Cluelessly joining the world of cyclists

[anonymous-user]

Greetings cyclists! I have had absolutely no interest in riding a pushbike since I was 16 and able to get a bike that powered itself, but things change and I am now in a position where I have a bicycle shaped hole in my life.
I have a knackered knee that goes after 2-3k running, and a temporarily knackered ankle, so my usual forms of exercise are out. I have also just moved to a place in the country with miles and miles of back lanes that I want to explore - walking is too slow and my motorbike is too fast!
I've been looking around the web to try and work out what I need, but theres so many different styles and brands that I'm no wiser than I was several hours ago!
I guess a mountain bike of some sort, as the roads are pretty buggered and would like to take it off road sometimes, although thats not my main priority.
The biggest potential issue is budget, if possible around the 750 mark, but could stretch to a grand if it was worth it. I know this is small money in the world of mountain bikes so I'm not expecting anything amazing, just don't want to end up with something crap that I won't want to ride.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

[towser44]

I think everyone says Mountain Bike and then they realise that unless they are doing true off road, they've bought the wrong bike. I pass so many on mountain bikes on the roads who look in bewilderment when I sail past and they are bouncing up and down on suspension with huge tyres wondering why they aren't going anywhere. I'd be looking for a gravel/adventure road bike rather than Mountain Bike, although at the moment you'll be looking for what's in stock or doesn't have a massive lead time for delivery, as there isn't a great deal available.

[JayRidesBikes]

Maybe take a look at gravel bikes, they are perfectly fine for riding along roads and can handle most off road stuff, due to the wide tyres. You'll be fine on bridleways, towpaths, gravel roads etc.

If you can stretch to £1100 you'll be able to pick up a Boardman ADV 8.9 from Halfords.

[anonymous-user]

Don’t know your work situation, but a lot of places him cycling schemes for bikes ?

[Solocle]

I will say that for only occassional off roading, it depends what sort of off roading! If we're talking a knarly MTB trail with tree roots and rocks, then yeah, full suspension territory.

However, if you're talking gravel... then actually I'd suggest a road bike or hybrid. The difference on road is significant, and road bikes can take a bit of gravel - the wider your tyres, the better. I run 32 mm tyres.

This was a 20k gravel stretch on a 200 km ride:


As for a budget of £750? Yeah, my main bike was in the multi-thousands. But I do have a serviceable hybrid commuter dating from 1990, cost £50.


So I'd suggest that you'll probably get most bang for your buck by looking at the second hand market.

[flight147z]

Solocle said:

I will say that for only occassional off roading, it depends what sort of off roading! If we're talking a knarly MTB trail with tree roots and rocks, then yeah, full suspension territory.

However, if you're talking gravel... then actually I'd suggest a road bike or hybrid. The difference on road is significant, and road bikes can take a bit of gravel - the wider your tyres, the better. I run 32 mm tyres.

.

Agree with this. A gravel bike leaves all doors open but is the classic jack of all trades master of none. Can't do the tough stuff off road and noticeably slower than a road bike on road (and generally don't have the right gearing either)

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the replies! A gravel bike does look good, I hadn't read much about them until now as I assumed they were set up specifically for gravel. That at least narrows the search down a bit!
The off road stuff wouldn't be anything serious, woods and fields but nothing too extreme.
I hadn't thought of the ride to work schemes, I know my employer did do it and then stop but having had a quick google it seems they have set it up again so will have a chat with them once I go back to work, asking them about buying a bike when I'm currently off with my injured ankle probably isn't a brilliant idea.
I had thought about second hand, decided against it as I wouldn't know what it had been through, or where it had come from. Also its more convenient at the moment to chuck it on a credit card!
This seems to not look bad
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/genesis-cda-30-vargn21...
Will have a look at the Boardman one suggested above too

[anonymous-user]

Although the last few comments on gravel bikes have me rethinking again! Seems to be much more of a minefield than I had anticipated

[flight147z]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Hard tail MTBs are also generally a lot better value than gravel

[anonymous-user]

https://www.evanscycles.com/brand/cannondale/quick...
Something like this?

[InitialDave]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Rigid hybrid/commuter would be my likely choice to do everything, cruising around enjoying the view. They're pretty much an old-school mountain bike anyway, and they can do off road work as well as rigid MTBs always did (tyre choice depending).

But that reflects my own tastes, which I know my own mind on. They may no more be yours than anyone else's.

My suggestion for you would be to find somewhere that hires decent bikes, and try a couple of modern offerings to see what feels "right" to you before you spend several hundred on something.

[wobert]

flight147z said:

Solocle said:

I will say that for only occassional off roading, it depends what sort of off roading! If we're talking a knarly MTB trail with tree roots and rocks, then yeah, full suspension territory.

However, if you're talking gravel... then actually I'd suggest a road bike or hybrid. The difference on road is significant, and road bikes can take a bit of gravel - the wider your tyres, the better. I run 32 mm tyres.

.

Agree with this. A gravel bike leaves all doors open but is the classic jack of all trades master of none. Can't do the tough stuff off road and noticeably slower than a road bike on road (and generally don't have the right gearing either)

I disagree.

I have a Cannondale Slate, it’ll maintain an on-road average speed within 1 mph of my road bike over 30-40 miles and will go around the blue route at Llandegla without too much bother.

I would say it’s less of a compromise that you’d suggest.

[Dnlm]

wobert said:

I would say it’s less of a compromise that you’d suggest.

Yeah, my gravel Dolan with 35mm tyres is perfectly capable. The differences only really show up when you get into one side or the other properly. And the rule of N+1 means you'd want a new bike then regardless...

The Genesis is a great bike, but as a slightly nicer brand than some of others linked has a bit lower spec. Personally I'd try to fit hydraulic brakes into the budget, but best value Boardman's (or Triban 520 from decathlon) very likely to be out of stock.

[nammynake]

£750-£1000 will get you something decent (if you can find stock that is) and you’ll get a decent chunk on the 2nd hand market if it’s not for you.

As a left field choice, if the roads are reasonably flat around you then a single speed can make a lot of sense. I’ve been eyeing this up:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vitus-vee-city-bike-ss-20...

It’s a big “old school” with 26” wheels and rim brake, but you can still find plenty of 26” tyres for sale, and the rim brakes and single gear will make maintenance as simple as possible. Swap between thin slicks and off road tyres for a really versatile bike, or even buy a second hand pair of wheels for £50-£75 and you can have two sets of wheels which can be swapped in less than a minute depending on your intended ride.

[egor110]

hucumber said:

Although the last few comments on gravel bikes have me rethinking again! Seems to be much more of a minefield than I had anticipated

Have a look on you tube for dave noakes - grinduro and juliet lewis quantocks gravel .

Now look compare what terrain there riding on to what your planning on , they seem to cope just fine on a gravel bike .

[hyphen]

Dnlm said:

Yeah, my gravel Dolan with 35mm tyres is perfectly capable. The differences only really show up when you get into one side or the other properly. And the rule of N+1 means you'd want a new bike then regardless...

The Genesis is a great bike, but as a slightly nicer brand than some of others linked has a bit lower spec. Personally I'd try to fit hydraulic brakes into the budget, but best value Boardman's (or Triban 520 from decathlon) very likely to be out of stock.

I have a 35mm wheeled hybrid on nobbly tyres, and at times it struggles in deep sand/gravel.

If OP is doing backroads in the country, I would go with wider tyres, which would probably mean MTB. And OP budget for good lights.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I am leaning towards gravel bike, seems it will do what I want, and having never ridden one I like the idea of trying something new.
Currently hovering over the buy button on this

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Topstone-3-202...

Does anyone know of a good reason not to go for it?

Also it appears bikes don't come with pedals, so thats another thing, normal pedals or cleats?
I genuinely thought I would go online, see a bike I liked and buy it but theres so much to consider, aswell as most things I like being out of stock - presumably because of Covid?

[InitialDave]

hucumber said:

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I am leaning towards gravel bike, seems it will do what I want, and having never ridden one I like the idea of trying something new.
Currently hovering over the buy button on this

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Topstone-3-202...

Does anyone know of a good reason not to go for it?

Also it appears bikes don't come with pedals, so thats another thing, normal pedals or cleats?
I genuinely thought I would go online, see a bike I liked and buy it but theres so much to consider, aswell as most things I like being out of stock - presumably because of Covid?

If you have a dicky knee, my vote is normal flat pedals, at least while starting out.

[sam.rog]

Clip ins are better for power transfer but a pain in the bum everywhere else.
For now I’d just ride flats and trainers.

[wobert]

hucumber said:

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I am leaning towards gravel bike, seems it will do what I want, and having never ridden one I like the idea of trying something new.
Currently hovering over the buy button on this

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Topstone-3-202...

Does anyone know of a good reason not to go for it?

Also it appears bikes don't come with pedals, so thats another thing, normal pedals or cleats?
I genuinely thought I would go online, see a bike I liked and buy it but theres so much to consider, aswell as most things I like being out of stock - presumably because of Covid?

That will be perfect for your intended use.

Get it bought before someone else does….