Cycling

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Dancing Brave
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Location: ...a squiffy tree of sorts

PostRe: Cycling
by Dancing Brave » Wed Aug 03, 2011 10:52 pm

Jonathan86 wrote:After my previous message I stumbled across a map highlighting some decent routes in Glasgow. My question is though, what sort of MTB brands should I be looking out for? (new or second-hand)

I haven't ridden properly in years, and have no intention of getting a road bike before anyone suggests it! I reckon my maximum budget is £500, but hopefully more around the £350-£400 mark. I was looking at the Boardman bikes on the Halfords site, but they're a bit out of my price range new, and I guess I can look for better brands second-hand? Thoughts?


With the budget you have do not even think about looking at a full suspension bike (new or second hand) as I guarantee you will be lumbered with a pogoing shopping trolley...you have to factor in that a decent MTB fork will start from about £300 so even a front sus hard tail is going to be somewhat compromised.

With the money you have I would still be tempted to look at a new bike but would look around at dealers who are offloading previous season models at cut prices...this avenue is not quite as buyer friendly as it used to be but there are still bargains to be had. It really is buyer beware with second hand as it only takes a worn chain ring and twisted rear mech and worn brake pads etc and you are throwing good money after bad.

I don't mean to poo poo your budget as you will get a nice entry bike if you use some savvy and shop around but don't be tempted by the disc brakes or the like as they are likely to be more of a fitting for buyer wow rather than a serious bit of kit...believe me, the cheapest Tektro V brakes will serve you far better than most of the OEM discs fitted on £500 bikes.

...all this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered.
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Jonathan86
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Location: Glasgow

PostRe: Cycling
by Jonathan86 » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:26 pm

The people over on bikeradar seem to really rate the VooDoo Hoodoo:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

Which is exactly the same prices as a Specialized Hardrock Pro which I heard good things about on another forum:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... RRWidgetID

Both seem to have great reviews on the respective sites. How would you guys rate those? They really are at the very, very top of my budget! The Specialized does look fairly hideous compared to the VooDoo, but I suppose you don't really see it when you're riding ....

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smurphy
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Location: Scotland

PostRe: Cycling
by smurphy » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:40 pm

From your posting it seems like you'll be on roads or paths the whole time so a mountain bike doesn't really make sense. A hybrid would be cheaper, lighter and much less effort to go places.

In my opinion this is the ultimate commuting/city bike:

http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/cro ... ay-01-drop

Comfy steel frame, single speed (especially useful in Winter), practical tyres, looks cool. Flat bar option if you want it.

Last edited by smurphy on Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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KjGarly
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Location: Liverpool

PostRe: Cycling
by KjGarly » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:40 pm

Buying a bike to commute to and from work instead of bussing it and to try and be a bit more healthier :cry: . Haven't been on a bike since I was in school. I don't actually have to use a helmet do I? I plan on riding along the pavement. I do have to have lights don't I?

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Slartibartfast
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Location: Worcestershire

PostRe: Cycling
by Slartibartfast » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:43 pm

KjGarly wrote:Buying a bike to commute to and from work instead of bussing it and to try and be a bit more healthier :cry: . Haven't been on a bike since I was in school. I don't actually have to use a helmet do I? I plan on riding along the pavement. I do have to have lights don't I?


No legal requirement for a helmet, cycling on the pavement is illegal (and I'd argue counter-productive for safety - cycling intelligently on the road is faster and you pose no risk to pedestrians) and it's a requirement to have lights at night and you'd be an idiot not to.

But yeah on get on the bike! I'm gutted my new job doesn't have showers and is a tad too far at 17 miles :(

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Jonathan86
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Location: Glasgow

PostRe: Cycling
by Jonathan86 » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:44 pm

smurphy wrote:From your posting it seems like you'll be on roads or paths the whole time so a mountain bike doesn't really make sense. A hybrid would be cheaper, lighter and much less effort to go places.


I have since had a friend invite me on some forest trails. Hence the need.

I don't mind more effort on an everyday commute anyway. It's partly to substitute & suppliment running and so I need it to give me a good workout. I would also much prefer grippy tyres for winter too

Last edited by Jonathan86 on Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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smurphy
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PostRe: Cycling
by smurphy » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:44 pm

I would definitely wear a helmet. Your head is about 6' from the ground on a bike, a fall from that height can easily kill you. Especially if there's a car involved. Riding on the pavement is actually illegal, though I do it all the time. Lights aren't really necessary at this time of the year, but definitely, definitely get them as it gets darker. If you drive I'm sure you appreciate how invisible cyclists can be even when it's still fairly light.

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Jonathan86
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Location: Glasgow

PostRe: Cycling
by Jonathan86 » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:50 pm

smurphy wrote:Riding on the pavement is actually illegal, though I do it all the time.


I've never actually heard of anyone get a fine for cycling on a pavement. There are tonnes of people riding on pavements in Glasgow - and more power to them, rush hour is mental on some roads with all the last-minute lane changing (without indicating) going on.

I'm personally going to take the chance of looking like a tit on my commutes by wearing one of the full-face BMX style helmets.

They may be more expensive, but it's cheaper than death

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KjGarly
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Location: Liverpool

PostRe: Cycling
by KjGarly » Thu Aug 04, 2011 7:56 pm

I'll definitely be riding on pavement (Along Queen's Drive, were the pavement is quite wide) should only be about 15 - 20 minutes from work to home. Think I'll be risky and skip a helmet for now.

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Errkal
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PostRe: Cycling
by Errkal » Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:28 pm

smurphy wrote:Riding on the pavement is actually illegal, though I do it all the time.


I usually use the pavement to avoid traffic lights, rather than stop and rather than stop ride out like a strawberry floating bell

SugarCubes
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PostRe: Cycling
by SugarCubes » Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:50 pm

Took my old 90s Giant out today, still performances like a champion - so smooth and responsive, it beats the gooseberry fool out of the newer bikes I've tried.



Cycled a 70mile route from Sheffield to Holmfirth, some amazing views, this is at the top of one of leg busting climbs:Image

:wub:

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Floex
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PostRe: Cycling
by Floex » Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:05 pm

Fizheuer Zieheuer wrote:I don't wear a helmet and I cycle during rush hour both ways on busy main roads between Bournemouth and Poole :3

(...I don't recommend it, it's terrifying when a truck comes strawberry floatin haring out of nowhere into a roundabout while you're trying to change lane)


Dude, I mean this in the nicest possible way but don't be strawberry floating stupid.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CF4Q8gIwAw

I mean it costs like £17 for a good strong helmet

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Fargo
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PostRe: Cycling
by Fargo » Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:30 pm

Went over the handle bars today and off the track down into a gully. Wear a helmet guys.

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Slartibartfast
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Location: Worcestershire

PostRe: Cycling
by Slartibartfast » Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:34 pm

Errkal wrote:
smurphy wrote:Riding on the pavement is actually illegal, though I do it all the time.


I usually use the pavement to avoid traffic lights, rather than stop and rather than stop ride out like a strawberry floating bell


You give us all a bad name.

Riding on the road is smoother - better quality tarmac, better right of way and no kerbs to worry about. Ride with confidence and not closer than 1m to the kerb or parked cars (and wear bright clothes & lights) and it's a much better experience than trundling around pedestrians and putting yourself at risk hopping up and down pavements.

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Jonathan86
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Location: Glasgow

PostRe: Cycling
by Jonathan86 » Fri Aug 05, 2011 12:05 am

Ignore my second to last post. My attention has since been drawn to the Specialized 2011 Rockhopper Sl

http://www.dalescycles.com/productdetai ... ctid=55379

10/10 Review in Mountain Bike Review earlier in the year (below). Going to head into town tomorrow to try it out, and see if it can persuade me to spend the extra £100

http://ibd.specialized.com/media/whatsn ... Review.pdf

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jimbojango
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PostRe: Cycling
by jimbojango » Fri Aug 05, 2011 7:46 pm

Just picked up my own new ride:

Image

I'm too old for proper off roading, so this is a compromise that will mean I can still go trail riding as well as hop around town and to work.

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Fargo
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PostRe: Cycling
by Fargo » Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:23 pm

What model is that mate ?

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jimbojango
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PostRe: Cycling
by jimbojango » Fri Aug 05, 2011 11:52 pm

Fargo wrote:What model is that mate ?


Specialized Crosstrail Pro Disc:
http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBC ... h%2FGravel

I wish I'd had disc brakes on my old mountain bikes, they are so much better than bits of rubber - in particular in the wet.

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Yoshimi
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Location: Near Edinburgh

PostRe: Cycling
by Yoshimi » Sat Aug 06, 2011 2:35 pm

Cycled 43 miles this morning. The furthest I've done in one outing. Lovely route too, through the Scottish Borders. Kept my average speed up above 16.5mph. Legs are feeling it now though!

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Sputnik
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PostRe: Cycling
by Sputnik » Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:27 am

smurphy wrote:I would definitely wear a helmet. Your head is about 6' from the ground on a bike, a fall from that height can easily kill you. Especially if there's a car involved. Riding on the pavement is actually illegal, though I do it all the time. Lights aren't really necessary at this time of the year, but definitely, definitely get them as it gets darker. If you drive I'm sure you appreciate how invisible cyclists can be even when it's still fairly light.


I also use my helmet all most :shifty: of the time. My brother-in-law crashed his bike, broke his shoulder, and said when he took off his helmet it was split in half. If he hadn't worn a helmet I don't wanna know what would have happened. His skull probably wouldn't be split in half because there's different dynamics involved, but it definitely would have been ugly.

This is malignant for diapered cartoon girls crutches as well

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