complete and utter newbie

notanotherhill
notanotherhill Posts: 137
edited October 2007 in MTB beginners
Ive actuallly sneaked in here, cos im a confirmed roadie....but here goes
Im thinking of buying a MTB just to shake up my winter training for the road. Im working on the principal that climbing hills with big knobbly tyres has to be good for your endurance (right????)
Thing is, Ive never purchased a MTB before so any advice would be greatly welcome. Id be doing singletrack (ive no aspirations of becoming one of the nutters who deem it necessary to jump off stuff), neither do i want to break the bank, as my road bike cost a few quid and my wife will leave me if she even finds out im thinking about buying another bike
All advice warmly welcomed, thanks guys

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    there is a nice little sticky in the buying advice fora that may be worth a read.

    have a look and come on back.

    on word is where ever you get it from make sure you are happy with the service as MTB's do require a bit of fettling.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • clanton
    clanton Posts: 1,289
    TBH I think road riding does much more for your fitness than MTB riding - the long periods at a constant cadence and exertion are better for your cardiovascular fitness than MTB's short, sharp bursts. MTB riding is very good for your general bike handling skills, tends to help strength and will help to keep you interested in riding through the winter.
    In terms of which bike, best advice is try before you buy! As a first bike and especially on a budget you will get most value from a good quality hardtail.
    You can easily pick up a good quality hardtail for about £500 - £700. Consider GT's Avalanche 1.0, some of the Merlin cycles range are really good too.
  • dawnophile
    dawnophile Posts: 157
    If you're used to road bikes, I think the latest breed of slacker angled MTB's with lower top tubes might feel a little strange. Best to stick to a XC hardtail with more traditional geometry (71 degree head angle, 73 degree seat is the classic). Merlin do a wide range from about £400 '07 Merlins to Titanium Rock Lobsters, all with the same geometry. The spec is always good for the money.
    If you really want to punish yourself in the name of 'training', you could even go singlespeed. I know a couple of guys (supposedly confirmed roadies) who ride nothing else. Personally, I converted an old steel rigid bike from the mid nineties into a singlespeed, and it was certainly a shock. I'm quicker up hills on my geared bike now, as i'm used to pushing a harder gear.
    Also, winter riding off-road is usually pretty muddy. I can just chuck the SS in the shed and clean it later.

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