What bike?

[RizzoTheRat]

My old Specialised Hardrock is getting a bit knackered so it's time for replacement. Trouble is I'm not too sure what I want/need.

• I don't actually do a huge amount of cycling but it would be nice to do a bit more
• Quite a bit of my cycling is along the canal tow path and various rocky/gravelly tracks
• I do go offroad in the woods occasionally but not all that often
• I use it on the road a reasonable amount
• I'm only 9 miles from work so if I get a bit fitter I could cycle to work occasionally (but we don't have showers which puts me off), that would be a mix of tracks, towpath, road, and possibly a field.
• On the road I end up in top gear on my current bike quite often, which makes me wonder if a hybrid might be better
• How well would a hybrid's narrower wheel/tyres cope with tracks and a bit of of-road though?
• I get some back and neck trouble so would like something with the bars higher than the seat (I was working in Holland last year and Dutch bikes are so comfortable, but crap on hills).
• Part of me thinks an electric would solve the no showers at work issue, but that's a lot more money and weight, and probably a new battery pack every few years.
• Some form of luggage would useful, especially if I start commuting

So should I be looking at hybrids or mountain bikes? Am I going to get something reasonable in the £300-£500 range?

[Watchman]

I can't ride leant forward either - combination of back and elbow issues. I just picked the type of bike I wanted, that was the right length and fitted an Ergotec "High Charisma" stem and an On-One Og handlebar. Looks odd to some people but it's so comfy.

http://www.ridewill.it/p/en/ergotec-40136001-stem-...

A Dutch bike would suit me from a comfortable riding position point of view but they're heavy and hopeless away from flat smooth roads.

You might look at comfy grips too:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-ergonomic-handleb...

[jjlynn27]

RizzoTheRat said:

My old Specialised Hardrock is getting a bit knackered so it's time for replacement. Trouble is I'm not too sure what I want/need.

• I don't actually do a huge amount of cycling but it would be nice to do a bit more
• Quite a bit of my cycling is along the canal tow path and various rocky/gravelly tracks
• I do go offroad in the woods occasionally but not all that often
• I use it on the road a reasonable amount
• I'm only 9 miles from work so if I get a bit fitter I could cycle to work occasionally (but we don't have showers which puts me off), that would be a mix of tracks, towpath, road, and possibly a field.
• On the road I end up in top gear on my current bike quite often, which makes me wonder if a hybrid might be better
• How well would a hybrid's narrower wheel/tyres cope with tracks and a bit of of-road though?
• I get some back and neck trouble so would like something with the bars higher than the seat (I was working in Holland last year and Dutch bikes are so comfortable, but crap on hills).
• Part of me thinks an electric would solve the no showers at work issue, but that's a lot more money and weight, and probably a new battery pack every few years.
• Some form of luggage would useful, especially if I start commuting

So should I be looking at hybrids or mountain bikes? Am I going to get something reasonable in the £300-£500 range?

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cube-Attention-SL-29-Mount...