Recommendations for a commuter that can deal with offroad...
Discussion
For a new bike you wouldn't go far wrong with this.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-500-mountain-...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-500-mountain-...
What sort of terrain are we talking about and for how long? unsealed gravel paths, mud, grass? 2 miles, 3, 4....?
I'd go with a regular cx bike personally, all depends on the budget though but 14 miles on a mtb like that B'twin for the sake of a mile or so of "rough terrain" will feel like a long, long way especially at that sort of budget, lower end bikes are heavy and it will start to feel noticeable on a hot day or with a headwind. Components will also wear quicker at 14 miles a day too.
This EBC is good value and a nice versatile bike, its a bit more than your budget but its worth the extra.
I'd go with a regular cx bike personally, all depends on the budget though but 14 miles on a mtb like that B'twin for the sake of a mile or so of "rough terrain" will feel like a long, long way especially at that sort of budget, lower end bikes are heavy and it will start to feel noticeable on a hot day or with a headwind. Components will also wear quicker at 14 miles a day too.
This EBC is good value and a nice versatile bike, its a bit more than your budget but its worth the extra.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 24th July 19:34
This would do you a job with a change of tyres.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...
Edited by bingybongy on Friday 25th July 09:02
Out of budget, but I was eyeing this up in the LBS when I dropped my MTB off this morning. Never had a road or CX bike but I rather fancy this...
http://www.konaworld.com/jake.cfm
http://www.konaworld.com/jake.cfm
Edited by AndyWoodall on Friday 25th July 10:28
Mr Will said:
If by "off road" you mean the paths through the park, then anything will be fine. Up to and including a carbon-fibre race-bike that weighs less than a paper hanky.
We need more information!
I'm with Mr Will on this one. I'd be more concerned about wearing the right shoe/pedal/cleat combo for 'light off road' work (deffo no SPD-SLs) than what bike I was on. That, and a puncture resistant type of tyre, and you're good to go through most 'country park' terrain, especially short duration stuff.We need more information!
I know it's not a carbon fibre 'superbike' but I happily took my Ultegra equipped Aluminium framed Merida Road Race 905 down a clarty byway rather than turn around to find a paved alternative a couple of times, and also out onto Long Valley near Aldershot, famed in the old days as the route of a Parachute Regiment 'P' Company selection test.
Road bikes are way tougher than you think, and so long as you aren't regularly riding 'gnarly' single track, or reds at trail centres, then don't get tempted onto a MTB for a mostly road commute.
I've no need (yet) for a CX bike, as I ride either road, or off road, but if I needed a bike and could only afford the cash or space to have just the one bike, I'd choose a CX bike to do the job.
I'd agree with the last two guys. I've also been mildly off road on my road bike and it was fine. If there was room to fit 28 or 32 mm tyres, almost anything could tackle the terrain you describe.
I like the look of CX bikes, but am not convinced of their reputation as do it all bikes, particularly where I live in Sussex. We have the Downslink which is an old railway line converted to a 35 mile cycle path, and again a road bike could do large parts of it. A CX bike is perfect for it, but get one properly off road on to the South Downs Way for example and you may well struggle. A friend of mine took his CX bike on an event that theoretically would have been perfect for it; billed as a mixture of roads, cycle paths and 10% proper trails, it was this 10% of flinty chalky South Downs terrain that shredded his tyres and he had to abandon after he had used his three replacement tubes.
I like the look of CX bikes, but am not convinced of their reputation as do it all bikes, particularly where I live in Sussex. We have the Downslink which is an old railway line converted to a 35 mile cycle path, and again a road bike could do large parts of it. A CX bike is perfect for it, but get one properly off road on to the South Downs Way for example and you may well struggle. A friend of mine took his CX bike on an event that theoretically would have been perfect for it; billed as a mixture of roads, cycle paths and 10% proper trails, it was this 10% of flinty chalky South Downs terrain that shredded his tyres and he had to abandon after he had used his three replacement tubes.
Jimboka said:
You can do a lot better too...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ridgeback-Flight-Hybrid-...
Cheap suspension forks are the work of the devil, stick with a rigid bike if you are going to keep the budget low.
bingybongy said:
This would do you a job with a change of tyres.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...
This is a great bike. It's on fat tyres from the shop, but they are easy to change.http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/ramin...
Edited by bingybongy on Friday 25th July 09:02
pablo said:
You can do a lot better too...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ridgeback-Flight-Hybrid-...
Cheap suspension forks are the work of the devil, stick with a rigid bike if you are going to keep the budget low.
May be lucky and get a decent used one. Or it may be a liability or get trashed in transit. Personally I'd get the Crossfire with warranty!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ridgeback-Flight-Hybrid-...
Cheap suspension forks are the work of the devil, stick with a rigid bike if you are going to keep the budget low.
Daveyraveygravey said:
I'd agree with the last two guys. I've also been mildly off road on my road bike and it was fine. If there was room to fit 28 or 32 mm tyres, almost anything could tackle the terrain you describe.
I like the look of CX bikes, but am not convinced of their reputation as do it all bikes, particularly where I live in Sussex. We have the Downslink which is an old railway line converted to a 35 mile cycle path, and again a road bike could do large parts of it. A CX bike is perfect for it, but get one properly off road on to the South Downs Way for example and you may well struggle. A friend of mine took his CX bike on an event that theoretically would have been perfect for it; billed as a mixture of roads, cycle paths and 10% proper trails, it was this 10% of flinty chalky South Downs terrain that shredded his tyres and he had to abandon after he had used his three replacement tubes.
I did half the SDW a couple of weekends ago on my CX bike- 35c Racing Ralphs were ok, had a friend on Challenge Clements and he had clearly angered the puncture god though.I like the look of CX bikes, but am not convinced of their reputation as do it all bikes, particularly where I live in Sussex. We have the Downslink which is an old railway line converted to a 35 mile cycle path, and again a road bike could do large parts of it. A CX bike is perfect for it, but get one properly off road on to the South Downs Way for example and you may well struggle. A friend of mine took his CX bike on an event that theoretically would have been perfect for it; billed as a mixture of roads, cycle paths and 10% proper trails, it was this 10% of flinty chalky South Downs terrain that shredded his tyres and he had to abandon after he had used his three replacement tubes.
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