Shortlisted 2 bikes but still not sure! Canondale, Cube or Beone

James07

James07

James07

Soldato
Joined
6 Dec 2006
Posts
5,914
Location
West Yorkshire
Ive been looking at upgrading my extremely heavy and temperamental Raleigh for a while now but im stuck on what to move on to. I generally use it for commuting back and forward to work and to the girlfriends as i find its better for my health than my car!

Work commute is 5.72 miles 1000ft decent takes approx 28mins, the reverse takes 55 mins.

My commute home from the mrs' is about a 7.5 mile trip and takes a hour and a bit mostly uphill until i get to a very steep and cobbly section which drops me more than ive just gained.

Im looking at 29" wheels only below are the 3 bikes im stuck on..

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Cannondale-2014-Trail-29er-6-Hardtail-MTB-Bike

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Cube-2014-Aim-SL-29-Hardtail-MTB-Bike

http://www.merlincycles.com/beone-crd-comp-alloy-29er-mountain-bike-65305.html

Im wanting help deciding which is best or if there are any others in the price range that might beat these? My budget is a strict £500.

Thanks,

James.
 
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What you want is a hyrbid or road bike with 700x35c tyres unless you are going up and down a really muddy hill

with 700x35c tyres you have far less rolling resistance , far less weight in the wheels meaning it's easier to get momentum.
 
how off road? is off road? seriously 700c x35c tyres can handle almost anything and without suspension you won't be going very fast off road anyway so might as well just bought hybrid
people always go over kill when they buy a bike

I've ridden across a farmers field in the tracks left by a tractor with 700x35c tyres without issue and the track was full of fist sized rocks
 
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not from mtb tyres to hyrbid or the reverse although there is a limited range of widths you can change to.
most hybrids (also known as commuter bikes) /CX (cyclo cross) bikes can fit 700 x 28mm to 700 x 38m (35mm is about 1.4inches most mtb likely have 1.8-2.5 inch tyres with huge knobbly bits that make road riding a real chore)

Might be worth trying to get a test ride on a hybrid or cyclo cross bike if drop bars don't scare you although I'm not sure if you can actually get a cx bike for 500

hybrid will have front suspension where as a cyclo cross bike will have a solid fork but from my experience the suspension on hybrids is useless and I get a smoother ride on my cx bike.

I even see road bikes on gravel and compacted dirt paths near where I live
 
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Try posting in the big bikes thread. Those guys will at least be able to tell you a bit about those bikes.

Also, where on earth are you commuting that it takes twice as long going back as going to?
 
Vonhelmet said:
Try posting in the big bikes thread. Those guys will at least be able to tell you a bit about those bikes.

Also, where on earth are you commuting that it takes twice as long going back as going to?
Click to expand...

Thanks buddy ill have a look, im from West Yorkshire:)

Got here in 27mins yesterday. Fastest home trip is 49.

1000ft decent to work with one uphill section which isn't really a hill, the home ride is pure uphill.

Im hugely unfit too, quit rugby a few years back due to a knee injury. Haven't done anything since, started the gym 7 weeks ago and cycling again a couple of weeks back and ive lost 8kg and im improving on my times so.. Hopefully a new bike will help this.

The bike i have is a a Raleigh, 6th slips due to chain length (even hough its had a new chain and sprocket) and its duel sus, heavy heavy bike! 18plus kg easy.
 
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