Bike spec please...

cmsbfent

cmsbfent

cmsbfent

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hi there folks,

I am wanting to purchase a bike soon but have absolutely no idea where to start looking. At the mo I have a dodgy cheap bike of the halfords sale variety which weighs an absolute tonne and its time for a change..

So, basically i have about 400 to spend on it and i'd like it as light as possible. It'll be used mainly to get to work so a road bike (tis only a 2 mile trip though)?? but also would like the option of a bit of off road trails.. looks fun, so full suspension?? Discs breaks would be nice as would those triggery type gears (unless they are pants??).. sorry for question marks, i'm clueless really

Dont mind if it a 2001, 2002 etc model.. what ever fits the price tag. Is halfords still a no go generally?

Cheers folks, much appreciated
 
Hi,

Firstly I would nip over to What MTB and read this!

I would reccomend a hardtail:

- More bike for your money
- Full sus bike are pretty rubbish under £800 imo
- Full sus will soak up your power more than a hardtail on road (not good!)
- You can 'feel' what a hardtail is doing better so it's better for learning off road skills on.

Someone will be along shortly to tell you where you can get a Giant XTC SE 2006 for pretty cheap... it's a good bike. Nice and light.

I went for the Specialised Hardrock 2007 with the Hydraulic Disks. That was £400 but it's not suited to on road usage. It's heavier and more of an off roader.

Hope that helps. :)
 
You're not going to get full suspension for £400. I would look at rigid MTB with slicks (on-road) with V brakes, to front suspension with v-brakes. You don't need discs, and they're heavier.
 
squiffy said:
You're not going to get full suspension for £400. I would look at rigid MTB with slicks (on-road) with V brakes, to front suspension with v-brakes. You don't need discs, and they're heavier.
Click to expand...

But disk are spinney and shiney. I like spinney and shiney things. And they look manly. But yeah... V Brakes are a better iead as this frees up budget for better running gear and a lighter frame etc.
 
cheers for that..

I've been offered a GT Avalanche 2.0. Any good?

Needs fixing up a bit but mainly is just rust from not being used for a while

Thanks
 
Yeah ok, just check bottom bracket, headset & seat post aren't stuck solid. MTB are just ok for road riding, if you're riding to work everyday I would pickup another bike. Flat bar racer/drop bar racer, tourer, cyclocross with slicks, MTB with slicks. Riding on road with front suspension/full suspension with knobbly tires isn't fun (low speed, high rolling resistance, lots of drag from upright position/tires)
 
back again :D


I'm having yet another browse and have come across a 2nd hand kona kikapu 2005 model. I could stretch to its price tag but cant find nothing about it. I know kona makes quality bikes but how light is it etc..

Actually, i have no idea how light a light bike is thinking about it.. think i read somewhere that this model comes in at about 27lbs. That light??

Cheers muchly

http://konabikes.co.uk/2k5bikes/2k5_kikapu.php
 
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cheers for that..

so would you class that as a light bike then.. i'm having trouble putting a weight to my old bike but i'd say it was a lot more than that.. a medium sized elephant perhaps...

oh yeah, and is it a good bike or are there better altenatives in the 400-500 bracket

thanks
 
My bike is around 30lbs and it doesn't feel that heavy, certainly lighter than most £300-400 standard MTB bikes.
 
2 mile road trip
some off road trails

Go for rigid or front suspension, I would also buy a set of wheels & tyres, one set with knobbly, another with road tyres.
 
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