| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike 17:07 - Aug 7 with 3600 views | PeterHucker |
Anyone clued up about bikes on here?
My current bike is kaput so I need to buy a new one.
Don't do much on the roads, I mainly just go round the woods and trails on it.
Don't need anything top-of-the-range because I don't have access to a magical money tree.
Been trying to research online but there's so much choice. Looking for something around £300 or less really.
Want something reliable and durable. Should I get a mountain bike? Not planning on going up any mountains on it.
Any particular brands to go for or any to avoid out of these ones? Diamondback, Claud Butler, Trek, Carrera, GT, Marin, Dawes.
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| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 17:59 - Aug 7 with 3572 views | Boston |
Avoid Julie Andrews. |  |
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| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 18:46 - Aug 7 with 3542 views | Toast_R |
I bought a Trek Hybrid in 2010 and its still going strong now. Decent. |  | | |
| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 19:44 - Aug 7 with 3493 views | CliveWilsonSaid |
I'd say either Mountain or Hybrid bike would be best. With road bikes you're too restricted about where you can go for my liking. Basically get something with decent sized tyres so you can go on most surfaces and probably front suspension would be preferable.
I bought a hybrid from these guys about 6 years ago and it's still going well. I've had to do a few repairs/modding to it but for £170 new it's been great value.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-10829-bikes?opeco=opeco:Universepage-cycling&type=
Ridgeback is a good brand. |  |
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| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 10:03 - Aug 8 with 3375 views | 1MoreBrightonR |
I have one of these:
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/73727/Ridgeback_Velocity_2015_Mens_Bi
and paid a fair bit more than that when i got it!
Great if you do a mixture of road and mild off road, though may not be the best for a forest. As said before, Ridgeback its a good mid level brand. I was told its a bit like a volvo...solid, well made, reliable...and a bit dull :)
The bikes at Decathlon are very good value. | | | |
| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 18:41 - Aug 9 with 3247 views | R_from_afar |
Another alternative might be a cyclo cross or "adventure road" bike. They look pretty tough and are designed for the sort of use you have in mind.
RFA |  |
| "Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1." |
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| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 15:00 - Aug 10 with 3122 views | hovehoop |
I started out with an about town hack and ended up with the hack, a mountain bike and road bike. I tried riding the hack off road, with knobbly tyres, but it was liking riding a jack hammer. I use my mountain bike a lot and can justify having one. Average rides might be 6 hours on the South Downs and I use if for trail cycling holidays too.
So I guess it largely depends how much off road you'll do. Today's mountain bikes are brilliant. Though wheel sizes have gone through some change. Not long ago, mountain bikes had 26 inch wheels though most manufacturers have stopped this format in favour of 29 inch wheels (which is 700c - the same as a road bike) and 27.5 inch (or 650b) wheels. I have a 29er and my friends bought the same format. They allow racing quickly across country. Though smaller people may find them too large and opt for 27.5 inch instead.
Then there's the suspension question. At your budget, I'd suggest forgoing a full suspension bike because it will weight a ton, which will slow you down and detract from the fun. But, if you want to go off road I'd suggest having front suspension. Have a look at Halfords VooDoo range. I recall they had one or two award winning marques roughly in your price range.
If however, you won't ride off road then you can opt for an about town hack. Again, check the weight and the component quality and things like regular caliper brakes versus disc brakes, the latter being brilliant in the rain and mud. I like Whyte bikes and you'll find that Specialised and Giant probably have competitively priced entry level bikes.
The pricing differences have a lot to do with the weight and costs of the groupset forming the brakes and gears. The lighter and better, the more costly. But, good components on a poor frame, won't make a good bike. So, the rule is buy the best frame you can afford, which can allow swapping out groupset parts for better alternatives if you wish at a later date. | | | |
| non QPR: advice on buying a mountain bike on 15:14 - Aug 10 with 3118 views | hovehoop |
Actually, to follow-up, a Whyte front suspension mountain bike costs about £900 new.
But, if you're prepared to take a punt, here's one on E for £100:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whyte-529-Mountain-Bike-
A used bike originally costing £900 should have better parts than a new £300 alternative. This model Whyte is their entry level 29 er though it's designed to be taken off road and can handle a thrashing. Obviously, check the frame size suits. I'm 6' 1'' and ride a large, but a different model Whyte. | | | |
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