Which sub £600 HT bike for big guy?

Upya

Hi guys,

I'm hoping you will be able to help a completely clueless newbie.

Here's the deal, I'm 37 years old and haven't rode a bike since my old 10 speed road bike when I was around 14. I'm a big guy who has recently gone from 25.5 stone to 19 stone and after having weight loss surgery a couple of months ago, I am hoping to drop the rest of my weight asap. This is where I though a mountain bike would come in handy.

Obviously my fitness levels are somewhat lacking, so I won't be covering many miles at first, but I would like to use the bike to improve my fitness and enjoy rides along the local trails (old railway lines), canal paths and on the road. I was thinking about a hybrid to make the road riding easier, however I think because of my weight and the fact I want the bike to be a 'do it all', that the safer option is a mtb.

I have read more threads than I thought was possible in the last week or so and to be honest I have probably just confused myself even more. I have recently found a 2010 Boardman HT Comp for sale locally for around £300 and was pretty set on buying it, however I have just realised it is a large size (19") and I have read on here that due to my height (5' 9 1/2") and shorter legs (30"/31" inside leg in trousers) that this bike would be too big for me and I would need a medium (18") or even a small (16").

I was pretty gutted by this, as I had mentally already bought the bike and planned my first short rides etc, after persuading the mrs that it wouldn't just be a dust collector in the corner. Much to my surprise though, the mrs just told me that if the 2nd hand bike is no good, why don't I nip down to Halfords and buy myself a new one if I like it that much and pretty much gave me a £600 budget (money for accessories aren't a problem, just best not to tell her about these until after I have purchased the bike ).

Now, I intend to go to Halfords tomorrow to swing my leg over the large Boardman HT Comp, just to be sure it is no good and if not perhaps just bite the bullet and buy a new one. However, before I rushed head first into an impulse buy, I thought it would be wise to ask if you guys agreed that the HT Comp was the right choice for me, or would you recommend any other sub £600 mtb from Halfords over it?

I know you guys probably have these threads all of the time (I have read a few myself), however I really am completely clueless when it comes to modern bikes, so would really appreciate any help you can give me in hopefully choosing the right bike for me and (even more hopefully) improving my fitness levels and health.

Many thanks in advance.

Slow Downcp

Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon - also give you £100 change for your accessories

CraigXXL

I was in a similar situation to yourself and went for a GT Avalanche 1.0. It was a great bike and and more than able to handle my weight. Only problem was at this price point you'll be looking at budget forks like Suntour with poor damping and your weight is too much for the spring in them, ideally you'll need air forks which can be adjusted easily to cope with your weight so take this into account.

No 100% sure on the forks being air on this bike http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s2p2231 but it will suit your needs perfectly. Don't worry about it been a 2009 model as most of the parts haven't changed to the current years budget models. You could always give them a call to find about the forks or Supersonic, the GT expert, might be able to confirm it for you.

CraigXXL

You could really do with trying the bikes out too as you're height will be a medium frame but long legs a large frame.

Upya

Thanks for your advice so far.

I went into Halfords today and tried out the Boardman Comp for size. The bike on display was an 18 inch frame and when I stood over it there was no clearance between me and the bike (I must have short legs). I asked the sales guy if they had a small frame (16 inch) for me to try out and he told me the 16" is tiny and I would need a medium or even a large, despite the clearance issue.

I wasn't overly impressed with the advice or service to be honest, so sought out a bike with a 16 inch frame and tried that for clearance and that gave me around 2 inch gap.

I popped into another branch of Halfords to ask them and they seemed much more clued up and told me that I would need the clearance and a small frame would be better for me.

This means the bike I was after locally being a 19 inch frame is no good.

However, before I saw the Boardman, I saw a 2010 GT Transeo 3.0 Disc for sale locally (£200 but will negotiate). When I enquired about it, I presumed it would be no good for me, as it was sized small (16 inch). However, knowing what I have learnt today, I am thinking about purchasing this bike and if I get on with it, upgrading to the Boardman Comp in a month or so.

I know the GT Transeo is a hybrid bike, however I am hoping this will be ok for now as I was only planning to ride on flat trails and paths. It has lock out on the forks, so hopefully I can just lock them out for now.

Does this all sound ok, or am I losing the plot?

Thanks again for any advice you can give me.

Upya

Slow Downcp wrote:

Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon - also give you £100 change for your accessories

Thanks for the advice, the bike looks great, however there aren't any Decathlon stores anywhere in the South West and I really think I need to try any bike out for size before I buy it.

cooldad

That GT could actually be suited to what you want to ride. Would be fine for flat trails, canal paths, fireroads etc. Has a bit of suspension, big wheels and decent gearing.
If you feel like doing gnarrlier stuff in future you could look at a MTB.

Upya

Thanks Cooldad, hopefully you are right as I bit the bullet and managed to get the bike for £160 this evening, along with a helmet, lights, pump and spare innertube.

I'm pretty happy with the purchase, as although the bike is 11 months old, it was only used for 2 weeks after being bought for the cycle to work scheme and the guy said cycling hurt his calves too much. It is in excellent condition.

I was a bit worried when I got home as the wheels seemed to be sticking, I realised after 10 minutes though that the handle bars had rotated twice and therefore the brake cables where being pulled tight, d'oh!

I had a quick spin on it earlier and I have to admit it was a little harder than I imagined, but I will take it slow and hopefully build up how much I can manage as I go along. It did feel like I could feel all the bumps, but I was riding it in my back lane. I think if I ensure the tyres are inflated well and check them often, I should be ok until I drop more weight.

Thanks again for all your help, this is a great forum and I am sure there will be plenty more questions to come from me.

cooldad

You will feel it at first uses different muscles to walking etc. Take it slow initially and you'll be fine. It's the bum that's the worst in the beginning.

cycle monster

Upya wrote:

Thanks Cooldad, hopefully you are right as I bit the bullet and managed to get the bike for £160 this evening, along with a helmet, lights, pump and spare innertube.

I'm pretty happy with the purchase, as although the bike is 11 months old, it was only used for 2 weeks after being bought for the cycle to work scheme and the guy said cycling hurt his calves too much. It is in excellent condition.

I was a bit worried when I got home as the wheels seemed to be sticking, I realised after 10 minutes though that the handle bars had rotated twice and therefore the brake cables where being pulled tight, d'oh!

I had a quick spin on it earlier and I have to admit it was a little harder than I imagined, but I will take it slow and hopefully build up how much I can manage as I go along. It did feel like I could feel all the bumps, but I was riding it in my back lane. I think if I ensure the tyres are inflated well and check them often, I should be ok until I drop more weight.

Thanks again for all your help, this is a great forum and I am sure there will be plenty more questions to come from me.

Do yourself a huge favour and stick with it. I went from 18 to 14 stone in a year in my first year of mtbing. As Cooldad says, build up gradually. Muscle groups are strange fellows, I can easily ride my mountain bike off road for 20, 30 or 40 miles without a rest but can I run a mile? Can I flip! If you enjoy it now just wait for spring, summer and autumn! Start saving now because if the bug bites you, you will be looking to spend four figures on your next bike by the year's end.

The Rookie

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/
Have a read of that!

I'm the same size as you, fraction over 5' 9 1/2" and a 30 1/2" inside leg, I ride a 16" MTB (Carrera Kraken frame) which suites me fine, although I stick with a longish (80mm) stem and have the saddle to the rear on the adjustment marks.

Simon