buying first bike

totalwar13

thinking of buying this bike, i seen a few people saying rockrider is better but i really want a Specialized bike its the only make i really like none of the others appeal to me
and should i upgrade peddles and anything else
what accessories will i need?
what do you guys think? im 23 and new to this sport
i want it to go on road long bike rides for fitness and off roading to
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec030686
thanks

specialeyes

Spec seems pretty poor on that but as you seem to have made your mind up...at least ride it before thinking about upgrades. I'd also get a decent camelbak, mini pump, couple of spare tubes, patch kit, multi tool, chain lube, some power links for your chain. Maybe some riding shorts too.

Chainstay protector, helmet.

cooldad

If you want a Specialized get it but you could do much better. Worry less about the looks and more about the spec/ride.
This is much better for the money
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2
Review
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... y-12-45764

supersonic

DId you know that the Decathlon bike is actually made by Specialized? Well, the same people make the bikes.

The Rockhopper is not too bad, but the Rockrider for £100 less is £200 better.

totalwar13

thanks guys i just really like the Specialized brand and wouldn't appreciate the bike as much if it was a rockrider or other cheaper brand, do you think i should go for a better comp or expert modle? is there much diffrence?
i had a Specialized bike when i was young and allways liked the brand, what is the diffrence in the the rockrider? and rock hopper
thanks

totalwar13

specialeyes wrote:

Spec seems pretty poor on that but as you seem to have made your mind up...at least ride it before thinking about upgrades. I'd also get a decent camelbak, mini pump, couple of spare tubes, patch kit, multi tool, chain lube, some power links for your chain. Maybe some riding shorts too.

Chainstay protector, helmet.

can you recmmend any thanks im new to all this

totalwar13

specialeyes wrote:

Spec seems pretty poor on that but as you seem to have made your mind up...at least ride it before thinking about upgrades. I'd also get a decent camelbak, mini pump, couple of spare tubes, patch kit, multi tool, chain lube, some power links for your chain. Maybe some riding shorts too.

Chainstay protector, helmet.

hsiaolc

supersonic wrote:

DId you know that the Decathlon bike is actually made by Specialized? Well, the same people make the bikes.

The Rockhopper is not too bad, but the Rockrider for £100 less is £200 better.

Did you guys know that Marida produce bikes for Specialized?

felix.london

If you've really got your heart set on a Specialized and that's your budget I'd be looking at getting something used myself

The Rookie

totalwar13 wrote:

thanks guys i just really like the Specialized brand and wouldn't appreciate the bike as much if it was a rockrider or other cheaper brand

Hmm, you need to remember that unlike other products (say cars) very few are bespoke on a bike, in fact on a rockhopper (other than branding logo's on items identical to those used elsewhere like bars and stem etc) probably only the frame, saddle and tyres are specialized, the rest are the same parts supplied on lots of other bikes, a Shimano SLX mech is the same whether fitted to a Spesh or a Carrera (OK Carrera use SRAM, but you know what I mean).

On that basis the Spesh IS the cheaper bike, the sum of it's parts cost less (are cheaper than) the sum of the parts on the Rockrider for example.

Personally I wouldn't appreciate riding an inferior bike whilst paying an extra £200 for the stencil of the makers name to 'sound better', but that's just me.

chez_m356

The Beginner wrote:

On that basis the Spesh IS the cheaper bike, the sum of it's parts cost less (are cheaper than) the sum of the parts on the Rockrider for example.

Personally I wouldn't appreciate riding an inferior bike whilst paying an extra £200 for the stencil of the makers name to 'sound better', but that's just me.

sadly, this is very true, but if you have your heart set on the spesh, then fair play to you, just remember, when you come to upgrade it, which is something thats nearly always happens, you could be spending another £300 to £400 on top, personally if i was you, and i knew what i know now when i was thinking about my first bike, id be looking at something from the boardman range

totalwar13

thanks for the replies Ive order my rockhopper (black and white) just love the look of the bike, and was thinking i have a good base to upgrade on in the future,
camelbak (what is one of these?)
mini pump, can any1 recommend 1?
patch kit can any 1 recommend 1? or will any1 do,
multi tool can any 1 recommend any
, chain lube can any 1 recommend any
some power links for your chainwhat are theses? can any 1 recommend any
riding shorts can any 1 recommend any
and i need a mug gard are crud any good?
sorry am a totalnoob

specialeyes

totalwar13 wrote:

thanks for the replies Ive order my rockhopper (black and white) just love the look of the bike, and was thinking i have a good base to upgrade on in the future,
camelbak (what is one of these?)
mini pump, can any1 recommend 1?
patch kit can any 1 recommend 1? or will any1 do,
multi tool can any 1 recommend any
, chain lube can any 1 recommend any
some power links for your chainwhat are theses? can any 1 recommend any
riding shorts can any 1 recommend any
and i need a mug gard are crud any good?
sorry am a totalnoob

Camelbak - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=80352 plenty of different models to choose from. Also the prices seem a bit high @ the moment, my mate got the one in the link for 49 quid.

Mini pump - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=2906
Had a master blaster for years, was great! When it gave up the ghost I replaced it with this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=42196 does the job!

Tool - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=11318
Probably better tools out there Thu, I have this and its a bit fiddly, the chain splitter is great though.

Powerlinks - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=25439 easy trail side fix when your chain snaps. I use the sram ones cos you get 3 in a pack. Just make sure its the right speed.

Lube - squirt http://www.in2dust.co.uk/

Tubes - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=41990

totalwar13

thanks specialeyes for the info
thinking of geting these
lights
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001 ... O1ZJECDFFL
this backpack not just for cycleing will it be any good to cycle with?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000 ... EIWQ02T1PB
are there any good shorts to buy?
and a good Bike Seat Saddle
and some good bike glasses

cooldad

Lights - look in here - much, much uch better.
viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12660193

And you don't want a huge rucksack - you want a camelbak type thing with a bladder in it for drinking.

Glasses search for Bolle safety glasses on Ebay - under a tenner.

Saddle - Charge Spoon.

Clothes - Sports Direct or Lidl or Decathlon all have decent cheap stuff.

No need to spend a fortune until you know what you want.
I biought an experimental 'camelbak' from I think, Tescos three or four years ago for about £11, just wanted to try one out before I spent money. It's still going strong. Always used bottles before that.