The was a call here a little while ago asking for a MTB forum, so I am guessing there are a few riders amongst us.

My two boys have gotten into MTBing but are at an age where I (not so begrudgingly) have to be dragged along. But I need to upgrade my old bike.

My budget ideally would be less than $1k which is in the Hard Tail area (we are all entry level), but I don't think I'll be upgrading again anytime soon so I could stretch the budget out for a cheaper range Duallie. So does any here have any experience with Polygon?

Im already the dragging anchor out of the three of us and it's not just my bike (so if you have any suggestions on overcoming middle age fear that will help too ), but I really would like to keep up with them a little longer.

Dude it's a wind/water sports forum if you hadn't notice. Just saying.

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hargs said..
Dude it's a wind/water sports forum if you hadn't notice. Just saying.

Dude, the first page (50 threads) of this forum has Covid-19 (I stopped counting at 7), race, climate change, funny images, fruit growing, TV and radio, realestate, something about a 22yo fridge, coffee machines, Google, Mark have trouble with Google, bandsaws chainsaws and prostitution (sorry no it wasn't, who knew controlled Nuclear fusion was thousands of years old?)

I found only 2 water related threads neither of which had any participation. So I didn't feel putting something here about mountain bikes out of place.......

Just saying

Yeah it's a general discussion forum - discuss whatever you want.
I just don't feel there is a place for a MTB specific forum on a site that apart from Shooting the breeze/Heavy Weather has Forums specifically related to wind/water sports that's all.

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hargs said..
I just don't feel there is a place for a MTB specific forum

And I agree. But I didn't ask for a specific forum. I said that one has in the past been asked for and therefore I drew the conclusion that there must be a few riders on this site also.

I am not interested enough in riding to want to join another forum.

Can't argue with the logic that there's stuff all about water sports On this page of HW, at least you're halfway there just asking a sports question

Hey Toph
i don't know much about Polygon bikes, and tend to stick with the big name brands.
A great hard tail to look at is the Trek Roscoe. They have a few variations in this model, depending on budget.
This hard tail is an awesome all rounder and will keep you happy on most trails.
Keep an eye on Gumtree or FB - Perth MTB sales as they come up from time to time.
I think their cheapest new is around $1200.
Good luck!

Dont listen to the trolls. An MTB is much closer to watersports than most topics here.

Polygon is good value for money, especially for entry level. The frames are solid quality but the componentry won't be high end. But it's not rubbish either. Good thing about that is that as you progress you can upgrade bit by bit as the need arises or not.

Alternatively look for a second hand one thats been well maintained. That said good luck with that. COVID has crated a boom in bike sales and prices have gone through the roof second hand.

As for advice for someone starting out. Firstly don't get all gung ho and think that speed and riding on the ragged edge is what makes a good experience. Everyone I know who started out came off regularly and stacks are always worse if you are on the edge wrt speed.

Whats important in the first year is getting to know how the bike trails in your area work, how much speed to take into a corner, being able to reliably track in the middle of the path at all times (edges being soft) and a host of other skills gained through time on bike. After a time you tend to stay on the bike much better and can push a little harder safely.

Also important is maintenance. Watch the vids and learn how to maintain and repair your bike for as much as you are comfortable with. They cop heaps of abuse and need regular attention. The more you can do, the less you will have to pay the local bike shop.

Finally, do it regularly and you will get fit quick, that makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. Get in contact with a local bike club or find some mates to do it with. Much more enjoyable to mix it up with others.

The polygon entiat is a ripper bike. If you can stretch your budget get the top spec one it's got all you could need.

Polygon are a great bike. I got the one down from top spec and it's amazing. Just check the components side by side to a big brand one and it's a nobrainer.

I'm in Cairns and the local mtb guides rides and their hire bikes are Polygon. You can try and return from memory.

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hargs said..
Yeah it's a general discussion forum - discuss whatever you want.
I just don't feel there is a place for a MTB specific forum on a site that apart from Shooting the breeze/Heavy Weather has Forums specifically related to wind/water sports that's all.

Where all glad you don't "feel" there is a place for MTB.... but
It's an open forum on a general page, people can put what they like. There is practically nothing about water sports on the general discussion.

Rude comment hargs. Maybe a different platform is more suitable for you if you feel you don't like it.

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youngbull said..

hargs said..
Yeah it's a general discussion forum - discuss whatever you want.
I just don't feel there is a place for a MTB specific forum on a site that apart from Shooting the breeze/Heavy Weather has Forums specifically related to wind/water sports that's all.

Where all glad you don't "feel" there is a place for MTB.... but
It's an open forum on a general page, people can put what they like. There is practically nothing about water sports on the general discussion.

Rude comment hargs. Maybe a different platform is more suitable for you if you feel you don't like it.

Ah that's what I said!!!! - it's general discussion forum - discuss whatever you want.

What I also said was that in my opinion there is no place for a specific MTB forum on a water/wind sport sight. It would be like having a drag car forum on a gardening sight FFS. I don't think it was a rude comment either - just my opinion which I'm entitled to - just as you are to yours. Peace Hargs.

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hargs said..

youngbull said..

hargs said..
Yeah it's a general discussion forum - discuss whatever you want.
I just don't feel there is a place for a MTB specific forum on a site that apart from Shooting the breeze/Heavy Weather has Forums specifically related to wind/water sports that's all.

Where all glad you don't "feel" there is a place for MTB.... but
It's an open forum on a general page, people can put what they like. There is practically nothing about water sports on the general discussion.

Rude comment hargs. Maybe a different platform is more suitable for you if you feel you don't like it.

Ah that's what I said!!!! - it's general discussion forum - discuss whatever you want.

What I also said was that in my opinion there is no place for a specific MTB forum on a water/wind sport sight. It would be like having a drag car forum on a gardening sight FFS. I don't think it was a rude comment either - just my opinion which I'm entitled to - just as you are to yours. Peace Hargs.

You could also say that watersports and dating have nothing in common, but the kities still have a hook up section

Biking and wind sports are complementary and I know quite a few people who kite or windsurf and ride when there's no wind...

Toph,

Nothing wrong with Polygon bikes for the kids (or for the adults).

You can be pretty sure that any bike brand that can win Redbull Rampage can build bikes to handle whatever your kids are throwing at it.

www.pinkbike.com/news/kurt-sorges-polygon-red-bull-rampage-2018.html

Polygon have their own factories and only sell direct via the web so no retail outlets is probably the reason they might look cheap. Componentry is pretty well the same as any other bike of similar range / value.

Could have a big argument about supporting your local bike shop but that's another issue.


Kids learn quick, but I'd say better to keep them sized to the right bike than to try to save some dollars and buy a bike that is too big hoping they will grow into it in the years to come. The right size bike and they will want to ride. Too big and they won't. I reckon the size of bike for them is way more important than having the latest 2021 Shimano XXX dooby whatsit.

Start 'em on little tabletops (yesterday) :



and move on to big gaps today :




- that's Norco in a 24" wheel by the way not a Polygon, but he had a Polygon in 20" wheels.


oh yeah, also don't let them watch Matt Jones videos on youtube (who rides a Marin, another direct to customer bike brand) or you will be building a dirt jump track in your back yard.

But most of all make sure you have a good story - like that you have to take the photos so you would send the gap, but unfortunately can't because I have to take the pictures, but could of I wanted to, really, I could.

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shi thouse said..
Perth MTB sales as they come up from time to time.

Thanks for the heads up shi thouse, a lot of my answers would've been answers just there.

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Paradox said..
Polygon is good value for money, especially for entry level. The frames are solid quality but the componentry won't be high end. But it's not rubbish either. Good thing about that is that as you progress you can upgrade bit by bit as the need arises or not.

That is some of what I was chasing... As long as the frame is good, I would be be happy to upgrade the componentry as or when required. Unlike the steely nerves I had taking big jumps as a kid, bike maintenance ability has somewhat stayed the same.

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Carantoc said..

Start 'em on little tabletops (yesterday) :

and move on to big gaps today :

Carantoc, kids are just crazy.... I'm not sure exactly when self preservation kicked in for me, but I don't like it

Thanks everyone else for your input. I've certainly been enjoying the trails, I just hope with better gear and time, I might gain the confidence to push that little harder...

oh
I didn't take Hargs comment as trolling, certainly not rude.. an un-necessary shot from the hip maybe.

I have no idea about Polygon bikes but if I were you I wouldn't rule out hard tail to start with. Especially if you are not sure whether you like the sport or not.

For the same price, you will get better equipped hardtail (as opposed to dual suspension bike) and as with everything you get what you pay for. Just a thought.

from personal experience:
I've been riding mountain bikes for about 30 years now and only recently bought my 1st dual suspension bike and I don't think there is anything wrong with HT

I tested few dual suspensions bikes in the past and I must say that new bikes that come out now are much different in geometry and set up and that makes a big difference to how they ride. Obviously that comes at a price. I haven't looked at Polygon bikes but if I were considering them I would try to get a demo ride (not always possible in Perth), read some independent reviews (not magazines) and compare them against the big brands (geometry as well as components). That will give you some idea of what you are buying - a modern bike or an outdated frame with sub par components.

I hope this helps...