Recommend me a bike (first time cyclist!)

[camgear]

Hello,

Apart from tanking around on a raleigh eclipse when I was a kid, I've not cycled much (But obviously still can ride a bike!)

Looking at getting one for getting into shape, will be commuting 5 miles into work, 5 miles back, we have a ride2work scheme here at work so want something quite nice! (As it will be cheap cheap cheap after discount!) but also would like the option of trail riding at some point for leisure!

From my limited research, I was thinking maybe getting a half suspension mountain bike with lockouts for the road?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro...

Something like this?

Thanks,

T

[wildoliver]

If most of your riding is road work I would suggest a hybrid, these can range for "roadised" mountain bikes to "mountanised" road bikes, and everything inbetween, I think the queastion is what do you call trail riding? Nice gravel cyclepaths around scenic attractions or slogging through mud trails in forests?

[camgear]

Er, I've really no idea, I don't think I'll realise what else I want to do with it until I get it and start cycling... doh!

I did do some forest riding on mud trails when I was younger and thoroughly enjoyed it, so something capable of that would be great

[pedantlewis]

Personally I wouldn't go for a hybrid, IMO they're the worst of all worlds.

5 miles is a short commute even on a mountain bike, so if you intend to take it off road as well I'd suggest that the bike in your link would work very nicely. There is a lot of choice around that price point, so getting to a shop and test riding as many as possible is essential.

You can always get a set of road tyres for your MTB that will make the commute even less of a chore.

[camgear]

I'd like to make it as much of a chore as possible to be honest, I'm trying to get fit

Would probably stick with MTB tyres, got showers at work so I can just ride in in trackies and get changed there!

Are Kona any good? I'm planning on going to Evans this weekend to price stuff up

T

[Chris71]

camgear said:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro...

Something like this?

The Rockhopper has been one of the definitive entry level hardtails for years and a very solid choice.

Might be tempted to get some (hydraulic) disc brakes though - handy if some numpty pulls out in front of you.

If you just wanted to ride on the roads and cyclepaths I'd go for a hybrid (kind of a mountain bike with road bits on it...) however, I suspect it would be much easier to cycle a mountain bike on road, than a hybrid off road if you were planning on doing both. And trust me, you will. You'll try it off road one day, get hooked and be asking what the best £2-3k full susser is before you know it!

[camgear]

What's the deal with cycling on the pavements nowadays? I ride a motorcycle on the roads and that's bad enough, wouldn't really like to chance it on a pushbike!

[pedantlewis]

camgear said:

What's the deal with cycling on the pavements nowadays?

It's illegal and gives anti-cycling types more ammunition. Get a helmet, maybe some reflective gubbins and use the road.

[camgear]

Even on massively wide pavements and being courterous to approaching people?

[paulshears]

I used my Giant XTC 840 (£600 in 2002 ish) for commuting 5 miles into work, 5 miles back......for nearly 3 years

XTC 4.5 is the modern version of mine
http://www.bikepedlar.co.uk/acatalog/Giant_XTC_200...

did the job really well

i used to put 1.5 wide slicks on it for on-road during the week.....the stick the knobblies on for the weekend

.....

as already said, get a helmet & light coloured or Hi-Vis jacket for riding on road

Edited by paulshears on Thursday 14th August 15:49

[paulshears]

camgear said:

Are Kona any good?

i think all makes are pretty good now

you'll easy get a good hardtail for the £££ your looking to spend

try as many makes as you can to find a "comfy" one.....when i was looking, i thought i needed an 18/19inch frame & ended up with a 16.5inch (Small as Giant call it)

i "fit" Giant bikes better, i tried other makes and was'nt as comfy on them.....even my new road bike is a Giant (SCR2)

[paulshears]

in regards to riding on the path

if i don't feel safe on the road, i will ride on the path

but i'll only ride on the path if there's very few pedestrians & give the pedestrians right of way (most people move out of the way when they see/hear a bike anyway)

i have been stopped by the police for riding on the path, but only once when i was 15

...

I'm in Hull & here there are some footpaths that you can legally ride on, but you must give pedestrians right of way

your local council website should have details of cyclepaths

Edited by paulshears on Thursday 14th August 16:13

[mvalek1]

giant escape r2, just bought one, excleent, light, fast and strong £300

[Chris71]

paulshears said:

I used my Giant XTC 840 (£600 in 2002 ish) for commuting 5 miles into work, 5 miles back......for nearly 3 years

XTC 4.5 is the modern version of mine
http://www.bikepedlar.co.uk/acatalog/Giant_XTC_200...

did the job really well

i used to put 1.5 wide slicks on it for on-road during the week.....the stick the knobblies on for the weekend

.....

as already said, get a helmet & light coloured or Hi-Vis jacket for riding on road

Edited by paulshears on Thursday 14th August 15:49

I used to have an XTC 840 too (about the same age even). Absolutely loved it. I stuck a Marzocchi MX Comp ETA fork on it which was fantastic on the trails (superb handling bike...) and locked out nicely for road work.

Some bd stole it. To this day I have plans involving unspeakable acts of torture on the perpetrator.

But yeah - awesome bikes - the brakes, the frame, the components all superb value for money.

[mk1fan]

The Cockhopper range is very good and certainly a good introduction back into mtbing. The Tax break cycle incentives strickly speaking don't include Sale bikes - although there are smaller retailers who 'message' the rules in various place to increase allowances etc... If you're going through Evans' scheme then you may be out of luck as Corporate Policy would dictate that the Tax rules are followed.

As for your training plans, well 5-miles is a touch short to gain real training benifits. This doesn't mean you won't get fitter but be realistic about what you'll get out of it. If you can squeeze in a 15 - 20-mile ride on a weekend too you'll see some real improvements, fast.

Also consider what weight you'll be carrying on your back - change of clothes, towel, shoes, possibly work, etc... If you're going to be carrying a lot of stuff then you're better off (given you're current condition) putting the weight on the bike, ie on a pannier rack. If you fit a 'proper' rack then use two bags to balance the bike or you'll be snapping spokes and wearing the rear hub oddly. You can get seatpost mounted racks that can take a fair amount of weight too so that might ne an option.

Next lights. The most important piece of road safety is to be seen. It is not a cyclists job to get out of a cars way its for the car to see the cyclst and overtake properly. Therefore, fit numerous different types of lights front and back (I have four front AND back) and keep the relfectors on the bike.

Next security. Get a solid lock with at least 14mm diameter tubing / linkages. Yes, they're heavy but if you get two - one for work and one for home - you need only transport it once. I also use extension cables too to further security. The main purpose is to make your bike look harder to steal than the next one as, in reality, if someone wants your bike they'll have it.

Clothing - riding gear is properly cut to be comfortable on the bike yes it's expensive but it's more better than chaffing, sores and numb nuts. Get and wear a helmet.

This may sound a lot but all of the above can be added onto you scheme bill without going over the £1,000 limit.

As for riding on Pavements - it's illegal regardless of the retarded arguement 'Well, I know when it's safe for me to do something.'

[System-G]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Rockhopper or even the Hardrock Sport.

I use my Hardrock Sport 07 as a commuter (8 mile round trip) as well as on singletrack trails etc... It's served me really well. I was considering an upgrade, but can't justify it as the bike is still going strong despite the abuse I put it through

It was recommended to me by my fiances brother who is a serious MTBer and also (ironically) works for Evans. Can't fault his advice or the company

[Taita]

Padded shorts. My fking arse is killing me. Might angle my saddle up slightly at the front.

[littleandy0410]

I would stick with a mountain bike, not a hybrid, as you'll only regret it when you decide you fancy going off road a bit more! The hybrid WILL break if abused!

As peviously said, you can always fit semi-slicks for road use, then nobbly tyres for the weekend off roading!

Hope I don't get in trouble for this, mods, but try
www.bikeradar.com/forums
for a buyers guide for whatever budget - it's listed here
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=400...

Edited by littleandy0410 on Friday 15th August 19:09

[mgtony]

System-G said:

I don't think you can go wrong with the Rockhopper or even the Hardrock Sport.

I use my Hardrock Sport 07 as a commuter (8 mile round trip) as well as on singletrack trails etc... It's served me really well. I was considering an upgrade, but can't justify it as the bike is still going strong despite the abuse I put it through

It was recommended to me by my fiances brother who is a serious MTBer and also (ironically) works for Evans. Can't fault his advice or the company

Couldn't agree more. Have the same bike, commute about 6 miles each way. Roads, along canal, through park, the bike great value for money. Also happens to be bought from Evans, think its 2006 model.

[camgear]

Hey guys,

Been looking at this bike:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/ro...

With these lights:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cateye/el320-l...

What else will I need? Road Tyres? Helmet, etc? :/

T