Can you recommend me a bike?

Roadrunner_668

Roadrunner_668

Roadrunner_668

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Joined
7 Jul 2015
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1,276
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Portslade area
Hello,

I was wondering what off-road bike I should get for about £400? Currently I have a really old road bike which I got from the Friday Ad!

No good for riding in the country, even with the mountain bike wheels I shoved in it. Time to move on! :D
 
James07 said:
What sort of off roading will you be doing?
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Just countryside riding for leisure! :)

Farm tracks, muddy paths, maybe some grass & fields, probably not much tough stuff like scaling steep things or going over rock, but perhaps a little!

I live near the south downs, if that helps at all. I will probably be mostly riding around that sort of area! :)

No road riding apart from maybe going from my house to the downs, but I am getting a car soon so I don't mind that for now! After that the bike can go in the car
 
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I don't know if thats what I want, but they look cool! I've never used drop-bars (is that what theyre called?) and I'm not sure they would be that comfortable to use for the sort of riding I'm doing.

I won't be going particularly fast. :)
 
Roadrunner_668 said:
I don't know if thats what I want, but they look cool! I've never used drop-bars (is that what theyre called?) and I'm not sure they would be that comfortable to use for the sort of riding I'm doing.

I won't be going particularly fast. :)
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Youd be surprised how comfortable they are. You dont have to use the drops, I dont use mine that often when commuting, maybe if im challenging for a down hill section.

Theres a guy on the road cycling thread that was raving about his a couple of weeks back stating its the best bike hes ever.

You might get a bit more for your money with a hardtail, will it be a hardtail that you want?
 
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There are a few cyclocross bikes for £400, but they're not mindblowing or anything unless they're on offer. This, for example, or this which was recently down to 400. If you're not going to be doing any road riding then a hardtail mountain bike (no rear suspension) might be the way to go. Something like this, although i'm not overly familiar with MTBs. Are you willing to consider second hand?
 
I like that Voodoo!

What is considered a normal "size"? I notice a dropdown with 16" 18" and 20"? Does that just depend on my height as to which I should choose? I'm a hair over 6ft if that helps!! :)

I am tempted by those CX bikes now but still not sure about the handlebars. It is a shame that I don't know anyone who has one I can try :(

I'm not overly familiar with bikes at all! I think I'd like to stick to a new one though. I will probably keep it and maintain it forever. I just ride my bike a-lot more than I did now I have moved closer to country trails and things, and my hacked together bike is just not much use!
 
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Roadrunner_668 said:
I like that Voodoo!

What is considered a normal "size"? I notice a dropdown with 16" 18" and 20"? Does that just depend on my height as to which I should choose? I'm a hair over 6ft if that helps!! :)

I am tempted by those CX bikes now but still not sure about the handlebars. It is a shame that I don't know anyone who has one I can try :(
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If youre serious about buying one then im sure a local store would let you have a little go on one so you can see how they handle, theyre quite good for light off roading, lads at work are raving over one at the moment.

A friend of mine at work has a beauty that hes going to let me use for a week or so to see if i like it.

But, the hardtails might be the best option if youre not going to be doing any road riding.

Im not sure on sizing but if you ask in the road cycling section then im sure someone will reply pretty sharpish.

Shame you dont live closer as id offer you my Trek Marlin 6 29er cheap as i want to sell that and get a CX.
 
Thanks, I think I might keep looking at the hardtails then, as I cant see myself doing much (if any) road riding once I get my car! (I have another thread for that :D)

I will ask about frame size at some point in another thread then. Or if anyone here could answer that would be good too!! :)
 
Roadrunner_668 said:
Thanks, I think I might keep looking at the hardtails then, as I cant see myself doing much (if any) road riding once I get my car! (I have another thread for that :D)

I will ask about frame size at some point in another thread then. Or if anyone here could answer that would be good too!! :)
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It was a guess for my mtb frame size haha, i could have done with a frame smaller though.

The road bike is perfect size for me, got help in the shop with that one.

I have weirdly short legs and a large body though so choosing a frame was particularly difficult for me haha.
 
I'd say a hard tail (front suspension only) would be a good bet.

The thing with frame sizes is they can vary a bit, some makes are small, medium, L, XL etc, some are in inches, the main things you need to take into account are reach (how far you are stretching from your hips to your handle bars) and saddle height, both re slightly adjustable by moving the seat up/down and forward /backwards or even fitting different length stems (the tube between the handle bar and the steerer tube.

The aim is to get something in the middle for your particular body shape to allow for personal adjustments preference. 'faster' cross country style frames will have you more stretched out with a higher saddle, almost like a road bike, but not quite as extreme,more aggressive off road frames tend to be the opposite.
 
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