What type of bike do I need?

vaseline

I am not necessarily asking for a make and model, more a style of bike for my needs. I don't know too much and before I go to a shop and get conned by the salesman, I would like some advice.

I started riding last year on a mountain bike I have had lying around for a while. I clocked up a fair few miles, mostly between 25 and 35 miles a time along roads, with the odd 50 thrown in for good measure. I even did the 20 miles home from work one afternoon.

Now I am thinking that my mountain bike is not the best answer. It is rather old (early 90s Marin) so parts are increasingly uncommon. Also, the tyres are the nobbly type more suited to riding on fields, whereas I only go on roads and cycle paths. For that reason I am thinking of buying a new bike.

I would like something for cycling on roads that is not too expensive (maybe £400). I would also like something that is capable of carrying loads, for example my work when I come home and a little bit of luggage should I decide on a 3 or 4 day trip in the hills.

I have seen there are a great many types: road, hybrid, cyclocross, tourer..... but I don't know the subtle differences that might be important.

Can anyone help?

Wheelie Bin

I know you didn't ask for specific, but a used Specialized Tricross - £275.00-400.00 - will do everything you seem to want from a bike and it'll hold it's value if you decide to sell when you've got a bit more knowledge or your aspirations change.

It can take luggage racks and mudguards, and wider tyres than a full-on racing bike (for towpaths etc). It has drop handlebars, which give you more hand positions than a flat bar. It's not as heavy as a touring bike, but it's comfortable. It's sort of designated as a cyclocross bike, but with triple chainrings it's geared more as a tourer.

Don't know what size you are, but there are some on eBay now. As a rough guide, if you're 5'8" get a size 54, or 5'10" get a 56.

Happy hunting.

vaseline

Thanks for that Wheelie Bin.

My one reservation about bikes like that is the tyres. Are they narrow enough to notice a difference to mountain bikes with wider tyres on? Mine has 26 * 1.95. Would a change of tyres not be as cost effective? Or is there something in the gears that makes them more suited to road use?

danowat

A tricross bike would probably be a damn sight lighter than your MTB

Wheelie Bin

Vaseline wrote:

Thanks for that Wheelie Bin.

My one reservation about bikes like that is the tyres. Are they narrow enough to notice a difference to mountain bikes with wider tyres on?

Tyres are interchangeable (that wasn't meant to sound sarcastic!)

I'd guess the Tricross rims might take tyres as narrow as 25c. Anyway, with the standard tyres on the Tricross you'll be noticeably quicker than on a mtb.

BTW. I would'n't use a dedicated cyclocross tyre for road use. They don't have the puncture protection (between the nobbly bits), against all the nasties you'll find on tarmac.