Another Newbie

SpaceWolf
SpaceWolf Posts: 10
edited March 2008 in MTB beginners
Hi All, I`m Andrew and I am Brand new to Mountain Biking and Cycling again .
I was on holiday in France 2 weeks ago with my Lady and we hired what
from reading since I got back a couple of MTB or Hybrid bikes, I had
not even been on a bike for about 20 years or so, so I was very
apprehensive before I got on not least because in the past few years I
have damaged the ligaments by both knees!
Anyway I got on the bike and felt no pain and did not fall off and I had
an amazing 4 hours or so of biking and now I have the bug to take up
riding again. :-)
The only Pain I felt was a Sore Ass for about 3 or 4 days. :-)
I live in East London so are there any clubs I could join?
I am not Young only a Young at Heart 53 year old and I guess that I really want
to get healthy again and try off road easy stuff you know.
I don't want to spend lots of money in case I find its not for me if you
know what I mean so I want to start off with a cheaper bike, I went to Evans
in Canary Wharf which has Serious Bikes from what I could tell
and then Decathlon at Surrey Quays (and they had Lots of Bikes
that people was riding in store, Impressive I thought)
I am now saving to buy a bike and after buying a couple of Magazines I
am a little confused about MTBs, I have read that if I want to ride on
the road ie: traveling to work I should not buy a MTB but a Hybrid
bike, can you tell me please are MTBs no good on the road?
I will not be traveling to work on it as the road is far too dangerous
I think but I will use it sometimes on the road and I want to ride on
Tracks and Public Pathways in and around Epping Forrest etc so what do
I do Guys?
I saw in What Mountain Bike they recommend a Full Suspension bike by
Decathlon called Rockrider 6.3 for what looks like an amazing £300.
Is this bike any good do you think especially for a Novice, is it good
on road and off road, I guess that this make is not as hip as say Trek
Marin etc but are they good and good value for money to start off with.
Can this bike be upgraded?
Right I know that this is a big post to start off with but I Need your
help please. :-)
I hope to hear back from some of you soon please.
Peace
Andrew.










Decathlon Rockrider 6.3

Comments

  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    No idea on the Rockrider, though I do know a guy who has a Decathlon MTB and seems very happy with it. Generally speaking the advice is to avoid full sus on low end bikes as cheap suspension is more trouble than it's worth, but I'm sure others will tell you more on that than I.

    Mainly just wanted to say Welcome to the forums and Welcome Back to the wonderful world of biking!
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Hello and welcome!

    Presumably you've read the Rockrider review on the site? : http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 3-07-20096
  • SpaceWolf
    SpaceWolf Posts: 10
    M.Cole wrote:
    Hello and welcome!

    Presumably you've read the Rockrider review on the site? : http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 3-07-20096


    Yes I have read this review and as I said the one in WMB and both reviews seem to be positive which is what has made me interested in this bike, have you ridden this one Sir?
    I just thought that with still getting pain at times with my Knees the Full suspension would help
    avoid the shocks when riding over pot holes and sleeping policemen on roads and other stuff
    off road.
    Are the Shocks not good on this cheap Bike then?
    Peace
    Andrew.
  • Big n Daft
    Big n Daft Posts: 418
    Hiya and welcome!

    Two words for you.....

    Padded shorts!

    You will find ass sore no more!

    :lol:
    Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia. ~H.G. Wells

    http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x42/ ... 3Small.jpg
  • SpaceWolf
    SpaceWolf Posts: 10
    Big n Daft wrote:
    Hiya and welcome!

    Two words for you.....

    Padded shorts!

    You will find ass sore no more!

    :lol:


    Hi Big N Daft, you haven't seen my Knees! :-)
    Peace
    Andrew.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    The new issue of What Mountain Bike has got a bike test featuring commuting bikes which would be useful for you to read...

    Essentially, i think an 'urban MTB' with slick tyres may be the best bet for you.
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    Pain in your knees could be down to riding in too high a gear - try riding in a gear that feels a bit too low and see if the pain improves. I've had to retrain myself to ride in lower gears than feel "right" and have found I actually go faster, though it feels slower.

    I'm not quite clear - have you already bought a Rockrider? If not, what are you riding at the moment?
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • Big n Daft
    Big n Daft Posts: 418
    I have bad knees myself, i share your pain. A touch too much rugby.

    Make sure the bike when you get it is set up right, basically rule of thumb is at the bottom of the pedal stroke your leg should be ever so slightly bent at the knee, just cocked really, no serious bend. This will stop your knee cramping as it will all but straighten on every revolution.

    Also clipless pedals when set up right may be a bonus, they will stop you turning your feet in or out while riding, maybe help if it is lateral ligament damage?

    Glucosamine sulphate and cod liver oil do wonders too!
    Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia. ~H.G. Wells

    http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x42/ ... 3Small.jpg
  • epicEm
    epicEm Posts: 45
    Hi Andrew
    If you're interested in some good stuff in Epping Forest you can check out these guys:
    http://www.eppingforestepics.co.uk

    When you are just starting out, I don't think it matters too much what bike you get. Just make sure it has nobbly tyres and front suspension. The most important thing is that it fits you properly! After riding the trails and hanging out with other mountain bikers you'll soon be more knowledgable about exactly what you want for the sort of riding you want to do. You can then either upgrade the bike you have or buy a new one (or not as the bike you have may be just what you need...).

    HTH
    Emily
    www.epicmtbgreece.com
  • owen_MTB
    owen_MTB Posts: 222
    the decathlon rockriders seem to be okay, i was going to get a hardtail one i dont know the exact model and the test ride on both seemed fine but in the end i got a diamondback apex =]
    just try it out and see what you think, its a good bike for £300, maybe start of with a hardtail though? to make you learn the techniques the 'proper way'
    It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness
  • SpaceWolf
    SpaceWolf Posts: 10
    Hi All

    Well where to start, after posting the start of this Thread I have suffered 2 Heart Attacks
    and while in Hospital after having an operation on my Heart I was also diagnosed as being Type 2 Diabetic so it was a Double Whammy for me. :-(
    I have been off work since then recovering so I could not even afford that Decathlon
    as my money has been much less than it would have been if I was still working
    at the moment.
    Now in my recovery it is even more Imperative that I regain my fitness besides still
    wanting to Ride again.
    I want your Opinions if you dont mind on two MTBs that I am bidding on on ebay at the
    moment as I cant afford a nice new MTB.
    They are a Specialised FSR Pro that is 3 years old and a Marin Wolf Ridge Tara?
    Thanks in advance Guys.
    Peace
    Andrew.



    SpaceWolf wrote:
    Hi All, I`m Andrew and I am Brand new to Mountain Biking and Cycling again .
    I was on holiday in France 2 weeks ago with my Lady and we hired what
    from reading since I got back a couple of MTB or Hybrid bikes, I had
    not even been on a bike for about 20 years or so, so I was very
    apprehensive before I got on not least because in the past few years I
    have damaged the ligaments by both knees!
    Anyway I got on the bike and felt no pain and did not fall off and I had
    an amazing 4 hours or so of biking and now I have the bug to take up
    riding again. :-)
    The only Pain I felt was a Sore Ass for about 3 or 4 days. :-)
    I live in East London so are there any clubs I could join?
    I am not Young only a Young at Heart 53 year old and I guess that I really want
    to get healthy again and try off road easy stuff you know.
    I don't want to spend lots of money in case I find its not for me if you
    know what I mean so I want to start off with a cheaper bike, I went to Evans
    in Canary Wharf which has Serious Bikes from what I could tell
    and then Decathlon at Surrey Quays (and they had Lots of Bikes
    that people was riding in store, Impressive I thought)
    I am now saving to buy a bike and after buying a couple of Magazines I
    am a little confused about MTBs, I have read that if I want to ride on
    the road ie: traveling to work I should not buy a MTB but a Hybrid
    bike, can you tell me please are MTBs no good on the road?
    I will not be traveling to work on it as the road is far too dangerous
    I think but I will use it sometimes on the road and I want to ride on
    Tracks and Public Pathways in and around Epping Forrest etc so what do
    I do Guys?
    I saw in What Mountain Bike they recommend a Full Suspension bike by
    Decathlon called Rockrider 6.3 for what looks like an amazing £300.
    Is this bike any good do you think especially for a Novice, is it good
    on road and off road, I guess that this make is not as hip as say Trek
    Marin etc but are they good and good value for money to start off with.
    Can this bike be upgraded?
    Right I know that this is a big post to start off with but I Need your
    help please. :-)
    I hope to hear back from some of you soon please.
    Peace
    Andrew.










    Decathlon Rockrider 6.3
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    Eep! Holy... :shock:

    I haven't a clue about the MTBs* but a huge tip of the hat to you, Sir. I logged on tonight thinking I had problems... Whichever one you buy I hope it works out well, and I hope you have many years of fine riding to come!

    *But maybe this bump to the thread will get you an answer from someone who has.
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.

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