Beginner MTB with a twist - must be able to mount child seat
Discussion
So.. looking for ways for me to get more exercise, whilst involving the 2yr toddler.. (and thus giving mum a break)
I have a road bike which I have had for donkeys year (25+ - Reynolds 531 steel frame bike), which for all intents and purposes, is a good bike.
I live very near (measured in metres) from a canal towpath, which 1/2 mile or so ride along, gives access to loads of woodland etc.
Plus I not too comfortable with sticking the toddler, on seat, on my road bike, on main roads.
So my thought process is I need a hybrid, or MTB, for exploring the canal and woodland, initially with toddleron the back, but longer term, form to ride as on my own.
As mentioned, I already have a roadbike, so leaning more towards an MTB.
A key requirement is that for a couple of years it must be able to mount a child seat, potentially using a pannier fit. This excludes alot of the higher end bikes...
I'm 5'11" and c80kg.
Budget is around £500, have looked at usual suspects, and seen choices between:
Voodoo Hoodoo
Decathalon 540 rockrider
Scott Aspect 740
Trek Marlin 7
Cannondale Trail 7
Norco Storm (1 or 2)
Cube Aim SL
Thus far, I've managed to have a go onthe decathalon 540, and the Voodoo. Voodoo was ok decathalon felt a little too flighty.
Reviews etc I've read give 'varying' views on the Scott, Trek and Cannondale's.
I could 'try them all' - but that is a lot of bikes to try to get the feel of..
Reviews seem to rate the Voodoo - which as far as I can tell is the only one of the bunch with air forks, and a single front cog .
Am I missing something? - appreciate any tips people may have
I have a road bike which I have had for donkeys year (25+ - Reynolds 531 steel frame bike), which for all intents and purposes, is a good bike.
I live very near (measured in metres) from a canal towpath, which 1/2 mile or so ride along, gives access to loads of woodland etc.
Plus I not too comfortable with sticking the toddler, on seat, on my road bike, on main roads.
So my thought process is I need a hybrid, or MTB, for exploring the canal and woodland, initially with toddleron the back, but longer term, form to ride as on my own.
As mentioned, I already have a roadbike, so leaning more towards an MTB.
A key requirement is that for a couple of years it must be able to mount a child seat, potentially using a pannier fit. This excludes alot of the higher end bikes...
I'm 5'11" and c80kg.
Budget is around £500, have looked at usual suspects, and seen choices between:
Voodoo Hoodoo
Decathalon 540 rockrider
Scott Aspect 740
Trek Marlin 7
Cannondale Trail 7
Norco Storm (1 or 2)
Cube Aim SL
Thus far, I've managed to have a go onthe decathalon 540, and the Voodoo. Voodoo was ok decathalon felt a little too flighty.
Reviews etc I've read give 'varying' views on the Scott, Trek and Cannondale's.
I could 'try them all' - but that is a lot of bikes to try to get the feel of..
Reviews seem to rate the Voodoo - which as far as I can tell is the only one of the bunch with air forks, and a single front cog .
Am I missing something? - appreciate any tips people may have
Yeah the voodoo gets best reviews for a hard tail at that price point, given the use I doubt you would notice the last bit of performance from the bike anyway. But 1x gearing will help with mounting child seat. (In about a year you will be onto trailgator or similar towing their bike along) so resist the temptation for a dropper post as this doesn't work well.
In a similar position myself and looking at using a Cycle to Work voucher for a new hardtail for winter riding and fun off-road rides with the little one.
I've been liking Trek Roscoes, which are on sale at a few places this year close to your budget. For riding with the little one, I like the larger 2.8" 'semi-plus' tyres that give a bit more cushioning. Perhaps something to consider?
Another thing to note is how the rack or baby seat sits in relation to you. I've found that the small framed hybrid i'm currently using (wife's) which has a very low position for the rack mounts, with a short seat tube, means the Topeak baby seat ends up very close to my backside - not so nice for little one! You can by longer stays to increase separation, but it's something to consider - how the rack might sit on the various frame designs.
Another alternative might be a gravel or cross bike, which tend to have rack mounts and woudl be just as capable on canal and mellow paths.
Also, don't be put off if a bike doesn't have brazed-on rack mounts but might have mudguard racks by the axle, as clamps are available to convert such bikes: -
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycli...
I've been liking Trek Roscoes, which are on sale at a few places this year close to your budget. For riding with the little one, I like the larger 2.8" 'semi-plus' tyres that give a bit more cushioning. Perhaps something to consider?
Another thing to note is how the rack or baby seat sits in relation to you. I've found that the small framed hybrid i'm currently using (wife's) which has a very low position for the rack mounts, with a short seat tube, means the Topeak baby seat ends up very close to my backside - not so nice for little one! You can by longer stays to increase separation, but it's something to consider - how the rack might sit on the various frame designs.
Another alternative might be a gravel or cross bike, which tend to have rack mounts and woudl be just as capable on canal and mellow paths.
Also, don't be put off if a bike doesn't have brazed-on rack mounts but might have mudguard racks by the axle, as clamps are available to convert such bikes: -
https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycli...
Hi - thanks for this.
I started looking, had an initial short list, and then it ballooned...!
Realistically, first few years are going to be either me, on short rides down canal and into woods, and me, on shorter, chilled rides, with toddler on back,
No.2 is on the way, once no.1 is done, and onto their own bike, it will probably be time for number 2 to go on the back.....
Not too convinced about the 'tow' seats as:
- towpath is bumpy if you don;t have cushioning
- really not happy with cycling on the main roads with little ones
Also trying to convince myself that 10 gears (voodo) is enough spread...
Realistically though, when I started riding dstances on he road 30-25 years ago, having more than 5 was a luxury!
Wooderson- the clamp/adapter - I assume that fixes onto the seat post?
I started looking, had an initial short list, and then it ballooned...!
Realistically, first few years are going to be either me, on short rides down canal and into woods, and me, on shorter, chilled rides, with toddler on back,
No.2 is on the way, once no.1 is done, and onto their own bike, it will probably be time for number 2 to go on the back.....
Not too convinced about the 'tow' seats as:
- towpath is bumpy if you don;t have cushioning
- really not happy with cycling on the main roads with little ones
Also trying to convince myself that 10 gears (voodo) is enough spread...
Realistically though, when I started riding dstances on he road 30-25 years ago, having more than 5 was a luxury!
Wooderson- the clamp/adapter - I assume that fixes onto the seat post?
They serve a dual purpose as a seat post clamp and rack mount, so you slide them over the frame at the seat post collar - therefore they are wider than the seatpost.
Keep an eye on the Halfords sales, as my sister recently bought a 29er Voodoo Bizango for something crazy like £470 when the retail is £650. Hell of a hardtail for that money, but does need one of these adapters around the seat collar to fit a rack. My sister is presently riding from Canada to Mexico with hers on full-on bike-packing mode 😂
Keep an eye on the Halfords sales, as my sister recently bought a 29er Voodoo Bizango for something crazy like £470 when the retail is £650. Hell of a hardtail for that money, but does need one of these adapters around the seat collar to fit a rack. My sister is presently riding from Canada to Mexico with hers on full-on bike-packing mode 😂
Any of those will likely be fine, but air forks and a 1x10 drivetrain are certainly plus points.
I take my son on a seat on the back of my bike, just attached to the seat tube. The seat was free, but if I was buying one, I'd be looking at one with the wee man in front of me, such as a weeride or a mac ride.
At Kingsbury water park with Owen by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
I take my son on a seat on the back of my bike, just attached to the seat tube. The seat was free, but if I was buying one, I'd be looking at one with the wee man in front of me, such as a weeride or a mac ride.
At Kingsbury water park with Owen by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Unfortunately no longer available new, but the On-One Inbred was (and still is) my choice of bike. It's solid, has the pannier rack mounts, and has longer than average chain stays so there is plenty of clearance between backside and child face.
I treated the nursery commute as training, so I ran mine single speed. Included some sand, a bit of an incline, some canal, and about 100 yards of road. I still use it with my youngest now, nearly 6 years after I started riding my eldest.
I treated the nursery commute as training, so I ran mine single speed. Included some sand, a bit of an incline, some canal, and about 100 yards of road. I still use it with my youngest now, nearly 6 years after I started riding my eldest.
Ive got two little ones,the elder one loves coming on rides with and Ive had a variety of bikes , road, hybrid, MTB with a rear seat and trailer
TBH id be tempted to go SH and buy cheap
One thing I found when getting the kids in and out the seat its easy to scrape/knock/drop(!!) the bike , more so when getting them out.
The extra weight puts quite a bit of extra pressure on bike and wheels, I would hate to spend decent money and watch the bike get wrecked. The extra weight and risk of crashing means ill never use the potential of a decent bike, so I bought a £6 Giant MTB off ebay and it runs quite well.
Also I found myself chaining bikes on kids trips to cafes and shops , any £200+ MTB is a scroates wet dream round my way
I also found seats much more preferable to trailers , although its great taking them out on rides and Ive had some cracking rides, although my youngest hates it, my older one loves it!!
TBH id be tempted to go SH and buy cheap
One thing I found when getting the kids in and out the seat its easy to scrape/knock/drop(!!) the bike , more so when getting them out.
The extra weight puts quite a bit of extra pressure on bike and wheels, I would hate to spend decent money and watch the bike get wrecked. The extra weight and risk of crashing means ill never use the potential of a decent bike, so I bought a £6 Giant MTB off ebay and it runs quite well.
Also I found myself chaining bikes on kids trips to cafes and shops , any £200+ MTB is a scroates wet dream round my way
I also found seats much more preferable to trailers , although its great taking them out on rides and Ive had some cracking rides, although my youngest hates it, my older one loves it!!
How about the replacement to he Calibre Two Two
https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes...
Which is the Two Cubed
Black
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-cubed-mou...
or Orange
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-cubed-mou...
I've got the original Calibre .50 and other than being built by monkeys (Think boadman and halfords) its a nice bike.
I've found a few loose bolts, tyres fitted backwards ... simple things, and nothing serious.
https://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/bikes...
Which is the Two Cubed
Black
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-cubed-mou...
or Orange
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-cubed-mou...
I've got the original Calibre .50 and other than being built by monkeys (Think boadman and halfords) its a nice bike.
I've found a few loose bolts, tyres fitted backwards ... simple things, and nothing serious.
Ok- so I've tried a couple of bikes now.
Trek Marlin 6 - ok to ride, but seemed to have a pretty basic spec
Scott Aspect 740 - ok, but not as nice to ride as Trek, which has 29" wheels.
So then went and tried:
Norco Storm 2 - felt ok to ride (I didn't test it that intensively admittedly! Seems pretty basic spec again
Scott Aspect 940 - felt reasonably good to ride - slight preference for this one out of all of them so far. Not quite as basic spec as the others, but most expensive of the lot..
I'm struggling with the fact that all the above have pretty spec..
I then went to try the Voodoo Hoodoo - and due to a kink in the seat post tube, I could not actually lower the seat low enough to sit on it properly...
...whilst it might sound pretty trivial (halfords lad said they often take the bottom of the post off to allow it sit lower - this did somewhat not fill me with confidence...! :-( )
Trek Marlin 6 - ok to ride, but seemed to have a pretty basic spec
Scott Aspect 740 - ok, but not as nice to ride as Trek, which has 29" wheels.
So then went and tried:
Norco Storm 2 - felt ok to ride (I didn't test it that intensively admittedly! Seems pretty basic spec again
Scott Aspect 940 - felt reasonably good to ride - slight preference for this one out of all of them so far. Not quite as basic spec as the others, but most expensive of the lot..
I'm struggling with the fact that all the above have pretty spec..
I then went to try the Voodoo Hoodoo - and due to a kink in the seat post tube, I could not actually lower the seat low enough to sit on it properly...
...whilst it might sound pretty trivial (halfords lad said they often take the bottom of the post off to allow it sit lower - this did somewhat not fill me with confidence...! :-( )
I bought a Norco Charger and a clamp post seat. Due to the steep top tube angle, the clamp fits on the down tube above the top tube. Not what I was expecting.
Saying this as I’ve noticed top tubes getting steeper. Isn’t an issue on my 96 Team Marin, but I think i deserved a new bike after twenty years! Just wish I’d tried the seat before buying.
LOVE 29in wheels - total overkill for my needs, but, but....
Saying this as I’ve noticed top tubes getting steeper. Isn’t an issue on my 96 Team Marin, but I think i deserved a new bike after twenty years! Just wish I’d tried the seat before buying.
LOVE 29in wheels - total overkill for my needs, but, but....
HiAsAKite said:
Hi - sorry so the standard Charger seat isn't comfortable/you needed to change it, or when you changed it you had problems?
The issue was the child seat: in its intended position, it didn’t clear the back wheel. The only way to clear the back wheel was to put the clamp near the top of the seat tube (above where it joins the sloping top tube, just below the quick release for the seat post).
It’s ok I guess, and safely secured, but the kid’s a bit higher than I would have like.
On the plus side, he can see a bit more!
Really like the Charger: considered equivalent Cannondale, Trek, Scott, BMC, Pinnacle and Voodoo (Mo Decathlon near me but would like to have tried a Rock Rider).
Far better bike than I need, but what the hell. It makes me happy! Plus, how things have changed since the 90s: bigger wheels, fewer gears, disc brakes and handlebars wider than a door frame! I’ve never felt so secure on a bike.
Don't know if you folks are still looking.
Last week a number of our guys all got their new C2W bikes - Scott Scale 980 with a third off was popular. Worried that they would get confused about who owns which bike - one turned up today with an Aldi child seat attached - and kids helmet ready for use.
The seats were £15 - but selling them off in our local store for a fiver !!
Last week a number of our guys all got their new C2W bikes - Scott Scale 980 with a third off was popular. Worried that they would get confused about who owns which bike - one turned up today with an Aldi child seat attached - and kids helmet ready for use.
The seats were £15 - but selling them off in our local store for a fiver !!
CONCLUSION
Hi folks, update to this thread.. (yes.. a thread with a conclusion from the OP!)
Over past few weeks have seen a few ex-demo bikes fly through Evans in not very much time (some disappearing within 12 hours of being posted)..
Spoke and tried pretty much all my original shortlist, and having come to the conclusion that i really prefer 29" wheels (which ruled out the Hoodoo, plus local halfords did not inspire me with confidence), had it down to the Scott Aspect 940 or a Norco Storm 1...
Then a few Norco charger ex demos appeared, which I missed, for pretty much same money as the aspect or the storm.
I saw a Boardman TeamMTB 29" in Halfords clearance, which I literally must have missed by a day.
Having seen these much higher spec bikes go through the sales for similar money to the Storm/Aspect made it hard to then by a much lower spec bike (ie the Aspect/Storm) for the same money, so I decided to "bargain sit" the main chains near me and my LBS, and see what appeared next online.
Anyway.. lo and behold, a very discounted end of season 2018 Cube Attention SL and Acid turned up at my LBS.
The Attention had already gone by the time I got the, but I'm now proud owner (or will be when I collect) of a very orange Cube Acid on 29" wheels..
Will let you know how I get on once I've done a few rides, and also experimented with the child seat and 13kg of potatoes/rice in it whilst I get used to it..
Hi folks, update to this thread.. (yes.. a thread with a conclusion from the OP!)
Over past few weeks have seen a few ex-demo bikes fly through Evans in not very much time (some disappearing within 12 hours of being posted)..
Spoke and tried pretty much all my original shortlist, and having come to the conclusion that i really prefer 29" wheels (which ruled out the Hoodoo, plus local halfords did not inspire me with confidence), had it down to the Scott Aspect 940 or a Norco Storm 1...
Then a few Norco charger ex demos appeared, which I missed, for pretty much same money as the aspect or the storm.
I saw a Boardman TeamMTB 29" in Halfords clearance, which I literally must have missed by a day.
Having seen these much higher spec bikes go through the sales for similar money to the Storm/Aspect made it hard to then by a much lower spec bike (ie the Aspect/Storm) for the same money, so I decided to "bargain sit" the main chains near me and my LBS, and see what appeared next online.
Anyway.. lo and behold, a very discounted end of season 2018 Cube Attention SL and Acid turned up at my LBS.
The Attention had already gone by the time I got the, but I'm now proud owner (or will be when I collect) of a very orange Cube Acid on 29" wheels..
Will let you know how I get on once I've done a few rides, and also experimented with the child seat and 13kg of potatoes/rice in it whilst I get used to it..
Edited by HiAsAKite on Wednesday 26th September 08:20
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff