Bike advice sort

[riwiho]

For the last 6 months I have borrowed my fathers Marin.

The bike is a simple light weight frame with no suspension and semi thick wheels (not a traditional road bike and not big enough to be classed as a mountain bike). I have enjoyed this bike as I have cycled a lot on the road and on local bridal ways.

This weekend the bike leaves me and I would like to replace it with something similar.

What could the PH collective recommend? I have looked at Marins, GTs but don't really have a clue.

I will mainly be riding on the road with some moderate light surfaced bridal ways chucked in for good measure. I have a triathlon next summer (June), the cycle section will take place on road surface and the bike will be used for this event so this is also a consideration.

Thanks for all your help

[littleandy0410]

What's your approximate budget?

[riwiho]

not alot more than 500

[Saddle bum]

riwiho said:

I will mainly be riding on the road with some moderate light surfaced bridal ways chucked in for good measure. I have a triathlon next summer (June), the cycle section will take place on road surface and the bike will be used for this event so this is also a consideration.

Triathlons require a full blown road bike with some novel features fashionable on tri-bikes, ie Tri-bars. These can be a temporaray feature and removed when not required.

Basically this sort of machine would have close clearances and would not take the sort of tyres you would use on bridal paths, (you would need extra wheels to cater for the wide tyres.)

You have a choice to make on what you are going to buy.

[mk1fan]

A Cyclocross bike might be worth consideration.