New bike question - recommentations and help
lukedubya
Posts: 4
Hi all
Looking to get back into riding, last time I rode was when I was a teenager, now 27! Not entirely sure which type of bike to go for for my requirements so any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.
I want to use my bike for the following and have a budget of £750 absolute max:
- Commuting to work, so option to maybe put a rack on (not overly important though), would like it to be reasonably fast.
- Off road – don’t want suspension, just strong enough to ride gravel paths, canal ways and grass, drop off curbs
- So all in all, general purpose riding but fast
I started looking a hybrid bikes and was looking at the Giant Seek 2 and Boardman Performance Comp, apparently the Boardman has a better spec.
Then I found out about cyclocross bikes and love the idea of the dropped handle bars, speed and also flexibility to go off road. This took me to look at the Specialized Tricross. However, after doing some research apparently there are big issues with braking (shudder?) on cyclocross bikes without disc-brakes. But cyclocross with disc brakes are a lot more expensive.
What should I go for? A hybrid (can I put dropped handle bars on?) but lose on the speed, or a cyclocross and have to faf around with the brakes?
Can anyone recommend bikes which fit the above?
When I was younger things were so much simpler, I would ride whatever my Dad got me and be happy, now I'm older I worry about all the small details! :?
Thanks in advance.
Looking to get back into riding, last time I rode was when I was a teenager, now 27! Not entirely sure which type of bike to go for for my requirements so any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.
I want to use my bike for the following and have a budget of £750 absolute max:
- Commuting to work, so option to maybe put a rack on (not overly important though), would like it to be reasonably fast.
- Off road – don’t want suspension, just strong enough to ride gravel paths, canal ways and grass, drop off curbs
- So all in all, general purpose riding but fast
I started looking a hybrid bikes and was looking at the Giant Seek 2 and Boardman Performance Comp, apparently the Boardman has a better spec.
Then I found out about cyclocross bikes and love the idea of the dropped handle bars, speed and also flexibility to go off road. This took me to look at the Specialized Tricross. However, after doing some research apparently there are big issues with braking (shudder?) on cyclocross bikes without disc-brakes. But cyclocross with disc brakes are a lot more expensive.
What should I go for? A hybrid (can I put dropped handle bars on?) but lose on the speed, or a cyclocross and have to faf around with the brakes?
Can anyone recommend bikes which fit the above?
When I was younger things were so much simpler, I would ride whatever my Dad got me and be happy, now I'm older I worry about all the small details! :?
Thanks in advance.
0
Comments
-
Anyone got any recommendations re: the cyclocross and my budget?0
-
I have a Kinesis Crosslight T4 with centre pull brakes. No shudder or judder and brakes sharply and smoothly.
The latest Kinesis Cross bikes can be had under your budget and I would recommend. Unless you really want disc brakes then I'd also consider the Cannondale CAAD X.Trek Madone 5.9
Kinesis Crosslight T40 -
Thanks for the reply.ALaPlage wrote:I have a Kinesis Crosslight T4 with centre pull brakes. No shudder or judder and brakes sharply and smoothly.
The latest Kinesis Cross bikes can be had under your budget and I would recommend. Unless you really want disc brakes then I'd also consider the Cannondale CAAD X.
I managed to find a Kinesis Crosslight 5T (was a struggle to find), is that similar to the T4 you mentioned? There is a alloy or carbon fork option, 50 quid between them, is there a big difference between carbon and alloy forks?0
