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Cycling to work..

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Comments

  • geri1965_2
    geri1965_2 Posts: 8,736 Forumite
    Limey wrote: »
    Go for a dedicated road bike or hybrid rather than an all out mountain bike. No point having 2 zillion gears which are made for climbing hills but you can't get up to a decent speed on the flat.

    That depends on the nature of your commute, really. I use a mountain bike to cycle to work as Bristol is very hilly and I find it useful having plenty of gears. It's 2 1/2 miles on inner city roads, so I don't have much of an opportunity for speed, and the way people drive around here I prefer to take it relatively slow and steady.

    I have changed my tyres from knobbly ones to Schwalbe ones which are smoother in the middle for cycling on roads, but also rugged enough for offroad cycling at weekends.

    I don't have to worry about it getting stolen as I carry it into my office.
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    Nice bike, but frame size is a bit large, so unless you are over 6ft it may be a bit awkward to ride on. Also a bit dubious that there's no pic's.

    Nice Tora shock, hydro discs with 180 front and 160 rear, good Deore set up.

    Ask for a photo if you're serious though.
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    geri1965 wrote: »
    That depends on the nature of your commute, really. I use a mountain bike to cycle to work as Bristol is very hilly and I find it useful having plenty of gears. It's 2 1/2 miles on inner city roads, so I don't have much of an opportunity for speed, and the way people drive around here I prefer to take it relatively slow and steady.

    I have changed my tyres from knobbly ones to Schwalbe ones which are smoother in the middle for cycling on roads, but also rugged enough for offroad cycling at weekends.

    I don't have to worry about it getting stolen as I carry it into my office.
    I also use an MTB for my commute. Have switched to Schwalbe Hurricane's and can cut through a park on my way in to save a good few minutes on my route without worrying about doing the bike damage or punctures.
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    How about this...?

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARRERA-VULCAN-DISC-18-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-/250785870790?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a6400b3c6

    It's in Wales too :wink:

    If you're willing to travel to pick one up, there are plenty out there at reasonable money...

    eBay options
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    TiTheRev wrote: »
    Nice bike, but frame size is a bit large, so unless you are over 6ft it may be a bit awkward to ride on. Also a bit dubious that there's no pic's.

    Nice Tora shock, hydro discs with 180 front and 160 rear, good Deore set up.

    Ask for a photo if you're serious though.

    There's no way it'll sell at that price, that was a £1000+ bike. The bids will sky rocket a few days before end of auction.

    And yeah..... 21 inch frames are for those on the very tall side.

    As a rule, for a mountain bike... Standing on the pedals (horizontal) your knee joint should be level with or above the cross bar.
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

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  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    Strider590 wrote: »
    There's no way it'll sell at that price, that was a £1000+ bike. The bids will sky rocket a few days before end of auction.

    And yeah..... 21 inch frames are for those on the very tall side.

    As a rule, for a mountain bike... Standing on the pedals (horizontal) your knee joint should be level with or above the cross bar.
    It's BIN for £350, so may just be worth buying rather than bidding...but definately get a photo 1st!
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • Decathlon seems to be the best bet for cheap bikes right now. I know a few "serious" cyclists who have Decathlon bikes as back-ups or winter bikes. For £100 you won't find better than this one

    That looks like my best option. Thanks for the link :)
  • TiTheRev
    TiTheRev Posts: 3,215 Forumite
    That looks like my best option. Thanks for the link :)
    For an extra £40 you can get a better frame (Rockrider 5.1), which is always worth getting if possible, as you can upgrade everything else on the bike easily, but you're stuck with the frame!

    I've never been a fan of the twist grip gear changers though...
    :A Luke 6:38 :A
    The above post is either from personal experience or is my opinion based on the person God has made me and the way I understand things. Please don't be offended if that opinion differs from yours, but feel free to click the 'Thanks' button if it's at all helpful!
  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,405 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Around £100..
    You have said you spend £10 on petrol and parking both of which will only increase. £130 is only 3 months saving or £260 6 months. I would try and stretch you budget.
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
  • Norman_Castle
    Norman_Castle Posts: 11,871 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you use ebay, try searching locally for a good used bike or find your local bike shop and see what they have second hand.
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