Please help a roadie!

[defblade]

Hi guys,

So I'm a roadie, although that's been on hold for a few years as SWMBO thinks I should be spending time with my little girl as she grows up, not racking up training miles (and I think she's right (always/as usual)).

Happily, said little girl is now 9 and ridng too. Problem is, she likes a bit of (ok, very light weight) trailriding and I've only got a posh-ish road bike which really doesn't like lumps bumps and rocks.




So, a few hundred (2,3,4) quid to spend on an off-road bike......

Are there rigid bikes any more? Quick scan around the net and everything seems to have front suspension these days. I've always been under the impression that cheap forks were less use than carrying an anchor. ("I got this full suspension MTB from halfrauds, £200, it's brilliant!" You mean, barely liftable, weighs more than my car.) I've got a high quality sussie seat post that has lived on my road bike before now tucked away anyway.

So, anything I should be looking for? I've always prefered simple good quality without silly bells and whistles...


Thanks in advance folks

[Uriel]

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/14572/Ha...

Everything you need, nothing you don't. At least for keeping up with a 9 year old

[shalmaneser]

Uriel said:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/14572/Ha...

Everything you need, nothing you don't. At least for keeping up with a 9 year old

Not a bad call, that.

[fixedwheelnut]

How about a cyclo cross bike, light off road/winter trainer

[defblade]

fixedwheelnut said:

How about a cyclo cross bike, light off road/winter trainer

I can't ride whe it's cold (below about 10' C) or it sets my asthma off and my lungs fill up with yuck

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at the Haro (never heard of them....)

[Cerberus90]

I'd get over onto pinbike and pick up something 1 or 2 years old. Be a much better spec for less.

Specilized Hardrock or Mongoose Tyax Elite.

[defblade]

Cerberus90 said:

I'd get over onto pinbike

According to them, Wales isn't part of the UK!!

[Garlick]

Uriel said:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/14572/Ha...

Everything you need, nothing you don't. At least for keeping up with a 9 year old

Quite fancy one myself, looks like great fun.

[Cerberus90]

defblade said:

According to them, Wales isn't part of the UK!!

well, I'm pretty sure its an American website, so, you know.

[defblade]

Bought this one off the bay, obviously.

Seems in good condition all round and about 300% nicer than anything I could have got new for the same price. Even had some service history!

Thanks folks

[Uriel]

Garlick said:

Quite fancy one myself, looks like great fun.

I got one and reckon for the money it's a great buy for general arsing about on and general MTBing. You can also get a hanger from http://www.derailleurhanger.com/ for $13 or something so should you get sick of single speeding, you can set it up 1x9 for not a lot of cash with a few choice ebay purchases.

[shalmaneser]

defblade said:

Bought this one off the bay, obviously.

Seems in good condition all round and about 300% nicer than anything I could have got new for the same price. Even had some service history!

Thanks folks

Great value, very upgradeable if you fancy it!

[timbo48]

That's a nice 'bike and should you decide to delve deeper into off roading you're not far from Brechfa and Cwm Rhayader Forest trails.