stem..head set to long... ideal for climbing... bad news for DH... i had the same problem with my scott genius and standard head set...changed to a 30 mm one!!! the world difference...i just have to cope on steep climbs with the front lifting!!! but at least is a slow fall if it goes wrong!!! happy trails....
I am 5,8 i ride my old crappy 13" inch frame which is a hardtail with nothing good on, you do NOT need a full suspension if i can do it on a kids bike you can do it on anything lol
I live close to afan argoed, 10 min drive. I go up there a lot walking. really should see about joining a club there, any trails you would recommend starting on?
I did this last Friday, (1st of April 2011) and it was awesome fun. those rocks are a challenge but very rewarding to traverse. I only wish I had a quick release seat clamp as mine was set high for max efficiency and it made it tricky to fully commit, next time however, I'll be ready!
Your bars are too narrow for this kind of riding. They're narrow as hell. Wider bars and I promise you, you will run this trail and feel like a king. Those bars are narrower than a X-country'er would be comfortable with. Go wide, and own that trail even more! :)
Your bars are too narrow for this kind of riding. They're narrow as hell. Wider bars and I promise you, you will run this trail and feel like a kind. Those bars are narrower than a X-country'er bould be comfortabel with. Go wide, and own that trail even more! :)
Yes, it is a bit steeping than you think - I think I chickened out first time on that last bit ! It's the only section in the whole valley where you can't take too much of a risk. Glad you mate was OK, well, he was laughing a bit at least !. Nice filming, love the wind-rush noise.
Yep. You see hardtails all the time there - but I would suggest you need to be a competent rider. A full suss just hides the mistakes of riders like me...
@stumpy25lbs I'm not a competent rider but my HT will be coming with me to Whites next Sunday. It's all about the lines, just hope I can pick em or it's wipeout time. :-)
Yeah, no reason why not, though it could tire you out more if you did the whole W2 trail, for example. The section of trail in this video isn't even the bumpiest, although it is the steepest at the last section (where the crash happens). But there is plenty of climbing, so hardtails win out here. Search for 'Afan Forest Whites Level XC racer chases Downhiller' and that video was shot on a hardtail.
@LucasPerks94 Yes, and with ease. The trail in this vid should be ridden flat out ona full sus and on a HT you'd some serious speed. It's not very technical at all.
I used to do this trail when I lived in Swansea. Used to use my 3rd hand, worthless Kona Lanai (old entry level hardtail) with no problems, and I had only been riding XC a few months. when I got there I was almost put off by the guys unloading £1000+ bikes out their vans etc. I asked one of them if I would be OK and he said just take it at my own pace. I did and never came off. Its an awesome trail!!!!! Go at it with confidence and have fun!
bloody hell theyve improved that place biked there everyday for 15 years until i emmigrated, Was never that good when i did it, can't believe how much time and effort has been spent on those trails. AH wales my home seems there are some good thigns about it.
hay im just starting out and live in swansea so found out about these tracks and wanna have a pop especially as iv just ordered my first proper bike any tips??
I have just come back from Afan as I did it at the weekend.
My tips for you would be to look at the weather forecast before you go out on the rides (very unpredictable ) and dont stop because you lose all your momentum and are much more likely to crash.
Just got back from Afan Forest, had a great time. That black run is definitely a lot steeper than it looks on your video! I'm glad I had my full sus specialized bike. My mate somehow managed to go over the handlebars on the tricky uphill part at the start of Whites/Skyline/W2
Just got back, did Penhydd, whites, Energy... Came off on Energy though. Still as a novice I did ok I think, I was on a 1999 uprated Kona Cindercone hardtail with "V" brakes. and recommend it to ANYONE!!! - Who needs full sus!!! - TIP. Get fit before you go!!!
Know that section well (eaten a bit of it too!!)....
One tip though, In future if you ever stack it like that, do the inspection of bike and body off the trail - you never know, the next guy down the hill could be flying!
Good vid though, I wanna go ridin' now (unfortunately stuck in with the kids!)
When i went down there it was only my 2nd ever down hill style ride. I wouldn't have stopped for shit - I had no idea that stepped bit was there! Pretty tame till then apart from the big burm at the end.
Great video, great run. Too old for that lark at 44 though. I'd break rather than bounce now! Used to ride out at Coed Y Brenin 15 years ago - back then I bounced aplenty! :-D
@vixenfootwear You're not too old! I'm 56 and love Afan, Cwm Carn, Glentress etc etc. I also go to Spain twice a year for some sunny singletrack. Just do it at all your own pace and enjoy.
Hardtail managed no problems, same again tomorrow
rodlaz1984 1 day ago
stem..head set to long... ideal for climbing... bad news for DH... i had the same problem with my scott genius and standard head set...changed to a 30 mm one!!! the world difference...i just have to cope on steep climbs with the front lifting!!! but at least is a slow fall if it goes wrong!!! happy trails....
Andrewolf79 3 months ago
I am 5,8 i ride my old crappy 13" inch frame which is a hardtail with nothing good on, you do NOT need a full suspension if i can do it on a kids bike you can do it on anything lol
MadzInsaneGaming 3 months ago
anybody know anything about the kona blast? Getting one on Saturday and wondering how much abuse it can take?
cannibalsrcul 4 months ago
CRASH 3:15
3ridetec 5 months ago
Where is this exactly? Looks fantastic..
GarethKeenan101 5 months ago
I live close to afan argoed, 10 min drive. I go up there a lot walking. really should see about joining a club there, any trails you would recommend starting on?
spiritse 6 months ago
great video. wana be carefull riding with ur lil fingers stuck out though :P ull break them !
adamsilver1987 6 months ago
I did this last Friday, (1st of April 2011) and it was awesome fun. those rocks are a challenge but very rewarding to traverse. I only wish I had a quick release seat clamp as mine was set high for max efficiency and it made it tricky to fully commit, next time however, I'll be ready!
quatfro 11 months ago
no big jumps or drop offs could do it on a BMX if you wanted to mate :)
andyd2506 1 year ago
3:15 for the crash
elvispiss 1 year ago
best served on hardtail.................
TheTweeky77 1 year ago
i did this yesterday!
iliketomakevideos95 1 year ago
sick run got outta hand...
flippy0450 1 year ago
hard-tail through and through
burgess6969 1 year ago
Your bars are too narrow for this kind of riding. They're narrow as hell. Wider bars and I promise you, you will run this trail and feel like a king. Those bars are narrower than a X-country'er would be comfortable with. Go wide, and own that trail even more! :)
rodlaz1984 1 year ago 3
Your bars are too narrow for this kind of riding. They're narrow as hell. Wider bars and I promise you, you will run this trail and feel like a kind. Those bars are narrower than a X-country'er bould be comfortabel with. Go wide, and own that trail even more! :)
rodlaz1984 1 year ago
I was expecting some thing more spectacular, whereabouts is this trail?
FishinGuitarMad 1 year ago
too old at 44 ! wimp i did this on 5/7/10 in 2hs.30 and i am 53yrs old !
Also did W2 on the sunday 4hrs 30. all this after i broke my back dec 2006,smashed my petaler 2009 now held together with screws and steel
Life in this old git yet,nice vid well done !
jsawilliams 1 year ago
Yes, it is a bit steeping than you think - I think I chickened out first time on that last bit ! It's the only section in the whole valley where you can't take too much of a risk. Glad you mate was OK, well, he was laughing a bit at least !. Nice filming, love the wind-rush noise.
EagleOfToledo 1 year ago
nice riding.... the same place i came a cropper..... ha
great trait.
dairfu 1 year ago
could the trails at afan be done on a hardtail?
LucasPerks94 1 year ago
@LucasPerks94
Yep. You see hardtails all the time there - but I would suggest you need to be a competent rider. A full suss just hides the mistakes of riders like me...
stumpy25lbs 1 year ago 3
ok cool thats good to know coz i do plan on a trip in the summer and only have a hardtail. cheers for getting back to me.
LucasPerks94 1 year ago
@stumpy25lbs I'm not a competent rider but my HT will be coming with me to Whites next Sunday. It's all about the lines, just hope I can pick em or it's wipeout time. :-)
rodlaz1984 1 week ago
@LucasPerks94
Yeah, no reason why not, though it could tire you out more if you did the whole W2 trail, for example. The section of trail in this video isn't even the bumpiest, although it is the steepest at the last section (where the crash happens). But there is plenty of climbing, so hardtails win out here. Search for 'Afan Forest Whites Level XC racer chases Downhiller' and that video was shot on a hardtail.
EagleOfToledo 1 year ago
@LucasPerks94 Yes, and with ease. The trail in this vid should be ridden flat out ona full sus and on a HT you'd some serious speed. It's not very technical at all.
rodlaz1984 1 year ago
@LucasPerks94
I used to do this trail when I lived in Swansea. Used to use my 3rd hand, worthless Kona Lanai (old entry level hardtail) with no problems, and I had only been riding XC a few months. when I got there I was almost put off by the guys unloading £1000+ bikes out their vans etc. I asked one of them if I would be OK and he said just take it at my own pace. I did and never came off. Its an awesome trail!!!!! Go at it with confidence and have fun!
parkin480 1 year ago
bloody hell theyve improved that place biked there everyday for 15 years until i emmigrated, Was never that good when i did it, can't believe how much time and effort has been spent on those trails. AH wales my home seems there are some good thigns about it.
ballsrburning 2 years ago
Thats a big black run!! loved it last weekend!
Howhigh87 2 years ago
mmm i had an accident up afan back in august, put the large chain ring through my leg, not good, lol.. 31 mins in to the ride up whites LOL.
southwestxc 2 years ago
Brings back memories, you guys have hit the trail we'd do ... good fun huh? Hard going in parts ... thx for posting.
federo4 2 years ago
hay im just starting out and live in swansea so found out about these tracks and wanna have a pop especially as iv just ordered my first proper bike any tips??
ISBSA1 2 years ago
Hi,
I have just come back from Afan as I did it at the weekend.
My tips for you would be to look at the weather forecast before you go out on the rides (very unpredictable ) and dont stop because you lose all your momentum and are much more likely to crash.
15elliotjohnson15 2 years ago
don't rush into things, don't fall :)
inabizle 2 years ago
Thats a sexy trail and a sexy crash
gtjoejoe 2 years ago
Comment removed
timscarfe 2 years ago
lol funny as, i think we've all had a bit of tha!!
bigginsofblackwood 2 years ago
Just got back from Afan Forest, had a great time. That black run is definitely a lot steeper than it looks on your video! I'm glad I had my full sus specialized bike. My mate somehow managed to go over the handlebars on the tricky uphill part at the start of Whites/Skyline/W2
maximumstagg 2 years ago
Just got back, did Penhydd, whites, Energy... Came off on Energy though. Still as a novice I did ok I think, I was on a 1999 uprated Kona Cindercone hardtail with "V" brakes. and recommend it to ANYONE!!! - Who needs full sus!!! - TIP. Get fit before you go!!!
24087308 2 years ago
Know that section well (eaten a bit of it too!!)....
One tip though, In future if you ever stack it like that, do the inspection of bike and body off the trail - you never know, the next guy down the hill could be flying!
Good vid though, I wanna go ridin' now (unfortunately stuck in with the kids!)
mattclank 2 years ago 2
Exactly what I was thinking.
When i went down there it was only my 2nd ever down hill style ride. I wouldn't have stopped for shit - I had no idea that stepped bit was there! Pretty tame till then apart from the big burm at the end.
cuntchopsmclore 2 years ago
lol, when ever i watch a crash i start to get nervous for the first minute or so when im riding :D
bloodshot16 2 years ago
Great video, great run. Too old for that lark at 44 though. I'd break rather than bounce now! Used to ride out at Coed Y Brenin 15 years ago - back then I bounced aplenty! :-D
vixenfootwear 2 years ago
Well I'm not going to give my age away but it's mighty close to yours, and I only started this lark 3 years ago! You're never too old...
stumpy25lbs 2 years ago 5
@stumpy25lbs yup my dad 50 this month and is doing it all haha! (Y)
mikovol 1 year ago
@vixenfootwear
My dad is 51 and he does it a breeze dude, he's no amazing rider either :)
mtbcrashtestdummy 1 year ago
@vixenfootwear You're not too old! I'm 56 and love Afan, Cwm Carn, Glentress etc etc. I also go to Spain twice a year for some sunny singletrack. Just do it at all your own pace and enjoy.
Snowboarding in Canada again in 4 weeks time.
busterrabbit 1 year ago
@vixenfootwear hey I'm 40, still hitting the trails... with my face, last weekend at Brechfa lol don't think I'll ever stop this lark tbh...
nuteski 5 months ago
Yup - great Xmas present, hey?
stumpy25lbs 3 years ago
Is that with the GoPro you got for your wife to get you for Xmas?
Bykshop 3 years ago
4:03 'bike looks alright' lol
dwclay99 3 years ago
Luckily his head broke the fall
Video footage was good and steady
Bit of sponge would reduce the wind noise
OghamTheBold 3 years ago