Back to cycling & confused. What do I need
Discussion
Bit of background: I haven't pedalled properly for over 6/7 years and I want a new bike. I plan on doing both road and some rougher terrain but nothing too difficult, gradually increasing distance, pace and slowly increasing my level of fitness which have slipped dramatically over the past 10 years. Cycling will be coupled with swimming - I can't do gyms, I get bored within 10mn.
What bike? fully suspended with lockable suspensions? Or no suspension and move onto a better bike as I progress? It still needs to be "competitive" for let's say 3 years before I consider changing.
I know I want something light, reliable and if it has disk brakes they need to be hydraulic (right?). What I'm confused by is whether I need a full on MTB or a Hybrid!
So what would you go for if you were in my situation? Cheers.
What bike? fully suspended with lockable suspensions? Or no suspension and move onto a better bike as I progress? It still needs to be "competitive" for let's say 3 years before I consider changing.
I know I want something light, reliable and if it has disk brakes they need to be hydraulic (right?). What I'm confused by is whether I need a full on MTB or a Hybrid!
So what would you go for if you were in my situation? Cheers.
Edited by J B L on Wednesday 11th May 22:08
Cannondale Bad boy would get my dollar - rigid frame, mtb geo so its fairly upright. Light and with decent components for the money. It will handle the rough stuff as its essentially an mtb with skinny slick tyres and no suspension.
Otherwise a decent hybrid, Specialised Sirrus etc.
If your starting out then less is almost always more when it comes to suspension and is best avoided, unless your intending to do lots of off road - cheap dual suspension bikes are a definate no. As for disk brakes unless your spending a decent amount you'd do better with rim brakes, they weigh less and are easier to self service.
Otherwise a decent hybrid, Specialised Sirrus etc.
If your starting out then less is almost always more when it comes to suspension and is best avoided, unless your intending to do lots of off road - cheap dual suspension bikes are a definate no. As for disk brakes unless your spending a decent amount you'd do better with rim brakes, they weigh less and are easier to self service.
louiebaby said:
BliarOut said:
CX? Then you can run slicks or knobblies depending on your mood.
That would be my choice in this situation...I think these are currently best value:
http://www.khsbikes.co.uk/bikes/khs-cx-200-cyclocr...
http://www.ashcycles.com/site/index.php?main_page=...
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
If you prefer flat bars check out the On Onme Scandal - perfect fast bike for dirt tracks:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOO29SCST/on-one-scan...
Edited by Roman on Thursday 12th May 08:15
what does "competitive" mean? a bike is only as competitive as the rider.
a cyclocross bike is a good idea and off roading on drop bars is great fun. have a look at kenesis before wasting money on a big brand name. they take a while to get used to however and a short travel hardtail would be a good choice. the merlin malt or a charge duster are reasonably priced entry leve "competitive" bikes.
a cyclocross bike is a good idea and off roading on drop bars is great fun. have a look at kenesis before wasting money on a big brand name. they take a while to get used to however and a short travel hardtail would be a good choice. the merlin malt or a charge duster are reasonably priced entry leve "competitive" bikes.
Thanks a lot for the recommendations.
That simple Bad Boy looks exactly the ticket without breaking the bank (too much) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/bad... . Just one Q: how rough a terrain can these tyres handle?
Felt QX55 to 75 also caught my eyes along with Scott's Sporster.
Definitely more attracted to flat bars as I have 0 experience of racing style bikes and was never attracted to them in the past.
By "competitive", I meant something that I won't get border with within 6 months and leaves me a enough margin for progression.
I'm also trying to limit the budget to £500.
That Cannondale does look good though...
That simple Bad Boy looks exactly the ticket without breaking the bank (too much) http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/bad... . Just one Q: how rough a terrain can these tyres handle?
Felt QX55 to 75 also caught my eyes along with Scott's Sporster.
Definitely more attracted to flat bars as I have 0 experience of racing style bikes and was never attracted to them in the past.
By "competitive", I meant something that I won't get border with within 6 months and leaves me a enough margin for progression.
I'm also trying to limit the budget to £500.
That Cannondale does look good though...
The bad boy is a beautiful bike, it could handle pretty much what you throw at it, it wasnt so long ago that mountainbiikes had rigid forks, in fact some of the guys I was riding single track and some very demanding XC last night had single speed and fully rigid bikes (nutters).
Isnt there an version with hydraulic brakes?
Isnt there an version with hydraulic brakes?
You should be able to find the disc version in your size for little more using froogle:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/bad...
Fit some WTB Vulpines:
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/124156.h...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/bad...
Fit some WTB Vulpines:
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/124156.h...
http://www.noahsark.co.uk/cannondale-bad-boy-700-2...
If I was doing any "off roading" I would want a wider bar with a rise, but for gravel tracks and fire road it will be fine. It is more of a rugged urban bike anyway.
If I was doing any "off roading" I would want a wider bar with a rise, but for gravel tracks and fire road it will be fine. It is more of a rugged urban bike anyway.
I have a set of those Schwalbe that i occasionally fit on my Cannondale MTB for rides into town / to the pub when i dont want to use the road bike.
The Kojak is a full slick so not that great at gravel / wet drain covers so wouldn't suggest its very good for off road, but is pretty fast otherwise. I actually replaced the fatter versions in the pictures with the skinnier 1.35's which enable you to go very quickly for such an upright bike.
If your looking to off road then i would get a second set of tyres for this.
The Kojak is a full slick so not that great at gravel / wet drain covers so wouldn't suggest its very good for off road, but is pretty fast otherwise. I actually replaced the fatter versions in the pictures with the skinnier 1.35's which enable you to go very quickly for such an upright bike.
If your looking to off road then i would get a second set of tyres for this.
Trying the Cannondale tomorrow and whatever the local independant dealer will recommend.
Re: tyres. Well, let's wear these out and see what to go for next. If fitness is back a little I might consider more off road activities and go for something like the Vulpine posted by Roman above.
Will report and perhaps post in the Show off you bike thread later on
Re: tyres. Well, let's wear these out and see what to go for next. If fitness is back a little I might consider more off road activities and go for something like the Vulpine posted by Roman above.
Will report and perhaps post in the Show off you bike thread later on
Do compare it to the Charge Duster Mid (2010) which is available from Wiggle for £599 at the moment. I got one a month ago and I've had an absolute blast on it. It's surprisingly capable - I was doing red and black runs on it and brakes and suspension are fine. It's not a road bike but it comes with folding tyres so it'd be £40 on a set of slick tyres to turn it into an 'urban' bike.
The cannondale bad boys are also great ,but the lack of suspension will make them trying off road and on longer bumpy rides.
Go for an 'urban' bike like the bad boy if 70%+ of your time riding will be spent on tarmac and you don't intend on taking it any more off road than hard packed tracks and trails.
If you think bridleway and singletrack will appeal, then you will need suspension and disc brakes and a decent geometry frame for 'dynamic' riding.
The cannondale bad boys are also great ,but the lack of suspension will make them trying off road and on longer bumpy rides.
Go for an 'urban' bike like the bad boy if 70%+ of your time riding will be spent on tarmac and you don't intend on taking it any more off road than hard packed tracks and trails.
If you think bridleway and singletrack will appeal, then you will need suspension and disc brakes and a decent geometry frame for 'dynamic' riding.
Sizing Depends on leg length and body shape along with the frame geometry....
As a very rough guide and assuming that you are normally proportioned then yes, I'd say at 5'8" you're a 'medium' or 17"-18" mountain bike frame, or a 54cm or 56cm road bike frame, but try for size before you buy!
As a very rough guide and assuming that you are normally proportioned then yes, I'd say at 5'8" you're a 'medium' or 17"-18" mountain bike frame, or a 54cm or 56cm road bike frame, but try for size before you buy!
Right. Finally managed to find a dealer who has got one AND will also have a go on a MTB rather than Hybrid/Urban...
...that one: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/avalanche-3... (if anybody got any review of it...)
...that one: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gt/avalanche-3... (if anybody got any review of it...)
Well, that's it, after trying several bikes/types, I have set my heart on a MTB rather than an hybrid. I went to a dealer out in the countryside and he let me have a go for a while on some rough and quite rocky paths which made me rethink my "fitness program". 
yeah right!
Friday, I pick this up
GT Avalanche 3.0
It's a "return to cycling" bike and will be perfect to practice and re-acquaint myself at looking after a bike.
I couldn't bring myself to spend the £500 for the Cannondale, although it was great but being almost a road only bike I thought it was eventually going to curb my motivation.
The deal was great and the dealer is fitting some slightly less knobbly tyres whilst giving me the Maxxis for when I decide to go harder on it.
Thanks for the recommendations.
yeah right!Friday, I pick this up
GT Avalanche 3.0
It's a "return to cycling" bike and will be perfect to practice and re-acquaint myself at looking after a bike.
I couldn't bring myself to spend the £500 for the Cannondale, although it was great but being almost a road only bike I thought it was eventually going to curb my motivation.
The deal was great and the dealer is fitting some slightly less knobbly tyres whilst giving me the Maxxis for when I decide to go harder on it.
Thanks for the recommendations.
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