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djDMS
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
10,304 posts
Joined: Feb, 2003
572 hardcore releases
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 Posted - 2012/09/03 : 15:25:09
Looking to get back into cycling both for leisure and fitness but it's been so long since i owned one i have no idea what's what when it comes to getting a decent mountain/hybrid bike.
I was thinking of a road bike at first as i'd be using it mainly on the road but there are some decent tracks near me that i'd be having a go at for variety so it'll probably have to be a mountain bike. I've looked at loads and really can't see much difference in spec etc but prices are all over the place.
So, who out there owns or knows of something that's worth having? Money isn't an issue but i don't want to spend a load of money on something i might not stick with.
Suggestions please good people :-)
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Josephson_Junction
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United States
512 posts
Joined: Jan, 2012
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Posted - 2012/09/03 : 15:56:47
Unfortunately it's not a mountain bike, but if you do decide to go with a road bike, I can recommend the GT Aerostream.
It's sturdy, has a place on the back to mount something such as a basket or similar, and the belt drive is really nice. My (subjective) only complaint is that the seat is too firm.
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whispering
Moderator
Finland
8,453 posts
Joined: Nov, 2002
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Posted - 2012/09/03 : 17:52:36
I don't consider myself a cyclist, but i do almost all my travels with a bicycle throughout the year. IMHO Hybrid all the way. Much smoother to ride on asphalt then mountain bike (-> lighter), but can still handle gravel and some light forest tracks with no problem. Also the fenders on them are much more pleasant in rain and slush.
Edit: Thats my main bicycle:
Edit 2:
-whatever you get, get a side mirror for it. Must have in traffic.
-If you drive a lot in the dark, get a front wheel that has the dynamo built into it. Much better then hassling with batteries and detaching the light when you park it. Here in winters the sun rises at like 9 and sets at 15, so its always dark. Don't know how its in UK.
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Edited by - whispering on 2012/09/03 18:03:58 |
Ionosphere
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United Kingdom
3,750 posts
Joined: Dec, 2004
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Posted - 2012/09/03 : 22:02:14
Firstly. Do not buy anything like this -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_770955_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
The 'Suspension' is so shite it's a joke.... no proper damping at all, more like a pogo-stick and, if you ride it hard off road it'll break and hurt you.
Secondly. Something along these lines is better -
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_840923_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
Anything less than 300 quid is not going to do you any favours at all. You are no longer a boy and so you'll need something strong, something Hardcore. ;)
or something like this for some serious off-roading / downhill / jumps etc etc
P.S.
....and definitely DO NOT buy a bike where the gearchange is via the hand-grips. No! 
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VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYWkHCkaho
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Edited by - Ionosphere on 2012/09/04 00:20:14 |
wong
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
2,991 posts
Joined: Feb, 2006
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Posted - 2012/09/04 : 09:38:53
get a silicone/gel seat cover so you dont get a sore arse
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Triquatra
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United Kingdom
12,635 posts
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Posted - 2012/09/04 : 10:06:56
what kind of gear change should you have?
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Ionosphere
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,750 posts
Joined: Dec, 2004
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Posted - 2012/09/04 : 11:33:30
quote:
Originally posted by Triquatra:
what kind of gear change should you have?
Ideally a quick-shift on the bars inboard of the grips.
If you're off road, doing jumps or just mucking about doing wheelies the grip-shift can change gear inadvertently.... which is BAD!
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VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYWkHCkaho
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Hard2Get
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
12,837 posts
Joined: Jun, 2001
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Posted - 2012/09/04 : 12:07:12
quote:
there are some decent tracks near me
Oh, just a few eh? Lol.
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Warnman
Advanced Member
Germany
2,677 posts
Joined: Jun, 2010
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Posted - 2012/09/04 : 18:37:47
Don't forget the Subwoofer on the carrier. 
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Underloop
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,895 posts
Joined: Mar, 2002
91 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2012/09/07 : 17:03:16
Sorry to go against some of the above posts, but if you are mostly going on roads then do not get a mountain bike.
I'd recommend getting a hybrid. I've got a Voodoo Marassa. Good little bike with hydraulic disk brakes, which are good for wet conditions! The derailleur is a bit pants, but it does the job ok. Set me back 350, but I got it on the cycle to work scheme, so it was actually quite a bit less after tax.
My main journeys are A road, country road, gravel tracks etc and it handles it all fine. On the road I tend to average about 15-16mph on the flat, although my last journey looked about 18mph (must be getting fitter!). Only change I might make is to get some slimmer tyres, but if you want to do more trails then stick with fatter tyres.
Like Ionosphere said, don't bother with anything under 300.
If you do end up going for a mountain bike, go for one where you can lock the suspension off. You'll be thankful when riding the roads. It will be slower though as the gearing is set lower. Its all a compromise!
Also, worth asking at work about the cycle2work scheme - dunno whether they'd be willing t set one up, but it'd be a huge saving for you!
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we grow old because we stop playing."
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djDMS
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
10,304 posts
Joined: Feb, 2003
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Posted - 2012/09/07 : 19:14:52
quote:
Originally posted by Underloop:
Sorry to go against some of the above posts, but if you are mostly going on roads then do not get a mountain bike.
I'd recommend getting a hybrid. I've got a Voodoo Marassa. Good little bike with hydraulic disk brakes, which are good for wet conditions! The derailleur is a bit pants, but it does the job ok. Set me back 350, but I got it on the cycle to work scheme, so it was actually quite a bit less after tax.
My main journeys are A road, country road, gravel tracks etc and it handles it all fine. On the road I tend to average about 15-16mph on the flat, although my last journey looked about 18mph (must be getting fitter!). Only change I might make is to get some slimmer tyres, but if you want to do more trails then stick with fatter tyres.
Like Ionosphere said, don't bother with anything under 300.
If you do end up going for a mountain bike, go for one where you can lock the suspension off. You'll be thankful when riding the roads. It will be slower though as the gearing is set lower. Its all a compromise!
Also, worth asking at work about the cycle2work scheme - dunno whether they'd be willing t set one up, but it'd be a huge saving for you!
Thanks mate, i remember what we talked about before. Haven't mentioned it to work yet, planning to soon!
And thank you everybody else, any luck i'll have got round to buying one before next summer! :-p
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whispering
Moderator
Finland
8,453 posts
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Posted - 2012/09/07 : 20:16:15
quote:
Originally posted by Underloop:
Good little bike with hydraulic disk brakes, which are good for wet conditions!
TBH, i've never had problems with my rim brakes on wet conditions. However in the past ~3 years i've replaced the front rim once and the back rim twice :P
Definitely recommend disc brakes.
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Edited by - whispering on 2012/09/07 20:20:06 |
Underloop
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United Kingdom
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91 hardcore releases
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Posted - 2012/09/08 : 06:47:31
quote:
Originally posted by whispering:
Definitely recommend disc brakes.
And a good clean of your bike you mucky pup! 
Oh yeah, backing up Ionosphere's comment - I'm not a fan of grip shifts - too easy to change gears accidentally when going over hills/bumps etc. I quite like the 2 lever, indexed thumb shifters.
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we grow old because we stop playing."
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Ionosphere
Advanced Member
United Kingdom
3,750 posts
Joined: Dec, 2004
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Posted - 2012/09/08 : 09:46:46
Oh yes. :)
Something like this -
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a53846/slx-gear-shifter-rapidfire-sl-m660-3-speed-left-incl-wire-cable.html
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This- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ionosphere
THIS - http://soundcloud.com/ionosphere
VIDEO - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYWkHCkaho
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whispering
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Finland
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Posted - 2012/09/08 : 10:10:17
I have like low normal derailleur gears, and their fantastic. You pull them when you go up. And they drop to lower gears. Which is awesome when you have to break a lot, 'cause switching gears down is instant.
quote:
Originally posted by Underloop:
And a good clean of your bike you mucky pup!
The brake pad dust just keep coming so i found it easier to just not clean at all. The dirt also does fantastic things to your rims as can be seen from the previous image :p
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Edited by - whispering on 2012/09/08 10:11:36 |
Hard2Get
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United Kingdom
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Posted - 2012/09/08 : 11:05:18
Having a clean bike offers nothing whatsoever to it's functionality lol.
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