Help choosing a bike

[dan1502]

Hi

I'm thinking of starting cycling again having not done any for about 20 years. I've not yet decided whether I am likely to go off road at all but if I do it is likely it would only be tracks and trails and nothing challenging. If I decide to go for a road bike would something like this be a good buy http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1434423.htm ? I would like to get a decent second hand buy so that I can get more for my money and if I find I don't get into it I can probably sell it for around what I pay for it. If I go down the mountain bike route, what makes and spec should I look out for? I'm also a little confused over which size/sizes to consider. I'm 6'3".

Any help appreciated.

[fildigger]

Well, you have a very wide choice of road/crossover hybrid bikes to choose from (almost bewidering choice)

I recently returned to cycling and did a fair bit of research, i found that anything over several hundred pounds was a waste of money unless you are very serious about cycling or are a semi-pro' rider (or you have to much money!)

Try the 'Specialized' range of bikes.....great choice, many quality bike shops stock them, parts/accesories are easy to come by and they are ridden by some of the top riders (road & MTB) in the world!

I bought a Specialized Sirrus Sport (near new) for £400 last year (new price £595)....check 'em out here..
..
http://www.tredzblog.co.uk/2009/08/2010-specialize...

[timbo48]

Hardtail mtbs tend to be measured in inches rather than cms as in road bikes. I'm 6ft 1" and ride a 19" Kona hardtail, an 18" Cannondale h/t and an 18" Kona full sus (obviously not at the same time!!!). Pretty comfortable on all of them. Better to buy slightly undersized rather than oversize as you can adjust the bike through seat post height, saddle angle (and for and aft adjustment) and stem length. Also most mtb frames are of the sloping top tube style now to give you plenty of standover height.

[dan1502]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Custom-Built-Hardtail-Kona-M...

Thanks, I've just spotted this. Would this be ok for me being 6'3 and does it look a good bike and suitable? The lockable front dampers seems a good idea so that presumably it would be ok for road but could be unlocked if I want to try a bit of proper mountain biking.

[Roman]

Dan

I'm afraid my Avanti is sold.

If you want a roadbike this have a look at this upgraded Allez sport for sale in Harry Hall cycles on Whitworth street West in Manchester. If you fancy a hybrid try the upgraded Sirrus too:
http://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/directory.asp
Both excellent value.

It sounds to me like either a road focussed hybrid (700c wheels) like the Sirrus (+ Boardman or Carrera Gryphon at Halfords) or a trail focussed hybrid (26" wheels) may suit your needs.
Trail hybrids:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/diamond-back/q...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saracen/origin...
+ Carrera Subway or GT Zum at Halfords
Road focussed hybrids are generally lighter and faster.

Unless you are going to travel further a field to ride off road the benefits of an mtb are going to be wasted around Manchester.

[fildigger]

Roman said:

Dan

I'm afraid my Avanti is sold.

If you want a roadbike this have a look at this upgraded Allez sport for sale in Harry Hall cycles on Whitworth street West in Manchester. If you fancy a hybrid try the upgraded Sirrus too:
http://www.harryhallcycles.co.uk/directory.asp
Both excellent value.

It sounds to me like either a road focussed hybrid (700c wheels) like the Sirrus (+ Boardman or Carrera Gryphon at Halfords) or a trail focussed hybrid (26" wheels) may suit your needs.
Trail hybrids:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/diamond-back/q...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/saracen/origin...
+ Carrera Subway or GT Zum at Halfords
Road focussed hybrids are generally lighter and faster.

Unless you are going to travel further a field to ride off road the benefits of an mtb are going to be wasted around Manchester.

Sound advice Roman, if you feel you may only do some mild off road work, then ditch the suspension! It will only slow you down and you will lose some 'feel' of the bike.

[dan1502]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm starting to think I would prefer something that can go off road if required but I imagine it would only really be tracks and trails. Whilst around manchester I will probably only be nipping up to the shops and possibly the odd five or six mile ride from Sale to the aquatics centre but if I were to go for a ride I might go along the canal, perhaps out towards some of the National Trust parks etc but it would be quite good to have the option of going further off road as I do have some friends who go mountain biking so have the option of travelling further afield.

I also like the idea of getting a well looked after second hand bike if I get more for my money. Am I correct in thinking anything over 19" frame with 26" wheels should be ok sizewise for me being 6'3? Also, what do you think of the ebay bike I posted the link for? I was thinking although it has suspension at the front, it can be locked off for general use. If it's a good one then I could make an offer - what's reasonable?

[Roman]

In that case, the Kona looks good though a 20" frame may be a better fit (I ride a 19.5" and I'm just under 6'2").

Alternatively you can get a brand new Cinder Cone with similarly good forks but slightly downgraded groupset in 20" posted to you for under £460 (with applying the £20 voucher code) here:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kona_Cinder_Cone...

Edited by Roman on Monday 18th January 10:40

[dan1502]

Thanks. Can the forks on that be locked?

Does half an inch make much difference?

If not, I might be tempted to make him a reasonable offer.

Cheers

[Roman]

Not sure - you'd need to check.

I am still 1cm from max seatpost height so you could be OK I reckon.

Think I'd be tempted to make an offer of £450 - good spec & buy - if it has only seen light use.

P.S. I have the same XT groupset on my Trek 8000 - it's been faultless.

Edited by Roman on Monday 18th January 11:09

[dan1502]

I asked a few questions and the response was as follows:

Hi, I am 6' 4" and the bike is perfect for me. As you can see the seatpost is quite high so can be lowered. The current rear sprocket is perfect for road use as that's what I mainly used it for. The bike has covered around 200 road miles since it was built. The frame as a 2006 model Kona but was bought new in 2008. A new Kona Cindercone would have cost £700 but the components would not have been of the spec this bike has fitted. The frame has been completely rebuilt using high spec parts.

Any thoughts?

[Roman]

Sounds good to me - go for it!

[Parrot of Doom]

With that Kona you'll either need SPD shoes for your feet, or some new pedals that will take any kind of footwear.

Don't forget to have some money for clothing, jeans and t-shirt will get very boring very quickly.

[dan1502]

Thanks, I did wonder about the pedals. I guess there's lights, possibly mudguards etc too!

[Parrot of Doom]

Lights cost bugger all these days, although if you want a front light that illuminates the road you'll have to spend a bob or two. For lights that just announce your presence, you'll have change from £20 for a perfectly decent pair. If you want better visibility, get a miniature front led light for your head/helmet, so it can be seen above cars.

[anonymous-user]

i use the cateye 135 set. some people advocate changing a red led in the back for a blue one suggesting that cars notice red and blue lights more than just a red...

[dan1502]

Or I could try and make a bracket for my old 50 Watt halogen diving lamp!

I'm still trying to work out whether the ebay bike is worth going for. Seems a tempting spec but although he says he's 6'4 and the size is fine, I'm 6'3 and the guides I've looked at suggest 21" - 22".

[Parrot of Doom]

Go to a local bike shop and have a play around. Decathlon are pretty damn cheap and have some nice gear. Evans has a massive range, although they're a bit more pricey.

Just go and see what's out there, make an informed choice. You'll be surprised what your money gets you these days. Don't go for full suspension or any nonsense like that, at your budget stick to a hardtail and good core componentry. Make sure there's nothing on the bike that can't be replaced.