help please for newbie!

andyderby
andyderby Posts: 7
edited August 2008 in Commuting chat
help please!
in a bid to get fit fit i have started to cycle to and from work each day (a round trip of only 7 miles - mainly on a cycle route and across a park), as well as a twice weekly cycle to my parents (12 miles round trip all on road).
as i am using this as a way to get fit every trip i push as hard as i can (if i dont arrive with legs like a baby giraffee then im dissapointed!)
i have inherited a mountain bike (marin pallisades trail from my brother) which is on its last legs (split farme) and needs to be replaced.
i have had my eye on a specialized rockhopper at £599.
do you think it makes more sense to invest in a fairly decent bike and incur ongoing service and replacement parts or purchase a supermarket special for about £100 and treat these as throw away items?

your help will be really apprciated!

many thanks
andy.

Comments

  • dondare
    dondare Posts: 2,113
    Buy the best bike that you can afford and do all your own maintenance.

    The best way to get fit is to alternate hard riding days with recovery days.
    This post contains traces of nuts.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Andy, if you have a split frame there may be a chance the bike is unroadworthy (almost likely infact). I wouldnt advise riding in that condition. :shock:

    Yeah I would second don dare's advice, spend as much as is possible on a good bike - especially if you need it everyday. A cheap heavy bike can be uncomfortable to ride long term. Dont forget to factor in good locks and insurance into the equasion. :wink:
  • dondare
    dondare Posts: 2,113
    Also buy a lock that weighs as much as the bike and use it whenever you take your eyes off the bike.
    This post contains traces of nuts.
  • andyderby
    andyderby Posts: 7
    cheers for that. just wanted to make sure that i was making a sensible choice...

    as for the lock and insurance both are already in place.

    thanks again
    andy
  • andyderby
    andyderby Posts: 7
    cheers for that. just wanted to make sure that i was making a sensible choice...

    as for the lock and insurance both are already in place.

    thanks again
    andy

    p.s. re my split frame... its an alloy frame that split around the top of the seat tube. the split was about an inch long and has been welded.
    will this still be unsafe even after being welded?
  • karl j
    karl j Posts: 517
    andyderby wrote:
    ... do you think it makes more sense to invest in a fairly decent bike and incur ongoing service and replacement parts or purchase a supermarket special for about £100 and treat these as throw away items?
    ...

    Hi Andy, yes as others have already said get the best bike you can afford.

    Supermarket specials are simply a recipe for disaster as well as a false economy. Ongoing service costs for a decent bike aren't that high but in the long run you'll likely save money by not buying a new bike every 3 months when the supermarket special falls to bits due to the serious defects and substandard components they come with.

    sorry but i can't answer the question re. the welds, however if it was mine i'd be inclined to let a *good* bike shop give me an opinion.

    atb
    Morning route (when i don't get the train)

    Evening route ,
  • ampthillmountainbikers.bl
    ampthillmountainbikers.bl Posts: 37
    Get the new bike if you have the £599 or 12 month % free, as the split frame is not worth messing around with, it will only end in tears.

    Get a new credit card with % free credit for 18 month on new purchases instead of an accident
    Cheers

    Click here :Dhttp://www.ampthillmountainbikers.blogspot.com
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    andyderby wrote:
    p.s. re my split frame... its an alloy frame that split around the top of the seat tube. the split was about an inch long and has been welded.
    will this still be unsafe even after being welded?

    depends on the quality of the welding, and the following heat treatment tbh. It could be perfectly safe - especially if done by someone who knows the tolerances of the metals. When my frame snapped the bike shop said it could be welded but would be costly and time consuming, a new frame however was offered free to me by Marin so I took it. :lol:
  • arankapila
    arankapila Posts: 39
    because of the brittle nature of aluminium, re-welding serves only to further weaken the metal. so riding it usually isn't a good idea, especially as aluminium frames are prone to sudden failure!
  • Jon8a
    Jon8a Posts: 235
    Why a mountain bike? If it's mostly tarmac and rough roads then something like a city bike or cross bike or hybrid would be better surely. Less emphasis on strength and more on speed (but still strong).

    If you do stick with the mountain bike you may find some slick or less knobbly tyres helps you keep your speed up.
  • andyderby
    andyderby Posts: 7
    many thanks for all of your advice. i think i will def. go for the specialized. just waiting for a cheque from my last fight with a taxi driver turning left in front of me!
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    andyderby wrote:
    many thanks for all of your advice. i think i will def. go for the specialized. just waiting for a cheque from my last fight with a taxi driver turning left in front of me!
    Also wondering why you want an mtb for road riding? It will be unnecessarily heavy and slow, and front suspension is completely unnecessary, adds to the weight and reduces the quality of the rest of the bikecompared to a rigid bike at the same price point. There are many decent hybrids or road bikes that you could buy in that price range which will serve you fine, and be a lot nicer to ride.
  • andyderby
    andyderby Posts: 7
    because each morning and night i pass a brand new bmx track! its always too hard to resist!
    i did try it once on a road bike, ot something i would repeat.

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