Page 1 of Anyone know anything about Mountain/Road/Hybrid Bikes ?

Hi,

I`m looking to start cycling to work soon and I wanna get a new bike. At present I have a sub £100 generic steel framed mountain bike, which to be honest is a bit heavy and it always feels like most of the pedalling effort I put in goes through the dual suspension :( .

So I`m thinking about a road bike (aluminum frame), looking at these models they seem to be very lightweight but are they tuff enough ? I will primarily be riding on roads but occasionally will need to go up and down kerbs etc, can they do this ?

I`ve also read about hybrid bikes, would this be more suitable ?

Also has anyone got any idea of how much I would need to spend to get a half decent one ? My thoughts at the minute is that i will spend £200 to £250, Is this realistic ?

Sorry for all the questions, but i dont really know where to start and normally someone on here knows something ;) !

Thanks in advance,
Rich.

PS. Quite like the look of this [url]http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-7551.aspx[url]
or is it cheap rubbish ?

This item was edited on Wednesday, 3rd December 2008, 15:21

I can`t help you other than saying that Amazon have the bike you`re looking at for £234.88, including free delivery.
My mate`s into mountain bikes though.
He`s of the opinion rear suspension is a waste of time on anything other than really expensive bikes, where they use linkages to isolate the cycling motion.
He goes for no rear suspension, but good front forks.
He`s currently got a Specialised Rockhopper with rockshox front forks.
They`re infinitely better than the forks on my cheap Halfords generic thing.
Mine barely move and when they do they stick (it`s called `stiction`, in motorbike terms).
His forks move with a nice, plush action.
He paid £600 for it last year, but I think you can get it for £349.99 now (see below)
http://www.dalescycles.com/Specialized_Rockhopper_2008_Bike_save_150_p/specroc08.htm"" target="_blank">
http://www.dalescycles.com/Specialized_Rockhopper_2008_Bike_save_150_p/specroc08.htm

This item was edited on Wednesday, 3rd December 2008, 15:37

Are you aware of the Government`s cyclescheme where you can purchase a bike and accessories upto a max £1000 tax free, not that I`d suggest you spend as much as that but the options there

For the best advise on bikes I`d really recommend you visit a bike shop and ask them the questions

Wouldn`t advise buying a bike off the net as you really need to see and sit on the bike in person to make sure it`s suitable

Quote:
Wouldn`t advise buying a bike off the net as you really need to see and sit on the bike in person to make sure it`s suitable

I know what you`re getting at, but I don`t really think it really matters here.
Provided you get the basic frame size right everything else is multi-adjustable.
There are plenty of online guides to help you with frame size, dependant on height.
For the Specialised Rockhopper I mentioned, th max frame size is 19" anyway.
So anyone 5`8" and above should just go for that and then adjust the seat/bars accordingly.
My mate buys all his bikes online, I can`t recall him getting it wrong and having to send one back.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 3rd December 2008, 15:57

What they said above...and.... if by road bike you mean what we used to call racers then it wouldn`t take too kindly to bumping up and down kerbs.

A hybrid bike or a mountain bike will do the job just fine as long as you stick to a hard tail (no rear suspension) as Bowfer said.

If you hold fire until after xmas you might get a good deal from Halfords in their sale. If you stick to their own brand of Carrera you won`t go far wrong. Top quality stuff, usually buitl in the same place as the `named` brands but a lot cheaper - especially when they are clearing out last years models.

why take life so seriously..its not like you are going to make it out alive

Cheers for all the replies, appreciated.

When I said `Road` bike I did mean the old style racing bike. Looks as though these will be a non starter then. I`ll take a look at the Carrera brands, although to be honest I have been put off of Halfords a little bit as the kids bikes I`ve bought from them in the past have, frankly, been rubbish, but of course they are at the bottom end of the scale.

I would presume a aluminium frame would be a must ?

thanks again,
Rich.

the goverment cycle scheme is great if your employer is taking part... but dont forget a decent helmet and lights.



`i am going to live forever or die trying`

Yes go for a hardtail with an aluminium frame
Take it you`ve changed your mind about bike suspension bowfer? :) Told you it could be superb. Your mate has a Specialized like me.

Ste

This item was edited on Wednesday, 3rd December 2008, 20:10

Yeh, Halfords kids bikes are nothing special, neither is their budget range of mountain bikes - X-Rated or something. But the Carreras are good bikes with good kit. I`ve had an aluminium hardtail since 1996 (Gravity) and it`s still going strong, have used it for some semi-serious downhilling as well.

Defo get an ally frame with suspension forks.

why take life so seriously..its not like you are going to make it out alive

Quote:
the goverment cycle scheme is great if your employer is taking part... but dont forget a decent helmet and lights.

Which are covered as part of the scheme if your employer is taking part. Or you can get good stuff at a keen price from Amazon or Go Outdoors...

But you need your employer to be working with a decent bike shop that`s actually open and has helpful people in it, unlike mine.

So I bought a bike from a mate and haven`t looked back.