Old(er) man taking to biking

I need some advise from you pro's!!
I am 62 years of age and need to lose weight.
I live in a village whereby to only routes out are on the A1 dual carriageway (very busy and dangerous for cyclists) or through woodland paths onto an 'A' road and then through Clumber Park. This involves using a rough potholed woodland track, a main road and then cycle paths.
I suffer with arthritis in my wrists so try to avoid placing a lot of weight on them.
I am torn between buying a mountain bike and a hybrid bike given the situation described above.
Ideally I would like to cycle to work but need advice please.
Can anyone out there help?
I am 62 years of age and need to lose weight.
I live in a village whereby to only routes out are on the A1 dual carriageway (very busy and dangerous for cyclists) or through woodland paths onto an 'A' road and then through Clumber Park. This involves using a rough potholed woodland track, a main road and then cycle paths.
I suffer with arthritis in my wrists so try to avoid placing a lot of weight on them.
I am torn between buying a mountain bike and a hybrid bike given the situation described above.
Ideally I would like to cycle to work but need advice please.
Can anyone out there help?
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Posts
Budget?
retired 9.6kg Carrera Kraken
The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's!
The Sons Scott Genius RC20 build
For the best value and best specced MTBs, we MTBers will send you to Decathlon. Their RockRider range are always recommended to first time buyers.
But ultimately it all depends on how much you are willing to spend. The more you have, the greater the choice.
2012 Cube Ltd SL (the hardtail XC 26er)
2014 Lapierre Zesty TR 329 (the full-sus 29er)
If I was you i'd look into cycle cross bikes, maybe try and pick something up second hand, you'll get more for your money and if its not for you the resale value will be pretty similar to what you'll pay for it.
I rode a hybrid with front suspension when I first got back into riding. I ride a road bike now which feels a lot better.
This is within your budget, and £70 cheaper here than from Evans:
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Roux-Conqueest-2300-2013-Cyclocross-Bike_60726.htm
If you can up your budget a bit you could consider something like this, probably a lot better than the Roux:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkose-one-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec039561
The Rockrider 8.1 is a superb buy:
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81 ... 68918.html
Very good components including that RS Recon fork, hydraulic disc brakes, full Deore drivetrain, light wheels and decent frame.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
The idea of a non-suspension bike with fat tyres is good. Most low-end suspension is heavy and not very good. I ride my non-sus 26" bike with Big Apple tyres and they are very smooth, efficient and comfy but may slip on muddy paths. You may want a semi-slick style of tyre.
Normal "flat" bars are not very comfortable, you are much better off using trekking style butterfly bars or a swept-back design like On-One Mary.
Modern MTB style braking is probably the easiest to use. Disc brakes are particularly good in muddy conditions. Cyclo cross bike are all good and well but for your situation, with weak wrists, I would avoid them. The brakes are much harder to use effectively than a std MTB style setup.
Edinburgh Cycles does the Revolution own-brand bike in many sensible formats. They may be able to customise one to your needs with commuting accessories such as mudguards, rear rack and lights and alt handlebars. If you have a decent local bike shop, esp a touring specialist, they be more useful than a mail-order or internet house or one of the larger box-shifting retailers.
Most ;-). But not all. Pick up a bike with a RockShox Recon Silver, that sports an adjustable coil, adjustable hydraulic rebound damping and hydraulic lockout, and you are laughing. Bars are rather personal, the swept back design can offer comfort, but less control. Or even vice versa.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/