Quick pushbike question

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:12

Im going out in about in an hour, to buy a new bike. I aint a clue what to look for, so what makes a good bike.
number of gears?

My last bike was a barucuda thriller which was a brilliant bike i thought, so im hoping to get something similar or better. My budget is about £400-£600

dustiestrat · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:14

all depends what your using it for if you want road bike nice thin tires and a light frame are important also you dont want shocks.if you want mountain bike a more rugged frame with good shockabsorbers are needed its all relative.

peter_hutson · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:14

What are you going to use your new bike for, mountain biking, downhill, riding to work or just general use?

4-600 quid should get you a pretty good bike in most classes though.

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:19

Its used for work and getting around town. With my last bike i could peddle at a reasonable pace and i would just go really fast is that due to having high gears. My mates bike goes really fast without as much effort as i put into peddling, so would like to know how to have a bike that goes that fast with ease.

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:29

anyone

peter_hutson · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:30

bakes0310 said:
Its used for work and getting around town. With my last bike i could peddle at a reasonable pace and i would just go really fast is that due to having high gears. My mates bike goes really fast without as much effort as i put into peddling, so would like to know how to have a bike that goes that fast with ease.

It's all in the gears, it sounds like you want a hybrid mountain bike. This is a sort of mountain bike with some racer features. As for suspension, unless you intend to really go off road, don't bother. Put your money towards getting quality parts you do need. Front suspension can be nice, but rear suspension is a total waste of time for most people. I don't think you need to spend your full budget, I think you would get a dam good bike for about 400 quid.

This would probably be fine for you

http://www.alpinebikes.com/productdetails.asp?id=AAA&desc=4500+2007&ca=bikes&s2=&s2=MOUNTAIN&MSTAT=1

If it's pure speed you're after then you want a racing bike, they have light frames, high gear ratios, thin tyres to reduce friction and force you to ride in a streamlined position. But they are useless off road and by off road I really mean anyhting that is not a suitable for cars.

dustiestrat · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:31

yeah the more gears you have the easier to go fast and peddle slow but don't be fooled its still hard work peddling slow to go fast.

peter_hutson · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:32

Or this is you are happy without any suspension http://www.alpinebikes.com/productdetails.asp?id=AJA&desc=7%2E2+FX+2007&ca=bikes&s2=&s2=LEISURE&MSTAT=1

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:40

Thanx all, im a bit more clever on bikes now, and im confident enough now to go get a new bike in a bit.
So im looking for:
Lots of gears
Road/racing bike
Front Suspension
Light in weight

dustiestrat · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:43

bakes0310 said:
Thanx all, im a bit more clever on bikes now, and im confident enough now to go get a new bike in a bit.
So im looking for:
Lots of gears
Road/racing bike
Front Suspension
Light in weight

sounds good to me basically what i ride, i think mines got 19 gears with push button changer i wanted disc brakes but they werent that important andto pricy for me.

peter_hutson · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:43

bakes0310 said:
Thanx all, im a bit more clever on bikes now, and im confident enough now to go get a new bike in a bit.
So im looking for:
Lots of gears
Road/racing bike
Front Suspension
Light in weight

Should do you fine. Make sure you go to a good shop, as they will work out what frame size is best for you. For the frame, you should get a aluminium one with your budget. If you go for the racer option, you'll have to drop the suspension.

When you go to the shop, pick a few bikes up, it's amazing the difference in weight.

tom_e · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:45

if your going for a road/racing bike you wont get front suspension and neither will you need it if your just going to use the bike on road

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:48

blitz2163 said:
if your going for a road/racing bike you wont get front suspension and neither will you need it if your just going to use the bike on road

ok fair enough

gumbald · 10 Jan 2008 at 15:49

Go to some independent bike shops and have a proper look, get some actual advice with the bikes in front of you.

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 16:32

Just come back bought myself a giants brand bike, cost me £425. They only had a meduim assembled so gotta go back at 5:15 to pick up the large size, cant wait to ride it home.

jamief · 10 Jan 2008 at 16:36

bakes0310 said:
Just come back bought myself a giants brand bike, cost me £425. They only had a meduim assembled so gotta go back at 5:15 to pick up the large size, cant wait to ride it home.

What model was it? Giant are a good brand....

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 16:38

jamief said:
What model was it? Giant are a good brand....

ill get back to you on that when i fetch it later

bakes0310 · 10 Jan 2008 at 17:43

Giants Terrago £425.

Megahurtz400 · 10 Jan 2008 at 17:48

Wow, looks a nice bike

Has it got Disc brakes?
Jus dearching online some do, some dont

badbob · 10 Jan 2008 at 17:52

If you're just riding on road you don't need suspension. So ignore advice about front suspension bikes. You'll want one of the following

Pure race bike with drops
Flat bar race bike
Tourer (flat or drops)
Cyclo-Cross
Commuter

You don't need disc brakes for on road either. These are my two bikes