Discussion
Halford's GT aggressor is reasonable but get a decent LBS to spanner it over as Halford's employees can be variable in their skills at bike building. I'm currently doing 10-15 miles 2-3 times a week and it's doing fine just needs normal maintenance.
Having said all that you can probably get a better bike second hand but as with all second hand it could be f
ked and the owner wants rid.
Having said all that you can probably get a better bike second hand but as with all second hand it could be f
ked and the owner wants rid.I've just bought this on a friends recommendation- apparently its very cheap for the spec or some such. I've only ridden it for an hour so far but all seems good.
Rutland bikes
Rutland bikes
A hybrid like a Specialized Sirrus or Boardman Comp hybrid would be far better for riding on the street (& fine for tow paths & bridleways).
Little point dragging around heavy suspension forks and slow heavy knobbly tyres unless you are going to use them for proper off road trails (in which case again, Boardman mtb worth a look for under £500).
Little point dragging around heavy suspension forks and slow heavy knobbly tyres unless you are going to use them for proper off road trails (in which case again, Boardman mtb worth a look for under £500).
why do you want a mtb to ride 10 miles on roads 5 days a week?
unless you are planning a lot of off road rides in the future i think a road bike seems a more sensible choice?
there are loads of good road bikes on ebay, you may need to look at the geomoetry and find out what size you are after, sit on a few in the shops to get a feel then go hunting on ebay. the simple fact is that most stock bikes of the same price vary little in terms of geometry so a £500 specialized will feel like a £500 trek will feel like a £500 giant will feel like a £500 boardman etc etc
there is a lot of scope for adjustment too so you should get cofy on any bike if you fet the right size.
follow that logic for mountain bikes and you cant go that wrong, personnly for £500 second hand you should get a very good hardtail or a mid range bike new, hardtails really dont go much over £1K unless they are carbon and have trick forks so you could hunt around for an 08/09/10 bike with a rrp of £1K and get it for £500.
also look for the bikes that are well used, they are more likely to be well maintained if used regularly rather than sat on their wheels in a garage where the potential for seized parts is higher, kanckered bearings etc ask where they have ridden the bike too, a good way of deciding if its been well looked after, on the whole, anyone who takes their bikes to places like cannock chase, kielder or afan wil lgenerally look after it...
do the usual searchs on ebay, rockhopper, oranage evo, etc
unless you are planning a lot of off road rides in the future i think a road bike seems a more sensible choice?
there are loads of good road bikes on ebay, you may need to look at the geomoetry and find out what size you are after, sit on a few in the shops to get a feel then go hunting on ebay. the simple fact is that most stock bikes of the same price vary little in terms of geometry so a £500 specialized will feel like a £500 trek will feel like a £500 giant will feel like a £500 boardman etc etc
there is a lot of scope for adjustment too so you should get cofy on any bike if you fet the right size.
follow that logic for mountain bikes and you cant go that wrong, personnly for £500 second hand you should get a very good hardtail or a mid range bike new, hardtails really dont go much over £1K unless they are carbon and have trick forks so you could hunt around for an 08/09/10 bike with a rrp of £1K and get it for £500.
also look for the bikes that are well used, they are more likely to be well maintained if used regularly rather than sat on their wheels in a garage where the potential for seized parts is higher, kanckered bearings etc ask where they have ridden the bike too, a good way of deciding if its been well looked after, on the whole, anyone who takes their bikes to places like cannock chase, kielder or afan wil lgenerally look after it...
do the usual searchs on ebay, rockhopper, oranage evo, etc
you are probably looking at a large or extra large dependant upon how long your legs are.
if you are in proportion then an XL is probably right, but if you have long legs, you may find an XL fits you best on the legs but your arms are at a stretch and vice versa on a Large....
this GT looks pretty good for £400
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/gtr-series-...
and this Jamis is nice too, Jamis are well known in the states and less so here but are good bikes.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/ventura-...
if you are in proportion then an XL is probably right, but if you have long legs, you may find an XL fits you best on the legs but your arms are at a stretch and vice versa on a Large....
this GT looks pretty good for £400
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/gtr-series-...
and this Jamis is nice too, Jamis are well known in the states and less so here but are good bikes.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/ventura-...
I had a Specialised Sirrus road bike and it was a good bike and munched the miles, at weekends and commute.
It just was not much fun to ride..And became more of chore to ride.. whatever bike you get see if you can borrow one for the weekend..Not sure id they do that but it is the only way to really tell if you gel with it..
Or hire one you like..??
It just was not much fun to ride..And became more of chore to ride.. whatever bike you get see if you can borrow one for the weekend..Not sure id they do that but it is the only way to really tell if you gel with it..
Or hire one you like..??
pablo said:
you are probably looking at a large or extra large dependant upon how long your legs are.
if you are in proportion then an XL is probably right, but if you have long legs, you may find an XL fits you best on the legs but your arms are at a stretch and vice versa on a Large....
this GT looks pretty good for £400
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/gtr-series-...
and this Jamis is nice too, Jamis are well known in the states and less so here but are good bikes.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/ventura-...
Both great choices and I'd also choose a road bike personally if you are in proportion then an XL is probably right, but if you have long legs, you may find an XL fits you best on the legs but your arms are at a stretch and vice versa on a Large....
this GT looks pretty good for £400
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/gtr-series-...
and this Jamis is nice too, Jamis are well known in the states and less so here but are good bikes.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/ventura-...
I made the mistake of buying a hybrid to use to and from work.
Went to my LBS and remarked what I was looking for and that the bike I had wasnt really suitable. His reply was "bet you bought a hybrid"
Though I now have a Spec SanFran2 hybrid (no-one wanted it "as new" for £200 so Ive kept it!), a Fuji Roubaix 3 road bike and an Spec Enduro Comp !
As Pablo said, if youre doing lots of road riding, the road bike is the most efficient way to go, though as everyone says - put some of the money aside for kit...
Went to my LBS and remarked what I was looking for and that the bike I had wasnt really suitable. His reply was "bet you bought a hybrid"
Though I now have a Spec SanFran2 hybrid (no-one wanted it "as new" for £200 so Ive kept it!), a Fuji Roubaix 3 road bike and an Spec Enduro Comp !
As Pablo said, if youre doing lots of road riding, the road bike is the most efficient way to go, though as everyone says - put some of the money aside for kit...
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