Cheap mountain bike for road cyclist

[flight147z]

Hi all. I'm thinking about getting a second bike to add a little variety to my cycling. My current bike is a Canyon Ultimate. I'm leaning towards a mountain bike so that there is a big difference between the type of riding that I can do across my two bikes. I don't think a gravel or cyclo-cross bike is different enough from a road bike for me to appreciate the difference between the cycling styles and to get best use out of a second bike.

I wouldnt be looking to spend a lot considering 90% of my miles would be on the Canyon. I'd like to take the second bike out in bad weather over winter and when I fancied doing some riding off road (probably a mix of gravel trails and farm tracks etc)

For £500 the Vitus Nucleus VR appears to get very good reviews. I'm happy enough with a hardtail and not bothered about paying more to go for a full suspension bike. I'm a little concerned about the feel of the bike though coming from the Canyon as it weighs 14kg - I understand that mountain bikes weigh a lot more than road bikes and this does seem to be a "normal" weight for this type of bike but I'm not sure if riding something like this after being used to my Canyon will feel very slow and I won't enjoy it.

I am interested to see if anyone has any experience of this bike (or alternative suggestions) or thoughts on combining a cheap mountain bike with a reasonably nice road bike

Bike is below - thanks

http://vitusbikes.com/products/nucleus-vr-2018/

[bigdom]

flight147z said:

I'm a little concerned about the feel of the bike though coming from the Canyon as it weighs 14kg - I understand that mountain bikes weigh a lot more than road bikes and this does seem to be a "normal" weight for this type of bike but I'm not sure if riding something like this after being used to my Canyon will feel very slow and I won't enjoy it.

It is quite different, might be worth going to a mountain bike centre near you, hire one for the day and see if you enjoy it?

[flight147z]

bigdom said:

flight147z said:

I'm a little concerned about the feel of the bike though coming from the Canyon as it weighs 14kg - I understand that mountain bikes weigh a lot more than road bikes and this does seem to be a "normal" weight for this type of bike but I'm not sure if riding something like this after being used to my Canyon will feel very slow and I won't enjoy it.

It is quite different, might be worth going to a mountain bike centre near you, hire one for the day and see if you enjoy it?

Sensible suggestion I think. I'm based in Nottingham so will have a look to see what's about

[Craikeybaby]

Sherwood Pines is probably the best bet near you. The trails there are good for beginners.

I have the 2014 version of the Vitus and have covered 5,000km on it, albeit with a few upgrades. The only thing is that having spent time on other bikes since, I realise that the fit on the Vitus isn't great for me.

[flight147z]

Sherwood Pines is a good shout as I live halfway between there and Nottingham - I will look into it.

Is a mountain bike larger than a road bike? My road bike fits in the back of my z4 with both wheels off, seatpost out and bars off, I'm hoping a mountain bike would too even if it would limit me to 27.5" wheels.

[Amateurish]

If you are looking for something cheap, the Decathlon 540 looks to have a similar spec and weight for £349...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-540-mountain...

[flight147z]

Amateurish said:

If you are looking for something cheap, the Decathlon 540 looks to have a similar spec and weight for £349...

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-540-mountain...

We have a "cycle to work" scheme that I could take advantage of as I didn't use that for my Canyon as it cost more than the upper limit.

Technically work say the voucher has to be redeemed at Halfords though - I'm looking to see whether it is a generic voucher that other places will take too

[Craikeybaby]

flight147z said:

Sherwood Pines is a good shout as I live halfway between there and Nottingham - I will look into it.

Is a mountain bike larger than a road bike? My road bike fits in the back of my z4 with both wheels off, seatpost out and bars off, I'm hoping a mountain bike would too even if it would limit me to 27.5" wheels.

I never tried fitting my MTB into my MR2, I ended up buying another car for bike transport...

[lufbramatt]

flight147z said:

Sherwood Pines is a good shout as I live halfway between there and Nottingham - I will look into it.

Is a mountain bike larger than a road bike? My road bike fits in the back of my z4 with both wheels off, seatpost out and bars off, I'm hoping a mountain bike would too even if it would limit me to 27.5" wheels.

A MTB is a fair bit bulkier than a road bike- fatter tyres, longer, wider forks, wider bars, longer wheelbase due to slacker angles etc. If it's tight with a road bike then I think you'll have problems getting a MTB in.

[flight147z]

lufbramatt said:

flight147z said:

Sherwood Pines is a good shout as I live halfway between there and Nottingham - I will look into it.

Is a mountain bike larger than a road bike? My road bike fits in the back of my z4 with both wheels off, seatpost out and bars off, I'm hoping a mountain bike would too even if it would limit me to 27.5" wheels.

A MTB is a fair bit bulkier than a road bike- fatter tyres, longer, wider forks, wider bars, longer wheelbase due to slacker angles etc. If it's tight with a road bike then I think you'll have problems getting a MTB in.

Wheels would go on the front seat, bars and seatpost would come off. I would hope then that the smaller frame would go in

It's a coupe but perhaps I'll need to do more research

[FredClogs]

Calibre two two. Mines great.

[MC Bodge]

Boardman Pro 29er. Second hand.

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet...

I have the older model. It's great for most things (other than the most rocky trails) including XC racing.

Between this and my old Kona singlespeed, I rarely ride my full suspension bike these days.

[flight147z]

Thanks both for the recommendations. The "Voodoo Bizango" also appears to review well from Halfords.

I think under the cycle to work scheme a brand new bike might work out less than a second hand bike as I'll be paying for it before tax and NI I think?

Any thoughts on 27.5" v 29" (potential can of worms)

If I'm lucky enough to find time this weekend I might head up to Sherwood Pines to have a go

[MC Bodge]

flight147z said:

Thanks both for the recommendations. The "Voodoo Bizango" also appears to review well from Halfords.

I think under the cycle to work scheme a brand new bike might work out less than a second hand bike as I'll be paying for it before tax and NI I think?

Any thoughts on 27.5" v 29" (potential can of worms)

If I'm lucky enough to find time this weekend I might head up to Sherwood Pines to have a go

Bizarre was quite hefty when I lookedatthem a few years ago.

The wheel sizes are quite similar these days. It used to be 26" v 29". 29" does roll better than 26", less difference with 27.5".

I do like my Pro 29er, but also like my 26er bikes. Not really worth spending too much time thinking about, though. See what's out there.

[Craikeybaby]

flight147z said:

Any thoughts on 27.5" v 29" (potential can of worms)

How tall are you? I'm quite short and prefer 27.5" wheels, however if you're tall 29" may work better. The best bet is to try some bikes out.

[flight147z]

Craikeybaby said:

How tall are you? I'm quite short and prefer 27.5" wheels, however if you're tall 29" may work better. The best bet is to try some bikes out.

6' 1" - I ride a 58cm road bike

[PorkRind]

Rose / Canyon
Never Kona - too heavy - always.

[MiseryStreak]

Get a Boardman on the Ride2Work scheme, you won’t even notice it coming out each month, get some new kit at the same time.

If you get something too cheap and heavy it will feel rubbish after riding the Canyon (good choice by the way) and you won’t be inclined to ride it. A decent hardtail will be great fun and might even encourage you to do more proper cycling. ; )

[flight147z]

Are the Boardman's higher spec than the Voodoo's? To be honest I'm not a big fan of the graphics on the voodoo range

[Sheetmaself]

flight147z said:

Sensible suggestion I think. I'm based in Nottingham so will have a look to see what's about

If your based in Nottingham get down to Long Eaton and nip into Leisure Lakes. They deal with mid to top end stuff but should have a few options at your price point.