Mountain bike advice?

[South Bank Hank]

As anyone at the SZFC charity football match could testify, my fitness levels are not what they should be and I have less air in my lungs at any given moment than Michael Jackson.

As part of a general fitness drive, I'm looking to buy myself a mountain bike - nothing professional, just something I can take out every morning before making the long walk across the landing to my office.

I'm looking at this little nugget from Halfords at £199 and wondered if any of you more experienced biking fans (or professional racers like GlasgowSUFC) could suggest anything different/endorse the purchase before I buy it?

Otherwise, there's this one on ebay?

Thanks.
SBH

 

[ldnfatso]

Why do you need a mountain bike? There aren't any mountains around here in Essex!

 

[MK Shrimper]

Well for one I'd avoid Halfords like the plague. Bought a bike through them and got nothing but hassles when I tried to take it back as the gear mech snapped and they blamed me and I nearly came to blows with some snotty teenage arsewipe.

Bike looks ok, I guess you pay for what you get.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Why do you need a mountain bike? There aren't any mountains around here in Essex!

The 2012 Olympic mountain bike competition is being held at Castle point country park.

 

[ldnfatso]

The 2012 Olympic mountain bike competition is being held at Castle point country park.

Not exactly mountains though are they! I also doubt Graeme is taking part anyway!

 

[Uncle Leo]

Well for one I'd avoid Halfords like the plague. Bought a bike through them and got nothing but hassles when I tried to take it back as the gear mech snapped and they blamed me and I nearly came to blows with some snotty teenage arsewipe.

Bike looks ok, I guess you pay for what you get.

That doesn't bode well! The Mrs bought me a bike for my birthday earlier in the year, from Halfords. Still, it's been a good present so far and I'm loving my morning bike rides along the Grand Union Canal. It also gave me an excuse to buy this bad boy:

 

[Mad Cyril]

You don't need full suspension unless going over heavy terrain and on level ground it absorbs some of the energy you put into pedalling.

Tried a few bikes when I bought mine and ended up with a Cannondale that was on offer because it was the previous years model. I spent a fair a bit more than I had intended but have never regretted it and if anything it made me want to get out on the bike more often.

 

[MK Shrimper]

That doesn't bode well! The Mrs bought me a bike for my birthday earlier in the year, from Halfords. Still, it's been a good present so far and I'm loving my morning bike rides along the Grand Union Canal. It also gave me an excuse to buy this bad boy:

Guess it's ok if it doesn't go wrong!

 

[South Bank Hank]

You don't need full suspension unless going over heavy terrain and on level ground it absorbs some of the energy you put into pedalling.

Tried a few bikes when I bought mine and ended up with a Cannondale that was on offer because it was the previous years model. I spent quite a bit more than I had intended but have never regretted it.

Thanks MC. I can't see myself going over too much heavy terrain, so I guess it's the gadget bloke in me that sees those springy bits as must-haves. If they're just for show, I might have to look again.

 

[Pubey]

Thanks MC. I can't see myself going over too much heavy terrain, so I guess it's the gadget bloke in me that sees those springy bits as must-haves. If they're just for show, I might have to look again.

if you're just on the roads then you don't need suspension, however for going through the woods then look at getting one with front forks (you don't need full suspension).

I dunno who you work for, but some big employers often have a 'cycle to work' scheme where you can buy a bike and pay for it directly out of your pay packet in small chunks, so tax free basically.

Also avoid Halfords, there are a couple of decent independent bike shops in the area that are more deserving of your trade...
http://www.richardsonscycles.co.uk/

 

[MK Shrimper]

if you're just on the roads then you don't need suspension, however for going through the woods then look at getting one with front forks (you don't need full suspension).

I dunno who you work for, but some big employers often have a 'cycle to work' scheme where you can buy a bike and pay for it directly out of your pay packet in small chunks, so tax free basically.

Also avoid Halfords, there are a couple of decent independent bike shops in the area that are more deserving of your trade...
http://www.richardsonscycles.co.uk/

Just what I did. Paid £15 a month, and then I'm sure HR fugged up and completely forgot about it :)

 

[Pubey]

Just what I did. Paid £15 a month, and then I'm sure HR fugged up and completely forgot about it :)

i haven't done it yet cos only live down the road from work, but it's excellent. my colleague spent nearly a grand on a decent bike and loads of equipment, and pays 25quid tax free out of his pay packet

 

[chadded]

Go to Les's cycles in Canvey, and speak to Les himself. The geezer knows what he is on about. If you remember The Bill in the 1990's, he's the spit of Geoff Daly.

I recently spent £350 on a Marin bike from there, and I can't stress enough that the shop is the only place on Canvey worth going to. Except possibly Camping and General.

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Tried a few bikes when I bought mine and ended up with a Cannondale that was on offer because it was the previous years model. I spent a fair a bit more than I had intended but have never regretted it and if anything it made me want to get out on the bike more often.

I'd second that. Any bikes with big clunky suspension are going to be hard work and knackering, and will ultimately put you off cycling.

I'm a cycle-commuter, so ride about 12 miles a day on roads. I take it no more seriously than that - so, in all honesty, you're looking for a bike that is well made, not too heavy, and that feels good to ride.

I've just bought a Ridgeback Tempest, which was on special at Cycle Surgery. They only seem to have the 19" framed bikes in at the moment - I think you might need something a bit bigger, given your height.

Ultimately, go and try some bikes out until you find something comfortable that you like. Final thought: get a bike that's light. You'll end up paying a bit more for it, but you'll be grateful for it in the long run!

Matt

 

[sufc_tom]

As someone else said Richardsons in Leigh, got my bike from there. After 100 miles I think it is you get a free look over, the word has gone straight out of my mind :doh:

 

[Sussex Shrimper]

If you're looking for something to get to work on, then a hybrid or even an out and out road bike is likely to better fit your needs.

I would second MtS's recommendation of Ridgeback, who make great hybrid bikes. I ride a Ridgeback Flight T2, which is a hybrid leaning towards the road bike side of the spectrum, and I'm delighted with it. When I was buying I also test rode a Cyclone, which has a design more like a mountain bike, and that was also very impressive.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

My advice is to buy a car. Preferably something that does 2 miles to the gallon and leaves a 'carbon footprint' the size of Madagascar.

 

[Yer Blues]

this is me on my bike. its a nifty affair.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Lookin' mighty fine Bobby G.

 

[Aberdeen Shrimper]

Got mine from Halfords about 18 months ago and it has been superb, I used to repair and upgrade push bikes as a youngster and have been more than impressed with the one I got. It is a Diamondback S10 with full suspension which comes in handy as i live 2 mins from a forest.


Diamond Back do a wide range of mountain bikes and are very good indeed.

My only advice to you SBH is that if you misplace it and can not see it, that does not mean it has been stolen mate!!!