Bike Decisions - please help
Discussion
I currently own a ~14 year old MTB which I got back in the good old days working in Halfords!
As I've hit mid/late 30's and with 2 kids I'm starting to take my fitness more seriously and with that I'm considering replacing this with something a bit more progressive and current.
I'm completely stuck on what path to take and thought I'd ask the forum for some tips....
- Budget wise - I can do something through C2W but with a limit of £1k, or I could spend more than this for the right bike (but without the benefits of C2W savings).
- I'm really unsure whether I need a gravel/adventure bike, an MTB or perhaps an eMTB.
- I live fairly centrally between the River Wandle and the Surrey Hills - I don't really enjoy being on the road (safety) so definitely prefer finding paths/tracks that can take me distance without having to deal with traffic.
- I'm slightly put off by gravel/adventure on the basis that I suspect if I'm hitting rougher terrain I'll probably get fatigued quite quickly and don't think it'll take as much abuse as something with suspension.
- I like the idea of a modern MTB but with my current one I'm struggling to get far enough out to enjoy areas like the Surrey Hills etc without taking the car which sort of defeats the point for me.
- Man maths has then lead me down the path of looking at eMTBs, which I think will help with getting me to places that are more interesting to ride, but I'm already worrying about things like range anxiety, maintenance and appropriateness if I do start getting into road cycling!
In terms of what I'm been looking at:
- Merida Big Trail 400 (£1,000). This feels like a slightly more extreme MTB.
- Boardman MHT 8.9 (£1,050 before BC discount). This seems like it might be better at distance than the Merida?
- Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 (£2,099). This is the only one I can find in stock at the moment!
For the non-eMTBs above - what sort of real world difference would I feel versus my trusty old GT? Would I achieve better speeds/distance for the same effort?!
Any thoughts, ideas, comments really welcome!! Thanks.
As I've hit mid/late 30's and with 2 kids I'm starting to take my fitness more seriously and with that I'm considering replacing this with something a bit more progressive and current.
I'm completely stuck on what path to take and thought I'd ask the forum for some tips....
- Budget wise - I can do something through C2W but with a limit of £1k, or I could spend more than this for the right bike (but without the benefits of C2W savings).
- I'm really unsure whether I need a gravel/adventure bike, an MTB or perhaps an eMTB.
- I live fairly centrally between the River Wandle and the Surrey Hills - I don't really enjoy being on the road (safety) so definitely prefer finding paths/tracks that can take me distance without having to deal with traffic.
- I'm slightly put off by gravel/adventure on the basis that I suspect if I'm hitting rougher terrain I'll probably get fatigued quite quickly and don't think it'll take as much abuse as something with suspension.
- I like the idea of a modern MTB but with my current one I'm struggling to get far enough out to enjoy areas like the Surrey Hills etc without taking the car which sort of defeats the point for me.
- Man maths has then lead me down the path of looking at eMTBs, which I think will help with getting me to places that are more interesting to ride, but I'm already worrying about things like range anxiety, maintenance and appropriateness if I do start getting into road cycling!
In terms of what I'm been looking at:
- Merida Big Trail 400 (£1,000). This feels like a slightly more extreme MTB.
- Boardman MHT 8.9 (£1,050 before BC discount). This seems like it might be better at distance than the Merida?
- Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 (£2,099). This is the only one I can find in stock at the moment!
For the non-eMTBs above - what sort of real world difference would I feel versus my trusty old GT? Would I achieve better speeds/distance for the same effort?!
Any thoughts, ideas, comments really welcome!! Thanks.
Have you thought about buying second hand?.
Five years ago I started cycling again and got a virtually as new Boardman hybrid for £250 as opposed to £500. As I got more into cycling I decided that for me a pure road bike was the way to go and got a Cube GTC.
You seem undecided about what route you want to go down and ultimately you'll only know once yiu've tried..buying well second hand means if you want to change (say gravel for road /MTB) you will pretty much be able to sell the second hand bike for what you paid for it meaning no massive hit should you decide it's not for you
Five years ago I started cycling again and got a virtually as new Boardman hybrid for £250 as opposed to £500. As I got more into cycling I decided that for me a pure road bike was the way to go and got a Cube GTC.
You seem undecided about what route you want to go down and ultimately you'll only know once yiu've tried..buying well second hand means if you want to change (say gravel for road /MTB) you will pretty much be able to sell the second hand bike for what you paid for it meaning no massive hit should you decide it's not for you
Barchettaman said:
That bike looks in terrific condition.
I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
This.. especially whilst new bikes are so hard to get hold of. Put a pair of something like these on:I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/specialized-crossroad...
And enjoy it.
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOWHSX/on-one-whip...
Carbon bike, decent groupset. Light and fast.
Sadly not c2w but 0%.
If you've got 2k buy 2ndhand. Or...
I'm selling my 2020 Genesis Tarn 20 (full SLX throughout with Pike forks for about 1300 very soon.... size large.
Comes with dropper post and single chain ring, 50T cassette on the back
Carbon bike, decent groupset. Light and fast.
Sadly not c2w but 0%.
If you've got 2k buy 2ndhand. Or...
I'm selling my 2020 Genesis Tarn 20 (full SLX throughout with Pike forks for about 1300 very soon.... size large.
Comes with dropper post and single chain ring, 50T cassette on the back
Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Monday 1st March 13:28
bristolbaron said:
Barchettaman said:
That bike looks in terrific condition.
I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
This.. especially whilst new bikes are so hard to get hold of. Put a pair of something like these on:I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
https://www.bikeinn.com/bike/specialized-crossroad...
And enjoy it.
Barchettaman said:
That bike looks in terrific condition.
I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
Massive thanks for all the replies folks!I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
I'm definitely up for making the most of the existing bike, but out of interest what difference would I expect to see if I switched it for a £1k MTB? Faster, further, less tiring etc or would it just be more agile, forgiving?!
Hugo Stiglitz said:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOWHSX/on-one-whip...
Carbon bike, decent groupset. Light and fast.
Sadly not c2w but 0%.
If you've got 2k buy 2ndhand. Or...
I'm selling my 2020 Genesis Tarn 20 (full SLX throughout with Pike forks for about 1300 very soon.... size large.
Comes with dropper post and single chain ring, 50T cassette on the back
Interested in understanding more about the on one suggestion - looks like an MTB but without suspension.. is that sort of a middle ground between a gravel bike and MTB? What sort of terrain would I hit the limits of a fixed frame MTB like this?!Carbon bike, decent groupset. Light and fast.
Sadly not c2w but 0%.
If you've got 2k buy 2ndhand. Or...
I'm selling my 2020 Genesis Tarn 20 (full SLX throughout with Pike forks for about 1300 very soon.... size large.
Comes with dropper post and single chain ring, 50T cassette on the back
Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Monday 1st March 13:28
Mastodon2 said:
Whenever I'm in the south I'm always aware of how much busier the roads are, but is it really that unsafe?
It's strange.I live in Richmond but (used to) work in central London. I'd normally jump out a stop early at Vauxhall and get a Boris bike to ride down the Embankment past Waterloo station and then over Waterloo bridge down the strand then into Hatton Garden.
I used to love it at 630am, ironically because you're on a Boris bike most people give you a wide berth and as long as you don't overtake trucks / bused on the inside at junctions you're ok.
Weekends I'll ride out to Hampton Court / Esher.. the roads are nice and wide and people are used to lots of cyclists..some roads however are super narrow and busy to the extent people will try and overtake when there is no room..it's knowing which ones to avoid
SS9 said:
Barchettaman said:
That bike looks in terrific condition.
I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
Massive thanks for all the replies folks!I would just relube the drivetrain, replace the tyres if starting to perish, and ride the snot out of it for this year.
After a good few months and miles under your belt you’ll have a clearer idea of what it is you really want and need.
I'm definitely up for making the most of the existing bike, but out of interest what difference would I expect to see if I switched it for a £1k MTB? Faster, further, less tiring etc or would it just be more agile, forgiving?!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff