Heavy guy of 21 stone wants to cycle to work. £1000 budget on the cycle to work scheme. What bike

cumblechook

The terrain will be rutted paths, a slightly muddy canal side, a smooth path and cobbled bits. I am interested in a mountain bike for the sturdier build, but I will defer the more knowledgeable on this forum. I will also need to know where I should put money in strengthening my bike. What should I upgrade? Where should I start? Those Boardman’s seem good. An fs ore a team Ht. I think a hard tail is the way to go ......

My initial 3 day a week journeys will be 7 Miles each way. I will go from there.

Budget?
Cycle to work gives me 1000 I have another 200 for bits and bobs. I have broken bottom brackets before .....so I would really like advice on brakes and chains and hubs etc. I don’t want to here the wrong noises when I engage my powerful legs and 21stone mass

Thank you ! :?:

The Rookie

For that use I'd stick with a hardtail, any reasonable value £1K bike will deal with your inputs.

Which cycle to work scheme as that will impact on what bikes you can buy from where? I never suggest a bike until I know someone using a C2W scheme can actually get it!

Boardmans you can only get if its the Halford's own scheme.

timothyw

Make sure the bike you get has a lifetime/long frame warranty - it will fail eventually and it's nice to get a free replacement. Make sure you are within (or at least in sight of) weight limits published. They're unlikely to put you on the scales if you do break a frame!

Make sure the wheels have a good spoke count - at least 28, preferably 32 or even 36 although unlikely you'll find that on a new bike.

When you get the bike, before going on any ride further than around the block, get the wheels tension checked by a competent wheel builder - the shop might be able to do this, but a specialist is better.

Spokes fail because of metal fatigue - when a wheel is at proper tension, there should be a minimal amount of stretching affecting the spoke each time the wheel goes round. Cheap factory wheels are too loose - it's like bending a teaspoon back and forth, eventually it just falls apart.

I am of similar weight, and after years of commuting I have learned to build my own wheels, and never buy a bike without warranty!

cumblechook

TimothyW wrote:

Make sure the bike you get has a lifetime/long frame warranty - it will fail eventually and it's nice to get a free replacement. Make sure you are within (or at least in sight of) weight limits published. They're unlikely to put you on the scales if you do break a frame!

Make sure the wheels have a good spoke count - at least 28, preferably 32 or even 36 although unlikely you'll find that on a new bike.

When you get the bike, before going on any ride further than around the block, get the wheels tension checked by a competent wheel builder - the shop might be able to do this, but a specialist is better.

Spokes fail because of metal fatigue - when a wheel is at proper tension, there should be a minimal amount of stretching affecting the spoke each time the wheel goes round. Cheap factory wheels are too loose - it's like bending a teaspoon back and forth, eventually it just falls apart.

I am of similar weight, and after years of commuting I have learned to build my own wheels, and never buy a bike without warranty!

Thanks for that

cumblechook

The Rookie wrote:

For that use I'd stick with a hardtail, any reasonable value £1K bike will deal with your inputs.

Which cycle to work scheme as that will impact on what bikes you can buy from where? I never suggest a bike until I know someone using a C2W scheme can actually get it!

Boardmans you can only get if its the Halford's own scheme.

Thank you...

cumblechook

The Rookie wrote:

For that use I'd stick with a hardtail, any reasonable value £1K bike will deal with your inputs.

Which cycle to work scheme as that will impact on what bikes you can buy from where? I never suggest a bike until I know someone using a C2W scheme can actually get it!

Boardmans you can only get if its the Halford's own scheme.

YES so I am on cycle scheme .. no Halfords Evans though and chain reaction.

Which is best bike?

Cube? Not sure

The Rookie

Pauls cycles take cyclescheme, have a look and come back and ask opinions, there are too many options for anyone's to give really meaningful answers.