tbourner Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Bicycle I mean, not motor. I don't know anything about bikes, but I want to start riding to work. I don't want one of those racer things, with the bent bars and 2mm wide tyres, so it's down to mountain bikes. What type though? Do I get the full suspension funny shaped ones (which I guess aren't very good on the road) or a solid framed normal shaped one? I don't fancy spending a lot, about £150 really, should I go second hand? What size? I'm 5'11", 32" inside leg. 26" wheels and 20" frame? Anyone know a good place around Portsmouth? Oh, and black preferably! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheekymonkey Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I have a Carrera Subway 8 from halfords that I got a couple of years ago. It's like a cross betweena mountain bike and a road racer, disc brakes, enclosed gears, low/no maintenance. I think they are called town bikes or something like that. And, it's black, even has black spokes *grin* James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 If thats you're budget dont go for anyting full suspension, as it will be heavy, and standard v brakes will be more than adequate. You are best off going for a hybrid as cheeky monkey has said from halfords preferably aluminium. Nice thin wheels with road tyres also. I cant talk really as I use a marin downill bike when riding to work:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 You'll get a better quality bike if you get a secondhand one. Like Dave says, avoid full suspension as it's totally unnecessary for the road and it just adds weight and cost. I bought some city slicker tyres for the road, much less rolling resistance than the chunky mountain bike tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bromy Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I used to do some road biking, no more for me mate its a jungle out there car drivers dont care, vans are the worst:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I've been toying with the idea too... don't fancy my usual route to work on it though, killer of a roundabout on the way! (Haverton Hill for those North East folk) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supradoopa Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I wouldn't fancy that either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 A nice padded seat is a must for the route to work I have a race bike for fitness and if i haven't ridden it in a while it is a killer on the undercarriage, even with padded cycling shorts Don't forget a helmet too, you'll look like a pwoer ranger but the old squisy bit will get some protection. You don't want to hit the ground without one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Need4Speed Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 I've got a Falcon "Hybrid" - half road, bike half mountain. Flat bars, 18 gears etc. mudguards so you don't get a line of dirt up your back, rear rack for carrying stuff - good value for money at well under £200 new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted September 24, 2007 Author Share Posted September 24, 2007 I'm going to look at a British Eagle Trailbreaker that's round the corner. It's a Y-frame (which I didn't want) and it's dual suspension (which I didn't want), but it's pretty much as new, and only £40. Plus now I'm thinking when we get our dog and go on hiking weekends and stuff it could be handy to have an off road bike to use. Are rear suspension bikes really that bad on the road then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papercutout Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Are rear suspension bikes really that bad on the road then? if you spend less that £500+ then yes... They're heavier for a start. And on top of that you get bob which basically means that the suspension soaks up the effort you're putting into cycling. Bad news if you have a steep hill to go up for example. Imagine standing up and sprinting on it and all the power goes down and through the suspension, you end up bouncing along. More expensive bikes can come with a lockout, you flick a switch and the rear sus stiffens up. You still have the added weight, but no bob. No point in having a full sus bike for purely on road cycling though. I'd get a city style bike. Cross between mountain bike style frame etc with v brakes, skinnier wheels, low rolling resistance tyres. If you want front suspension, post up on here and we'll say whats good or not. But I wouldn't bother for your budget. And yes, go second hand, not halfruads.... Or if you want new and have a local proper cycle shop, go there, at least for advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Definitely go for the hybrid mate, especially if you're not likely to go anywhere near a bumpy track / off road. They'll all be hard tails and some have suspension on the front fork, some not. As has been said already, second hand will get you the best buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 I've been toying with the idea too... don't fancy my usual route to work on it though, killer of a roundabout on the way! (Haverton Hill for those North East folk) Oof, don't fancy that much, I'm amazed you're still here to post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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