes! short travel light and feel awsome with some 7" boxxers on
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Rides: Mint Green SuperStar Parkinson Needs to invest in a big bike!
i have to agree with thoes two. i have got an ac2 and i am more confidence to do bigger stuff. and now i am doing big stuff on my ht that i would have not thourght that i would have done. even doing it on my ac
replace the frame asap. the ac is good, but i would try and get one with the 7" plates, as i am trying to get them for it.
basically i agree with what everyone above have said. top/good kit gives you alot more confidence, therefore making you go faster and bigger. However its all mental, as you can ride any bike to a very high standard but better kit gives you more confidence.
as for the frame, put it on the wall as suggested. Its an antique now! you can pick up some very good full sus frames second hand, such as older patriots for
Nothing gives you more of a boost than a new bike, but pound for pound, new tyres will make the biggest difference in your riding. In my opinion anyway.
That has seriously helped me. since i have been riding with people older and better than myself such as andylund i feel myself progressing more, as i find myself trying to keep up, thus helping me push myself and try new things.
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body armour
this is another BIG thing that helps with confidence IMO. when im wearing myn i feel alot more confortable to go big and try more things. you get like F*ck it attitude but in a non c0cky way. ( if you get me . . .)
if you have no confidence in your ride, your mental game will suffer
this sport is dangerous enough already, you need to be 100% focused on your riding
if you are riding and worrying about a crack in your frame, or faulty components, it won't help you go fast as you'd like, and may lead to injury or worse
having a good, reliable bike which gives you confidence, WILL help you become a better rider, but won't MAKE you a better rider, that's down to you and your confidence...
better kit does help of course to a point but in the end commitment and progression (usually) go hand in hand and if you stick with it instead of giving up you'll end up with your techniques and your head being in the right mode on whatever bike as long as its set up ok
That has seriously helped me. since i have been riding with people older and better than myself such as andylund i feel myself progressing more, as i find myself trying to keep up, thus helping me push myself and try new things.
Quote
body armour
this is another BIG thing that helps with confidence IMO. when im wearing myn i feel alot more confortable to go big and try more things. you get like F*ck it attitude but in a non c0cky way. ( if you get me . . .)
rage
fun? if you are with like minded people into it for the right reasons you'll have fun and advance
or fall off trying
« Last Edit: March 06, 2006, 11:35:15 AM by dd2d »
While it would be nice not to be the only one riding a "late 90's Classic" I think maybe it's time to call it a day if the shock and frame are knackered. You were riding pretty well this weekend and your obviously starting to notice the limitations of the frame, I reckon a nice simple 6-7" travel single pivot frame that will pedal nicely and keep the weight sensible, a Bullet or Patriot 7+ would suit you chris, plus you could transfer most of the parts on your current bike over, a decent 2nd hand frame like that would be somewhere in the
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