Maybe its time for a change..! (advice and guidance please)

J_Napier

I hate to use the term Noob, as i would never call anyone it on any forums where i know my stuff. But i hate to admit it, im a noob..! lol

Anyway i haven't had a bike since my Townsend "Hedge hopper" in the 90's. But im really looking at getting into something new, i train at the gym and also run but my back is suffering due to the impact running has. I'm looking to get into biking for transport and also off road fun.

I have been looking at bikes for a few days , and yes i have ventured to Halfords.co.uk as i have no idea what to look for, with cars and computers im all over it, but bikes im totally out the loop.

I have read about locking suspension so you don't bounce on roads etc which sounds pretty smart. I appreciate design and functionality and look after everything to a ridiculous level.

I have just remembered that i owned a trials bike a few years ago but it wrecked by back and wasnt pleasurable at all after slipping a disc 3 times.

So i hand myself over to you.

I'm 6'4 and i need to know what i need to look for, saddle, materials etc. I plan on using it as part of my daily commute at time also so lightness would be handy.

I imagine Halfords is the worst thing i can say on here but if you guys and gals can suggest a good bike for around £250-300 that would be ace. I have found this one this very website for £219 on eBay.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... er_reviews


Anyway over to you, thanks for taking the time to read this.

Napier

supersonic

How far is your commute? Is it all on the roads?

J_Napier

Hi, well its around 5 miles on road and then 55 miles on train.... and then 3 on road. I know...!

J_Napier

Ok locking suspension was asking a bit for my price i have realised... haha

Just found another at a good price.

http://www.singletrackbikes.co.uk/m1b73 ... S_GB/11016

supersonic

If purely on the roads then I would steerer away form a bike with suspension - at this price they are very heavy, and the forks have no damping. This is not good for comfort.

A road bike would be a better bet, or if that doesn't take your fancy, this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... pping#tab2

J_Napier

mmm thanks for that. I have a big park a few miles away and i think i would like to venture off road every now and then. Would a hybrid do the job?

MichaelW

With your commuting distances, a roadbike will not be significantly quicker than a slightly roadified MTB. If you main alt use is off-roading, then it seems reasonable to get an MTB in a lighter cross-country style. The other style you could go for is cyclo-cross road bike which is excellent for on and off road, esp in disk-brake versions.
The main roadification is fitting narrower slick tyres, mudguards and lighting and maybe a rear luggage rack. Do you want a separate play bike and a dedicated useful bike?

jeepie

I have a similar distance commute to you (without the train) and I've been doing it for 7 years. If I was buying a bike today I'd buy http://www.vitusbikes.com/mountain-bikes/vee-1

flimflam_machine

MichaelW wrote:

With your commuting distances, a roadbike will not be significantly quicker than a slightly roadified MTB. If you main alt use is off-roading, then it seems reasonable to get an MTB in a lighter cross-country style. The other style you could go for is cyclo-cross road bike which is excellent for on and off road, esp in disk-brake versions.
The main roadification is fitting narrower slick tyres, mudguards and lighting and maybe a rear luggage rack. Do you want a separate play bike and a dedicated useful bike?

Good advice. Since you're really tall, you could also look at at a 29er MTB. This is essentially an MTB with road/hybrid size wheels (designated 700c, 29 inch or 622 mm). This will roll a bit faster on the roads and will still handle everything off road, although it will be marginally less chuckable on very twisty trails than a standard-wheeled (26 inch, 559mm) MTB. There will also be a good selection of slightly fatter (around 32mm width) slick or semi-slick road tyres that you could fit to a 29er t to give you a faster ride on the roads. Here's an example that I googled (no idea of whether it's any good).

supersonic

If an MTB does tickle your fancy, then consider this:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65499#tab2

A little over your budget at £410, but you get a bike that is only marginally heavier than the subway I listed earlier, yet will be far more competent offroad. Great frame, hydraulic fork and good finishing kit make it a stand out machine at this money - add some slicker tyres for the road and you'll have a great all rounder.

Fitting racks may be a problem, but if you do not have to carry much then a back pack is the way to go.

J_Napier

Thanks for all your advice guys, really appreciate it. I really need to stick to my £250-£300 budget or I will get carried away, I just know I will. Any other recommendations?

J_Napier

The carerra subway you linked to at halfords is a cool bit of kit. Are there any other makes you guys know about that I could get something similar but at about £250?

Also regarding trains, do any of you guys and gals use trains to get about. Are there any rules or etiquette ?

supersonic

Mountain bikes at this price tend to be compromised by the fork. Unless you can get one of these:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html

Big_Paul

Jeepie wrote:

I have a similar distance commute to you (without the train) and I've been doing it for 7 years. If I was buying a bike today I'd buy http://www.vitusbikes.com/mountain-bikes/vee-1

Another vote for the Vee-1, great fun but encourages you to behave like a hooligan!

supersonic

I can't imagine anything worse off road than that Vitus lol!

J_Napier

Thoughts?

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/trek-3500-2 ... duct/40633

supersonic

pretty poor to be honest. Again is limited by the fork, and the drivetrain is narrow ranging and uses a weak screw on freewheel system.

Do you have a Decathlon nearby?

J_Napier

I just phoned Decathlon and the guy said "i might be too big for a XL".?!

I hope not...

supersonic

Try one out instore.

clarkey cat

this is in the Classifieds section and looks good for your size and purposes.

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