Still cant decide on style of bike - would like some advice.

sonypc100

Hi

First post having spent about 4 evenings sifting through the forums and reading the reviews.

Im currently on a Cannondale Super v900 bike but its getting old (and heavy!) so feel like a change.

I bought the Cannondale without researching it - it was many years ago when sites like this either didnt exist or they were few and far between with little info, so Im not sure it was the right bike for me then or now.

Anyway, I live close to the Leeds/Liverpool canal and me and a friend are building up to ride it, so generally smooth track, and I also cycle along it with the dog, I also cycle into my local city centre, 10 miles each way on tarmac roads - but this is infrequent, lastly the woods down the lane, bumpy uneven terrain with bumps and lumps in the way, small hills and dips and lots of mud.

Until last week FS and HT and 29ers and XC and Boardman and Giant and Carrera meant nothing to me but this forum is quicly educating me.

So if I want a HT the Carrera Fury seems good value and gets good reviews and this weekend has 20% off its £599 price - is there a 2012 imminent?

But do I need some suspension? Im now 40 and would prefer a less harsh ride - if so just on the front forks or FS, then perhaps Im looking at a 2011 Giant Trance X4 for around a grand?

Would I be better with a hybrid?

Thanks for your help.

Cheers

Rich

PS anyone want to buy an old Cannondale

sonypc100

130 views and no replies! Any advice gratefully received - especially if you are going to point me towards the Carrera Fury has 20% off this weekend only!

Cheers

Rich

cooldad

Your question is a bit wide but Carrera will do everything you want, is a good bike, and you won't get anything better for the price.

So buy it.

Job done.

supersonic

I'd get the Carrera too at that price, if if fits. Doesn't sound liek your riding would benefit from full suspension. Front yes.

sonypc100

Thanks for the replies, its looking like the Fury then, just been to have another look at it in Halfords, will sleep on it tonight and keep reading the forums/reviews on here - have to decide by 8pm tomorrow to get it for £430.

supersonic

£430? Even better, was 600, then 480 when I last looked.

sonypc100

Yeah, its doing some fiddling around with quidco and others but its worth it to bring it in at £430

supersonic

Can't go wrong at that money!

sonypc100

I know, but I keep getting drawn to this!....

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p3504

cooldad

Bit of a difference between £430 and £1100.

sonypc100

Yeah and thats the problem, will the £430 give me everything I want or will I buy it and always have the niggle in the back of mind my that I should of got the Giant.

Or is the Giant too much bike for my needs?

cooldad

A bit hardcore based on what you say you want to use it for.

At that price these are cheaper and probably more useful:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s1p3618
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2010

Or any Boardman.

Huge range of bikes at a grand or more.

sonypc100

Just to throw something else in the works, Ive been watching this 2010 Trance and would like any opinions, its going to finish somewhere between 430 and 1k so might be a reasonable compromise....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0591965367

sonypc100

Thanks, will look now, I just posted the above before I saw your last message.

cooldad

But none of those are bikes you want to leave lying around in city centres. Unless you want to support your local hoodies.

sonypc100

LOL very good point - such a shame we have to think like this.

cooldad

You also need to sit on some before you decide.
That one on Ebay is big.

Brands, and even models with brands, size up differently.

cooldad

Consider selling the cannondale on www.retrobike.co.uk (someone on there will think it's the best thing since electricty) and buying a cheap heap for commuting.
And buy something decent for the woods.
Which the Carrera is.

oodboo

From what I've read I think you might be better off with a hybrid.

sonypc100

It was going to go on ebay, but yes great site, will put it on there with some good pics

sonypc100

oodboo, any particular recommendations or should I look thru the reviews on here?

oodboo

I don't realy know that much about them so can't really make any recommendations. I just think from the type of riding you described then they could be more efficient and easier on you on the longer distances. They tyres (yeah you can always change mtb tyres) will have a lower rolling resistance and the larger wheels will roll faster. Plus they tend to have front sus for comfort. Maybe I'm wrong but it might be worth a trip to a bike shop to have a look and try one before parting with your cash. Also, I think they're less attractive to thieves than a grands worth of full sus. Just my 2p.

sonypc100

Thanks everyone for your input, Im guessing if I rush into it I might regret it either way. Im now wondering if Halfords have a 28 day return policy on bikes, so I can get the Fury tomorrow before the 20% runs out, dont ride it, decide if it is the one for me, then return it within 28 days if its not.

cooldad

Avoid hybrids - the worst of both worlds.
IMHO.

sonypc100

still going thru the forums and reviews on here - too much info to digest!