First bike...help!

[-LG-]

Ok, so its not my first bike, but my first in a long time. Rode a bike for the first time Sunday evening and it wasn't that bad.

I've got a budget of around £500/£600. I've got no idea what I'm looking at though.

I like the idea of a road bike, but also like the idea of going off road (just dirt tracks).

I've seen this that appears to get good reviews.

Is there anything else that would be better?

I'm 6ft 4 and the wrong side of 18 stone, so want to get something that will be able to cope with that!
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Snow rider wrote: I'm far to annoying to be near for long periods of time

[Minty]

I will never let Halfords build another bike for me.

Prioritise what you want, if you are Road riding 90% of the time then get something more suited to that. I bought a more offroading bike but ended up hardly doing any and it was too much hard work on the road. It is in the back of my shed now.

Maybe look at hybrids with sportier wheel/tyre combo's.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[Seb]

Considered a CX bike? Otherwise a hybrid will also handle light dirt track duties no problem.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[mudcow007]

cx bike everyday!!

drop handlebars - so you can go fast on the road (an out of the wind)

mounts for mudguards

waaay better brakes - most now use disc

more comfy riding position that a road bike, basically similar to a mountain bike

dont get a hybrid, kids will point an laugh at you in the street

look at Specialized Tricross etc....

[map]

[-LG-]

Thanks for the replies. Fairly sure I'm going to go for this.

The shop I went to were fantastic. Doing a bit more research to make sure I'm not going to waste £600 and going to order it Sunday/Monday.
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Snow rider wrote: I'm far to annoying to be near for long periods of time

[Seb]

Not bad at all but it might be worth getting a test ride on one with a rigid fork just to weigh up all the options, that fork is likely adding nearly 2kg of weight right there. Ditching that not only saves a huge chunk of weight, but also leaves more budget for better bits elsewhere.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[-LG-]

[Seb]

On hills, yes, massively.

My commute is only 2 miles now, but it's a roller coaster of moderate hills. To give you an idea of how I go on different bikes in jeans+backpack:

Specialized SX at 16kg - 8mph avg

Specialized Stumpjumper at 11kg - 14mph

Fuji Granfondo at 7.5kg - 18mph

The SX has sticky tyres and 1x9 gearing so is never going to be in the same league as the other two but the suspension is locked out on both Specializeds so that isn't a factor. Both the Stumpy and the Granfondo are running slicks. A flatter route would bring the two MTBs a little closer to the Fuji mind.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Baffler186]

[-LG-]

Well I changed my mind completely and ended up with a Giant Defy 3. Its fantastic, love it. Unbelievably light, around 10kg. Paid £600 for it.

First ride on Sunday, 7.7 miles in just under 38 minutes, short ride today to pick up the car, around three miles.

Arse is killing me now! Ordered some padded shorts yesterday to wear.
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Snow rider wrote: I'm far to annoying to be near for long periods of time

[Seb]

Great choice

Focus on steady mileage rather than trying to push hills or strava segments at first. Avoid letting yourself blow up or riding into the floor and you'll be hooked in no time
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[-LG-]

Yeah going slow and steady to get used to riding and not to burn out too quickly. I do fancy doing a 100 mile ride though...
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Snow rider wrote: I'm far to annoying to be near for long periods of time

[mudcow007]

the pain in the arse thing will pass, you will weirdly just get use to it an the pain will stop

padded shorts do help though