A What Bike thread
Discussion
After many years being off a bike I pinched my old mans spare mountain bike to go for a trial run with a couple of friends to see how we got on. Other than a sore groin I rather surprisingly enjoyed myself! Given running knackers my knees and I don't like sharing a gym with a group of guys who can't stop staring at themselves in the mirror, I figure a bike is probably the best option I have to get my fitness back to where it should be.
Now I've done a bit of research and there's a frightening amount of kit out there, going from reasonably priced to outrageous. I don't mind buying second hand if I'm getting a better bike for the cash, so can anybody make some suggestions as to what brands and options I should be considering?
Bike will be used on the road and some local off road paths and trails, I have zero intentions of doing downhill or such as I need my limbs working to be able to earn cash to pay the bills. What type of bike should I be getting for that? My head tells me a Hybrid mountain bike with possibly front suspension is a good bet, however my shiney new thing man sense tells me a full suspension mountain bike is the only way to go!
Budget is a max of £500, new or used, ideally if second hand somewhere in Scotland as I don't want to waste travelling for something I may not buy. Now things have moved on a lot since I took any interest in non petrol powered biking, so some sensible advice would also be much appreciated. Like the look of the Boardman stuff but my utter hatred of Halfords is clouding my willingness to purchase from there. I'm 6'1 as well and most of the second hand stuff seems to be for the shorter gentleman.
I open the floor to those who know a load more about this than I do (not difficult!) and appreciate any advice you guys have
Now I've done a bit of research and there's a frightening amount of kit out there, going from reasonably priced to outrageous. I don't mind buying second hand if I'm getting a better bike for the cash, so can anybody make some suggestions as to what brands and options I should be considering?
Bike will be used on the road and some local off road paths and trails, I have zero intentions of doing downhill or such as I need my limbs working to be able to earn cash to pay the bills. What type of bike should I be getting for that? My head tells me a Hybrid mountain bike with possibly front suspension is a good bet, however my shiney new thing man sense tells me a full suspension mountain bike is the only way to go!
Budget is a max of £500, new or used, ideally if second hand somewhere in Scotland as I don't want to waste travelling for something I may not buy. Now things have moved on a lot since I took any interest in non petrol powered biking, so some sensible advice would also be much appreciated. Like the look of the Boardman stuff but my utter hatred of Halfords is clouding my willingness to purchase from there. I'm 6'1 as well and most of the second hand stuff seems to be for the shorter gentleman.
I open the floor to those who know a load more about this than I do (not difficult!) and appreciate any advice you guys have
I was in the same position as you a few years ago and bought a 650B hardtail (27.5" wheels/front suspension) - you should be able to get something within your budget, with hydraulic disc brakes and maybe air suspension, certainly if you go second hand. Since then I have probably spend more than the purchase price on upgrades and am now looking at a full suspension bike, but that is on the basis that I've used my bike a lot, so can justify sending more on a better one.
Oh, and download Strava to your phone, I found that a really helpful tool for getting me out to ride more.
Oh, and download Strava to your phone, I found that a really helpful tool for getting me out to ride more.
What's the split between proper Tarmac road and off road? It sounds to me like a full susser would be overkill, and definitely not needed for the road. I live in the South Downs and a hard tail mtb is fine, you need good forks, but you don't "need" rear suspension.
At your budget, it will be an older bike if you go full sus, and there is more to get abused and neglected and cost more to fix/patch up.
A CX or adventure bike should be good, provided you're not going down as fast as you can, and you don't mind cleaning it and generally looking after it. These look like road bikes, with drop handlebars, but they tend to have tyres and gears that cope better off road, and possibly hydraulic brakes too.
Your issue is that what works on road will generally make off-roading harder, and what works off road will make on-roading harder. Finding the balance is key, a lot of people have two sets of tyres, a narrow slick set for the road, and a wider knobblier set for off road. It's a bit of a pain to change them over though.
I would recommend secondhand, there are lots of blokes like us who need to lose a bit of weight, buy a bike and ride it once or twice and then lose interest or find something else. If you buy a more mainstream 2nd hand bike, you won't be buying something that was s
te when new hence it is being sold, and if you don't like it or decide you want something newer/better, you'll be able to sell it more easily.
At your budget, it will be an older bike if you go full sus, and there is more to get abused and neglected and cost more to fix/patch up.
A CX or adventure bike should be good, provided you're not going down as fast as you can, and you don't mind cleaning it and generally looking after it. These look like road bikes, with drop handlebars, but they tend to have tyres and gears that cope better off road, and possibly hydraulic brakes too.
Your issue is that what works on road will generally make off-roading harder, and what works off road will make on-roading harder. Finding the balance is key, a lot of people have two sets of tyres, a narrow slick set for the road, and a wider knobblier set for off road. It's a bit of a pain to change them over though.
I would recommend secondhand, there are lots of blokes like us who need to lose a bit of weight, buy a bike and ride it once or twice and then lose interest or find something else. If you buy a more mainstream 2nd hand bike, you won't be buying something that was s
te when new hence it is being sold, and if you don't like it or decide you want something newer/better, you'll be able to sell it more easily.Probably 70% on road, the off road stuff will consist of the paths and trails at the 3 local country parks that are nearby. Plan is 3 nights a week and 1 day at the weekend. I've two friends who are in much the similar position as I am so we've all committed to buying bikes and spending a bit of time out the house (they're both married with kids) as it will give us all a chance to actually see each other and have a chat as well as keeping fit.
So what makes should I be looking at then? I'm not buying a full suspension bike as I knew it was over kill, my man brain tells me it looks cool but my wallet says it's just more stuff to go wrong and have to fix!
So what makes should I be looking at then? I'm not buying a full suspension bike as I knew it was over kill, my man brain tells me it looks cool but my wallet says it's just more stuff to go wrong and have to fix!
If you can stretch your budget a little, this would be a good buy;
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
If you can get yourself the 10% Halfords Voucher Discount that is readily available and British Cycling Discount (10%) on top, my calculations bring it in currently at £647.19.
I purchased one a few months ago and stripped it for the parts for another build - I've still got the frame - which I may build up into a winter bike.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
If you can get yourself the 10% Halfords Voucher Discount that is readily available and British Cycling Discount (10%) on top, my calculations bring it in currently at £647.19.
I purchased one a few months ago and stripped it for the parts for another build - I've still got the frame - which I may build up into a winter bike.
Get a rockrider 580 from decathlon currently on sale £460 from £600. I got last years equivalent for a first bike and it was great. The current model is a 27.5,Rockshox air fork,shimano Deore drivetrain,avid brakes. An absolute bargain and everything you will need,you also get a good warranty and backup though I'm pretty certain you won't need it.
2nd hand can be excellent value however - its more likely to work out for more experience cyclists who know what they want, and how to fix it.
R.E. Budget.
If you have £500 to spend, you need to buy a ~ £400 bike. The rest should be spent on equipment e.g:
Helmet.
Gloves.
Proper padded undershorts.
Basic trail kit - pump, tube, multitool etc.
This will give you far more cycling enjoyment than riding a £500 bike in your jeans. Especially when you get a puncture and can't fix it, or the gears go out of tune, and you get annoyed and stop riding the bike and it lives in the shed for the next 5 years.
Trust me - I used to sell bikes for a living. The kit is equally important as the bike.
There are some great deals on basic but very good hardtails about, Halfords, JeJames, EBC, all the smaller chains etc. Get into the shops and sit on some bikes.
R.E. Budget.
If you have £500 to spend, you need to buy a ~ £400 bike. The rest should be spent on equipment e.g:
Helmet.
Gloves.
Proper padded undershorts.
Basic trail kit - pump, tube, multitool etc.
This will give you far more cycling enjoyment than riding a £500 bike in your jeans. Especially when you get a puncture and can't fix it, or the gears go out of tune, and you get annoyed and stop riding the bike and it lives in the shed for the next 5 years.
Trust me - I used to sell bikes for a living. The kit is equally important as the bike.
There are some great deals on basic but very good hardtails about, Halfords, JeJames, EBC, all the smaller chains etc. Get into the shops and sit on some bikes.
Thanks for the suggestions, I should add I already have the helmet, shorts, gloves, multi tool, tyre repair kit etc as my dad cycles a lot so have pinch most of his spare stuff when he wasn't looking!
Will take a wander to Evans and Halfords this weekend and have a see look and see what there is
Will take a wander to Evans and Halfords this weekend and have a see look and see what there is
If it was me, I would get a Kona Dew , decent helmet and gloves
Kona Dew is about £300, wont be much good on bumpy off road, but was great on gravel tracks and smoother bridleways and quick on the road.
A proper MTB will be great but pretty slow and cumbersome on the road, unless you have good fitness
Kona Dew is about £300, wont be much good on bumpy off road, but was great on gravel tracks and smoother bridleways and quick on the road.
A proper MTB will be great but pretty slow and cumbersome on the road, unless you have good fitness
If it is 70% on road then a true MTB will be hard work...
Have you thought about a hybrid along the lines of:
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-eli...
Much easier on the roads and should be able to cope with basic trail riding - assuming not much mud involved...
Have you thought about a hybrid along the lines of:
https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-sirrus-eli...
Much easier on the roads and should be able to cope with basic trail riding - assuming not much mud involved...
Whatever you do, don't get one of those hybrids that's like a flat bar road bike. Jack of no trades they are.
If the paths aren't going to be rough, I'd get a cx bike. They're reasonable on roads, and if you expect more road riding, having 3 positions for your hands on a ride is much more comfortable. I'm biased because I'm a dirty roadie, but my road bike has been everywhere, inc. up to the axles in mud on my local paths.
If the paths aren't going to be rough, I'd get a cx bike. They're reasonable on roads, and if you expect more road riding, having 3 positions for your hands on a ride is much more comfortable. I'm biased because I'm a dirty roadie, but my road bike has been everywhere, inc. up to the axles in mud on my local paths.
I can thoroughly recommend the Voodoo Bizango from Halfords. It won MBRs best hardtail under £750 and can now be had for under £500.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
But as has been said if the majority of your riding is on the road then a hybrid might be the answer. I bought the Bizango 3 months ago and fully intended to do most of my riding on trails etc. However I've found that I actually enjoy riding on the road more, whilst you can lock out the suspension on the Bizango it still makes hard work of any incline and coast. I've fortunately been able to borrow a friends old road bike that they haven't used in 2yrs, but if I had the choice again I'd look at a hybrid!
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik...
But as has been said if the majority of your riding is on the road then a hybrid might be the answer. I bought the Bizango 3 months ago and fully intended to do most of my riding on trails etc. However I've found that I actually enjoy riding on the road more, whilst you can lock out the suspension on the Bizango it still makes hard work of any incline and coast. I've fortunately been able to borrow a friends old road bike that they haven't used in 2yrs, but if I had the choice again I'd look at a hybrid!
Edited by JayBM on Friday 12th August 13:53
Some Gump said:
Whatever you do, don't get one of those hybrids that's like a flat bar road bike. Jack of no trades they are.
If the paths aren't going to be rough, I'd get a cx bike. They're reasonable on roads, and if you expect more road riding, having 3 positions for your hands on a ride is much more comfortable. I'm biased because I'm a dirty roadie, but my road bike has been everywhere, inc. up to the axles in mud on my local paths.
Most of the hybrids I've seen are flat bars, though I'm assuming you mean a proper road bike frame but with mountain bike style handlebars?If the paths aren't going to be rough, I'd get a cx bike. They're reasonable on roads, and if you expect more road riding, having 3 positions for your hands on a ride is much more comfortable. I'm biased because I'm a dirty roadie, but my road bike has been everywhere, inc. up to the axles in mud on my local paths.
Forgive my ignorance, but what the hell is a cx bike?
To get into a hybrid, you either take the basic mtb and make it more road like, or take a racing bike and make it more off road capable. The spectrum within can be called hybrid, adventure bike, gravel bike, cyclocross bike (cx), there's as many terms as there are marketing ideas.
One abomination is the flat bar road bike. These are like road bikes, but with silly non aero riding positions caused by the flat bars - so they're quite cack at being road bikes. They're also cack off road, so the only real benefit they have is that you don't get that wobbly feeling in Evans' car park if you've not been on a racer for years. As soon as you get used to narrow bars, you'll wish you had drop bars - but the expense of new shifters means the cost to change is huge.
A cyclocross bike is like a racing bike, but designed to be able to go off road. They're strong enough to not break on bumps, and will have semi knobbly tyres, cantilever brakes etc. They're capable on road, too. The only thing to watch for is what gearing they come with. 50/34 (road bike gearing) is common, but so is 46/30 - once you get fit you'll find that a bit too low for pounding down hills on the road.
In general, "gravel bikes" or "adventure road" bikes are part way between a roadie and a cx bike.
On the other side of the sepctrum (mountain bikes made to be a bit more road friendly) I'm no expert. I'm not sure what you can do to a hardtail to make it more road-like other than narrow wheels / slicks..
One abomination is the flat bar road bike. These are like road bikes, but with silly non aero riding positions caused by the flat bars - so they're quite cack at being road bikes. They're also cack off road, so the only real benefit they have is that you don't get that wobbly feeling in Evans' car park if you've not been on a racer for years. As soon as you get used to narrow bars, you'll wish you had drop bars - but the expense of new shifters means the cost to change is huge.
A cyclocross bike is like a racing bike, but designed to be able to go off road. They're strong enough to not break on bumps, and will have semi knobbly tyres, cantilever brakes etc. They're capable on road, too. The only thing to watch for is what gearing they come with. 50/34 (road bike gearing) is common, but so is 46/30 - once you get fit you'll find that a bit too low for pounding down hills on the road.
In general, "gravel bikes" or "adventure road" bikes are part way between a roadie and a cx bike.
On the other side of the sepctrum (mountain bikes made to be a bit more road friendly) I'm no expert. I'm not sure what you can do to a hardtail to make it more road-like other than narrow wheels / slicks..
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