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Moving to Vancouver...

big-ted

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
47
Vancouver, BC
Sorry guys, I get annoyed with all the "What gear for Whistler" threads too, but hopefully my post is a bit different.

I'm moving to Vancouver to study at UBC. I'll be out for around 4 years, and I'm trying to decide if changes are needed to "the fleet" in light of this fact. The fleet is, unforturtunately, not such a fleet, but rather an out and out DH rig (DHR) and a sort of hack around/do it all HT (Azonic Evo2). Now, I get the impression a lot of the riding around Van is probably more suited to a shorter travel bike than my DHR, but I'd probably be out of my depth on the hardtail (though I'm sure many cope). Don't get me wrong, I take my DHR on many an xc ride, but the hills round here generally never take more than 5 mins to get up by either riding or pushing.

So, what to do? I'd struggle to part with the DHR, especially as it'd still get used for trips like Whistler etc. The ht on the other hand is probably surplus, but I'd have to get something cheap for commuting etc. I don't really ride trails (as in dirtjumps) that much. If I were to make another addition, I'd be pretty limited on budget, but I have a hook-up on some brands.

So, lengthly post, but any suggestions? Having never ridden in North America (other than some xc stuff around Boston) all I have to go on is the inter-web! Cheers in advance! :thumbsup:
 
EVRAC

EVRAC

Monkey
Jun 21, 2004
757
19
Port Coquitlam, B.C., Canada
Welcome to Van.
This is god's country.
Whistler, Squamish, Cypress, Grouse, Seymour, Eagle, Burke, Woodlot, etc.
Good times.
Lots of peeps ride the shore (even the hour climb up Grouse) on big 8" 50 lb rigs and on hardtails, so it's all good.
 
jon-boy

jon-boy

Monkey
May 26, 2004
799
0
Vancouver BC
You'll be fine on the shore with the DHR, it might just be a little easier on you with a nimbler bike. You could get something 2nd hand once you get here if you find the DHR or HT to much or little. Just get here and ride, then decide.
 
SilentJ

SilentJ

trail builder
Jun 17, 2002
1,312
0
Calgary AB
I rode my Canfield on the shore for one day, and while it wasn't the ideal bike for the terrain (probably less ideal than a DHR), I still had retarded amounts of fun.

This Thread came to mind when I read your post.
 
OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,650
1,121
NORCAL is the hizzle
I agree you should get there first and check stuff out for yourself before you make any changes. I suspect you will want to keep both of your current rigs and get a third, somewhere in the middle.
 
A

atb

Monkey
Jun 18, 2004
201
0
the north shore
that fleet is good. i live in vancouver and ride the shore all the time, and whistler. and i also have a dhr. at first i thought that the dhr would have trubles riding all the skinnies, but it's been fine.

a group of us go shuttleing every sunday morning, send me a PM if you want to come, when you get here.
 
big-ted

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
47
Vancouver, BC
Sounding good folks. Perhaps the money can go on a snowboard instead! :D

I should have said actually, I'd love to hear from any locals who can give tips on getting by as a student/rider in the area. atb, I'm arriving mid-August. I'll be sure to get in touch!
 
jon-boy

jon-boy

Monkey
May 26, 2004
799
0
Vancouver BC
Tips for getting by?
Money saving tips?

I think firstly hook up with one of the riding clubs on the shore, Cove or John Henry run clubs and if you ride with them you can get a shuttle some weeks. It's fairly easy to get over to the NS on transit from UBC.
Keep an eye out for the stores having sales, Cove do the midnight madness and JH has a big sale in the spring, it's a good way to get parts cheap. The NSMB classifieds are good too.

Sushi/Ramen is cheap eats, Nevermind is a decent bar not too far from UBC that have beer and burger nights for under $10 etc.

Rent isn't cheap, but if you're not fussy it can be... what else?
 
big-ted

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
47
Vancouver, BC
360 said:
you decided to come then rob.

you'll have to come up and stay with me in whistler for a bit when you arrive:)
Click to expand...

I've always been on track to come mate, just all the legal stuff of selling flat etc takes time!

Yeah, would be good to come up. Wont be doing any extended stays this season though as I want to make a good start on work. Will get in touch. I don't think I have an email address for you?

Jon-boy, cheers. Money is going to be tight looking at the figures, but if rent is the most overpriced thing in Vancouver I should get by. I'm going to trawl Craigslist tonight to try and find somewhere. Anyother online boards people reccommend?

I might see about getting some casual work in a local shop. I've a fair bit of experience in cycle retail/mechanics so it's probably just a case of finding somewhere that'll have me. I guess I'd have to be careful with regards the condition of my visa but I can't imagine the odd evening/Saturday would go amiss.

Lots of useful info guys, cheers!
 
RaID

RaID

Turbo Monkey
Oct 27, 2001
1,393
0
Not the real North Shore (Sydney), Aus
big-ted said:
I might see about getting some casual work in a local shop. I've a fair bit of experience in cycle retail/mechanics so it's probably just a case of finding somewhere that'll have me. I guess I'd have to be careful with regards the condition of my visa but I can't imagine the odd evening/Saturday would go amiss.

Lots of useful info guys, cheers!
Click to expand...
Dont expect too much pay from a bike shop, i did that for a month and a half, but realised i could just survive off it let alone go riding regularly.
I then started working for a lawn mowing place, that payed good money for the work. It was hard work but you got rewarded PM if you want the detail
 
Bicyclist

Bicyclist

Turbo Monkey
Apr 4, 2004
10,152
2
SB
I would recommend either something like a Specialized SX Trail or Enduro for your one bike, or just riding your two bikes. If it were me I'd get a "slopestyle" bike like the SX, Enduro, Transition BottleRocket, etc.
 
P

paulpalf

Chimp
Jun 5, 2006
3
0
Tell me you're not a brit as well? Is there anyone left in the UK???
I'd agree with the others - bring what you have and either get another bike or swap out parts as required. I arrived with a marin full suss built very light. It evolved heavier, the frame got replaced with a VT, the forks got longer, now I'm shopping for a 7-8" travel bike, but the transition has taken 3 years, and I still ride my hardtail.

If you want to ride the mellower end of the shore (which is still hard by UK standards), and some XC, drop me a line.
We ride weekday evenings and weekends, but no shuttling, so the dhr might be a slog. Currently the brits outnumber the canadians in my ride group by almost 2:1!

UBC has its own rents site: amsrentsline.com. Craigslist is also good, but be aware of some fierce competition. You'll want to be in kits or no further east than commercial (assuming you're bike commuting).

Paul
 
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