549 replies to this topic

[French-A]

I'm considering getting a new bike for commuting to and from both work and my station but I don't have the foggiest idea what to get.

The last bike I bought was 9 years ago it was a diamond back horizon mountain bike which has been subjected to years of abuse both on an off road.

And I was donated a trials bike from a friend who got a new bike when he was sponsored to compete by a bicycle shop near inverness however this had taken many spills before i got it and then quite a few afterwards as well.

The routes to both of my places of work are road routes and I don't feel the need to go for an all sining and dancing off road bike like the trials bike that I used to use but I am worried about getting a true road bike due to my stature at 6'1" and just under 16 stone weight.

So basically after that long winded explaination I was wondering if any of you more knowledgeble people had any suggestions.

[Corbs]

I'm very happy with my Diamondback Response, gave me very good value for money and hasn't messed up. Looks mean too...

[GoAhead]

I too am thinking of buying a bike in the summer, but a little worried about not having the fitness levels required to cycle. I would say I am quite unfit, and I do weigh a hell of a lot. Do cycles have weight limits? I am also thinking of doing the police cycle course in the summer too, walking everywhere wouldn't be as fun as a blast on a bike now and again! Any other larger people on here cycle?

[French-A]

I'm very happy with my Diamondback Response, gave me very good value for money and hasn't messed up. Looks mean too...

Thats a pretty nifty looking bike there my diamondback horizon was a no suspension bog standard bike

[Paradox]

I don't suppose one of you kind people could please recommend for me a bike (if there is one) that has front but no rear suspension, dual disk brakes and an aluminium frame for around £250?

[Corbs]

I think my Diamondback Response fitted those specs when I bought it. Hydraulic discs as well.

[Paradox]

I think my Diamondback Response fitted those specs when I bought it. Hydraulic discs as well.

Isn't that around the £350 mark?

[Corbs]

Haggling is your friend! I got him down to £280 which isn't too far off.

[freols]

Ooh! Can I join the club?

I picked up one of these new for £200
http://www.sunsetmtb...;category_id=77
A fairly mental offer, although it has entirely bankrupted me!

What I would like your opinions on, is safety gear - I want to avoid being another central London cyclist fatality.
I have a helmet, and some lights, but that's it.

Any advice with regard to high vis gear?

[Corbs]

Try to get something with a good amount of reflective all around, often it's only small piping or on the sides. OneStopCopShop should have a lot of cycle kit at the moment, with their procurement of KiT's stock.

[freols]

Try to get something with a good amount of reflective all around, often it's only small piping or on the sides. OneStopCopShop should have a lot of cycle kit at the moment, with their procurement of KiT's stock.

I can't find anything on their website aside from patrol coats... any idea where they might list their cycle kit?

[Trojan631]

I can't find anything on their website aside from patrol coats... any idea where they might list their cycle kit?

They have properbly not finished going though it yet.

Best bet is to give them a ring 01749 605 007 Terry & Emma are really helpful

[spidey]

I would highly recommend Giant bikes. They're great value, have fantastic frames, and you can get anything from a basic model for £200, right up to a professional downhill model for £2000! But they are always strong, reliable, and easy to fix. The best combination.

[Corbs]

I can't find anything on their website aside from patrol coats... any idea where they might list their cycle kit?

They have all of KiTs stock, so will have to catalogue it all, so it will take a few weeks at least, I imagine. Give them a call.

[maka]

My front sus is dead.
any suggestions for a decent budget-ish front fork, adjustable suspension. currently running Rockshox Tora.

[GoAhead]

I too am thinking of buying a bike in the summer, but a little worried about not having the fitness levels required to cycle. I would say I am quite unfit, and I do weigh a hell of a lot. Do cycles have weight limits? I am also thinking of doing the police cycle course in the summer too, walking everywhere wouldn't be as fun as a blast on a bike now and again! Any other larger people on here cycle?

Anyone?

[Corbs]

I wouldn't worry too much, I know some prety big people who cycle, big in the sense of muscle, but mass is mass, right? Also, the cycling will soon shift those pounds! Good luck!

[GoAhead]

Just looking at the options for my new (off duty personal) bike. Do I pay an extra £80 and get hydraulic disc brakes as opposed to the supplied cable disc brakes on my new bike? Is it really worth it?

[Cuddles]

Just looking at the options for my new (off duty personal) bike. Do I pay an extra £80 and get hydraulic disc brakes as opposed to the supplied cable disc brakes on my new bike? Is it really worth it?

Absolutely!

I don't know about your previous experience with MTB disc brakes but if you use the Specialized Rockhopper at work (looking at some of the subtle clues in your previous posts it would appear that we are both in the same constabulary so it's likely) then you will have no doubt noticed that the cables on mechanical disc brakes stretch over time and can eventually fail. Hydraulic brakes don't have this problem if they are regularly serviced and are a lot smoother, more powerful and more reliable.

You will notice the difference!

[Sparky]

.

Edited by Sparky, 20 August 2010 - 06:59 AM.

[Corbs]

I've found quite a good way of improving your visibility without making your bike look like a highlighter exploded next to it in the daytime. It's been marketed as 'Stealth Tape' but is just black tape that reflects silver. I plan to get some of their cycle rim reflective tapes. Here it is on my bike in the day:


Night:



http://moglo.co.uk/m...ective_tape.htm

Edited by corbs, 19 August 2010 - 10:41 PM.

[SC Ben]

Had a search but didn't find one currently running, and we have a Broom Broom Bikers one so why not a Cycle one!!

So who's into the cycling and what sort?

Also get some pictures up of your bikes etc

I'm a massive cycling fan, haven't been on the bike for nearly a year though due to a leg injury but hoping to get myself a new bike in time for summer!

I used to spend a lot of time just road cycling really, but I've decided my next bike is going to be a bit more special and I'm going to start doing a bit more down hill riding, lots of lovely wooded areas with some good paths so going to get into it

[goldfgy]

I currently have a Raleigh Passage 4.0 hybrid cycle. The weather here has kept me off it, but the forecast is for warmer conditions for the next few days. That should melt most of the snow and ice.
I would be interested to know if anyone has used a folding bicycle, and what they thought of it.
My area has several excellent bicycle paths and more are planned.

[SC Ben]

There's not many bike paths around my area, just plenty of woodland areas with mud paths etc that would be good fun!

I've been pricing up some ideas recently and it looks like it's going to be cheaper to buy a bike 2nd hand and then upgrade the parts on it, advantage of that is I get to play around with bits and see how I like them etc

[maka]

we do have a cyclists one i did ages ago, ill get link!

ah wait - userbar in my signature!
how daft am i