Looking at getting a bike

thelawnet

Strider590 wrote: »

Ok fair enough, for £300 id still go for a hard tail though.

The problem that stands out for me on that bike is the rear suspension (the triangle bit) is solid, it's hinge point is only at the crank, which leads the natural wheel movement on impact of upwards and forward.

A decent full sus will be set-up with multiple links so the wheel moves directly upward on impact... Like this.



It's a subtle difference that most people would not notice until they'd ridden both bikes.

Granted it's not the best bike in the world, but if you take £300 to the bike shop for a MTB, you could end up with something like this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/3500-2010-mountain-bike-ec020717

The bike shop bike for £300 has a bottom-of-the-range 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain (versus 8-speed, mostly better parts on the Decathlon bike), and no rear suspension.

And of course if you bought a hardtail from Decathlon for £300, you get a better fork and a decent (part) SRAM X5 drivetrain. http://www.btwincycle.com/EN/rockrider-5-3-2010-116998163/

TiTheRev

A mate got a brand new Hard Rock off eBay (failed fitness project) for just under £300. I know which I'd rather have. Find one with local collection and you'll be looking at a smaller buyer audience, plus a good chance you'll get a good bike for little bucks.

Strider590

Im not saying the Decathlon is a bad bike, it's cheap for what you get purely because it's non branded (Decathlons own instead). I don't know of many others that do own brand bikes in that price range either.

iolanthe07

It will mostly be roads and pavements

Pavements? I hope not. Pavements are for pedestrians.

KierNet

iolanthe07 wrote: »

It will mostly be roads and pavements

Pavements? I hope not. Pavements are for pedestrians.

Brilliant things called cycle paths . Even if they didn't have one, I would still ride on the road, I'll be using it at night, and not riding down a dual carriageway on the way to work.

Been looking at this, seems to fit what I'm looking for...little bit more than I wanted, but heard good things about Specialized, and hopefully will last a while!

freakybacon

We could do with putting some work in and making this a sticky. Something along the lines of "Cycling to work? Heres some ideas!" The Hardrock is a fine bike- And with it being "Specialized" brand will sell well if you decide cycling to work is not for you. I run a Carrera Kraken to cycle to work and back with a little leisure riding, and the problem I have on my 5 mile each way commute is running out of gears going down hill. If all you are doing is commuting a hybrid would make more sense (rather like the Carrera Subway I should have bought). Ideal accessories- shorts, jacket, helmet, gloves, spare inner tube, toolkit, mini pump. You just missed the chance too tackle up cheap at Lidl- they may still have some stuff. Aldi have their cycling stuff occasionally, should be along in the next couple of months. I can usually do the 5 mile commute in 20-25 minutes, so in your case I would allow 40 minutes for a first timer.

Dave_C_2

I've started cycling for fun (?) and trying to lose weight after 40-odd years. I have a Giant MTB kindly donated by son-in-law, used 50/50 on roads and bridle paths. Don't need suspension 'cos it ain't cross-country. Knobbly tyres are not as prone to punctures as slicks and are great for the bridle paths.

As on the other thread, try the second-hand shops.

Just my 2d worth, Dave

ozvaldinho

Mongoose Maurice £259 from Evans. Frame size large fits me perfectly at 6'3". Single speed, fast acceleration, great visibility from riding position, light, simple and reliable.
LOUD wheels mean motorists see you. I had one for a few weeks, it's ok on cycle paths and trails .


Mongoose Maurice CroMo 2010 Single Speed Road Bike

£259.99
£349.99







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geri1965_2

KierNet wrote: »

Been looking at this, seems to fit what I'm looking for...little bit more than I wanted, but heard good things about Specialized, and hopefully will last a while!

I had a couple of those before I got my Marin, they are pretty good bikes.

jimbo_the_jetset

Google cycle to work scheme