Mountain Bike Advise Please....

[Nicko_12345]

Hi, I’m looking for a bike, I have a few options that if I’m honest I don’t no anything about bikes, I will be using the bike for a bit of off road and going to and from my girlfriends house (17 miles each way) I won’t be jumping of houses or jumping over buses but want it to be able to go up a kerb without me buckling or breaking something. I am looking at spending 200 notes.

Here are the ones I have seen:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Land-Rover-Defender-KANAHA-M...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Any advise will be taken on board, I’m currently riding my mates racing bike that has 2cm wide tyres and I’m scared of breaking it (plus 2 flat tyres in 2 days has really put me off it)

Thanks

Nick

[curlie467]

I dont know anything about land rover bikes so wont comment.
Both the GT and the Trek are very good reputable makes but for general mtb work i would go for the Trek, the GT ruckus is a jump bike, it is more focused on that, they have smaller stronger frames and that one has less gears (only a double front chainring rather than a triple on the Trek).


I will shamelessly add an advert for my bike, it is in excellent condition and would suit you fine.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1915949.htm

Edited by curlie467 on Sunday 1st August 19:58

[Nicko_12345]

curlie467 said:

I dont know anything about land rover bikes so wont comment.
Both the GT and the Trek are very good reputable makes but for general mtb work i would go for the Trek, the GT ruckus is a jump bike, it is more focused on that, they have smaller stronger frames and that one has less gears (only a double front chainring rather than a triple on the Trek).


I will shamelessly add an advert for my bike, it is in excellent condition and would suit you fine.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1915949.htm

Edited by curlie467 on Sunday 1st August 19:58

looks very nice that does, only thing that i did want was discs? How easy would it be to fit some to it?

Thanks

Nick

[Flippin' Kipper]

It has disc mounts front and rear, but you will need new wheels, you would be looking at more than the bike to add discs. Also if you do want discs don't bother with cable.

[Nicko_12345]

Flippin' Kipper said:

It has disc mounts front and rear, but you will need new wheels, you would be looking at more than the bike to add discs. Also if you do want discs don't bother with cable.

Ok, it the performance of disc brakes that much better than standard brakes?

[RobDickinson]

Depends on what 'a bit of offroad' means. Canal paths, 4wd tracks etc normal v brakes are fine.

Anything trail/singletrack/techy etc then hydro disk brakes are much better.

[Karinofnine]

Firstly - £200?

Secondly - it's advice not advise (welcome to Pedants' Corner )

Thirdly - do you really want a 'mountain bike' for a 32 mile round trip? Frankly, you would be better off with a tourer or cx (but I know they are not marketed in the same way as 'mountain bikes'.

[curlie467]

Nicko_12345 said:

Flippin' Kipper said:

It has disc mounts front and rear, but you will need new wheels, you would be looking at more than the bike to add discs. Also if you do want discs don't bother with cable.

Ok, it the performance of disc brakes that much better than standard brakes?

To be honest, i know its my bike but i do actually prefer v-brakes, they do have excellent stopping power. The only time they struggle is when you have gone through some mud that is deeper than the rim and you just need a bit of time to clear it off, the brakes dont disappear completely they just dont work as well when this happens.

Some people swear by disc brakes and some swear by v-brakes, it is all personal preference so if you want discs then go for it but i think you would be fine on v-brakes for what you are doing. Also, i will stand corrected but hydraulics do need a little fettling now and then (bleeding and setting up), the v-brakes you can just leave alone really.
I prefer the simplicity but may have to bow down to discs as i do a lot of singletrack and england being england means a lot of mud.

I know i would prefer you to buy mine, if i hadnt have already bought another then i would snap this up without a second thought, this is as good as it gets on your budget, an absolute steal.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1921240.htm

[Nicko_12345]

curlie467 said:

Nicko_12345 said:

Flippin' Kipper said:

It has disc mounts front and rear, but you will need new wheels, you would be looking at more than the bike to add discs. Also if you do want discs don't bother with cable.

Ok, it the performance of disc brakes that much better than standard brakes?

To be honest, i know its my bike but i do actually prefer v-brakes, they do have excellent stopping power. The only time they struggle is when you have gone through some mud that is deeper than the rim and you just need a bit of time to clear it off, the brakes dont disappear completely they just dont work as well when this happens.

Some people swear by disc brakes and some swear by v-brakes, it is all personal preference so if you want discs then go for it but i think you would be fine on v-brakes for what you are doing. Also, i will stand corrected but hydraulics do need a little fettling now and then (bleeding and setting up), the v-brakes you can just leave alone really.
I prefer the simplicity but may have to bow down to discs as i do a lot of singletrack and england being england means a lot of mud.

I know i would prefer you to buy mine, if i hadnt have already bought another then i would snap this up without a second thought, this is as good as it gets on your budget, an absolute steal.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1921240.htm

Thanks for the reply, i have spoken to the guy in the link and i am picking it up after work on tuesday

Hope its a good one!

Edited by Nicko_12345 on Monday 2nd August 13:54

[curlie467]

The Giant xtc? Well done, it looks ok and is acknowledged as an excellent mtb so you will be fine.

I am a little jealous though and if i hadnt just bought a Rockhopper then i would have definitely gone for the Giant!

Any problems with the bike then just ask away on here, someone will be able to help.

[mchammer89]

Flippin' Kipper said:

It has disc mounts front and rear, but you will need new wheels, you would be looking at more than the bike to add discs. Also if you do want discs don't bother with cable.

A bit OT, but I completely disagree with this. I have a pair of Avid BB-5s on my bike, the standard brakes it came with. I thought i'd upgrade so bought a pair of Juicy Carbons, and they were just as good. I'd rather stick with the BB-5s for simplicity. They are very, very good brakes.

[robpearson]

Just to add to your woes I have this one up on eBay at the moment:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I would suggest that you have a look at size and fit before bidding on a bike, especially if you are planning a long commute on it. If its too small you'll look like charlie chaplin and will do your knees no good, but if its too long you will end up hurting your back

[Nicko_12345]

Well I picked the bike up tonight, seems fine, needed a really good clean and I have noticed that the 2.35 tyres are far too wide for me and have ordered some 1.95 Tioga tyres.

Going to get the bike serviced at a local bike shop or maybe even Halfords just to have everything checked over.

Will be taking it for a 6 mile trip to and from my mum’s house on Wednesday night so ill see what i think of it then.

The size feels perfect as well!!

Thanks

Nick

[robpearson]

All good fun then :-) really not sure I would take it to halfords for it to be looked over though...