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How to chose bicycles for me an't' wife

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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 13:17 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: How to chose bicycles for me an't' wife Reply with quote

So, I haven't had a bicycle since I was about 15, and that was a cheapy from Aldi and the pedal kept working its way loose.

The wife mentioned the possibility of her getting a pedal cycle and I thought it would be a good way of getting out and about at the weekends for some exercise and fresh air.

Now I've looked at gumtree and there are the very cheap ones, that I wouldn't touch, and then some brands that I think I have heard of, Boardman and Carrera (?). These come with measurements of frames and wheels etc.

Right now I'm looking for advice for these specs:

I'm 6'2" and the missus is 6' (5'11" and 3 quarters if you ask her)
Ability to ride on the muddy trails in the woods, along canals and perhaps short trips on the road.
I assume you can buy new wheels to have a road set if some road riding is more on the cards? - thinking if the missus threatens to cycle the 8 miles to work
Budget would probs be around 300 (or less) each to get a decent second hand one for us both. Don't want to be spending 500+ for something she might not even like!
Don't want a cheapy because crappy running gear would make it worse to ride and perhaps not inspire the missus to play out as much.

Cheers
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R


Last edited by DrSnoosnoo on 13:45 - 06 Jun 2016; edited 1 time in total
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UnknownStuntm...
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PostPosted: 13:27 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Re: How to chose bicycles for me an't' wife Reply with quote

DrSnoosnoo wrote:
some brands that I think I have heard of, Boardman and Carrera

I'll stop you right there, because it seems you're about to do something silly and ask Halfords for some 'advice'.

Most local bike shops have a dealership with a big brand, like Giant, Trek, Raleigh etc. Get to one of them and cast your eyes on the town and trail bikes. 700c wheels, so you can get skinny slicks for them, but most come with offroadish tyres that would do a canal path just perfick.
Don't get fooled by gadgets and gizmos, sort your size first (probably not the same between different bikes even from the same manufacturer) then add on (or add the value of the included accessories) on.
Bikes are about 10-15% profit, accessories are about 45% profit, so when you've picked a bike or two get them to chuck the kitchen sink in, most likely instead of a discount on the bike price. But don't let that stop you asking.
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arry
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PostPosted: 13:27 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

The muddy trails bit is what's going to define your search there as the rest of it is easy.

How muddy, how off road? Or do you mean fairly light country park track duties?

In reality, any entry level specification MTB with half decent front suspension will suffice. The thing that's going to make the difference for you is the tyre type. For example, I have a GT Avalanche 1.0 and the wife has the 2.0 - ie lower spec. On a bimble, they're both much for much. If you're throwing it about a bit, the 1.0's better components do make a difference, but it's not night and day and the 2.0 is still a good ride. However, I've changed the Kenda Nevegal big knobblies over to Continental Raceking tyres and that's made a huge difference as it's far less effort to get round the loose pack trails and a huge amount easier on the road. Can't show 'em any mud though - they're crap at that.

Look for CUBE, GT Avalanche (or if you can find a good condition cheap second hand Zaskar, even better!), Rockrider (Decathlon own brand bikes and really not bad at all), Specialised Hardrock. They'll all be fine and should be able to get a decent SH one for ~£250
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 13:44 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Re: How to chose bicycles for me an't' wife Reply with quote

UnknownStuntman wrote:
I'll stop you right there, because it seems you're about to do something silly and ask Halfords for some 'advice'.


I wouldn't think of it. There's a good few (what I deem) proper cycle shops around my neck of the woods, so if I was to go anywhere to peruse and ask advice, it'd be one of them.

arry wrote:
How muddy, how off road? Or do you mean fairly light country park track duties?


I mean light country park, where there can be a bit of squishy stuff, nothing "proper".

So it seems perhaps we should jump in the car, go to a shop and see what style of bike fits then look to the second hand market? I wouldn't want to buy new first time because you could guarantee she wouldn't use it if I did whereas I'd be happy(/ier) to lose £200 than something around £700.
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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chris-red
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PostPosted: 13:46 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

You really need to decide whether you need a road bike or an offroad bike. Anything that claims to do bough will do neither very well.

For offroad, I like the Specialized Hardrocks, great entry level MTBs, you should be able to get a newish more or less unused one for your budget.

For road I maintain the best value for money are older bikes. You can get a nice 80's bike with Reynolds tubing for £200 easy. I think it will ride better than an entry level bike modern bike. It also would be easy to upgrade, I'd suggest it's worth spending a bit on dual pivot calipers to greatly improve braking.
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 14:03 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

chris-red wrote:
You really need to decide whether you need a road bike or an offroad bike. Anything that claims to do bough will do neither very well.

For offroad, I like the Specialized Hardrocks, great entry level MTBs, you should be able to get a newish more or less unused one for your budget.

For road I maintain the best value for money are older bikes. You can get a nice 80's bike with Reynolds tubing for £200 easy. I think it will ride better than an entry level bike modern bike. It also would be easy to upgrade, I'd suggest it's worth spending a bit on dual pivot calipers to greatly improve braking.


For what I envisage the major usage will be, it's mostly off-road. I wouldn't want a focussed road/race bike, not that I know the differences apart from curly, and non curly handle bars.
I just wondered whether any of the off road bikes could also handle some tyres that aren't too focussed for mud plugging.

I know it sounds quite vague but that's because I don't know what I'm talking about.

Because I aim for country parks/canal tow paths, I'd assume that a road bike would be unsuitable.
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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arry
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PostPosted: 14:15 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Any decent entry level MTB of the brands mentioned then mate.

Don't go full suspension - hard tail, just front forks will be fine. Full suspension in your price range will be rubbish and heavy.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/gt-avalanche-comp-2016/1172680542

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/gt-avalanche-sport-2016-as-new/1172544206

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/specialised-hardrock-/1170720154

Etc.
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 14:20 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

arry wrote:
Any decent entry level MTB of the brands mentioned then mate.

Don't go full suspension - hard tail, just front forks will be fine. Full suspension in your price range will be rubbish and heavy.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/gt-avalanche-comp-2016/1172680542

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/gt-avalanche-sport-2016-as-new/1172544206

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/specialised-hardrock-/1170720154

Etc.


Those seem similar to what I've seen on the gummytree too.

I'll have some words with said wife tonight and then perhaps, I'll be back with some links to what's local and available and ask for some feedback.

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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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DrSnoosnoo
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PostPosted: 15:27 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello, me again. Looking through some other threads I've seen a mention of the Decathlon website.

They have a B'Twin Rockrider 340. Here

It seems rather low spec, no disc brakes for one. At £160, is it worth spending that extra £50 or so for a used Specialised?
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R
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angryjonny
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PostPosted: 17:36 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

DrSnoosnoo wrote:
Because I aim for country parks/canal tow paths, I'd assume that a road bike would be unsuitable.

Me and her got Carrera Crossfire 3s (one his, one hers) for similar reasons to you. Wanted to go out and about but not risk too much money on a hobby that may come to nothing. They're hybrid bikes so ok on dirt tracks etc but no fat lumpy tyres that zap your energy on asphalt. Front suspension, disc brakes etc. Pretty pleased with them all in all. Yes I'm sure some people turn their noses up at Carrera but they seemed good value for money and easy to acquire. Seemed to be on permanent discount at Halfrauds too (i.e. don't pay full price because that's the occasional mega-markup they display to make the "sale" price legal).
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arry
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PostPosted: 18:49 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

DrSnoosnoo wrote:

It seems rather low spec, no disc brakes for one.


You'd be getting decent hydraulic discs on any of the stuff mentioned, so I'd stick with a good condition SH bike rather than paying the new penalty.
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stinkwheel
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PostPosted: 19:32 - 06 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Keep an eye out for second hand On-One MTBs. They're made in Sheffield so could be a few fairly local to you.

For your budget. I'd definately be looking second hand.

Don't let them sell the misses a "ladies" frame. She isn't going to be riding it in a skirt so what the hell does she need a dropped crossbar for? Some companies do "ladies" bikes which have girly colour schemes and perhaps slightly different geometry (so slightly shorter top-tube, shorter reach brake levers and such) which is sensible but if it's a drop-crossbar frame, it's not a proper bike. If she's 6', she doesn't need a ladies bike.

If you want the misses to enjoy the cycling, do not let her buy a big, padded saddle, she will try to do this because wimmins have delicate derrieres and she will think this will protect it. She will then get saddle sore and because they are delicate, will not say this is why she doesn't want to ride it again.

My oppinion, the number 1 investment if you want your female significant other to come out cycling with you more than once is a good saddle and get it fitted for her (a good bike shop will have a device that will measure how she sits on the saddle and recommend one that's appropriate*). Buy her some proper cycling shorts with plenty of padding.

Mrs stinkwheel recommends a Specialized "lithia" saddle for all day long comfort (and she's training for an Iron Man so she knows what she's talking about). She has one on both her MTB and her road bike.

* A bad bike shop will be difficult because she is a woman then recommend the most expensive one. There are more bad than good ones.
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chris-red
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PostPosted: 17:31 - 07 Jun 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:

If you want the misses to enjoy the cycling, do not let her buy a big, padded saddle, she will try to do this because wimmins have delicate derrieres and she will think this will protect it. She will then get saddle sore and because they are delicate


I tried but she did it anyway Laughing

I've let her know maybe she will come around to the lithia.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
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